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.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions

Flynnside Out Productions

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

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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

Usher in Fall with the warm glow of these vintage inspired Marquee Letters.

Brian Patrick Flynn

Open Up Each Letter

Using a craft knife, cut along the outside edge of the letter to remove the front.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

How to Make Marquee Letters

Usher in Fall with the warm glow of these vintage inspired Marquee Letters.

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

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).

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

Flynnside Out Productions

Using a craft knife, cut an X over each mark.

Flynnside Out Productions

To widen, push a finger into the opening.

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

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Prepare Letter for Lights

Using a craft knife, cut an X over each mark.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Prepare Letter For Lights

To widen, push a finger into the opening.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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.

Using smooth sweeping motions, lightly spray paint the letter and let dry. Repeat as necessary for solid coverage

Flynnside Out Productions

Paint Letters

Using smooth sweeping motions, lightly spray paint the letter and let dry. Repeat as necessary for solid coverage

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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

Wrap excess cord around each socket as you go to keep unsightly cords hidden from view.

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

From: Brian Patrick Flynn