How to Put Vinyl On Painted Wood Signs (So It Actually Sticks)

This is more of a tip than it is a vinyl tutorial and it's a pretty easy one. I've been making some painted wood plaques and instead of stenciling the names and personalization on, I've actually been using vinyl.

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I like how crisp and professional looking it looks. If you're going for a more rustic look, vinyl's not going to do it so get your paint and sand paper out...but in those cases when you want fresh and crisp this is a really easy way to get the look.

How to Get Vinyl to Stick on Painted Wood Signs

I'm sure there are other ways to do this - but this is what I do when I want to put vinyl on wood signs.

Start by painting the wood. For this Silhouette project I was working with unfinished pine plaques that were ready for paint, but if you need to sand down first - do that before you paint. You want a nice smooth finish.

I used craft paint and ended up adding a second coat after the first dried. That's just personal preference. You can also use spray paint to paint wood signs - which is super fast and easy!

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The next step is the important one: paint a thin coat of polycrylic over the paint and let it dry.

I recommend a foam brush so I don't get brush marks from a paint brush. The poly is important because it gives the vinyl something to stick to.

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Once the poly is dry, you're ready to add the vinyl. I would recommend Oracal 651 if you're looking for a glossy vinyl or Oracal 641 which is permanent vinyl, but has a matte finish.

Make sure when you transfer the vinyl onto your wood sign that you really burnish it well before peeling away the transfer tape!

And that's it. Wam, bam, thank you ma'am.

Just a reminder, you don't want to put anything over the vinyl as it could cause it to curl or crack as we saw here. Yikes!

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23 comments

CarynJuly 11, 2015 at 5:51 PM
Do you think following the same process swapping out stain for paint, vinyl will stick?
UnknownOctober 21, 2015 at 3:12 PM
I may or may not have put the coat of poly over the vinyl my first time. ;)
Marie RossOctober 21, 2015 at 4:41 PM
So no Polycrylic as protection? Thank you for the great tip, Melissa!
AvaydrielNovember 16, 2015 at 11:47 AM
This may sound like a really dumb question, but do you add the extras (ie: hooks, pegs, so on...) *after* painting and putting on the vinyl, or before? I was worried doing that ahead of time would chip the paint or ruin the crisper look, but yours looks so perfect and wanted to make sure I followed your steps :).
Maritime MommyDecember 10, 2015 at 10:50 AM
what about using mode lodge as a sealer over the vinyl?
TdunnDecember 10, 2015 at 3:30 PM
So using mod podge on top as a sealer would not be a good idea? I want to make cork coasters using the vinyl instead of painting from a stencil but I'm concerned about watermarks from drinks. Thanks
UnknownFebruary 20, 2016 at 2:04 AM
Awesome! Finally I got some stuff regarding woodworking signs. I was searching for material related to matter included in post. I am very happy and relaxed too that I find this blog.
Brian
MatthewMarch 9, 2016 at 11:31 AM
What were the tips and guidelines on painted wood signs. I really like your writing style and how you express your ideas. Thank you.
UnknownMarch 21, 2016 at 9:04 PM
I just tried this with the same brand polycrylic and the second I started brushing it on my white painted board, it left black streaks. Will these go away?
Chayda BMay 17, 2016 at 4:39 PM
okay so i plan on using spray paint for color, and a clear gloss sealer for the spray paint and then adding the vinyl for my finishing detail. would this work?
afmommyJuly 9, 2016 at 9:17 PM
I have been doing painted wooden signs with vinyl since 2008...I use basic plaid acrylic paint from Walmart..sand the wood, paint one or two coats (more if it is a lighter color paint...in which case putting a coat of white paint on first really helps). I let it dry while cutting and weeding my vinyl. I transfer the vinyl and then seal with mod podge...I have never had issues with curling or cracking...do not use homemade mid podge...that will yellow. I haven't tried the poly stuff but mod podge works great and helps protect the paint and vinyl. Just remember to use thin coats of mod podge and it takes 30 days to fully cure (aka fully dry). For signs on walls and such this is no big deal...but for coasters, you will want to give it the proper time to cure.
afmommyJuly 9, 2016 at 9:20 PM
I have been doing painted wooden signs with vinyl since 2008...I use basic plaid acrylic paint from Walmart..sand the wood, paint one or two coats (more if it is a lighter color paint...in which case putting a coat of white paint on first really helps). I let it dry while cutting and weeding my vinyl. I transfer the vinyl and then seal with mod podge...I have never had issues with curling or cracking...do not use homemade mid podge...that will yellow. I haven't tried the poly stuff but mod podge works great and helps protect the paint and vinyl. Just remember to use thin coats of mod podge and it takes 30 days to fully cure (aka fully dry). For signs on walls and such this is no big deal...but for coasters, you will want to give it the proper time to cure.
sewingmoneyAugust 10, 2016 at 8:14 PM
thank you for the great tuts!!!!
Name Board Makers in ChennaiSeptember 6, 2016 at 8:56 AM
Signs are a huge part of advertising. Good advertising can really help your business. It's important to make sure you have a professional looking sign to help you business out.
Tom BradlyOctober 28, 2016 at 3:22 AM
This is pretty neat and the steps seems simple enough for me to follow. I'd make some of these to giveaway for Christmas for sure!
UnknownOctober 31, 2016 at 3:02 PM
How long do you have to wait for the poly to dry? When I used my transfer paper it peeled off the poly!
Nannie GOctober 31, 2016 at 5:00 PM
Hi Ladies, I have a question, I am doing a sign on Painted wood and used Oracal 631, do I have to seal it and if so, with what?
I really appreciate the advice.
GailFebruary 13, 2017 at 3:48 PM
I use chalk paint instead of Acrylic. I do not put polycrylic over and have never had the vinyl lift. Is it maybe the different between acylic and chalk paint?

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