How to Hand Letter on Acrylic Ornaments | DIY Gift Idea (2024)

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Learn how to hand letter on acrylic ornaments just in time for the holidays to create your own unique DIY gift ideas!

How to Hand Letter on Acrylic Ornaments | DIY Gift Idea (1)

Use your hand lettering skills to create unique and meaningful gifts around the holidays, like these hand lettered acrylic Christmas ornaments! I’m sharing some of my own personal tips and tricks to hand letter on acrylic ornaments so that you can save yourself the time and headaches of trying to figure it out on your own!

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Items needed:

Best markers to use for Hand lettering on Acrylic Ornaments:

How to Hand Letter on Acrylic Ornaments | DIY Gift Idea (2)

You can use chalk markers or latex Sharpie pens, but keep in mind that these will wipe off quite easily. The Acrylics and Oil base pens are more permanent, but may still be able to scratch with effort. If you are gifting I recommend wrapping them in tissue paper to protect them. Some lettering experts also recommend Elmer’s Paint Pens but I have not personally used them.

Another option is to use permanent vinyl that is cut from your hand lettered designs. Have a design you want to turn into an SVG to use with Cricut Maker or Silhouette Cameo? You may want to read this post on how to digitize hand lettering in Adobe Illustrator.

To keep hand lettering on acrylic simple, I suggest creating mockups first. To do this, take a sheet of paper and trace around one of the clear acrylic ornaments. Do this until you have the sheet filled up. Then create sketches of each design you plan to make. When you like the layout, go over it with ink to make it stand out more.

How to Hand Letter on Acrylic Ornaments | DIY Gift Idea (3)

Since the acrylic Christmas ornaments are clear, you can set the ornament over a design to hand letter on the acrylic. Even leaving the back protector on the ornament in the photo below, you can still see through it.

Make sure you clean the surface of the acrylic with glass cleaner and let dry before hand lettering on acrylic ornaments. Use your mockups to letter the design onto the acrylic. In the example below I used a Molotow Acrylic Paint marker. Use the faux calligraphy method to get a brush lettered look if desired.

How to Hand Letter on Acrylic Ornaments | DIY Gift Idea (4)

Once finished, peel the protective backing off, and clean it with glass cleaner. If desired add some brush strokes of acrylic paint to the backs of the ornaments to really make your hand lettering stand out!

Cut about 10″ of ribbon to add as a hanger for the ornaments. Loop it through the hole and tie a knot with the ends.

How to Hand Letter on Acrylic Ornaments | DIY Gift Idea (5)

The gold pen used in these designs is the DecoColor Liquid Gold. It’s so juicy and I feel is more opaque than the Sharpie Oil Based gold.

How to Hand Letter on Acrylic Ornaments | DIY Gift Idea (6)

Do you letter on acrylic? What are some of the tips and tricks you’ve learned along the way?

More tutorials you may find helpful:

Don’t forget to pin it!

How to Hand Letter on Acrylic Ornaments | DIY Gift Idea (7)
How to Hand Letter on Acrylic Ornaments | DIY Gift Idea (2024)

FAQs

How do you make Christmas ornaments with names on them? ›

  1. Step 1: Prepare the Ornament & Work Space. ...
  2. Step 2: Add the Polycrylic “Glue” & Coat the Inside of the Ornament. ...
  3. Step 3: Add the Glitter and Coat the Inside of the Ornament. ...
  4. Step 4: Let the Ornament Dry. ...
  5. Step 5: Add Vinyl Personalization to One or Both Sides of the Ornament. ...
  6. Step 6: Replace the Hanging Top to the Ornament.
20 Dec 2014

Is there a pen that writes on plastic? ›

Waterproof Black Marker Pen (Double-Tipped)

These waterproof black marker pens are quick drying and suitable to write on most surfaces to include plastic, wood and metal. This dual point marker pen has both a fine and an extra fine point.

What do you write on acrylic with? ›

Paint pens are the easiest way to create fun and easy designs for your acrylic signs! I use the Sharpie Oil Based Paint Pens as they won't smear and are permanent. Use the finer tip paint pens for lettering and fine illustrations. The thicker tip paint pens are great for bold numbers and designs.

How do you put designs on an ornament? ›

  1. Choose the Right Ornament.
  2. Choose the Right Vinyl.
  3. Choose the Right Design.
  4. Secure Your Ornament.
  5. Use Transfer Tape.
  6. Clip Your Transfer Tape.
  7. Apply Vinyl From the Center Out.
  8. Don't Burnish Until You're Happy.
3 Dec 2022

What kind of pen do you use to write on Christmas ornaments? ›

Staedtler Lumocolor Fine Point Permanent Marker Black - Special for Personalized Ornaments.

How do you make hand imprinting ornaments? ›

Make your keepsake:
  1. Combine salt and flour; add water a little at a time. ...
  2. Knead until a smooth dough forms.
  3. Roll out dough to ½-inch thickness. ...
  4. Make your handprint/footprint. ...
  5. Poke a hole in the top for the ribbon. ...
  6. Bake at 200 for 3 or more hours until dried all the way through.
  7. Let cool for a few hours before painting.

Does Sharpie stay on acrylic plastic? ›

Sharpie Oil Based Markers can be used on plastic. The traditional alcohol based Sharpie Markers are not ideal for plastic. They will smear and ultimately fade over time.

How do you get sharpie to stay on plastic? ›

Sand the surface you are writing on using a fine-grained 120-grit sandpaper. This gives the smooth plastic surface some "tooth," or a slightly rough, porous surface, which allows the marker ink to adhere to the plastic.

Is there a pen that writes on its own? ›

It is a self writing pencil (also available in pen) which works similar to Alexa and when you say “pencil write,” and it will write what ever you like, when you say “pencil stop” it will finish.

Is there an acrylic pen? ›

Acrylic paint pens work perfectly on plastic surfaces and light-colored surfaces to produce a shiny mirror-like finish once it dries up. They are also ideal for stonem, wood paintings, ceramic, glass and also t-shirt painting.

Does Sharpie wash off plastic? ›

Directions To Get Sharpie Off Plastic:

Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol. Then, gently rub the Sharpie stain. The alcohol will break down the marks and return them to their liquid state. When this happens, you can use a cloth to wipe the marker away.

What ink can I use on plastic? ›

The UV and LED curable inks are suitable for printing on rigid plastic, such as dairy containers, cups and most other decorative plastic and foam-based packaging.

What kind of paint do you use on acrylic ornaments? ›

What kind of paint should I use? I prefer acrylic craft paint for the inside of an ornament. It's inexpensive and comes in every color you could ever want. You can also glitter your ornaments, using my Glitter Ornament tutorial.

What paint will stick to acrylic? ›

The best kind of paint to use on a plexiglass sheet is acrylic-based paint or ink. Acrylic paint is inexpensive, easy to find, and simple to use. It can be applied through a diverse range of methods, such as a paintbrush, a spray can, or a sponge, to name a few.

Can you paint acrylic with fingers? ›

Acrylic paint is by far the best option for finger painting as it has just the right consistency that applies beautifully even by using your hands alone. It can also be used on canvas with minimal to no water, depending on the thickness and texture that you want to achieve with your artwork.

How do you put designs on round ornaments? ›

To apply the vinyl, center your design on the ornament and press the center of the design down first. Then work outward, smoothing the vinyl as you go. The slits that you cut in the transfer tape will help you to “bend” the vinyl around the ornament. Peel off the transfer tape and you have a beautiful custom ornament.

What kind of paint sticks to plastic ornaments? ›

Use paints that are specifically formulated to adhere to plastics. There are several available on the market such as Krylon Fusion for Plastic® , Valspar® Plastic Spray Paint , and Rust-Oleum Specialty Paint For Plastic Spray . If using regular spray paint then your item will need to be primed.

What is the best marker to write on ornaments? ›

Use extra fine point permanent marker. This will allow you to make small letters and longer names and messages. We suggest the Sharpie extra fine point industrial. Keep letters close together as this helps to keep a straight line.

How do you attach something to acrylic? ›

Acrylic plastic can only be bonded with certain solvent-based glues. The solvent-based glue softens and weakens the surfaces of the two acrylic plastic pieces to form a chemical bond between the two surfaces.

How do you print text on acrylic? ›

Place a sheet of parchment paper on the top and bottom of the acrylic glass to protect it from heat. Place the acrylic on the heat press with the print facing up. Set the heat press to 385 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 seconds. Note: the temperature and time might vary depending on your heat-press.

Is Mod Podge good for acrylic? ›

Can I use Mod Podge with paint? Absolutely – well mostly. You can use it with acrylic paint, and I highly recommend FolkArt Acrylic Paint as my brand of choice.

How to print on acrylic at home? ›

Here's how to screen print manually on acrylic sheets:
  1. Clean your sheet and clamp it in place on your work surface.
  2. Create your design via laser printer, then tape it into your acrylic sheet.
  3. Apply your blender pen to impress the image on the acrylic sheet. ...
  4. Repeat as needed for multiple colors.

Can you print a photo on acrylic? ›

The image is usually printed first, then mounted onto the acrylic. The other method involves directly printing your photograph onto acrylic. This is done with a flatbed printer. Both methods can produce great prints.

What kind of marker do you use on glass ornaments? ›

Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers work on virtually any surface – metal, pottery, wood, rubber, glass, plastic, stone, and other surfaces. It resists fading and smearing, dries up in a few minutes, which makes them a good choice for creating scrapbooks, posters, and window art.

Does Mod Podge work for ornaments? ›

Simply cut out your favorite photos from holiday cards and Mod Podge them onto wood ornaments. We love painting the background of the ornaments with acrylic craft paint, letting that dry, then applying a layer of Mod Podge and adhering photos to the ornaments. This would make such a great holiday gift for grandparents!

How do you seal handprint ornaments? ›

Seal the handprint ornaments with Mod Podge and let dry. Add embellishments with the hot glue gun and craft glue. Cut a length of baker's twine and hot glue to the back to hang.

What are the 5 steps in stencil printing? ›

  1. Step 1: Prepare Your Paper. ...
  2. Step 2: Map Out Your Design. ...
  3. Step 3: Making a Tape and Paper Stencil. ...
  4. Step 4: Printing the First Colour. ...
  5. Step 5: Cleaning the Screen. ...
  6. Step 6: Painting a Stencil Using Screen Filler. ...
  7. Step 7: Print Your Second Colour. ...
  8. Step 8: Finish Your Prints.

What is the trick to using stencils? ›

The trick is to use a dry brush (or roller) and work in layers. Slowly building up the color will result is a clean and professional finish. *Tools: stipple brush, dabber, sponge, or roller. Apply paint at the edges of the stencil and work towards the center with a light up-and-down motion ( tap tap tap).

Will Sharpie stay on plastic ornaments? ›

Sharpie Oil Based Markers can be used on plastic. The traditional alcohol based Sharpie Markers are not ideal for plastic. They will smear and ultimately fade over time. If you want something more permanent, then use the oil based product.

What kind of pen do you use to write on an ornament? ›

Use extra fine point permanent marker. This will allow you to make small letters and longer names and messages. We suggest the Sharpie extra fine point industrial. Keep letters close together as this helps to keep a straight line.

What kind of paint will stick to plastic ornaments? ›

Use paints that are specifically formulated to adhere to plastics. There are several available on the market such as Krylon Fusion for Plastic® , Valspar® Plastic Spray Paint , and Rust-Oleum Specialty Paint For Plastic Spray . If using regular spray paint then your item will need to be primed.

How do you write on plastic surfaces? ›

Sand the surface you are writing on using a fine-grained 120-grit sandpaper. This gives the smooth plastic surface some "tooth," or a slightly rough, porous surface, which allows the marker ink to adhere to the plastic.

Can you use Sharpie on acrylic ornaments? ›

Best markers to use for Hand lettering on Acrylic Ornaments: Oil based Sharpie Pens–The most permanent, but will take a few coats to get it opaque. Molotow Acrylic Pens–The most opaque, but may scratch off with effort.

What ink stays on silicone? ›

The only ink that can stick to silicone is a silicone-based ink. Unlike some solvent-based inks, silicone ink requires heat to cure.

Does hairspray make Sharpie stay? ›

Once you complete a Sharpie tattoo, the baby powder or hairspray coating will last for the day, or until you have a shower. After that, you will need to reapply either the powder or the hairspray to keep the marker set and in place. Otherwise, it will smudge and look pretty messy, especially after exposure to water.

Which pen is best for signatures? ›

You might think any fine point pen will work, but we've found that Sharpies tend to bleed and regular ink pens will fade over time. The best option for a signature board is a pigmented ink pen. This will write crisp and clean, making it easy to read. These pens will not smear, feather, bleed or fade over time.

What can I spray on plastic to make paint stick? ›

Most general-purpose spray paints work on plastic, but care must be taken to prepare the surface before painting. For the sake of convenience, you may wish to use a spray paint labeled as being specifically meant for plastics, like Krylon Fusion for Plastic or Rust-Oleum Specialty Plastic Primer Spray.

Will acrylic paint stay on plastic? ›

Will Acrylic Paint Stick to Plastic? No, not unless the plastic has been prepared by sanding it first, then spraying on a primer. Because plastic is smooth and non-porous, and acrylic paint has a similar consistency when dry, the paint cannot adhere to the plastic.

How do you write on an acrylic surface? ›

Paint pens are the easiest way to create fun and easy designs for your acrylic signs! I use the Sharpie Oil Based Paint Pens as they won't smear and are permanent. Use the finer tip paint pens for lettering and fine illustrations. The thicker tip paint pens are great for bold numbers and designs.

How do you print letters on plastic? ›

6 of the Best Ways to Print on Plastic
  1. Digital Ink Jet printing. ...
  2. Screen printing. ...
  3. Flexo printing. ...
  4. UV Litho printing. ...
  5. Pad printing. ...
  6. Laser printing. ...
  7. As you can see, there are many different ways to print on plastic.
17 Nov 2017

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