Back to school… the kids are excited with anticipation: new clothes, new shoes, new backpacks & lunch boxes. Everyone is getting ready to go but mom needs that perfect First Day of School photo… You know the one… The one that gets posted onto Facebook and Instagram and wins the cutest back to school photo…
Okay, maybe back to school shouldn’t be a Pinterest-worthy challenge, but let’s be real – these days it sure seems to be. And while I firmly believe that your back to school tradition should be about having a way to mark the growth and changes your little one over the years, I also know that it’s more fun for all if there is a cute sign or tradition to it.
So with that in mind, I have put together my fail-proof tricks for successful chalkboard signs!
Supplies Matter
Like all good recipes for success, the ingredients matter! After years of chalk signs, I can tell you not all chalk markers are created equal. I also have a few supplies you may not have though you needed before. Here is my list of chalk sign supplies:
Chalkboard: this seems like an obvious need but I list it because not all of the boards are as good as others. I started making signs for my oldest with this Melissa & Doug chalk board and while I have embraced it and made it work, it isn’t my favorite for this purpose. I however LOVE this sandwich board I found on Amazon. It has a chalkboard on each side so you can double up and have a sign for each kid ready to go just by flipping the side. And of course, smaller signs like this one that can be held are super cute too. The big thing to me is to pick something that you don’t mind storing year to year so that you can have continuity over the long term with your signs.
Chalk Markers: I love me some chalk markers. But as I mentioned, there are good ones and there are crummy ones out there. Trust me, this is a big factor in success, not only in making your sign but in cleaning it off for the next year. My hands down favorite brands are Bistro Chalk Markers and Chalk O La. I won’t even mention the bad ones because I don’t want you to accidentally wind up with those. Just stick to those two brands which can be found on Amazon – Bistro is also sold at Michael’s.
Transfer Paper: Here is one of the big hidden supplies to my success. Transfer paper comes in all different colors but I prefer white for chalk signs. You will see how I use it later, but here is a link to what you want.
Tape: Good old Scotch tape. My personal favorite is the purple “gift wrapping” tape because your pen will slide over it (more on that later).
Computer & Printer: yep, I design all my signs on the computer and that is another big trick to success with chalk board signs if you are not a professional calligrapher like my friend Shannon (y’all the girl free hands here signs… don’t worry, I am going to make her give me some tips to share too).
Measurements of your chalkboard inside the frame (if yours has a frame).
Ball Point Pen or Pencil: I like a ball point pen but a pencil can work too.
That’s it! So once you have gather your supplies and the hop over to this post for how to put it all together!
XOXO
[…] if you have gathered your supplies together from Part 1 of this post, then you are ready to roll. Here is how I actually create the […]