DIY Standing Chalkboard Easel Sign

Build an A-frame standing chalkboard easel sign for your outdoor wedding, party, or other event. The easy woodworking plan includes 2 sizes of wood chalkboard easel signs. 

Add to your outdoor party with this DIY long portable folding table and easy outdoor garden arbor arch, plus these ideas for easy outdoor string lighting. 

DIY Chalkboard Easel Sign

Hi, it’s Amy from Hertoolbelt back with another build plan.  I love the look of chalkboard easels at parties, weddings and even holiday decorations.

I have had an A-Frame chalkboard easel on my To-Do list for a while.  While planning a summer social with the neighborhood ladies, it was the perfect time to mark it off my list.

At the party we served a lemonade bar inspired by this one, and the standing chalkboard is the perfect place to show the flavored lemonade instructions.

We also built smaller easels for another party to show our theme for the party.

These standing chalkboard signs are great for welcoming guests and listing menu items or seating charts — and they make great porch decor after the party, too!

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How to Build a DIY Chalkboard Easel

The printable woodworking plan includes full instructions for building both a large A-frame chalkboard easel and a small chalkboard easel sign (though the small easel is still plenty big for directing guests!)

Dimensions

The large chalkboard easel sign measures approximately 42″ tall x 24″ wide x 24″ deep, with a chalkboard surface of 19″ x 31″.

You can build 3 easels from one sheet of plywood/chalkboard panel.

The small chalkboard easel sign measures approximately 29 3/4″ tall x 16 1/2″ wide x 16″ deep, with a chalkboard surface of 12 1/2″ x 20″.

You can build 7 small chalkboard easels from one sheet of plywood/chalkboard panel.

Click here to add the chalkboard easel sign plans to your cart.

Materials and Tools

Both chalkboard easel signs are built using affordable 1″ x 3″ x 8′ boards (actual ¾” x 2 ½”).

Read our tips for picking the straightest and best boards for building.

The smaller easel features boards that were ripped to a smaller width, which is optional so you can build this without needing a table saw. (Though a table saw is a great addition to a workshop, especially if you build a table saw workbench like this!)

You’ll also need a sheet of ¼” x 4’ x 8’ plywood sheet or underlayment and chalkboard paint.

As an alternative to painting your own chalkboard, many stores now offer pre-painted chalkboard panels. You could also substitute a whiteboard dry erase panel or a chalkboard whiteboard panel.

The hardware is important for this folding chalkboard to stand! You’ll just need a pair of butt hinges and a short length of rope, string, or chain.

You’ll need the following tools to build this chalkboard A-frame sign:

• Compound Miter Saw 
• Table Saw or Circular Saw with Edge Guide
• Router and Bit Set (optional)
• Brad Nailer (optional)
• Jig Saw, Scroll Saw, or Band Saw (optional)
• Drill/Driver
• Kreg Jig pocket hole jig
• Heavy Duty Staple Gun (optional)
• Rafter Square (optional)
• Woodworking Compass (optional)
• Tape Measure
• Pencil

The woodworking plans include details for using a router to cut a channel for the chalkboard panel to slide in.

If you don’t have a router, you can opt to cut the chalkboard panel a little bit larger and staple, screw, or nail the panel to the back side of each side of the easel.

The easel is assembled using pocket holes (drilled using a pocket hole jig) so don’t forget the pocket hole screws, too!

Not sure about writing on the chalkboard once you’ve built it?

Read our tips for great chalk art here,

try this chalkboard stencil method
or use this hack to make faux chalkboard signs.

Tips for Building a Chalkboard Easel Sign

Painting the Chalkboard Panel

To make the painting process easier, you may want to sand and paint the plywood with the chalkboard paint before assembling the frame.

I sanded the plywood really well, applied a coat of primer and let dry.  Then I lightly sanded the primer so the surface would be fairly smooth for the chalkboard paint.

Installing the Hinges

When you install the hinges on the backside of the framed chalkboard panels, be sure to leave space for the hinges to be able to move (about 1/4″).

Mark the holes for the hinge screws and pre-drill the holes to avoid splitting the wood.

We’d love to see how you use your standing chalkboard easel! Send us a photo here or tag #imaremodelaholic on Instagram to show off your work.

For more build plans check out Hertoolbelt:

Outdoor Sofa // Pallet Planter Box // Clubhouse Play set

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More DIY chalkboard ideas you’ll love:

• DIY Wall-Mount Chalkboard Wall Organizer
• Build a Divided Chalkboard Calendar
• DIY Double Sliding Chalkboard Doors
• Build an Extra Large Wall Chalkboard
• Make Your Own Chalkboard Welcome Sign (with printable handlettered template!)

plus 50 more creative chalkboard project ideas!

Be sure to pin this to share and save for later!

Published 13 June 2015 // Updated 8 March 2021

Published: March 20, 2021Filed Under: $20 to $250, Beginner, Build, By Cost, By Level, By Location, By Material, By Tool, Contributor, DIY Project Plans, Intermediate, Miter Saw, Outdoor Decorating, Outdoor Furniture, Party Ideas, Pocket Hole Jig, Router, Sketches/Renderings, Tutorials, Wood and Plywoods Etc. Tagged: building plans, chalkboard, chalkboard projects, Outdoor projects, party, Party ideas, wedding, woodworking plans

About Amy Baesler

Amy is the tool lover at Hertoolbelt. On Hertoolbelt, Amy shares DIY furniture plans, handyman tutorials, and craft patterns. She has two pint sized 'helpers' that help fix things around the house and build fun projects.