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How to Make Lighted Marquee Letters
Usher in fall and the start of the entertaining season with the warm glow of these vintage-inspired marquee-style letters.
How to Make Marquee Letters
Usher in Fall with the warm glow of these vintage inspired marquee letters.
Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
Materials Needed
- 24" tall papier mache letters
- globe string lights
- spray paint
- craft knife
- ruler
- pencil
Open Up Each Letter
Using a craft knife, cut along the outside edge of the letter to remove the front (Image 1), then remove the stuffing inside (Image 2).
Flynnside Out Productions
Brian Patrick Flynn
Open Up Each Letter
Using a craft knife, cut along the outside edge of the letter to remove the front.
Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions
Prepare Letter For Lights
Flip letter over so that its back-side-up and placed on a flat surface. Using a pencil, plot out where each bulb will be inserted. Start by making a mark at the top center of the letter, where the first bulb will go. Then, using a ruler, draw a center line down each part of the letter. Using this line as a guide, equally space the marks about 2-1/2" apart (Image 1). Using a craft knife, cut an X over each mark (Image 2). To widen, push your finger or the end of a marker into the opening (Image 3).
Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
Prepare Letter For Lights
Flip letter over so that it’s backside up and place on a flat surface. Using a pencil, plot out where each globe will be inserted. Start by making a mark at the top center of the letter- where the first globe will go. Then, using a ruler, draw a center line down each part of the letter. Using this line as a guide, equally space the marks about 2.5 inches apart
Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions
Prepare Letter for Lights
Using a craft knife, cut an X over each mark.
Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions
Prepare Letter For Lights
To widen, push a finger into the opening.
Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions
Paint Letters
Using smooth sweeping motions, lightly coat each letter with spray paint and let dry. Repeat coats as necessary for solid color coverage.
Flynnside Out Productions
Paint Letters
Using smooth sweeping motions, lightly spray paint the letter and let dry. Repeat as necessary for solid coverage
Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions
Add Globe Bulbs
Once the letter is fully dry to the touch, add the string lights. Pop a bulb through the opening on the front, then screw the bulb into the socket behind (Image 1). Wrap excess cord around each socket as you go to keep unsightly cords hidden from view (Image 2). Add D-rings to the back of each letter, if you wish to hang your finished sign or, just prop them against a wall for a more casual display (Image 3).
Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
Add Globe Lights
Once the letter is fully dry to the touch, add the string lights. Pop a bulb through the opening on the front, then screw the bulb into the socket behind
Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions
Add Globe Lights
Wrap excess cord around each socket as you go to keep unsightly cords hidden from view.
Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions
Add Globe Lights
Wrap excess cord around each socket as you go to keep unsightly cords hidden from view
Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions
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