DIYing inexpensive chalkboard labels

Let me start by saying there are probably many tutorials in the blogosphere and on Pinterest that will show you how to do exactly what I am doing. Theirs probably even look better. However, I didn’t use any of those, so I decided to share my labels with you 🙂

It started a couple of days ago, when on one of the daily deals sites, I saw a package of 8 cute chalkboard labels. I honestly don’t think I ever really thought about the fact that chalkboard labels exist, I guess I just though people used paint. Anyhow, I actually tried to buy those, but got distracted along the way so I jumped to the Etsy site where the labels came from. And while there, it occured to me… these are called labels, which means they are sticky, and therefore there must be some sort of sheet of this stuff for these super crafty people to be cutting these labels out of.

And there was.

And it is cheap!

I usually go to Amazon when looking for out-of-the-box things, and I found this Chalkboard Contact Paper, 18″ x 6′ for only $ 6.98! You know what that means? Every tutorial on this blog will be about Chalkboards for the next 6 months or until I use an entire roll of 18″ x 6′ chalkboard paper, lol… kidding! maybe…

I’ve already created a bigger project, that I LOVE and will share soon but for now, here are the labels.

The thing about the labels is that I don’t have a Cricut or a Sissix or a Silhouette machine or anything really to make them look pretty. I was ok with the idea of just having a square label, no big deal. But I gave it a little thought and came up with a cheap way to pretty these things up.

So, first cut a strip of contact paper, the width that you would like your labels.

Second find a pair of scissors with a cute edge, mine are called Kraft Edgers and I bought a variety pack of 20 one year at Costco for $20. But I think most crafters will have some version of this in their closet.

Trim the top edge of your paper.

Measure out the height of the label you want and make another cut. This will give you your label, as well as trim the top of the next label.

Then you have two options, either your normal chalkboard chalk or a chalk marker. If you prefer the chalk, make sure you “cure” the contact paper first by rubbing your chalk on it’s side against the paper and wipe it clean with a dry cloth. Then it should accept chalk just fine.

(Mine looks a little scattered because the chalk was brand new and I couldn’t get a nice edge on it)

I chose the chalkboard marker for the labels because I wanted a cleaner look for the project I was making them for. I also needed them to stay longer and I felt like the chalk would smudge easier.

It’s much easier… just write 🙂

Remove backing and stick to what you’d like… reuse over and over 🙂

I used them for all of the fabulous containers in my new organized pantry 🙂 You will see how fabulous it is soon!

Happy Friday!

(the links in the post are affiliate links… just being honest :))

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Comments

Natalie says

03.02.2012 at 4:26 pm

Ooo, I am excited to see your new pantry!
I always love how chalkboard stuff looks, but I’ve never actually done anything with it, ha!
That looks like an inexpensive, easy and cute project 🙂

MSDeyle says

03.02.2012 at 5:49 pm

Brilliant! Way easier than what I was going to do for labels. I’m so afraid to commit to labeling things because of the odds that they could change and then I’d have to change the label… this is so much easier!

Briana says

03.02.2012 at 5:07 pm

I love these! Can’t wait to see what all you create with these!!!

Jody says

03.02.2012 at 11:09 pm

Chalkboard contact paper?! Who knew there was such a thing! I just added it to my Amazon cart. Thanks for the tip.

Can’t wait to see the organized pantry.

Natalie says

03.03.2012 at 9:40 pm

This is such an awesome and creative way to do labels!

Heather Wood says

03.09.2012 at 1:24 am

I just love this idea! I can’t stop thinking about it and planning my own uses for it! 🙂