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Nothing says summer quite like a juicy watermelon! And that’s exactly what inspired this sweet summer watermelon sign. In this post, I’ll be showing you exactly how to turn a lettering template into a finished sign you’ll be proud to display.
I took one of the lettering tracables from the Template Library inside the Happy Lettering Club, and paired it with some inspiration from a cute napkin I spotted at Dollar Tree (inspiration is everywhere if you look for it!). It’s easy, beginner-friendly, and oh-so fun.
Let’s get started!
Supplies You’ll Need
Let’s make sure you have the right materials before getting started! Don’t stress about having every single brand I mention. You can use what you have and build from there!
- Wood cutout
- Cut from scrap wood with a jigsaw, or use a pre-cut blank
- While a watermelon slice shape is preferred, you can use this tutorial on just about any shape you want!
- Graphite paper (gray works best to avoid smudges)
- Pencil for tracing
- Acrylic paints:
- FolkArt Lipstick Red
- FolkArt Bright Pink
- FolkArt Lime Green
- FolkArt Bright Green
- DecoArt Hauser Dark Green for accents
- Black and white acrylic paint
- Matte fluid medium (for thinning paints and blending)
- Sponge daubers or sponge brushes (dense ones from Walmart work great)
- Round paint brushes in various sizes
- Sharpie Creative Markers:
- White bullet tip for lettering
- Black for seeds
- Opal Glitter Medium by FolkArt (or FolkArt Extreme Glitter in Hologram)
- Clamps to secure templates while tracing
- Optional embellishments: watermelon ribbon, wooden beads for hanging
You can find most of these supplies on my Amazon storefront, or at your local craft store.
Where to Find the “Sweet Summer” Lettering Traceable
While this traceable isn’t available in the shop, you can get access to it by joining the Template Library!
Inside, you’ll have over 360+ original hand-lettered designs, including past templates dating back to 2023. Each month, new worksheets and traceable lettering designs are added to the library, offering fresh content for practice or for use on projects (with small business licensing!).
Learn more about the Template Library here.
Step #1: Prepare Your Wood Cutout
If you’re cutting your own sign, print and enlarge the watermelon template using blockposters.com. Tape the pieces together and trace the shape onto your wood. Then, use a jigsaw to cut it out, and sand down any rough edges until they’re smooth.
Don’t have tools to cut your own? That’s okay! You can use a pre-cut blank or trace the template onto a square or round sign.
Step #2: Prime Your Surface
Lightly sponge the white acrylic paint across the center areas of your wood piece. This will help the colors become more vibrant when you add them later on.
Avoid putting white directly behind where the dark green or red will go, but make sure to create a light base for blending.
Step #3: Paint the Lime Green Rind
Using your sponge dauber, dip it into your chosen green paint (you can see which brand and shade I recommend above in the supply list), thinning it slightly with matte fluid medium if needed.
Then, dab the light green section along the rind area of your watermelon. Leave a thin strip of white above it to act as a highlight later on.
Make sure you let everything dry before moving on!
Step #4: Add the Bright Pink Flesh
Now it’s time to bring in that signature watermelon pink! Using a clean sponge dauber, dab your pink paint above the white line, blending it lightly into the white base coat for a smooth transition.
PRO TIP: You can add another coat if you want a bolder look!
Step #5: Blend in Lipstick Red
Next, grab your red paint and sponge it above the pink section. The colors should overlap slightly so that the two shades blend together seamlessly.
The trick with this step is to work fairly quickly while the pink is still wet for the smoothest blend. Once you’re done, take a step back and look at your design. If you feel like it’s needed, you can add a little more pink back in to refine your gradient!
Step #6: Paint the Dark Green Border
To finish the rind, add your darker green edge. Lightly blend upwards into the lime green to create a natural, dimensional look. For extra depth, you can blend in a darker green (I used a bit of DecoArt Hauser Dark Green!).
Step #7: Trace Your Lettering and Seeds
Now it’s time for the details! This is the best part!
Once your paint is completely dry, it’s time to add your lettering. Secure your sweet summer lettering template onto your wood with clamps. Then, place the graphite paper shiny side down under the template, and trace over the lettering and seed shapes with your pencil.
You’ll see your design transferred cleanly onto your painted sign. If it’s too transparent, you can trace over the template again.
Step #8: Fill in the Seeds
Using your black Sharpie Creative Marker, fill in each seed for a crisp, bold look. If you want extra dimension, add a small white highlight line to each seed once the black is dry.Step #9: Letter “Sweet Summer”
Grab your white Sharpie Creative Marker (you can also use black) and carefully trace over the “Sweet Summer” lettering.
Allow the first coat to dry before adding a second for full opacity. If you want to add a pop of color, you can add shading through the middle of each letter with aqua or pink for a fun, summery look!
Step #10: Add Optional Extras
If you love sparkle as much as I do, brush a thin layer of Opal Glitter Medium over your lettering and seeds. You could also add some extra touches like:
- A watermelon-themed ribbon bow at the top for a playful finish
- String on wooden beads for a hanging loop
- Attach your finished piece to a framed sign or canvas to create extra dimension and structure
Creative Ideas for Your Finished Sweet Summer Watermelon Sign
Want to use this template beyond a door hanger? Here are a few ways you can make it your own:
- Trace the design onto a banner flag for porch decor.
- Paint it onto a canvas for easy indoor wall art.
- Turn it into a shelf sitter by gluing a thicker wood base to the back.
The possibilities are endless!
Want More Hand Lettering Projects?
Whether you’re hanging it on your front door, displaying it on your mantel, or gifting it to a friend, this sweet summer watermelon sign is sure to brighten someone’s day!
If you’re ready for even more lettering templates and easy-to-follow tutorials like this, join the Happy Lettering Club today. You’ll be amazed at what you can create!
