Make Your Own Cafe Chalkboard + Hand-Lettered Party Menu

Let your guests know what delicious treats you have in store for them with this charming hand-lettered chalkboard menu.

HGTV Spring House 2016: DIY Fake Hand-Lettered Menu Chalkboard

DIY Fake Hand Lettering Menu Chalkboard

Let your guests know what delicious treats you have in store for them with this charming hand lettered chalkboard menu. It’s surprisingly easy to create with these tips and tricks!

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza

Tomas Espinoza

Follow Brian on:

Materials Needed

  • (2) 23" x 35" chalkboards
  • 4 packs screw eyes
  • (2) 1" utility hinges with 1/2" wood screws
  • (2) 16" jack chains
  • hammer
  • ruler
  • nail
  • Phillips-head screwdriver
  • pliers
  • chalk pencils in multiple colors

Add the Hinges

Line up the two chalkboards back to back, then mark the location of the two hinges four inches from the outside edge (Image 1). Make a hole using a hammer and nail on these marks (Image 2), then using a Phillips-head screwdriver, attach the hinges with the supplied hardware (Image 3).

Add Side Chains

At the bottom outside corner of each chalkboard, make a hole using a hammer and nail (Image 1), then add a screw eye (Image 2). Using pliers, pry open the end links on both sections of the jack chain. Take one chain's ends and connect it to the screw eyes on the right side of the chalkboard (Image 3). Repeat this on the left side.

Write Out Your Menu

You don’t have to be a phenomenal artist to write out a perfectly amazing menu on your chalkboard. Remember to mix up your writing styles, sizes and colors (Image 1), then fill negative space with easy shapes (Image 2) and fun doodles (Image 3). It’s that easy!

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