MAKING YOUR OWN YARD GREETING SIGNS
4/16/09
This article has to do with making your own yard
greeting signs yourself. From materials, cutting,
painting, and suitable staking techniques to display the
signs in the ground. This article does NOT pertain to
pre-made signs.
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WOOD
Requires to be weatherproof or waterproof wood. Marine MDF, MDO, treated, etc. |
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1. Pros: Durable, readily
accessible, relatively cost effective. |
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2. Cons: Heavy |
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3. Cost Factors: |
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4. Cutting♦: Any appropriate product
that can cut wood. |
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5. Painting: Any suitable exterior
wood paint. |
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6. Staking / Displaying♦♦:
Cowrods are a great way to stake
these signs. Larger signs will require large rebar
or a T-bar, that can be fastened using metal pieces used
to hold conduit on walls.
Note: 1) Hardware that you
use to adhere a padlock works great. You can
'close' the hardware on the rebar and put a pin it in to
secure. 2) If you must screw anything onto a wooden
sign, be sure to screw from front to back to prevent
'splintering' of the wood on the front of your sign, OR
predrill your holes before placing screws. |
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COROPLAST
What is coroplast? It is an abbreviated word for
Corrugated Plastic. Available in thicknesses from 2mm to
12mm. |
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1. Pros:
Very light weight,
weatherproof! |
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2. Cons: Finding a suitable paint
that will adhere to the coroplast, finding something to
cut out coroplast sheets, larger signs require thicker
coroplast for rigidty. |
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3. Cost Factors: 4x8' 4mm sheet of
coroplast can vary from $9.00 to $25.00. It pays to shop
around, find a local supply of plastic products versus
buying from a sign shop. |
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4. Cutting♦: Cutting coroplast can
be a little difficult, until you find a technique that
suits you. Using a box cutter or utility knife is noted
that it frequently causes blisters and hand cramps, but
can be done. Several suggest a utility knife by Lenox.
Some also suggest the use of a jigsaw or scroll saw.
Additionally, some individuals like to lightly sand the
edges to 'soften' them. |
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5. Painting:
a. Finding paint (or suitable
material) that will stick to coroplast can be difficult.
Paint suggestions such as 1spot, Krylon Fusion, or frogjuice has been
recommended since it tends to "bond" to the coroplast
versus other paint that sits on the coroplast and has a
tendency to peel. Also a clear spray over the finished
graphic is also recommended, such as a product called
clear frogjuice or spray from
clearstarcorp.com. Some
individuals have suggested to lightly sand the surface of
the coroplast and put a base primer on to help the paint
'stick'.
b.
Ideally a pre-printed vinyl graphic
can be adhered. Also vinyl cutouts can be adhered. You
can either use professional equipment like a vinyl
cutter to cut out the vinyl pieces/shapes or scissors.
(To adhere vinyl, look for an article on how to adhere
vinyl to coroplast.) |
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6. Staking / Displaying♦♦:
5/16" steel rods for smaller signs, they slide right up
into the channel of the coroplast. Up to rebar or
a T-bar for larger signs. Larger rebar will need to be
fastened with conduit fittings and nuts and bolts.
Some larger signs may need to be tethered on windy days.
Note:
Hardware that you use to adhere a padlock works
great. You can 'close' the hardware on the rebar
and put a pin it in to secure. |
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Expanded PVC
What is Expanded PVC? Manufacturing names of Sintra or
Komotex. It is rigid PVC Foam Board, at half the weight
of typical PVC product. Available in thicknesses from
1mm to 19mm. |
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1. Pros: Durable. Weatherproof.
Lightweight depending on thickness, when compared to
wood of same thickness. |
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2. Cons:
None known other then price factor. Thicker the PVC
Board, more the cost. All relative thou, since durable
and long lasting. Larger signs require thicker PVC for
rigidity. Larger display signs can break (storks, etc.)
and require some gentle handling. To prevent
breakage, thicker PVC is recommended. |
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3. Cost Factors: Similar to that of
wood products, more then coroplast. |
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4. Cutting♦: Any appropriate product
that can cut wood, can also cut PVC/Sintra. Thinner
pieces can also be cut with a utility knife. |
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5. Painting: Most products that can
be used on wood, can also be used on PVC including
Vinyls and Acrylic Lacquers. And Primers are not
recommended. |
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6. Staking / Displaying♦♦:
Cowrods
are a great way to stake these signs. Larger signs
will require large rebar or a T-bar, that can be
fastened using metal pieces used to hold conduit on
walls.
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SEND IN YOUR OWN
MATERIAL SUGGESTIONS |
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TIP:
When designing your own yard greetings. A couple
of factors you must consider. One, how large you
must make the sign in order to see it from the street.
And two, how/where are you going to store them.
You might want to consider the size to make something by
how big a rubbermaid container is, that they can fit in,
or other similar storage. |
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TIP
#2:
Be sure to mark your signs. Either with a paint
pen, permanent marker, or pre-printed labels. Then
clear coating over the PROPERTY OF: so it cannot be
easily removed. Also a
branding iron works great on some materials, or a
custom stamp used with a paint instead of ink!
(These are just two manufacturer suggestions, please
search the internet for your own special needs). |
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♦ Tracing
/ Cutting Tip: Making sure that each piece is
similar to all the others can be a little difficult.
Try making a wooden template (no matter what material
your final product is made out of). And use the
wooden template to trace an outline on your sign
material to cut out. You can store your wooden
template, so if you ever have to replace a sign it will
always be available. |
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♦♦
Staking Tip: Make sure your signs are secure in
the wind. A technique is to slightly bend the
cowrod or similar rod over into a pre-drilled hole or
back into the coroplast on the top. |
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| This article is updated
as information is acquired either from the message
boards (the forums), or personal experiences. Sharing
your personal experiences is always welcome. We all had
to start somewhere. |
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| KEYWORDS: Making,
Manufacturing, Producing, Yard greetings, Yard Cards,
Yard Art, Lawn Greetings, Stork Greetings, Birth
Announcements, making your own, how to make your own. |
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