How To Make Your Own Dry-Erase Board
By Whitney Korstange
Hi there! I’m so excited to be sharing this project with you today! It is one that I’ve been meaning to try but have been putting off. Can anyone relate? I always have a list of projects I’m going to get to, and all my friends are the same way. Creativity never takes a break does it? But before I start I’d like to introduce myself! I’m Whitney from Inkling & Wit. Yes, in part the wit stands for Whitney. Today is my shop’s grand opening! I am so excited to be creating digital paper and thankful to you for letting my designs into your memories.
A year or so ago someone told me you can make your own dry erase board and that is what we are going to try. It is simple and versatile.
What you’ll need?
- Paper. I’m using my classic paper game masks and the allstars baseball kit from my shop to make my image. If you want just a decorative background any paper will work.
- A picture frame or contact paper.
- Adhesive of choice. My go to’s are PVA, Elmer’s white glue and score tape. PVA is a white glue used for bookbinding.
- Bone fold
- Scissors / blade/ paper cutter
- Pencils / markers / paint or other drawing material. (optional)
What to do
1. Brainstorm what you need a dry erase board for. I think ultimately I’m going to make a nice wall calendar; one that matches my home decor. I plan on getting a large poster frame from a craft shop and making it 2 foot by 3 foot. Though, for today’s project I had this awesome idea for classic paper games. These will be great for travel; while they don’t rival smartphone apps and automobiles with DVD systems, there is something still fun about a good old game of hangman. These dry erase games are quick, easy, and will get you hooked on all the possibilities of the hand crafted dry-erase board.
2. Make some backgrounds. For the demo I used a 4″x6″ (10.16cm x 15.24cm) document size. I thought this would easily fit into my purse for on-the-go fun. Now I just have to remember to bring a dry erase marker with me.Use your favorite photo editing or scrapbooking software to create your game board(s). I created the whole image in Photoshop, (my editing software of choice).I did this because I want a completely flat surface. When using contact or laminate paper to create a dry erase board it is essential the surface is flat. If not, the dry erase markers will get caught on the underneath edges and be hard to use. If you are using a frame with glass to make the dry erase board, feel free to collage away. The glass is thick enough not to disrupt any writing. When I start my calendar I’m going to use the collage method, making calendar squares in different colors for the weekend, for the numbers and so on. Though for today I’m wanting a flat image.
3. Once your images are ready for print, go ahead and print them. I made two games, one for the front and the other for the back.
4. After printing cut images to size.
5. Cut a piece of chipboard 4″x6″ or the size of your image. I use chipboard because it’s a nice sturdy and durable surface to draw on.
6. Glue the one game image to each side of the board. I use the glue & card method to get a smooth layer of glue across the board. A foam brush will also work nicely to get a nice even layer of adhesive. I would avoid tape for the game boards because the dry erase marker will more than likely pick up the difference in thickness as if it was a collage.
7. After the glue is dry cut a piece of contact paper 1 inch (2.54cm) larger than the chipboard. It is really hard to line up contact paper exactly square and you only have one try to lay down the contact paper, so if the contact paper is larger you can focus your attention on getting no air bubbles across the image.
8. Take the backing off the contact paper; once you do this the contact paper should relax. Once you have a tacky sheet of contact paper ready use both hands to bend/fold (no crease) it in the center tacky side out and set the fold gently on the center of the image Gently roll down the contact paper on one side, using your free hand to smooth the contact paper from the center out. Gently roll down the contact paper on the other side, smoothing from the center out. Use a bone fold or other flat object to burnish and make sure there are no air bubbles over the surface. If there are any gently work out by pushing them to the edge.
9. Repeat for the other side.
10. Trim contact paper 1/4″ larger than the board.
Ta-da you now have an portable game board. Use and reuse your newly made dry erase board. I hope this project will be as fun for you as it was for me. Happy crafting!
