Scavenger Chic

Handpainted Vintage Sign DIY

• By Joan
• October 14, 2020
• 9 Comments

Handpainted Vintage Sign

After finishing the bunk beds last week, there was just one more little detail  I needed to complete.  Artwork for the wall we enclosed.  Remember, the bunk bed started out as a loft room.  A room where you could hear every sound, every whisper, every dish clink.

Now that the walls are enclosed, those are 2 very boring walls.

I found a vintage style sign online that I liked, a Crab Calloway’s Ready to Eat Crab sign.  This 15×26″ sign at Amazon sells for $83.  It’s printed on wood, so if you have no desire to make your own just click on the link.

…but if you want it larger, I have the DIY for you.

I’m working on this project in Microsoft Publisher where you can make an image just about any size imaginable. 

Start by creating a custom blank page size of your choosing.  Mine is 29×42″.  Import the picture you want to enlarge into your project.

Drag the corners of your imported picture until it takes up the entire space of the blank custom page.

Print.  This project will print out on 16 pieces of paper.

Trim the printed pages and tape back together.  You’ve now created a full size pattern for your sign.

Cut strips of pallet wood to fit your project.  You could also use a piece of plywood.

Attach the pallet wood together by nailing or screwing strips of scrap wood to the back.  Make sure the smoothest side of the pallet wood is on the front of your project.

I may have used the smoothest side of my pallet wood for the front but it still needed sanding to create a nice surface for painting.

Paint your background color.  I’m using some leftover flat, tan, wall paint.

To transfer the image to the pallet wood, either coat the back with black charcoal, black pastel (left) or pencil (right),  You’re creating your own DIY carbon paper.

Turn your pattern over and tape it in place over top of the pallet wood.  With a pen, carefully outline all of the sign details, lettering, crab outline, utensils and banner. 

When you lift the paper up, you should see outlines of all your images.

I did trace and paint the banner before transferring the lettering on the banner.

You don’t need too many colors to create your handpainted vintage sign…red orange, lime green, royal blue, orange, grey blue, navy blue, white, brown, and of course tan, for the background.

Paint away.  Just think of it as a paint-by-number.

The crab sign on the left is the enlarged, taped back together, picture I used to transfer the image.  The picture on the right is my fresh new crab sign.

I could leave my new crab artwork as is or attempt to age it…you know, instant antique.

Antique it is!. 

Attack your freshly painted sign with a sander as if the weather has gotten to it over the years.  While you’re at it, sand those rough cut ends.

I’m sealing it with clear wax.  

While the clear wax is still wet, add a little vintage wax to the edges and any other place you’d like to dirty up a little bit.

Wipe off the excess with a paper towel or rag.

I started off by showing you my brand new empty wall, and it now sports a brand new “vintage” crab sign.

Just outside my brand new bunk room sits the crab sign.

Stay safe and stay inspired.

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