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–+ servings
DIY chalkboard with white stenciled menu text and turquoise painted frame on gray wall in kitchen.
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5 from 15 votes

DIY Menu Board

A weekly Menu Board with cozy charm to stay on track of weekly meal planning goals and let everyone know what's cooking in the kitchen.
Prep Time30 minutes
Active Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 1 board
Author: Rachel
Cost: $25

Equipment

  • Paint Brush
  • Small Foam Roller
  • Stencil See post for ideas

Materials

Instructions

  • Prep the backing material if necessary. Clean and sand smooth. For a fresh or raw surface, prime with a high quality bonding primer.
    Scraping old adhesive from a cardboard background to prep it for painting.
  • Paint two coats of a high-quality Black Chalkboard Paint. A small foam roller usually provides the smoothest texture for the board. Allow to dry completely for at least overnight.
    High quality rustoleum Chalkboard paint on black background.
  • After the paint is dry, use white paint to add any decorative details that will be permanent.
    Stenciling a menu chalkboard
  • For intricate patterns use a stencil and lay the stencil using painter's tape or transfer tape. Make sure stencil is completely flat and attached to the board so that paint won't get under the edges.
    Transfer vinyl graphics with Blue Painter's Tape
  • Season the chalkboard. take a bit of chalk and rub it all over the chalkboard lightly. Then use a soft cloth to wipe it off in circular motions. It may take a few times of doing this to get the real chalkboard effect.
    Woman seasoning a chalkboard with a dry rag and chalk.

Notes

I highly recommend a roller rather than a brush to keep the chalkboard paint texture to a minimum. Vinyl also has a great smooth texture and you don't have to wait for it to dry to use.