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Make Signs out of Cardboard!

How to make signs out of cardboard. Yes, it's easy and quite effective. All you need is a band saw or scroll saw, some free cardboard, a little imagination and you can make many different signs. For this instructable, THINK is used to show the process.

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Step 1Design and cut out sign letters

To make this sign, I went into my word processor and simply selected a font and made it to the size I wanted. In this case, it's 350 points.

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74 comments

1-40 of 74

Apr 20, 2012. 3:45 AM

Adambowker98 says:

Awesome! I might try this!

130

Apr 20, 2012. 11:56 AM

Creativeman (author) says:

Go for it!

Apr 20, 2012. 2:30 PM

Adambowker98 says:

I need to find some cardboard first...

Mar 20, 2012. 11:14 PMbobthebuilder728 says:

Very Cool!
From your 600th follower

130

Mar 21, 2012. 9:21 AM

Creativeman (author) says:

Thank you! A milestone for sure.

Jan 25, 2012. 5:15 PM

TheGeek1984 says:

So simple, yet so awesome!

Jan 12, 2012. 1:22 PM

WhiteTech says:

Great instructable, I know exactly how to use this, and I can save a bit of time making the letter stencils, my mom has a Cricut ;)

Aug 29, 2011. 8:23 AMashwinlit says:

can you pleaasee send me the picture of the gun, I want to make the sign!

Sep 6, 2009. 11:52 AMjeffconnelly says:

Great Instructable! 5/5

130

Sep 6, 2009. 5:24 PM

Creativeman (author) says:

Thanks, jeff! Cman

Jul 30, 2009. 8:04 PMakagoldminer says:

Great idea! I think I will try it but I will recycle plastic campaign signs instead of cardboard. They often leave them up long after elections around here. After painting them would make a great name sign for my house. Plus it would be weather resistant. Love the I DON'T CALL 911 sign!!!

Jul 2, 2009. 7:58 PMclint114 says:

For this project and for boxmaking, matboards (like framers use) is good, especially because it has solid sides that don't need to be filled. You might be able to talk your local frameshop into giving you their dropouts and scraps (since I realize the whole purpose of this exercise is to recycle and not spend money). Matboard also has the advantage that it is acid free and will last longer than corrugated cardboard. It cuts easily with a matknife or a razor blade.

Jun 22, 2009. 11:02 AMjokerlz says:

I did this. I didn't have a saw so I used a penknife so its a bit rough around the edges. (But you can't see that because my rubbish camera doesn't pick it up.)

Jun 22, 2009. 11:07 AMjokerlz says:

Oops forgot pictures.

Jun 15, 2009. 7:31 PMfinnrambo says:

does anyone call 911 here, or are we all meaniepoopers?

Jan 17, 2009. 1:34 PMZippy_Pyromaniac says:

rofl!!! I dont call 911! .....Could you just do these with an exacto knife? It would be cool if you cut out a strip of cardboard that sticks out 90 degrees from the revolver's barrel then it would be uber cool 3d Madness!!!

Jun 11, 2009. 11:00 PMlcaulley says:

How about cutting out small circles the size of the gun barrel and gluing them together to whatever length you want, then gluing them onto the barrel circle. You'd have to fill in the cardboard holes with somthing though...maybe just a strip of paper wrapped around it with the seam on the bottom and glued - all around and under the strip of paper.

Jan 17, 2009. 6:34 AM

jeff-o says:

"Stone" looks cool! I also recognize the font used in "Simplify" - I used it on a name plaque I made for a friend!

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Jan 17, 2009. 10:17 AM

Creativeman (author) says:

Thanks jeff:it's a cool font.

Jan 17, 2009. 3:00 PMmg0930mg says:

Could you make an instructable on how to make the stone sign?

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Jan 17, 2009. 5:15 PM

Creativeman (author) says:

Just make the sign you want using this ibile, distress the cardboard with the saw, following the illustration. then start painting: use acrylic craft paint, greys, black, some white, mix it up. A spray can of rock simulation paint can be used also. I have made tombstones with this method, they look real (and old).

Jun 11, 2009. 10:55 PMlcaulley says:

Actually Michael's Craft store (and probably Wally World) carries a spray paint that looks like stone! It comes out slightly textured and speckled with small dark particles in it. Comes in a couple colors. An awesome way to make a cheap plastic planter look like an expensive stone one!! Another thing I've seen used is the paint used to coat the inside of your engine compartment...slight texture to it too. And how about glow in the dark or black light reflective for the kiddies too! Just a thought...

Jan 17, 2009. 6:34 PMmg0930mg says:

Cool! Thanks.

130

Jan 17, 2009. 5:21 PM

Creativeman (author) says:

See this instructable: Holiday Decorations:Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, step 8 for an example.

Mar 19, 2009. 11:11 AMMaureclaire says:

You could spray it or coat it with something to make it more durable too, huh ?

Jun 11, 2009. 10:44 PMlcaulley says:

Just a nice coat of Elmer's white glue would work if your sign was supposed to stay inside. But if you plan on exposing it to the weather, maybe polyurethane would work. NICE instructable! You could make great gifts with this...say for a new babies room with birthday and weight and such or ABC's in nice colors. Really only limited by imagination. You could even use websites that offer free clipart for pictures to add...can't wait to try!