This DIY foam board sign makes an incredible display! It’s eye-catching, affordable, and will make you look like a pro. Get the how-to right here.
At my book launch party for The Happy Home, I wanted to make the space feel airy, joyful, and like a reflection of the book! Part of that was bringing the book’s logo to life in the form of a giant DIY foam board sign.
It ended up being such a great backdrop for so many photos, and I had probably 20 people ask me where I had it made!
So I figured a DIY tutorial was in order. Let’s do it!
Psst — before you dive in, be sure to sign up below for my VIP group, where I’ll send more of my very best DIYs and ideas straight to ya.
Where To Use a DIY Foam Board Sign
I used this for a book launch and signing party, but I can imagine so many perfect uses for a sign like this one.
For small businesses or shops, it would make a perfect backdrop at a farmer’s market, show, pop up shop, trade show, or in a shop display.
At bridal or baby showers, it would be adorable behind the guest of honor for photographs or as they open gifts.
A DIY foam board sign would also be great at school events, birthday parties, and lots more.
Why Should You DIY It?
Obviously I’m a fan of DIY — and because The Happy Home is a DIY book, it was the perfect place to use a handmade foam board sign!
But there are so many more reasons to DIY a sign like this one.
All told, the sign cost me about $30 to make. You can’t beat that for a large display, and you’d pay at least 5 times that amount to have it made!
It fits beautifully in a budget but looks polished and very cool — a perfect piece to pull an event together.
The foam board sign is also extremely lightweight so you can hang it easily. And it’s reusable!
How to Cut Foam Board
Most tutorials that you’ll find online will tell you to cut foam board with a sharp, new X-Acto knife blade.
But I find that a sharp hot knife tool adds some extra cutting power and an extra smooth finish. The heat from the hot tool also helps slice through the inner foam core of the foam board without making chunks or rough edges.
Draw a guide line in pencil (see instructions below for making a perfect circle), and use a firm, smooth stroke to follow the line with your hot knife.
supplies You’ll Need
- Oversized foam board (ours was 40″ x 60″ and found at a craft store in the framing department)
- Thumbtack
- String
- Pencil
- Hot knife tool (or sharp blade)
- Paint and paintbrush
- Cardboard
- Glue gun
- Fire Line
- Optional: Cricut machine, adhesive vinyl, and transfer tape
How to Make a DIY Foam Board Sign
- Trace a large circle on the foam board. To do this, find the center of the board and place a thumbtack there. Tie a string to the thumbtack and cut the string to a length of half the diameter of the board. Tie the other end of the string to a pencil, and you have created a compass. Draw a circle around the board by circling the pencil around the thumbtack, keeping the string taut.
- Cut out the circle, using the hot knife technique (or your favorite technique).
- Trim off any rough edges.
- Paint the board (don’t forget the edges!).
- Trace your lettering on foam board (or cardboard, as shown here), and cut out in the same manner.
- Paint your lettering.
- Hot glue the lettering onto the painted foam board base.
- If you have any additional lettering, you can cut it out of adhesive vinyl on a Cricut machine, as we did here with the words “The” and “Home.” We have a great Cricut tutorial here. Apply these to the sign using transfer tape.
- If you’ll be hanging your foam board sign, cut small holes at the top and use Fire Line or a similar strong, clear thread to hang it.
How to Hang a DIY Foam Board Sign
If you don’t want to punch holes in the sign to hang it, here’s an alternative option.
Insert a screw through the sign on one side and add a bolt loosely to the back. Repeat on the other side of the sign.
Then, tie a length of Fire Line around the screw, behind the sign between the sign and the bolt. Tie in a tight double knot. Tighten the bolt to secure.
Then use the Fire Line to hang the sign as you like.
Have fun! xoxo
DIY Foam Board Sign
This DIY foam board sign makes an incredible display! Its eye-catching, affordable, and will make you look like a pro. Get the how-to right here.
Instructions
- Trace a large circle on the foam board. To do this, find the center of the board and place a thumbtack there. Tie a string to the thumbtack and cut the string to a length of half the diameter of the board. Tie the other end of the string to a pencil, and you have created a compass. Draw a circle around the board by circling the pencil around the thumbtack, keeping the string taut.
- Cut out the circle, using the hot knife technique (or your favorite technique).
- Trim off any rough edges.
- Paint the board (don't forget the edges!).
- Trace your lettering on foam board (or cardboard, as shown here), and cut out
- in the same manner.
- Paint your lettering.
- Hot glue the lettering onto the painted foam board base.
- If you have any additional lettering, you can cut it out of adhesive vinyl on a Cricut machine, as we did here with the words "The" and "Home." We have a great Cricut tutorial here.
- If you'll be hanging your foam board sign, cut small holes at the top and use Fire Line or a similar strong, clear thread to hang it.
Notes
If you don't want to punch holes in the sign to hang it, here's an alternative option.
Insert a screw through the sign on one side and add a bolt loosely to the back. Repeat on the other side of the sign.
Then, tie a length of Fire Line around the screw, behind the sign between the sign and the bolt. Tie in a tight double knot. Tighten the bolt to secure.
Then use the Fire Line to hang the sign as you like.
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