Carve a Wood Sign

• 1). Measure and cut a wooden board to the size you want for your sign. Sand all the edges. Alternatively, buy a ready-made blank wooden sign board at a hardware or craft store. The size depends on what you plan to put on the sign and the distance from which you want it to be seen.
  
  
• 2). Plan the words and pictures you intend to carve. You can use letter or graphic stencils on paper. If you want more variety, use a graphics software program to create a template; then print it out so it can be transferred to the wood. Be sure to use a font that is easy to read. Avoid making graphics so large or detailed that they overwhelm the words on the sign.
  
  
• 3). Lay a piece of carbon paper face down on the wooden sign. Place the paper pattern or template over the carbon paper. Use a pencil or stylus to trace the letters and graphics onto the wooden board. Before tracing, make sure the words are evenly aligned.
  
  
• 4). Choose a sharp, V-bladed hand tool to carve out the lines on the wooden sign board. You can also use a curved tool. With slow and steady movements, carve out the lines. Do not gouge the wood. Be especially careful on corners and sharp turns in the graphics and letters.
  
  
• 5). Use other hand carving tools to complete the sign pattern. To carve out flat areas, use a wider tool, such as a small chisel. You can find carving tools with multiple blades for making grooves and striped or checkered patterns. Make sure the text is the clearest part of the sign, especially if it is for an address or a business name.
  
  
• 6). Wipe away wood shavings and dust from the surface of the sign before staining or painting it. For an antique look, use a nearly dry brush to lay on just a bit of paint over flat parts of the sign (but avoid the carved grooves). Then rub stain over the board with a rag, working it into the carved design as well.