DIY Typography Signs: Turning Trash into Treasure

It seems I’m stuck in a delightful loop! For my recent “Trash to Treasure Tuesdays,” I’ve unknowingly revisited my former decor style. This time, it involved breathing new life into some old wine-themed art, transforming them into fresh, stylish typography signs.

DIY Typography Signs - Trash to Treasure — *My Trash to Treasure transformation.*

Each month, I team up with some talented blogger friends for our Trash to Treasure challenge. We each take on a thrift store find or something from our own “donate” piles and give it a makeover. This time, I dug into my storage and found an old pair of wine art pieces that were a remnant of my early married life.

DIY Typography Signs from Cast-Off Art — *The original art that inspired this project.*

I realized I’m evolving away from that style. I adore typography signs and decided to give these frames a makeover.

Here’s how I created these DIY typography signs:

Supplies You’ll Need:

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Coco (or a similar dark neutral color)
Annie Sloan Dark Soft Wax
Chip brush
Clean, lint-free rag
Computer & inkjet printer
Parchment printer paper
Scissors
Mod Podge in matte
Sponge applicator brush

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prep the Frames:

I started by giving the frames a good cleaning. Dust and grime are the enemy of a good paint job! Then, using a chip brush, I applied two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Coco. This created a lovely base for the next steps.

Painting the Frames — *Two coats of Coco Chalk Paint.*

2. Add a Weathered Wood Look:

Once the paint was completely dry, I worked in sections, applying Annie Sloan Dark Wax with a chip brush and immediately wiping it back with a clean rag. This technique is great for achieving a rustic, weathered wood effect.

I love this method, and I’ve used it on various projects, including an industrial laundry hamper, an office supply organizer, and even a pumpkin terrarium. It’s a versatile way to add character and depth.

Applying Dark Wax — *Wiping away the dark wax for a weathered effect.*

3. Print and Apply the Typography:

After the wax dried, I printed my chosen typography designs onto parchment printer paper. You can download the printables I used here:

Start Each Day Printable

Today is a Good Day Printable

Printing and Preparing the Printables — *Printable typography ready for application.*

4. Adhere the Printables:

I applied a coat of Mod Podge to the picture area of the frames and carefully placed the printables where I wanted them. I used a credit card edge to smooth out any air bubbles, ensuring a seamless finish. I also cut strips of blank parchment paper to Mod Podge over the exposed edges.

5. Seal and Finish:

Once the initial layer of Mod Podge was dry, I sealed everything with another coat. This protects the printables and gives the signs a polished look.

Applying Mod Podge — *Sealing the printables with Mod Podge.*

The finished signs have a lovely rustic feel, and the entire project was incredibly budget-friendly.

Finished Typography Sign — *The finished “Start Each Day” sign.*

I’m so pleased with how these signs turned out! They were an easy and inexpensive way to update some old art and add some positive messaging to my home.

Typography Signs in a vignette — *A sneak peek of the signs in my home!*

If you’re looking for a fun and easy DIY project, I highly recommend giving this a try! This project is perfect for adding personalized decor to your home without breaking the bank. It’s a great way to recycle and repurpose old frames.

Pin it for later! — *Pin this project for later!*

Be sure to visit my Trash to Treasure teammates for more amazing upcycled projects!

Trash to Treasure Collaboration — *The Trash to Treasure team!*

Prodigal Pieces

Girl in the Garage

Artsy Chicks Rule