Okay, so I might be the oldest To All The Boys fan out there but I can’t help it. I’m a sucker for feel-good, wholesome, underdog protagonist kind of movie coupled with good music. I am constantly rocking out to the TATB Spotify playlist!
After redoing our master bedroom recently, there’s now blank space above my dresser for new wall decor. Specifically, I wanted to make my own farmhouse-style wood sign and actually had in mind to use the phrase “P.S. I love you” like the 2007 movie with Gerard Butler and Hillary Swank. But then one day, it dawned on me that I could instead give a little nod to TATB by changing it to “P.S. I still love you” (aka the second book in the three-part series by Jenny Han). I figured it’s a cute phrase regardless!
I love love love beautiful handwritten script font and even found the font that was used in their title images. However, the dry brush appearance was a bit of an issue as I did NOT want to use adhesive or heat transfer vinyl because of all the intricate weeding that I would need to do. No thank you.
Then I remembered I had a pack of Silhouette’s printable heat transfer vinyl (HTV) and had a hunch that it would work since I had used regular HTV on a wood project a couple years ago. Annnnd yup, it worked beautifully for this particular project! I sure love a good crafting hack!
Here’s the scoop on how to use printable HTV for wood signs:
Supplies:
- Blank wood sign (handy hubby made this one for me)
- Printable Heat Transfer Vinyl (link)
- Heating element, like an iron. With the raised frames, a Cricut Mini Press Mini (link) would be perfect for this project.
- Thin piece of fabric
- Weeding tool (link to my fav)
Step 1: Create your design in your cutting machine’s software (I created mine in Silhouette Studio) with a very tiny offset. I set mine was 0.025″. The offset tool creates an expanded line around your design. Group together your design with the offset.
Step 2: Next, mirror image the grouped objects! *SUPER IMPORTANT when working with HTV*
Step 3: Turn on your registration marks and double-check your design is within the registration marks.
Step 4: Send to print with your color printer. I suggest Photo Inkjet Paper setting and on “Best” mode.
Step 5: Once finished printing, send it to Silhouette to cut along the offset line.
Step 6: Peel away unwanted pieces and set the design over your blank sign. Your design will still include the backing.
Step 7: Cover your design with a thin piece of fabric and press firmly with a heating element, like an iron.
Step 8: For each press, hold for ~30 seconds. Carefully lift the HTV backing to see if the HTV has adhered. Be sure to only lift a tiny corner. It should be obvious if it has adhered or not. If not, press a little longer.
Step 9: Let the HTV backing completely cool *SUPER IMPORTANT – see my notes below*
Step 10: Once completely cooled, carefully peel away the HTV backing and you should see your design “transferred” over onto your blank sign.
Note: I have a confession to make. I was super excited and slightly distracted when making this project so I failed to read the materials’ instructions about waiting for the printable HTV material cool before peeling back the carrier sheet. So, some of the printed design smudged when I tried to place it back down and reheat it.
Luckily, this particular font style is forgiving so it was not super obvious. I was also able to paint over any super obvious smudges using the same paint I used to paint the sign. Just wanted to let you know that trick in case you run into the same problem. Talk about hacking the hack! 🙌
I hope this step-by-step tutorial was helpful! Hop on over to Instagram and check out a reel I made about this project!