In 6 Easy Steps, Combine the Beauty of Wood with Your Creative Vision

Here at Yaymaker, we’re all about empowering people to get up, get out, and get making. And, if you’ve tried one of our popular paint events in the past, you know that not only will you be embarking on a fun night out, but you’ll also be encouraged to tap into your creative side. With a Design a Sign nite out, you can expect the same excitement and creativity you’ve come to love of our Yaymaker events, but with a twist. Not only will you be making something personalized and unique, but you’ll be doing it side-by-side with a bunch of other fun-loving friends who will be working on their own interesting designs made directly on a slab of natural wood.

Wondering how it all works? It’s actually a lot like Paint Nite except it’s all about four, fun steps: stencil, paint, peel, reveal! To get started, you’ll visit a nearby bar or restaurant where a local host will guide you through how to design your own wooden sign. You drink, laugh and make something unique… you know the drill—but instead of a painting on canvas, you’ll create custom wood wall art using a stencil we print just for you.

Want a sneak peek of exactly what an event is like? We’d love to show you! You can find all our Design a Sign events on your local event calendar.

Before you buy a ticket, you can follow a link to a page that’ll show you all the stencil options for that event. The best part about these events is that you have the option to stencil ANYTHING in our library which has over 400 stencils in it. And we’ve got so many original stencils you won’t find anywhere else.

The best part is that not only do we have so many creative sign design options, but many are customizable and all are completely personalizable. After you purchase a ticket to the event of your choice, you’ll choose the stencil you want to create and, if applicable, you’ll tell us your custom text. Lots of our stencils have words you can personalize. Some stencils don’t have customizable words, but you can still choose the colors you want to use at the event. No two designs ever turn out the same!

Okay, so you’ve bought your ticket and you’re ready to get creative. Time for the event!

As usual, you’ll want to arrive to the event venue early. While not included in the ticket price, lots of our guests love to grab dinner and drinks first. Then, of course, the drinks can continue as you create. Okay, let’s do it!

Step 1: Select the wood for your sign design and put it together

You’ll choose two pieces of wood, already stained a light brown, and put them together using the most adorable mini drill and hammer. And don’t worry if you’ve never used a power tool—it’s so easy (and fun!)

Step 2: Choose a background color and color-wash your board

You can make the background of your board any color you want. Popular choices include a light wood stain, dark wood stain, or whitewash, but we love seeing colorful boards as well. Think about where you’re planning to hang your sign when you choose colors. Will you be adding a pop of color to a room, making a housewarming gift or simply jazzing up your otherwise ho-hum office space? Focusing on where your sign will eventually live can really help you pick colors that will shine. Once you decide what you want to do, your host can help you blend the shade you want. Then, you’ll just slap the color on (it’s almost impossible to mess up!).

Step 3: Place your stencil and have a drink (you deserve it)!

You’re practically halfway done (and the best is yet to come)! Your host will give you the stencil you selected before the event, and you’ll place it on your board. Just pull the back off and you’re ready to start painting.

[images of using stencils]

Step 4: Paint your stencil

Here’s where you can really get creative. Choose and mix colors for your creative sign design and start painting. Your host will tell you everything you need to know so your board turns out amazing, but here’s a mantra to repeat to yourself as you go: NEVER SWIPE, NEVER WIPE! Use your spongey paintbrush to DAB paint on your stencil, otherwise you’ll see some bleeding along the lines. If you can remember that, you’re good to go. Use your imagination and make your stencil pop!

Step 5: The big reveal

This is possibly the most fun part of your whole night. Suddenly, everything comes together—the board, the stencil, the colors. This is where you peel up your stencil and reveal the final sign! There are a lot of gasps and “Oh, wow!” exclamations when the stencils are revealed. It’s a little bit magical to see what you created.

Step 6: Finishing touches and show it off!

All that’s left now is to make it shine. You might have to pull off some smaller pieces of the stencil, and you’ll clean up the edges of any paint that may have smudged (we told you not to swipe!). Once you’ve polished up your piece, it’s time to show it off—and that part is so easy.

Wasn’t that fun? Imagine going to an event yourself! Check your local Yaymaker event calendar to see if there’s a Design a Sign event near you. (And if you don’t see one, don’t worry—we’ll be in your area soon so keep checking back!)