DIY Wood Block Signs: 11 Fun Designs!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE DIY WOODEN BLOCK SIGN FILES

The first step is to download my Wooden Block Sign designs from my free resource library -- it's design #333.

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 Wooden Block Signs SVG file looks like when uploaded to Cricut Design Space.

NOTE: In order to see all of the designs on my canvas, I zoomed out to 25%. The zoom in and out tool is in the lower left corner of your canvas.

STEP 2: PAINT AND SEAL YOUR WOODEN BLOCK SIGNS

There are several different ways that you can prepare your wooden block signs! You can choose to paint, faux stain, or leave them natural.

PAINT: I used both chalk paint and acrylic paint for my wooden block signs. Both work great! Cover your work area with butcher paper to protect it. With a foam brush, apply an even coat to the front and sides of the wooden blocks. I recommend painting the front section with the grain. Allow 1-2 hours for the paint to dry and apply a second coat.

FAUX STAIN: Dab a pea-size amount of brown acrylic paint on a baby wipe (or damp paper towel) and rub it onto the wooden block. I recommend going with the grain on the front side of the sign. Apply a little at a time to make sure the paint isn't too thick. Allow about an hour for the paint to be dry.

SEAL THE PAINT: Even if you choose to leave your wood block as natural wood, I recommend applying a coat of Mod Podge in Matte finish to help the permanent vinyl better adhere to your wood. With a foam brush, apply an even coat of Mod Podge to your wooden block. I recommend allowing your wooden block signs to dry for at least 24 hours before applying permanent vinyl.

STEP 3: PREPARE YOUR DESIGN

There are 11 wooden block sign designs to choose from. Some are sized to fit a 6" square wooden block and some are sized for a 5" x 7" rectangular wooden block. To make sure your design will fit your block, I will show you how to make a template. But first, let's start by clicking Ungroup to modify your design file.

Now you can hide or delete any of the designs that you do not plan to make right now. Select the design and either click the eye icon next to it or the Delete button on the top of the layers panel.

Before making the template, measure the dimensions of your wooden block sign. Some signs are slightly different than the size stated on the packaging. A small difference could pose a challenge later on.

Once you have your measurements, click on Shapes and then Square.

If you are making a square sign, you can click and drag the resize handle or enter your dimensions in the Size box at the top. If you are making a rectangle to match your block, you first need to click Unlock and then click and drag the resize handle or enter your dimensions in the Size box

Once your template size is set, click on Arrange and Send to Back.

TIP: It may help to change the color of your square/rectangle template to more easily see your design on top of it. Click the color menu and select a template color. I'm using white.

Now you can click and drag any of the designs over your square or rectangle. Use the resize handle to resize the designs to appropriately fit on your wooden blocks. Make sure you allow enough margin around the edges of your designs to help with your vinyl placement. I left a margin of about .25" to .50" around my design.

Once you have sized all of the designs, you can hide or delete your square or rectangle template. Now is the time to change the colors of your designs if you do not want them to all cut on the same color of vinyl. I am going to make my Christmas sign with red vinyl and the other two with black vinyl.

You're ready to click on Make It in the upper right corner.

If you are using a Cricut Maker 3, Explore 3, or Joy, you will be asked if you are cutting your designs without a mat, on a mat, or multiple ways. Remember that only Smart Materials may be used without a mat. I am not using Smart Materials with this project so I will select "On Mat" and click "Done."

On the preview screen, we do not need to make any adjustments. Make sure the vinyl you put on your mat covers the area that you see on the canvas preview. At the bottom right, click Continue.

For this project, I am using Cricut Premium Vinyl - Permanent Glossy. If you don't see that as an option, click on Browse All Materials to search for it.

Once you've selected your material, I recommend adjusting your pressure to More to ensure a nice, clean cut.

Apply your permanent vinyl to your mat. You want to place the pretty side up and the liner directly touching the mat. Time to load your mat into your Cricut and once your middle button is flashing, press it and watch it go.

STEP 4: WEED AND APPLY YOUR VINYL DESIGN

When your Cricut is done cutting, unload the mat, flip the mat over onto your work surface, and peel the mat away from the vinyl carefully.

Grab your weeding tool and remove all of the excess vinyl from your design. Don't forget to get those bits inside the letters, too!

Cut your transfer tape to the size of your design. Peel away the backing of the transfer tape and place the transfer tape on top of the vinyl using the taco method. To do this hold the transfer tape in the shape of a taco, then place the bottom of your “taco” onto the middle of your design. Smooth the transfer tape over the vinyl decal from the center outward using the scraper tool. Use your scraper to burnish the design to the transfer tape.

REMINDER: Make sure you have allowed at least 24 hours for your Mod Podge to dry before applying vinyl to your wooden block.

Gently peel away the backing of the vinyl. If any parts of vinyl stick to the backing, reburnish the area and try again. Once the backing is removed, fold your transfer tape in half with the non-sticky sides touching to crease your transfer tape in the center of your design. Once you have a center crease in your design, fold your transfer tape with vinyl into a "taco" shape. Align the center of the vinyl along the center of your wooden block. Gently apply your vinyl to your wooden block and use your scraper to adhere the vinyl to the wooden block.

Gently peel away the transfer tape. If any part of the vinyl lifts with the transfer tape, use your scraper to reburnish the area.

Wasn't that pretty simple? Imagine how many you could make at once by preparing them in bulk. These make great gifts too!