And Learn the Knockout Method While You Do
Imagine scrolling through some shopping sites, or maybe you are browsing in a brick-and-mortar store and you see a display that you absolutely love.
Maybe it is an elegant foyer display or an upbeat wall display for your bathroom. Whatever space it was designed for, I will about bet that it contains some kind of sign.
It might be a wooden sign, a tile sign, or perhaps it was created on canvas.
I’ve created a great tutorial on how to make a simple sign using tile and vinyl. Yes, tile from your local home improvement store. Nothing too fancy.
I like this project because it provides an introduction to the ‘knockout’ method of design. More on that later. First things first.
Signs in the home decor market are still trending, so this project provides a great way for you to indulge this trend. You can make signs for yourself or gift these tile and vinyl signs to friends and family.
What Materials Do I Need?
To make this project you will need the following tools and supplies:
For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links which means I may make a commission, but it won’t cost you any more.
- Cutting Machine, such as a Cricut Maker (affiliate link)
- Fonts*
- Cutting Mat (Standard grip, green) (affiliate link)
- Brayer, optional (affiliate link)
- Vinyl, two complementary colors (affiliate link)
- Weeding tools (pick and/or tweezers) and scraper (affiliate link)
- Transfer tape (affiliate link)
- Tile(s) (check your local home improvement store)
- Rubbing Alcohol (affiliate link)
- Cleaning cloth or paper towels
- Ruler
- Marker or pencil
If you already own a cutting machine, such as a Cricut Maker, then the rest of the supply list is fairly basic.
Vinyl can be expensive, but this project does not use much. In fact, I was able to utilize vinyl scraps I had left from previous projects. You will need two colors for each sign you make.
The tiles can be purchased at your local home improvement store. I bought mine from Lowes.
Apology: I tried to create a video to accompany this post and the tutorial in my Maker Library, but alas, the video editing gods were against me. I have tried several times over the course of two-three weeks to get everything to work. I even started over, thinking I just had a corrupt file, but I still had no luck.
How To Make A Tile and Vinyl Sign
I have a step-by-step tutorial in the Maker Library. You can access it below or by clicking on the Maker Library on the top menu.
This project has three basic components – design, cutting, and application.
Design the Tile
Since I have a Cricut, I created my design in Design Space. You could use another design program and upload it to Design Space or another cutting program.
I like to create a tile template to help me with visualizing how the sign will actually look once it is complete.
Before beginning, you may want to decide on what fonts you want to use. You will need a thicker, blockier font for the background word. You will also need a script or cursive font for the smaller text.
I suggest deciding on the fonts before beginning the project because you can spend a lot of time looking for the perfect font. I know I can!
I made two signs. Both of them used Georgia, which is a system font, for the background word. It is a nice, substantial serif font.
For the script or writing font, I used I Love Glitter for one sign and Andala for the other sign. These are free fonts. I love the I Love Glitter font, but a word of warning – it can be difficult to handle on vinyl because it is a thin font. Andala is a bit chunkier font.
After deciding on your fonts, you will create two textboxes. One textbox will be your background word or what I call your BIG text. In my examples, I have my last name, PAYNE, as the BIG text, and on the other tile, I have used the word FAMILY.
The other textbox will be for your small text. Be sure to use your script font on this phrase.
For my PAYNE sign, I used my husband’s name and my name. I also added glyphs to the beginning and end, the swoopy elements, as well as a heart in between.
TIP – a glyph are the extra characters, symbols, or shapes that come with a font.
For the second tile and vinyl sign I made, I used the phrase ‘Sweet & Full of Nuts.’
What about the KNOCKOUT?
The project utilizes a process to create an image that looks like the script phrase has been ‘knocked out’ of the bigger, background word.
This process creates a little bubble around the script, which makes it pop. It also makes it easier to read, I think.
The process requires you to duplicate your phrase several times and move each duplicate slightly outside of your original image in all directions. You will weld all these duplicates to make one image and then slice it from the background image.
The tutorial in my Maker Library provides you with all the steps along with screenshots to help you with the knockout process.
Cutting the Tile and Vinyl Sign Images
Follow the onscreen prompts in Design Space to cut the vinyl. I used the regular vinyl setting with the fine point blade and the green, standard grip mat.
NOTE: The first time I clicked ‘Make It’ in Design Space, I got the ‘project too big for the mat’ message. Remember that your images must be slightly smaller than your 12 inch mat. Most tiles are 12 inches.
Once the vinyl is cut, you will need to weed it. Remove all the unwanted bits with your weeder and tweezers.
Application
Use your transfer tape to apply the vinyl to the tile. Be sure to clean your tile thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. I also put center marks, horizontally and vertically, on my tile to help me align the vinyl.
Once you’ve placed the vinyl on the tile, burnish with your scraper tool before removing the transfer tape. This will help your image stick to the tile better.
Enjoy Your Tile and Vinyl Sign
And that’s all there is to it! Now, you just have to decide where to display your sign. Right now, mine are on my mantle until I find a better place. Most of my makes go to the mantle at least for a little while before finding a more permanent spot.
Show me where you display your tile and vinyl sign. Share on Facebook.
Interested in a winter wreath project? Check out my Snowflake Wreath project.
Want to make some handmade greeting cards with stamps? My 3 Reasons to Start Making Handmade Cards Now post and the tutorial in my Maker Library will give you some ideas.
Get the Tile and Vinyl Sign tutorial in my Maker Library. You can find ALL my tutorials and patterns there. If you want the tutorial, just sign up (it’s free) below. I will send you the password, and you can download the instructions!
