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    Home » Easy DIY » Simple Crafts & Handmade Gifts

    January 24, 2014 | By Jami

    DIY Chalkboard Subway Sign - a Restoration Hardware Knockoff

    Jump to Tutorial

    Create an easy, Restoration Hardware knockoff DIY chalkboard subway sign from an old framed thrift store print, paint, and chalk for a fraction of the price!

    Chalkboard Subway Sign Restoration Hardware Knockoff - An Oregon Cottage

    Some links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

    This Restoration Hardware catalog inspired DIY chalkboard subway sign is one of my favorite thrift store transformations to date - right up there with my Ballard Burlap Bulletin Board that makes a perfect jewelry holder.

    I've been drawn to all of Restoration Hardware's subway signs for awhile now (except for the price, that is!) so when I found a framed press-board print in a thrift store awhile ago with a similar shape I knew what I'd do with it, even though it was smaller.

    I actually like the smaller size and although the RH signs are't chalkboards, I thought turning mine into a chalkboard would be fun and then I'd be able to change it every now and then.

    Christmas Gallery Wall Sign - An Oregon Cottage

    In fact it's already made an appearance during the holidays when it was part of our Christmas Gallery Wall using a seasonal saying in fun fonts that my daughter drew.

    However, when it was time for me to add a subway sign look, my technique had to be a lot less artistic, ha! The simple chalk transfer method I've used before gave me the look I wanted.

    How To Turn An Old Print Into a Chalkboard Subway Sign:

    Painting Thrifted Frame for RH Chalkboard Subway Sign - An Oregon Cottage

    Supplies

    • Framed thrift store print. I cannot find the picture I took of the thrifted print before I painted it, but from what you can see in the top photo as it's being painted, I think you can get an idea - I see these all the time in various sizes at thrift stores. The image is usually very muted and it's printed directly on a type of pressboard which seems almost one piece with the frame - there is no space visible between the frame and the print. This lack of space between frame and backing/print makes them ideal for painting (an old cupboard door in a similar shape would be good, too).
    • White enamel interior paint or craft paint.
    • Flat black paint or chalkboard paint (I've found flat works just as well).
    • 1-inch paint brushes and small artist brush.
    • Painter's tape.
    • White chalk and a rag.
    • Printer to print out letters (if you can hand draw them, go for it).
    • Pencil and ruler.
    • White chalk marker.

    Directions

    1. Paint the base. Coat all the surfaces - print and frame - with white enamel interior paint (craft paint would work too).

    2. Paint the inside of the frame (the print area) with flat black paint (remember, there's no need for chalkboard paint, unless you have it on hand).

    3. Paint a black edge. At first I thought I could free-hand this with a small brush as shown. Um, no. You can see how rough it is which was too much imperfection even for me, believe it or not. This was better: use painter's tape and tape the whole frame edge, except where you want the black edge. Just make sure to remove the tape while the paint's still wet, and touch up in places if you need to.

    Conditioning RH Chalkboard Subway Sign - An Oregon Cottage

    4. Condition. After the paint is fully dry and cured (a day or two), condition the painted surface to write and erase better with chalk. It also gives it that chalkboard look.

    Use the edge of a piece of regular chalk and rub it all over the surface, then wipe it off with a rag which leaves a film of chalk.

    Fonts for RH Chalkboard Subway Sign - An Oregon Cottage

    5. Print out the letters you want in a font that replicates the look you're going for.

    RH signs have C's, D's, E's and F's, but our last name starts with a B so I used that for the main letter.

    I used a free font called Lastwaerk in size 550 for the single letters and 450 for the double set. For the streets, the font is the basic Arial Narrow in 150.

    These sizes worked for my sign that was 11" wide total, with a chalkboard size of only 7" - you will need to adjust the sizes to fit the framed print you find.

    Chalk Transfer for RH Chalkboard Subway Sign - An Oregon Cottage

    6. Transfer letters to chalkboard by rubbing the back of the printed-out letters with chalk, placing them evenly on the chalkboard and then using a pencil to trace the outlines.

    Sometimes when you're making a chalkboard out of something else, regular chalk doesn't work as well on it (one of the reasons why I used chalk marker for the coloring), and the transfer came out very faint.

    But it was visible enough to trace around it, and that's all I needed (it goes without saying, probably, that if you are an artist you can skip all this and free-hand the letters - and I bow to you!).

    Using Chalk Marker on RH Chalkboard Subway Sign - An Oregon Cottage

    7. Fill in the outlines with chalk or a chalk marker.

    Since the signs that inspired mine were high contrast, I wanted the same look which I knew I'd get with chalk markers. Plus, they work on almost any surface, even the slightly bumpy surface of my painted-over print.

    RH Knockoff Chalkboard Subway Sign - An Oregon Cottage

    Hang and enjoy!

    I love how this subway sign turned out - I have the look of something I've admired (on sale for $412...cough, cough) for a $1.99 thrifted print, some paint, marker, and time.

    Now, obviously, I'm okay with this imperfection - my 8's aren't the same, for one example - but if you've read here long, you know I'm pretty okay with this type of imperfections. I kind of think it's sweet that it looks hand-drawn.

    But maybe that's because I still have $400 in my pocket, ha!

    So - have I inspired you to find a thrifted print somewhere?

    Using Chalk Marker on RH Chalkboard Subway Sign - An Oregon Cottage
    Print Pin
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    DIY Chalkboard Subway Sign – a Restoration Hardware Knockoff

    Create an easy, Restoration Hardware knockoff DIY chalkboard subway sign from an old framed thrift store print, paint, and chalk for a fraction of the price!
    Work Time30 mins
    Drying Time1 d
    Total Time1 d 30 mins
    Makes: 1 chalkboard
    Author: Jami Boys
    Cost: $2

    Tools

    • Pencil
    • Ruler
    • 1-inch paint brushes and small artist brush
    • Painters Tape
    • White chalk marker
    • Printer to print out letters (if you can hand draw them, go for it)

    Materials

    • 1 Framed thrift store print Look for one where the image is usually very muted and it’s printed directly on a type of pressboard which seems almost one piece with the frame – there is no space visible between the frame and the print. This lack of space between frame and backing/print makes them ideal for painting (an old cupboard door in a similar shape would be good, too).
    • White enamel interior paint or craft paint
    • Flat black paint or chalkboard paint (I’ve found flat works just as well)

    Instructions

    • Paint the base. Coat all the surfaces – print and frame – with white enamel interior paint (craft paint would work too).
    • Paint the inside of the frame (the print area) with flat black paint (remember, there’s no need for chalkboard paint, unless you have it on hand).
    • Paint a black edge. At first I thought I could free-hand this with a small brush as shown. Um, no. You can see how rough it is which was too much imperfection even for me, believe it or not. This was better: use painter’s tape and tape the whole frame edge, except where you want the black edge. Just make sure to remove the tape while the paint’s still wet, and touch up in places if you need to.
    • Condition. After the paint is fully dry and cured (a day or two), condition the painted surface to write and erase better with chalk. It also gives it that chalkboard look. Use the edge of a piece of regular chalk and rub it all over the surface, then wipe it off with a rag which leaves a film of chalk.
    • Print out the letters you want in a font that replicates the look you’re going for.
      RH signs have C’s, D’s, E’s and F’s, but our last name starts with a B so I used that for the main letter. I used a free font called Lastwaerk in size 550 for the single letters and 450 for the double set. For the streets, the font is the basic Arial Narrow in 150.
      These sizes worked for my sign that was 11″ wide total, with a chalkboard size of only 7″ – you will need to adjust the sizes to fit the framed print you find.
    • Transfer letters to chalkboard by rubbing the back of the printed-out letters with chalk, placing them evenly on the chalkboard and then using a pencil to trace the outlines.
      Sometimes when you’re making a chalkboard out of something else, regular chalk doesn’t work as well on it (one of the reasons why I used chalk marker for the coloring), and the transfer came out very faint.
      But it was visible enough to trace around it, and that’s all I needed (it goes without saying, probably, that if you are an artist you can skip all this and free-hand the letters – and I bow to you!).
    • Fill in the outlines with chalk or a chalk marker. Since the signs that inspired mine were high contrast, I wanted the same look which I knew I’d get with chalk markers. Plus, they work on almost any surface, even the slightly bumpy surface of my painted-over print.
    Did you make this?Mention @anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!

    Disclosure: affiliate links in this article will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn't change your price. Click here to read my full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelli says

      January 30, 2014 at 2:51 pm

      Oh, man! I love this so much. I have wanted a chalk board like this for the kitchen to list the week's meals -- and our weekly family prayer. This is perfect! Now I will be on the look out for the right print at thrift stores. Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Angi says

      January 28, 2014 at 6:21 am

      oh, gosh, I love that sign! I'm trying to decide where I can hang one in my house. One more reason to add on a room - I wonder if this will help me convince hubby? Great job, Jami!

      Reply
    3. Mary says

      January 24, 2014 at 4:02 pm

      You are amazing. You seem to have such an eye for easy, fun, affordable knock-offs and I love your taste (in crafts, food and gardening). Instructions are so easy to understand. I never miss reading your daily posts! 🙂 God bless!

      Reply
      • Jami says

        January 26, 2014 at 3:14 pm

        Mary, I SO appreciate your comment - thank you for making my day! I'm so happy you like what you read here at AOC. 🙂

        Reply

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