Are you dreaming of creating your beautiful door hangers? How about making a cute hand-lettered sign or craft for your next weekend project?
The secret to professional-looking projects isn’t just about the design or your skills — it all starts with selecting the right wood! The wrong wood can lead to splintering edges, uneven paint surfaces, or warped final products that never quite look like you imagined.
In my years of crafting experience, I’ve learned that wood selection is the foundation of any successful project! So today, I’m pulling back the curtain. Take a look at my top recommendations for wood for door hangers, signs, and crafting in general.
What’s the Best Wood For Door Hangers?
For the majority of my projects, and especially for door hangers, I work with ¼” thick wood, which provides an ideal balance of sturdiness and manageability. It also works for projects like wall art and seasonal decorations.
This size applies to any of the following wood types I recommend!
(And of course, there are several more types of wood, but these are the three I recommend for craft projects like door hangers. You can really use any type of wood, but you may have to work harder, and longer, to get a polished final look.)
Wood for Door Hangers #1: MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard)
This is my top recommendation for crafters looking for a flawless painting surface. MDF is created by breaking down hardwood and softwood into fine wood fibers, which are then fused together with wax under high temperatures and pressure.
The result is a wood that is remarkably smooth, free of grains and knots, and doesn’t splinter, making it a good base for painted projects (like door hangers!).
Its consistent surface ensures your paint application is smooth and even, no matter the size of your project.
While MDF is slightly heavier than some alternatives, its superior finish makes it a good trade-off!
Wood for Door Hangers #2: Underlayment
A more budget-friendly option with a visible wood grain that requires some prep work. It’s a great option, just be prepared to put in extra work to get that professional finish.
The potential for splintering means you’ll need to sand carefully to prevent a rough texture in your final piece!
Wood for Door Hangers #3: Birch
If you’re going for a more natural wood look, birch has a lot of wood grain and character that can pull through paint.
It’s slightly heavier and rougher than underlayment but has some advantages. Birch is excellent at absorbing paint, which can lead to less fading over time. It’s also easier to sand compared to underlayment, making surface preparation more manageable.
What’s the Best Wood For Signs and Crafts?
The best type of wood to use for signs and other crafts (think mini signs, ornaments, gift tags, tier tray decor, etc.), I recommend all of the above with the same considerations!
These three types of wood are a great “catch-all” for crafting in general and are, in my experience, the most reliable.
Ready to Take Your Crafting to the Next Level?
If you found these tips helpful, you’ll love the Signmmaker’s Society!
This creative community was designed for crafters who want to elevate their door hanger skills. We have a fun project each month to help you put what you learn into practice, and not to mention, a whole lot of door hanger resources – my beginner’s workbook, live tutorials, and a monthly kit that ships ready to paint.
Join the Signmakers’ Society and let’s make some fun door hangers together!
