DIY Kitchen Wall Signs

Instructions

These fun and quirky kitchen signs can be made with a Cricut cutting machine if you don’t have a large format printer! Choose from six designs and mix-and-match them on your kitchen or dining room wall. Each framed sign is 11 x 14 inches.

STEP 1: GET MY FREE KITCHEN SIGNS FILES

The first step is to download my Kitchen Signs designs from my free resource library -- it's design #329.

TIP: If you are not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made. If you are on an iPad or iPhone, here is how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app. 

This is what my Kitchen Signs SVG file looks like when it is uploaded to Cricut Design Space.

These signs are ready to make. Just hide any designs you don’t want to cut by clicking on the eye icon next to those layers in the Layers Panel on the right.

If you need to resize the decals to fit your frames, now is a good time to do that. Resize them by clicking and dragging the arrow on the lower right corner of the design box on the canvas.

Once you’re ready to cut, select your machine on the top menu bar and then click Make It. Unless you’re using Smart Vinyl on a Cricut Maker 3, Explore 3 or Joy, select On Mat and click Done.

Select your Base Material when prompted. I used Premium Vinyl—Permanent. 

If you’re using a mat like I did, place Premium Vinyl - Permanent in Black on a Green StandardGrip Mat to make the Kitchen Signs. Refer to the mat layouts to see how much vinyl you will need. TIP: You can also use any other vinyl color or even another type like Premium Vinyl - Removable if you prefer.

You will be prompted to load your Fine Point Blade and mat. When you’re all set up, click the flashing Start button.

STEP 2: PREPARE THE FRAME

While your vinyl is cutting, prepare the 11” x 14” frame. If your frame has protective plastic on it, make sure to remove it.

I used 11” x 14” white poster board as my material background. Make sure your poster board fits your frame without any buckling or bending. Mine was slightly large so I trimmed about 1/8” off the top and one side using a craft knife along a straight edge ruler, you can also use scissors or a rotary cutter. Just make sure not to trim too much off!

To make sure I centered my vinyl on the poster board in the correct place so they all matched, I followed these placement guidelines.

I used a ruler to measure the distance down from the top of the poster board and drew a faint line in pencil (instead of cutting). Then I measured the distance from the left side of the poster board and drew another faint guideline in pencil. TIP: I used the matte side (not the shiny side) of the poster board because the transfer tape could pull up on the shiny finish and the pencil marks are harder to remove from the shiny side.

STEP 3: WEED AND TRANSFER THE VINYL

Now that the poster board is ready to go, let’s get the vinyl ready. First remove the vinyl from the mat by flipping the mat over and rolling it back away from the vinyl, this helps prevent the vinyl from curling.

If you cut more than one design like I did, use a Cricut Trimmer to cut them into separate decals.

Now weed your design carefully, removing all of the excess vinyl you do not need. Be sure that all the small dots and pieces stay adhered to the carrier sheet, while making sure you remove all the small centers to your letters and numbers.

TIP: I have lots of weeding tips on my Cricut Best Tips and Tricks post.

Next, cut a piece of Cricut Transfer Tape a size just larger than your weeded vinyl piece. Remove the backing from the transfer tape. Apply the transfer tape to your vinyl decal by holding the transfer tape in the shape of a taco or “U” shape then putting the bottom of your “taco” onto the middle of your design. 

Smooth the tape over the decal from the center outward making sure to press out and remove any bubbles. When the transfer tape is in place, use a scraper tool or other hard and flat-edged item (like a store loyalty card) to transfer the vinyl decal design to the transfer tape. It’s important to scrape it well to transfer the vinyl decal. It helps to scrape it from both the transfer tape side AND the carrier sheet side.

Carefully peel the carrier sheet off the vinyl. TIP: If little bits don’t want to transfer to your tape, scrape it again and pay careful attention to those problem areas. 

Now place your design on your poster board, being mindful that it is straight and centered using the guidelines you drew. Refer to the placement guide again to see how I aligned the words to the lines. Make sure both the vinyl and transfer tape are adhered to the poster board. Use your fingers to push out any bubbles or creases in the vinyl.

Pick up a corner of the transfer tape and slowly remove it from your vinyl. 

Use your fingers again to make sure the vinyl is securely adhered to the poster board without any noticeable bubbles.

Use an eraser to remove all the guidelines and pencil marks you made on the poster board.

Now your frame is ready for final assembly. Prepare the frame by taking the back off and removing any protective film covering the plexiglass. Pop the poster board in the frame with the vinyl facing the glass. Insert the backer piece and close the tabs.

Here are a couple complete Kitchen Signs!