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If you’ve ever wondered how to transfer lettering to wood without freehand drawing, you’re in for a treat! Hand lettering doesn’t have to be intimidating, especially when you learn hand lettering for sign making using simple transfer techniques. 

In this tutorial, we’ll walk through creating a charming Valentine’s Day wood round sign using graphite paper and paint pens — no advanced lettering skills required. Whether you’re new to crafting or looking to expand your hand lettering skills for crafters, this project is perfect for you!

Supplies You’ll Need

Before we begin, gather these materials to make your hand-lettered wood sign. Most of the supplies I used can be found on my Amazon storefront, or at your local craft store!

Base Materials:

• Hey Sugar Hand Lettering Template
• 8-inch wood round (laser cut or store-bought)
• White graphite paper or gray transfer paper

Paint Supplies:

• Lipstick Red acrylic paint (Folk Art brand)
• White acrylic paint
• Sponge brush (from Walmart paint department)
• Chip brush for texturing

Lettering Tools:

• Posca paint pen PC-5M (medium bullet tip) in white
• Royal and Langnickel acrylic markers in pink (I got mine in the Walmart craft section!)
• Pencil or stylus for tracing

Finishing Touches:

• Opal Glitter Medium (I got mine at Hobby Lobby!)
• Binder clips
• Ribbon for hanging
• Heat tool or hair dryer (optional, for faster drying)

Step #1: Prepare and Paint Your Wood Base

Start by painting your wood round with a base coat. Using a sponge brush instead of a regular paintbrush gives you a few advantages: 

• Faster application: Sponge brushes cover large areas quickly
• Thinner coats: This prevents thick, bumpy paint that makes lettering difficult
• Smooth edges: Perfect for painting the sides of your sign

Apply 2-3 thin coats of your base color, allowing each to dry between applications. The sponge brush technique is especially helpful for painting the edges. Just roll the edge across the sponge to coat it evenly!

Step #2: Add Texture to Your Background

Once your base coat is completely dry, it’s time to create that vintage, linen-like texture:

1. Dip just the tips of a chip brush into white paint
2. Lightly sweep the brush horizontally across the surface — don’t press down hard
3. Let dry for a few seconds
4. Repeat with vertical strokes
   

This creates a subtle cross-hatch texture that adds visual interest without overwhelming your lettering. Start with less paint than you think you need — you can always add more!

Step #3: Using Graphite Paper for Lettering

This is where the magic happens! Here’s how to transfer lettering to wood using graphite paper:

1. Cut out your printed template and center it on your painted wood surface. 
2. Use binder clips to hold it in place — this prevents shifting while you trace.
3. Place your graphite paper between the template and the wood surface with the shiny side down. White graphite paper works best for white lettering, though gray transfer paper works too if your paint will cover it.
4. Using a pencil or stylus, carefully trace over all the lines of your template. Apply firm, even pressure.

Important: Before removing your template, lift a corner to check that everything transferred. It’s very difficult to realign if you’ve already removed the clips!

This technique is exactly how to letter on door hangers and other wood surfaces without needing perfect freehand skills.

Step #4: Hand Letter with Paint Pens

Now comes the fun part — bringing your design to life with paint pens!

Start with Your Main Color

Using a white Posca paint pen (PC-5M size works well for most projects), trace over your transferred lines. Shake the pen well before starting.

For a more professional look, add faux calligraphy by thickening any downstrokes. Simply go back over parts where you pulled your pen downward and make them slightly thicker.

Add Secondary Colors

Once your main lettering is complete, add accent elements. In this project, pink hearts add a perfect Valentine’s touch using the Royal and Langnickel markers from Walmart.

Step #5: Add Highlights With White Paint Pens

White lettering always photographs better than it looks in person. If you’re seeing streaky white paint in real life, that’s completely normal — even for experienced letterers. Don’t compare your work to photos you see online!

Multiple Coats Are Essential

• Always apply at least 2 coats of white
• Let the first coat dry completely before adding the second
• Use long, smooth strokes on your final coat rather than choppy motions

Troubleshooting White Paint

If your pen starts scratching off the paint beneath:

• Don’t press down too hard
• Check the tip — sometimes paint builds up and needs to be wiped
• Try flipping the pen tip if it becomes shredded
• Make a small paint puddle and dip the tip to recoat it

Using white paint pens can be a challenge, but with patience, you’ll get beautiful results!

Step #6: Add Finishing Touches

Elevate your sign with subtle sparkle using Opal Glitter Medium:

1. Apply a thin layer over your lettering with a small brush
2. This creates a gentle shimmer rather than overwhelming glitter
3. It takes longer to dry than regular paint but adds beautiful dimension

Thread ribbon through any pre-drilled holes for easy hanging.

Pro Tips for Lettering on Wood

Remember that practice makes progress. Your first signs won’t be perfect, and that’s okay! If you want a little practice before you start on this Hey Sugar mini sign, you can:

• Practice simple designs on inexpensive wood pieces from Dollar Tree
• Try pencil practice on paper before committing to paint

That’s also the beauty of hand lettering templates. If you can trace on paper, you can do it! These are the fastest, easiest way to get professional-looking hand lettering with minimal experience. 

Learn More About Hand Lettering in the Happy Lettering Club!

Creating beautiful hand-lettered signs doesn’t require natural artistic talent — just the right techniques and plenty of practice. By learning how to use graphite paper for lettering and mastering paint pen application, you can create stunning custom signs for your home or even start a crafting business.

Want to take your skills further? Join the Happy Lettering Club for weekly live classes, 10 new templates monthly, and a supportive community of crafters just like you. 

Whether you need a hand lettering course for door hangers or want ongoing support as you develop your skills, the club provides everything you need to succeed!

➜ Learn more about the Happy Lettering Club here.