Wait Until You See This DIY Porch Sign for Fall

Lightly sand both sides including the edges

Use a 220 grit sanding sponge and lightly sand all sides of the board.

It doesn't need to be a lot.

Once you're done, shake off the sanding dust from your drop cloth.

Spray paint all sides

I like to use the nozzle because it saves your fingers and hands from any cramps.

The best way to spray paint is in short bursts starting from one side and working your way to the other side.

Don't forget to spray the edges.

If you do forget, I have a back up plan later (shh… I forgot to spray the edges lol).

Let dry according to the spray can instructions.

I think waited about an hour.

Repeat on the other side.

I did this so I could make a double sides sign and to make it look finished.

I haven't gotten around to the other side yet, but I'm thinking of something fall, but post halloween.

Or even something for the Christmas holiday season.

Decide on a phrase and take measurements

I decided I wanted “No Boos, No Entry” as my phrase because, well, seriously.

I decided, too, that each word would be its own line.

With 4 words and a five foot board, I added in a picture of a ghost in the middle as well.

I would recommend leaving about 4 inches from the top before starting the words and 6-8 inches from the bottom so when it's resting on the ground the words aren't so low.

I also spaced my words 5 inches apart.

If I were to do it again, I would say 2-3 inches would be better so they don't look disjointed.

With all this in mind, it gave me about one foot or less for each word and the picture.

I took my pencil and measuring tape and cut the board into sections marking a foot for each.

Make a grid in pencil on your board

I used my t-square to make sure my lines were straight and broke up the board lengthwise into 5 sections.

You can kind of see the faint pencil lines in the picture above.

Map your plan on graph paper

Once I had the measurements, I transferred the grid on to graph paper.

Each block of the graph paper represented an inch width-wise and 2 inches length-wise.

Since the width is 16 inches for my board, I left 2 inches on either side as blank space.

Again, I would keep it mind that the distance between the two words probably should have been less than what I did.

Also leave yourself room at the bottom so the last word isn't so close to the edge of the board.

I used some modern calligraphy I learned at a conference, but you can make these letters whatever type of font you want.

If you are worried that you have bad writing, you can look up how to make your own stencil without needing a machine, like a cricut or silhouette.

I did mine freehand using grids for each letter size from what I learned from the calligraphy.

Again, these can be block letters, script font, or whatever you think.

Transfer the rest of your grid to your board

Using your t-square again, mark relevant measurements vertically and horizontally to help keep your words in line.

Again, I did this freehand using the grid.

However, if you made your own stencil, like I mentioned in the last step, you can cut the excess paper around your words and line up your stencil with your center line.

Trace your words with the black paint pen

Once you have it all mapped out and you feel good about the outline, it's time to use the black paint pen.

Remember if you don't like something, now is the time to change it while it's still in pencil.

Follow the instructions on the paint pen for use.

I did the outline of the letters first and then darkened in the areas of the calligraphy to give it depth.

You can see the difference between the above picture and the one below.

Add white to the words for depth

At this time I didn't have a white paint pen, so I just used white paint I had on hand with a small brush.

I also ended up painting my ghost white as well.

Again, the easier way is to use a white paint pen, but paint and a brush will obviously work too.

Paint the edges black (Optional)

I would recommend just spray painting them from the begininng gray.

I left raw edges, so I ended up painting mine black.

Totally personal preference.

Clean up the excess lines

I used a small eraser to go around and remove the lines that I could still see from my white pencil.

I didn't do these very dark, so there were only some areas that needed to be cleaned up.

Seal the sign with matte clear enamel spray paint

Since this will be sitting outside, I wanted to make sure it was protected.

Rustoleum has many options for weather-proof top coats.

I went with the Matte Clear Enamel because I didn't want the sun to reflect off the sign at all.

I used two horses this time to prop it up out in the driveway and sprayed the whole thing down.

Want to watch the video for this post?

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I put together a video tutorial to add to this post, so you can see the full scope in real time!

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