There are several different ways to create chipboard signage. It's a great way to personalize your layouts; use poems, quotes, lyrics, etc.....that you cannot find on store bought ones; and save tons of money.

Chipboard can be found on the back of note pads, in packaging behind items (such as those found with page refill packs for the Creative Memory albums). I suggest that you do not use cereal boxes as your chipboard. It is very thin and will curl once it has dried after being mod podged. The rule of thumb I go by is that the thicker the chipboard the larger the signage can be. The thinner chipboard is great for making alphas because it is easier to cut around the detailed shape.

Supplies needed to make the signage vary. It depends on which technique you are going to use. However a mod podge or decoupage is a must for all techniques, along with a good spray sealer such as Krylon's Workable Fixative. The Mod Podge finish you use, be it matte or glossy, is your personal preference. I use the matte finish because I like signages that have a soft look.

The signage you make can be any size. I use a rule of thumb that signs should be at the Minimum 2 inches in width or length/and no more than 6 inches in width or length. My reasoning is that you don't want the signage so small that it gets lost on the layout, or too big to overpower it.

~~Signages by using a graphics program:~~

Creating your own graphics is a fun way to make signs. You have more color selections to choose from; you can import files to use as the background to match your paper; add quotes in fonts that you like; use family/friend/pet/places/etc....names to personalize the sign even more; plus you can use any computer scrapbook elements in the sign.

I use the PhotoImpact 10 graphics program by Ulead. However, any graphics program can be used. I start with the shape I want the signage to be (square, round, oval, rectangular, etc), and then adjust it to the size I want. I start with the background first and then add other shapes, lines, etc....and end with the quote, words, poem adjusting the font and colors. The eyedropper tool is a great way to match the colors of any imported file to the other shapes or fonts.

I print the graphic out on Matte Photo Paper. Using photo paper enhances the graphic; prints out truer colors; and the graphic is crisper. I set my printer on "photo" and the "best" print quality. My printer allows me to increase the resolution to higher than 300 dpi and that too prints out a clearer and more color defined graphic.


Once printed spray the sheet with the sealer. {option: If you want the sign to have a distressed look, use a fine sandpaper block to sand the printed graphic BEFORE you spray the sealer on it} Doing this seals the printer ink and keeps the colors on the graphic from "bleeding" when the mod podge is applied. Cut out the individual graphics. DO NOT cut your chipboard first for this technique!

Mod podge the cut graphics to a sheet of chipboard. It's essential to make sure the graphic is smooth with no air bubbles underneath. I typically apply 3 to 4 layers of mod podge, of course allowing each to dry before applying the next. Once dried cut out the chipboard sign. To finish the sign, use a fine sand paper block and sand the edges to make them smooth. Store the CB signs back to back in plastic baggies.

A picture tutorial and some of my CB signs can be found in my gallery at:
http://www.scrapbook.com/scrapbook_layouts/showgallery.php/cat/5824

~~Using Paint to Make Chipboard Signage:~~

Chipboard shapes of flowers, stars, etc. are very popular. Use a shape template to trace the shape onto the chipboard. Cut out the shape and lightly sand the edges to make them smooth. If a distressed look is desired, use two colors to paint the shape layering the colors on top of one another. When sanded the bottom color will show through the top. Spray the painted shaped with the sealer. Once dry Mod Podge the top of the painted CB shape.

~~Other Options:~~
1. Use Rub-ons - Cut out the sign shape, paint,(distress if desired), and apply a rub-on. Seal and then mod podge. Sand edges to smooth.

2. Stamp - Cut out the sign shape, paint, (distress if desired), stamp wordage, picture, etc... on sign, seal and then mod podge. Sand edges to smooth.

3. Stamp shape - Stamp the shape on the chipboard, cut around,(distress if desired), seal and then mod podge. Sand edges to smooth.

4. Use an Existing Graphic - make color copies onto matte photo paper of a graphic you like. Follows directions as state above.