DIY Back to School Sign [Free SVG + Printable]

Are you ready for “back to school” mania to begin? Ready or not, here it comes! In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make an easy back-to-school sign and score a free printable and SVG file.

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Back to School Sign – Chalkboard SVG and Printable

Option 1: “Back to School” Chalkboard Sign for Cricut

Check out the date on the sign below. I’ve used this sign every year since pre-school, and now my twins are entering 6th grade. How did that happen?! I’m not crying or anything.

I love personalizing this sign each year with chalk markers. It’s a bit of a tradition in our family, and I hope it becomes one in yours too.

Supplies

• Chalkboard
• Matte adhesive vinyl
• Cricut (for SVG files)
• Transfer tape (for SVG files)

Step 1: Download the “Back to School” SVG File

See the instructions at the end of this post to download the free SVG file.

Upload the file to Cricut Design Space and add it to your canvas. Ungroup the design to separate the layers, and resize the images as desired. The crayon label with the oval cutout is intended to be layered on top of the solid crayon outline.

*Note: If using a Silhouette machine, you need the “Designer Edition” of Silhouette Studio to open SVG files.

Step 2: Send the design to your Cricut machine

Once you are satisfied with the size and layout of your design, click Make It to send the file to your Cricut machine.

When prompted to select how you plan to load materials, select on mat if using regular vinyl on a cutting mat or without mat if using Smart Vinyl.

Make sure you preview the images on each color of vinyl you plan to use. You may need to move some images to other cutting mats or make adjustments.

If you need to move part of the design to a different color of vinyl, select the image (in the preview) and click the three dots in the upper left that appear. Then choose “move object” and select the mat or material color you prefer.

Your machine will prompt you to load each color of vinyl in the order you selected.

Step 3: Weed the vinyl

Once your design is cut, trim the vinyl so you can reuse the excess pieces at a later date.

Weed your design (remove the excess vinyl) to reveal only the text/image you want to transfer. (See the image below.) It’s helpful to place your design on the chalkboard at this point to get a preview of the final product.

After taking this photo, I also added a red apple to the design for more color.

Step 4: Transfer the design to the chalkboard

Use transfer tape to “pick up” the matte vinyl from the paper backing and apply it to the chalkboard. Start with the top edge and smooth the design onto the chalkboard with a scraper tool or a hard piece of plastic (like a credit card) to prevent air bubbles.

Then, pull off the transfer tape slowly, ensuring your vinyl adheres to the chalkboard.

*Note: You can reuse the same transfer tape as long as it remains tacky.

Step 5: Personalize your chalkboard

Write in the name, grade, age, and date on your chalkboard with chalk markers. This allows you to erase the details and reuse the sign every year (until your kids begin to protest the whole exercise).

Snap a photo, share it with friends and family, and wish your child a great start to the new school year!

NOTE: For other school-related projects, be sure to check out my post where you can download FREE fonts for fall.

Shop for Chalkboard Sign Supplies

Option 2: Printable Back-to-School Sign

If you need a quick photo prop, I’m also offering a printable “First Day of School” sign. This printable is formatted to print on a standard 8.5×11-inch sheet of paper or cardstock.

Pin it for later!

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