A few years ago, when I started shooting headshots, I painted my walls a neutral gray. Since then, the walls have been used as backdrops to several videos, a couple of tv shows and as a temporary storage area for equipment from time to time. Since shooting videos has become a common task in the space. I thought a nice way to some colorful energy to the space, I decided to add more creative energy to it. Watch how I created this rustic, multi-directional sign.
Supplies
- A pencil
- A ruler and tape measure
- A piece of 1” by 3” by 6” wood for the pole
- A 3”by 10” cut into about a 10” square for the base of the pole. Make sure it’s a heavy enough to hold the pole with the signs attached.
- Some thin broad wood like cabinet backing (for the signs)
- A jigsaw
- Sandpaper
- Stain of choice
- Paint (different colors of your choice)
- Paint brushes
- Old clean rag(s)
- 2, 8” by 10” shelf mounts
- Electric drill
- Screws
- White vinyl. I used Oracle 651
- Vinyl cutter like a Cricut Maker
- Cricut Cutting Pads
- Contact Paper
- Paint spreader for smoothing
Step 1
I used a ruler and pencil to draw out the shape of each sign on thin cabinet backing (wood). Each sign was roughly 20” by 4” and in the shape of arrows. I cut 4 of them.
Step 2
I used my jigsaw to cut out each shape and sand down the rough edges using 150 grit sandpaper.
Step 3
I trimmed the top of my wood board (1” by 3” by 6”) for my pole at an angle, then sanded it.
Step 4
I stained the four signs with two different kinds of stains just to make it look a little more rustic and worn. Then let them dry.
Step 5
I used paint samples from Home Depot to roughly paint a different color on each stained arrow, then set it aside to let it dry. I could’ve easily skipped this step, but I really wanted some bright colors. I made sure that I positioned each arrow in the direction and order (from top to bottom) I wanted them to face when finished before I painted them.
Step 6
I stained my pole and let it dry.
Step 7
I attached my pole to the square base using the shelf mounts.
Step 8
I used Illustrator to create cut files for four descriptive words, then I used Cricut Design Space to cut them on my Cricut Maker 2.
Step 9
I used the contact paper to center and attach the words to the front of each finished arrow. Be careful with this step, in some cases the contact paper may pull the paint off.
Step 10
I attached the arrows to the pole and voila!
About Post Author
