DIY Chalkboard Lettering – The Easy Way!

One of my favorite things to check out on Instagram and Pinterest are the beautifully lettered chalkboards.  Anyone else enjoy a perfectly lettered board, but then dismiss it with the notion that you can’t create something like that?  Trust me, I am right there with you.  My handwriting is still suffering from the college note-taking all of those years ago. But I’m here to show you an easy DIY chalkboard lettering trick.

I just finished painting and distressing a large chalkboard for our upcoming vintage sale and decided to tackle writing a fall themed quote over the large space.

Easy hand lettering for the perfect autumn chalkboard.

Using a simple transfer technique, that requires no special supplies, I have a large chalkboard ready to sell.  And I love the quote by Albert Camus.  Such a beautiful way to describe the change of seasons.

To hand-letter on your chalkboard like a pro you will need:

  • chalk or chalk pens
  • computer
  • printer with basic paper
  • tape
  • ball-point pen

Step One: Download my file here, or create a pdf for the lettering.  You can design a quote easily using a program such as canva.com.

Step Two: Open the pdf copy of your lettering with Adobe Acrobat Reader.  Select print and then select “poster”.  Increase the magnification percentage until the printed copy reaches the desired size.  You can see the inches for the total poster over in the print preview box.  Print, cut and tape the pages together.

Easy hand lettering for the perfect autumn chalkboard.

Step Three: Rub chalk on the back side of the poster, making sure to spread chalk on the area with the lettering.  Tape the poster to the chalkboard, with the chalk touching the chalkboard.

Easy hand lettering for the perfect autumn chalkboard.

Step Four: Use a ballpoint pencil to trace over the letters and/or design.  Remove the paper from the chalkboard.

Easy hand lettering for the perfect autumn chalkboard.

Step Five: Fill in the letters with chalk or a chalk pen.  For this chalkboard, I used a chalk pen.  I have used both traditional chalk and a pen, and I think that my preference for future projects like this will be a basic piece of chalk.

Easy hand lettering for the perfect autumn chalkboard.

Have you tried your hand at diy chalk lettering in the past?  Do you prefer to free-hand or follow a guide?  I’m already thinking about which quote to use for Thanksgiving in our kitchen.

Easy hand lettering for the perfect autumn chalkboard.

Wishing you the best,  Becky


I’m Becky, creator of Homestead 128 and The Barn On 128.  I write from my heart for those who want to read about real life.  It may not always be pretty, but it is honest.  I love to help busy women create design plans for their homes that are beautiful and functional. I also create DIY tutorials for people who love the idea of DIY and creating their own beautiful things, but don’t own a garage full of fancy power tools.  I left teaching to stay at home with my kids, help with the farm and grow my business.  My house has never been dirtier.  For real.  Come learn along with me over at Homestead 128!

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