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DIY Marquee Sign with Lights

February 23, 2016

I’ve come to the conclusion that anything with lights is better.  Hands down lights make all the difference and this DIY marquee sign with lights is a prime example.  I’m here to share the tutorial on how I made this marquee sign with lights.
marquee sign with lights behind

A DIY tutorial to make a marquee style wood sign with lights. A back lit marquee sign with a frame makes awesome wall decor or party decoration.

This lit sign is completely customizable to fit your lettering font and size.  I made this for a friend’s 40th birthday party, which unfortunately we ended up not being able to go due to a snowstorm, but we delivered it later none the less.  This marquee sign is fun for any party, event or even as regular home decor.  Hang this sign in family room or kids playroom for a bit of quirky wall decoration.
The handpainted wood sign is backed with outdoor globe lights.  Their round shape lends perfectly to the marquee nature of this sign.
marquee sign with lights on

I love the warm glow of the globe lights when they are on but the sign is still great even with the lights off.

marquee sign with lights off
marquee sign frame detail
Below are the step by step instructions to make a marquee sign with lights.  Read through the entire tutorial before beginning.

Supplies:

  • 1×8 pine board (wording)
  • 1×2 pine board (word support base)
  • 1×12 pine board (backing)
  • 1×4 pine board (frame)
  • string of globe lights
  • computer & printer
  • ballpoint pen
  • measuring tape
  • black acrylic paint & paint brush
  • copper paint
  • power tools (miter saw, sander, nailer, drill & bits)
  • 1 1/4″ finish nails
  • Kreg pocket hole jig
  • 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws
  • 1 1/4″ wood screws
  • staple gun
  • french cleat
how to make a marquee sign
Step 1: Print out lettering.  I used Circus font (font source here) at 500 point which fits great on a 1×8 board.  Tape all the printed letters together to determine the length of your board.  Cut the board to the correct length and then paint the board your desired background color.
tracing letters onto wood
Step 2: Once the printouts are in position begin tracing each letter using a ballpoint pen with heavy pressure which leaves an indent in the wood.
handpainted letters on wood sign
In Step 3: Paint on and inside the indent using black acrylic paint.
distressed handpainted letters on wood
Step 4: After the paint is dry sand lightly to distress the lettering and backer, this makes the sign look a little bit aged.
copper gilding details on handpainted sign
Step 5: Add highlights using copper paint.  If desired you could seal the lettering using clear polyurethane.  Put this piece to the side for now.

Marquee Sign Backer:

how to build a marquee sign
Step 6:  To make the backing start with a frame from 1×2’s that is 1 1/2″ smaller on all sides than your 1×8 lettering board.  The 1 1/2″ is enough space for the string lights housing (see Step 9 below for a visual).  Center the 1×2 frame on the back of the 1×12 base and trace all around, this creates a guide for attaching later.
marquee sign base
Step 7: Predrill countersunk holes into traced rectangle on back side of 1×12 backing piece (note the front side is stained).
wood sign with space for globe lights
Step 8:  Moving back to the lettering board – attach the word support frame to the back of the lettering using pocket holes.  Alternatively you could attach the 1×2 frame support from the front side using countersunk screws prior to painting.

Marquee Style Globe Lights:

staple string lights onto wood board
Step 9: Now determine spacing of lights based on your string set and sign length.  Begin stapling to back of the lettering board.  Start at the center of one long side to insure equal spacing and be sure to staple down any excess cordage so it stays hidden behind the sign.
globe lights to back light sign
This set of globe string lights has little clips on the housing so I tucked the excess cord under each clip.
how to add globe lights to back of marquee sign
Step 10: Using a jigsaw cut 2 notches for the plug ends to run into the center empty space of the frame support.  Staple down the female end and any extra lights as you don’t need this part.  Keep the male plug end loose.
side view wood sign with globe lights
Step 11: Drill a hole into the 1×12 base for plug to pull through (see Step 12 below).  Pull plug through the hole and then center the lettering board onto the backing and clamp together.
sign backer with light plug
Step 12:  Using the predrilled countersink holes attach the frame support to the base using 1 1/4″ screws.
French cleat on back of sign
Step 13: Lastly cut 1×4’s to make the frame.  I painted the frame pieces before attaching them to the sign then used wood glue and 1 1/4″ finish nails to attach the frame to the backer.  Attach a scrap piece of wood at center back top then attach a french cleat to hang.
I hope you enjoyed this marquee sign tutorial.  Be sure to follow me on social media where I share project sneak peeks and new posts:
Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook / Youtube / Twitter
SHOP THIS PROJECT:
how to make a marquee sign with lights

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Filed Under: DIY, FOR HER, FOR HIM, GIFTS, HOME DECOR, HOME DECOR, PAINT, WEDDINGS12 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cristina Garay says

    February 24, 2016 at 1:25 PM

    Love this sign! The lettering, the lights and the color you used on the frame…Awesome! What a nice gift!

    Reply
  2. Kim @ NewlyWoodwards says

    February 25, 2016 at 4:54 PM

    This is so fun!!! Love all the details and those lights just take it up a notch.

    Reply
  3. Anika Kumar says

    February 26, 2016 at 6:01 AM

    Such a fun sign! Love it!

    Reply
  4. Gail Wilson says

    February 27, 2016 at 2:45 PM

    Jaime,

    You did such a super job on this diy marquee lighted sign! The way you did the lights is brilliant. I would never have thought of that.

    I love the finished project.

    pinning!

    gail

    Reply
  5. alissa says

    March 17, 2016 at 4:17 AM

    This looks like a wonderful piece of art! So nice!!

    Reply
  6. Dave Falkner says

    October 12, 2018 at 10:57 PM

    Like the lighted Sullivan sign. Do you make to sell?

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      October 14, 2018 at 7:57 AM

      Thanks Dave. I do make items to sell however because of the size and weight of this sign it would have to be local delivery or pick up. If you’re near Westchester County, NY I’m definitely happy to send a proposal.

      Reply
  7. Christine says

    January 26, 2019 at 5:54 PM

    The sign is great and so are your instructions. Hoping to make this for our end of the year school festival. Can you please tell me what size globe lights you used, G30? Thank you for any help!!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      January 27, 2019 at 7:20 AM

      Hi Christine, thanks for your nice comments. It’s been awhile since I made that sign but I believe they are G40 lights similar to these http://homedepot.sjv.io/vxOkO Good luck with your festival, I’d love to see your finished project!

      Reply
  8. Christine says

    February 8, 2019 at 7:33 PM

    Thank you! I will post, if it turns out.

    Reply
  9. Lisa says

    February 9, 2020 at 7:35 PM

    I am wondering if you could tell me where you downloaded this font from. I have downloaded it 3 times now from different sites and non of them work. I love it and would love to use it on this project.

    Thank you for your help

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      February 10, 2020 at 7:45 AM

      Hi Lisa, The Circus font is from here: https://www.dafont.com/circus.font Once you download you need to ‘install’ the font onto your computer. Good luck!

      Reply

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