Creating a potting shed sign

I’ve recently purchased a wood burning engraving tool or pen for sign writing, which I’ve been using to create rustic plant labels for my kitchen garden. I love these sorts of personal touches on allotments and gardens, as it immediately lifts an outdoor space, makes it looks like time and effort has gone into caring for it and apart from anything else, helps me remember what I’m growing where. The beauty of burning the letters onto wood, is that it doesn’t wear off a few months later, unlike paint and chalk pens which can eventually fade.

The wood burning engraving tool I purchased was surprisingly cheap, and I think a great investment for future labels and plant signs. It works by simply plugging the pen into the mains and the heating element heats up enabling you to burn letters into pieces of wood. There are a range of different size nibs / wood burning tips, so you can alter the size of the font easily. If using one, do take care not to touch any part of the tool, other than the handle to avoid burning yourself. And make sure that you remember to switch it of when you’ve finished. For this project, I’ve simply used a slat from a pallet for my sign, but you can of course use any slices of natural timber or log sections for more rustic effects.
Things You Need

You Will Need:

One slat from a pallet, pencil, ruler and rubber, tape measure, wood burning penScrews and screw driver to attach the sign

Step One

Use a crow bar and mallet to prise off a slat from an old pallet. Remove any nails or screws protruding from it. I’ve selected a fairly large slat which is 12cm wide.

Step Two

Trim off any damaged ends with a saw and cut it to suitable size that will suit the location you’re going to place it. I cut mine to 72cm long.

Step Three

Usually slats from a pallet have a rough and smooth side. Choose the smoothest as it is easier to paint or brand. Use a sander to make the surface even less coarse.

Step Four

Use a ruler and pencil to measure out where the top and bottom of each letter will reach. My letters are going to be 10cm high.

Step Five

Draw a box around where each letter will sit to help with the spacing. Allow equal spaces between each letter. My letters are 5cm wide, and I’ve left 1cm between each one.

Step Six

Draw out the letters with a pencil and ruler using the full allocated space you have drawn out in step five. Remember to allow for small gaps between the words too.

Step Seven

Use the engraver to burn out the letters taking care to avoid touching the hot tip. Woodburning can cause smoke and fumes to be emitted, so it is best to do this in a well ventilated room or outside.

Step Eight

Varnish or treat the sign with Danish oil to help preserve the wood. It also gives the sign a more professional looking finish.

Step Nine

Screw your newly created sign to the potting shed. I’ve attached mine above the door, but obviously you can place yours anywhere to suit you, which best shows off your handy work.

This is your sign to…

Isn’t it a beautiful, rustic sign. It looks wonderful attached above the door of my potting shed. It’s really easy to make one of these and I’d recommend investing in a wood burning engraving tool or pen. Once you’ve got one, it is so easy to create signs or label plants that will last a long time.

Rustic potting shed sign 

wood burner engraver tool

Recycle a pallet

Weekend garden project

DIY project