This blog post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015

DIY Vintage Signs Made From Foam Board


An easy tutorial for making vintage inspired signs using Dollar Tree foam board!


I'm so excited to share this incredibly easy Dollar Tree project!  I've been making signs and transforming Dollar Tree products for a while now, so putting the two together to make affordable vintage inspired signs seemed like the next best idea.    

Easy vintage inspired foam board signs

I love that these DIY vintage signs are not only affordable to make, but they also use pre-cut letters, which means there's no need to mess with vinyl or fancy cutting machines.  

SUPPLIES NEEDED TO MAKE EASY VINTAGE INSPIRED SIGNS
Affiliate links have been used

- Foam board from Dollar Tree
- Black Elmer's Adhesive letters
- Straight edge
- Elmer's glue stick
- Utility knife
- Ruller
- Clear wax (I used CeCe Caldwell's)
- Aging Dust
- Wax brush
- Command Strips


HOW TO MAKE EASY VINTAGE SIGNS USING FOAM BOARD

I already had the black adhesive letters and the rest of the supplies, so all I needed to do was make a quick trip to Dollar Tree for foam board.  Depending on how large you want your signs, you'll be able to make multiple signs out of one pack of letters and one sheet of foam board.
measure and cut foam board
First, figure out what you want your sign to say.   Then measure and use a straight edge and utility knife to cut the foam board.  After your board is cut, use a ruler to arrange the letters evenly on the foam board.
Arrange adhesive letters on foam board

Use a straight edge and glue stick to attach letters
Once the letters are arranged how you want them, use a glue stick to stick the letters in place. 
A DIY tutorial for creating vintage looking signs using foam board, wax and aging dust.
Wait for the glue to dry then go over the entire board and letters with waxing cream.  Don't skimp on the wax since this is what the aging dust is going to adhere to.  I used CeCe Caldwell's wax and this waxing brush.  The brush was a splurge, but totally worth the cost, especially if you plan on waxing larger furniture pieces.
Apply clear wax to foam board signs
After my foam boards were waxed I immediately dusted on the aging dust.  I applied it heavier around the edges then worked inward toward the center of the sign. 
Apply aging dust over wax
I was having so much fun making these easy vintage inspired signs that I got ahead of myself and made a Christmas sign too, oops.
DIY vintage foam board signs
One of the signs says, "Truck Parking" and is hung above my son's closet in his bedroom.   I just added two command strips to the back and stuck it up on the wall. 

Foam board signs

An easy way to make affordable vintage signs


I also made a sign for over the mudroom door that leads to our garage.   I used two different size adhesive letters for the Flea Market sign and it's one of my favorites.  
Easy vintage inspired signs

The possibilities are endless when it comes to making these easy vintage inspired signs.  You can age them as little or as much as you like or use multiple size adhesive letters like I did.  Whatever you decide, they'll be sure to make a wonderful and affordable addition to your home. 

Pin it for later
How to make vintage inspired foam board signs



Love what you see? Subscribe to Little House of Four here!

* indicates required

Would you like to comment?

  1. Love using foam core! Such an easy and light weight alternative to wood and these look so realistic!

    ReplyDelete
  2. They turned out awesome Katie!!! I never would have known they weren't wood!

    ReplyDelete
  3. They look very vintage, Katie! Love the Flea market one especially! Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. These look really good like the ageing effect, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. They look awesome! Something TheFruGirls have to try for some of their decorating projects ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. These signs are fabulous!!! When I first saw foam core.... I thought no.... but wow they turned out fantastic! I love the antiquing dust, I'm going to have to look for that!
    Thanks so much for the great tutorial... pinning!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my goodness, these look amazing! You would never know they were foam core! I so want to do this now! XO

    ReplyDelete
  8. Silly question but...How do you hang these?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was wondering the same thing lol

      Delete
    2. They are very light, so I just use command strips to hang them :)

      Delete
  9. These turned out beautifully! As I tend to work with wood. I would of never of guessed your signs where foam board. Well done! My question is, where would I find the aging dust?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got my aging dust from a local vintage shop that sells chalk paint, but you can also find it on ETSY.https://rstyle.me/n/cx95v4b6dx7

      Delete
  10. What a great idea! I am going to make some for my vintage booth. I will do a mix of foam board and then I have a ton of wood. So much easier than stenciling.

    ReplyDelete