Ever since I first watched a Youtube video about how to make a reverse canvas sign, I’ve really wanted to try it. Now that I have, I’m in love! It is so easy and cute! I can’t wait to make more, so expect to see some more projects like this showing up on the blog.
To make a reverse canvas, you just need to purchase a stretched canvas. I had purchased a whole pack of them when they were on sale at Michael’s a few years back with intentions on using them for a youth group project. The best part about a stretched canvas is that it has a wooden frame underneath that you get to use to make a popular wood frame for your sign.
I chose to make my first reverse canvas into a bathroom sign because I have been really amused by some of the puns I have seen on bathroom signs and have been looking at A LOT of bathroom decorations lately. The canvas that I had was a little small to put a lot on the sign, so I chose to just do a simple bathroom sign.
Here’s the tutorial:
Materials:
- Stretched Canvas
- Heavy-Duty Staple Remover or Flathead Screwdriver and Pliers
- Black Paint
- Sponge Brush
- Scissors
- Cutting Machine – I used my Cricut Explore Air
- Contact Paper
- Transfer Tape
- Permanent Marker
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue
- Staple Gun and Staples
- Twine
Tutorial:
You want to begin by removing the canvas from the frame. I used a Flathead screwdriver to pull up the staples and a pair of pliers to pull the staples the rest of the way out of the frame.
Once the staples have been removed, you can trim off the excess canvas. I cut right around the inside of the creases left by the frame so that it was the same size as the frame.
Using the sponge brush, paint the frame completely on the front, inside, and outside. The back of the frame is not critical as it will be covered by the canvas. You want to use a dark color for the paint as there are going to be some staples and gaps in the frame and this will help cover it. As you paint, you want to push the sponge into the gap so you can get paint in the holes in the frame as much as possible.
To create the design on the canvas, cut out the design you want to use on a piece of contact paper (this works as well as vinyl but is cheaper) using a cutting machine. I used my Cricut Explore Air. I found the design that I wanted online and uploaded it to Cricut Design Space.
Use transfer tape to help apply the stencil to the canvas. Rather than painting, I used a black permanent marker to fill in the design, but you could paint it if you wanted. I had to do two coats with a new marker, but I was really happy with how clear the design turned out on the canvas.
Use hot glue to attach the canvas to the back of the frame. I also used two staples with the staple gun at the top to secure the canvas and provide a place to attach the string.
If you stapled your canvas, you can tie your string/twine onto the two staples. If you do not have a staple gun, you can just secure the string with hot glue.
Here is the finished sign! I am so happy with how well it turned out for my first time making a reverse canvas project!
I hung the sign up on our guest bathroom door using a hook that I purchased at the Dollar Tree.
What do you think? Would a sign like this look good in your home? Let me know in the comments below what you think about the reverse canvas sign style and if there are any other designs you would like to see in the future!
If you make your own reverse canvas sign like this, I would love to see it! Make sure to tag me using @onecraftatatime on Facebook or Instagram so I can see your project!
Happy crafting!
~ Candace 🙂