I get a lot of emails asking how I make my printables, especially the chalkboard ones. I, personally, use Photoshop CS5, but you can do just as well with Photoshop Elements, or even PicMonkey (I can’t say from experience because I haven’t used PicMonkey, but this is what I’ve heard).
Designing a chalkboard print is a lot of fun, for several reasons. My number one reason: NO DUST! (I’m not a fan of messy!) The rules are a little different from basic graphic design, where you wouldn’t want to use more than three fonts, leave lots of white space, yada, yada, yada. But one of the keys to making a beautiful chalkboard is to fill available space! When you’re designing a chalkboard it’s truly all about being creative and artistic, and as such, there are no definitive “rules.” Just make it look pretty! If it looks beautiful to you, that’s what matters.
Here are some of my favorite fonts to use for chalkboards:
Download all of these fonts here.
I use several different fonts in different sizes, caps, no caps, and add dingbats like banners and hearts and other doodles. There are some fonts that are specifically chalky and handwritten (Chalk line, Blockography), and others that are simply decorative (Platform Shoes, Birmingham). For those fonts, you can add some styling in Photoshop to make them appear more “chalk like.”
Not a Photoshop wiz? No worries – you can use PicMonkey to create chalkboards just like Kellie does.
I think chalkboards are the easiest to design, because you almost can’t go wrong! Just stick to decorative or chalk fonts, alternate sizing, add some dingbats and you’re good to go!
Need the background? Download a printable chalkboard background here.
Love the printable chalkboards but don’t think you can make your own? Download some for free:
Download here: Springtime Chalkboard Printable
Or check out all of my free printable downloads here.
Thank you for sharing, I can’t wait to make one!
Love all of your chalkboards, and am currently trying to make one of my own. My Photoshop skills are a little rusty though, how do you make the straight line and the dots? I have tried just making an underscore in different fonts, but couldn’t really nail it.
And would you like to share the name of the “Chalkboard” font you used on the sign “How to make your own chalkboard sign”?
Thank you!
-Eli
The straight line and the dots on top and bottom of the Springtime chalkboard, that is!
-Eli
thanks for the shout out about my tutorial!!! your signs are always so fun!
xoxo
kellie
LOVE this!!
Love all of these fonts. I think I just spent the last 15 minutes downloading fonts… can’t wait to make a printable now!
What font is that dingbat with the pennant banner? Please let me know! Thanks!
Nevermind! Figured out its KG Flavor & Frames! THanks 🙂
Super cute, gfriend (:
Thank you sharing these! You Rock!
Looking forward to learning how to make them.
Downloaded the fonts. Now what do you do?? Not savvy to this stuff but I love it!
What if you don’t have Photoshop…is there a way to use Word or Publisher?
These are gorgeous! I love chalkboard, and I agree, less mess is best. Could you tell me what font “Chalboard” is in the very first picture on the post? Thanks!!
“chalkboard” hehe
Reading your adoption story helped me rethink a lot that I have been second guessing about. I just gained custody of my cousin 2 year old and have had a hard time making sure she gets the attention and love like my own daughter. She didn’t have anything before I got her except the clothes on her back. My husband cousin has been wanting to get full custody of her since she can’t have anymore kids and wants a daughter but some days Im okay with it because like you said I miss the simple days, but then other days like today I don’t know what to do without her because I love her to pieces even if she is just going through terrible twos! Thank you for your story!!
Amberly
Hi, I’m new to all this fun so I’ve got a question that may be really obvious – I’ve just made my own big chalkboard (1.2mx1m) and I’d like to use some kind of stencil or pattern to write up some cool quotes – can I use the ones you have shown here? Or do I need something else? How do you transfer the fonts etc? Thanks
I am so new to this idea and I LOVE IT. But, my question is much like Jacqui’s. Do you porint it all out and paste it on a board? I am not sure what to do with this. I want to make a board for my sons first birthday..
If I design a large chalkboard sign, how do I print it?
I’d suggest having it printed on photo paper… I usually send it to Costco Photo, but any online photo printing service would work.
Just wanted to say that I’m pretty sure I love you….I know this is a little sudden, but there it is 😉 I have LITERALLY looked ALL morning for a cool way to do fonts for an Oz birthday party and the fonts to do it with. Then BAM! Here you are. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! I am indebted and will be back to this site often.
Love this! Thank you so much!
Brilliant information. Thanks for good info.
Photo Retouching Service
This is great! Thanks so much for sharing!
I’m trying to start a chalkboard sign for my daughters birthday. I’m downloading the different fonts you have linked (thanks, by thee way!) but WHAT is going on with the hyperlink for the dingbats? Its taking me all over the internet, and nothing to do with font downloads. Do you know anywhere I can go to get it from without using your link?
Thanks.
Do you get them printed from a place like staples or vista print to make sure they’re big enough and clear?
Hi I loved this post has literally saved my life , could you please tell me what font is the one you used where it says ” font combo ” thanks again <3 massive love & bliss
Hi! I have a question? How do I add the dingbats and decorative stuff the the chalkboard? I’m also looking for a Minnie Mouse head to add to my daughters Chalkboard picture… Also is there a way to change the font colors throughout the name like Pink then purple…
Ok, love the chalkboard signs! Making table signs for a plant sale and wondering…print on black paper so you don’t use a lot of black ink? I need to make 60 table signs approx. 5″x7″. Printers don’t have white ink so…..how does this work?
No you can’t just print on black paper, sorry. You would need to use the chalkboard background. You could always have them printed at Office Depot or Staples. You can print in black and white as that’s much cheaper than color.
hi, can i print in in photopaper?
It uses a lot of black ink, and it eon’t adhere as well to photo paper. For the best results, you should print on cardstock. That will give the most “natural” appearance.
I need to know how to insert a digital banner onto this digital chalkboard. There are banners I would like to use but the backgrounds not the right color black etc… I have seen digis that do have gray and white squares as a background so the picture, when placed, stands on it’s one… there is absolutely no background at all. I do not know if these are SVGs, vectors or what they are… Can you help me figure this one out? I hope you get what i am saying… Jane PS Thanks for this tutorial too 🙂
Help! I’m so new to this. I’m a little confused. So, if it’s all printable, including background,that means we are only able to work with an 8 1/2 x 11 sign? I need poster board size chalkboard sign.
This background won’t print that big. I would suggest using a black foam core board (from an office supply store) and rubbing it with chalk then brushing it off. Then you could hand-letter on the sign.
Thanks!!! desde DR
I’m making these for an event I’m hosting. Thanks for these excellent ideas, I’m sharing this with friends.
Thanks so much for the coaching! We’re going to be making “real” chalkboard signs to help find our philanthropic, educational farm – The Abundance Farm. You’ve helped us to help others!