Decorating has always been an enjoyable aspect of party planning. Recently, hosts and hostesses are having fun with custom signage to decorate in a way that's both fun and useful. You can stick to signs with simple messages such as “Welcome!” or “Have fun!” But when it comes to printable signs, the options are endless.
You may want to create decorative signs to label cheeses or detail the ingredients of custom cocktails. Or you may want to provide seat assignments or share the social media hashtag you'd like your guests to use. Or you can offer instructions in a charming and attractive way to help people know where to go and what to do at weddings and other large events. Read on to learn how to embellish your next party with functional and appealing signs.
How to Make Party Signs
The easiest way to make a sign is to download a premade printable. To find premade printables online, search for “free printable” along with the type of sign you're looking for. You can also purchase premade printables from an artist on an online marketplace such as Etsy.
If you're feeling more creative, make your own signs. No matter which option you choose, you'll save time and money by printing at home. To get Instagram-worthy results, keep the following tips in mind.
- Use high-quality paper, such as white cardstock or presentation paper made especially for your printer. A matte paper is preferable for most printables, but if you want the color to pop, a glossy paper may be better.
- Make sure your printer has enough ink or toner for the job.
- Check your print settings. Printers and computer programs may have slightly different options. Look for the following settings in your print screen or a separate printer setting window.
- Paper size and orientation
In most cases, you'll select 8.5 inches by 11 inches, or letter, as the size, even if your printable is designed to fit a typical 8-inch-by-10-inch picture frame. Choose portrait for orientation if the graphic is vertical and landscape for horizontal. - Paper quality
What kind of paper do you plan to use? Options may include plain paper, presentation, matte, and glossy. If you use heavy cardstock, check your printer's manual or product website to make sure your printer can handle it, especially if you don't see an option in your printer settings for a heavier or higher-quality paper type. - Color vs. black and white
A graphic containing color will require color ink, but if your graphic uses only black ink, you may get better results using black and white. - Print size
Most printables are designed to print at 100 percent and include margins for easy printing. However, if you print an image that's larger than the dimensions of the paper you're printing on, select “scale to fit” to make sure you get it all on one page.
- Paper size and orientation
- If you need to trim your sign to a specific size, use a paper cutter. Or line your paper up with a ruler or straight edge and cut it on a cutting mat with an X-acto Graphic Knife. That way, you won't ruin your hard work with a jagged edge.
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How to Display Party Signs
Once you print a stunning sign, you'll need to decide how to display it. Here are a few fun ideas.
- Clip it
Print small signs, such as those you'd create to label foods on a buffet or seat assignments, on cardstock and use upside-down binder clips to display them on a table. Or clip them to a clipboard for a surprisingly attractive display. - Frame it Picture frames are perfect for displaying party signs. Opt for a tabletop picture frame with a stand or stable base if you want the sign to stand up. Or hang it on the wall at an eye-catching height. Can't find a frame you love? Make your own!
- Plant it Attach small signs to dowels and stick them into planters or cupcakes. Your signs will be easy to move around as needed.
- Hang it
You can find various tutorials online to help you hang printable signs. Learn how to make hangers out of trouser clamps or fashion magnetic art hangers. If you have multiple signs to hang in the same spot or want to create a banner, stretch a wire between two eyehole screws and clip your signs to it with binder clips. Or buy a row of grid wire, cut it into a fun shape, and hang your signs on it with paper clips. - Dangle it
Who says you can only hang things on the wall? Add some visual interest to any space by hanging a few items from the ceiling. Allow enough headspace for taller guests to move around beneath them. Depending on the type of ceiling you have and the sign you're hanging, you may want to use tape, screw hooks, twine, 3M hooks (plastic hooks with adhesive backing), or monofilament (heavy-duty fishing twine) to attach them.
Conclusion
Custom-made party signs will dress up your next soiree. And just think, you won't have to tell every guest what's in your cocktails. There's a sign for that — or if there's not, you can create and print one!
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Kristen Seymour
Kristen Seymour brought her passion for both pets and writing to the online space nearly a decade ago, working as an editor at AOL's Paw Nation and then Vetstreet.com. She's also a regular contributor to HealthyPet Magazine. Additionally, Seymour covers fitness, food and healthy (and yes, sometimes pets!) on her Fit Bottomed Girls website and podcast. Based in sunny Sarasota, Florida, Seymour shares her office with her husband and a small menagerie of rescue pets: a snuggly senior Lab mix, a mouthy hound mix and a cat who loves to be petted exactly seven times—but never eight.