Bus Roll/Subway Sign Project - Check

The Young Family Bus Roll

Step 1: My mom adding another gesso layer to large canvas.

Step 2: Layering cream, yellow and white on the canvas with a whisk brush for a linen affect.

Hard to see in photo, but the layered colors add more dimension
than the plain white background of an unfinished canvas.

Step 3: Carefully transfer vinyl graphics to canvas. (Vinyl Graphics were professionally made by a local graphics shop. Jody from JJ Graphics did a perfect job with the requested fonts, spacing and sizing that I had outlined)!

Note:  I did not photograph the platform built behind the canvas to provide support, preventing the canvas from "sagging" when pressing the letters down with squeegie.

Step 4: Painted over canvas with Daniel Smith's Ultimate Acrylic: Lamp Black. This is a thick, slow drying paint with great brushing properties. I really wanted an unpolished visible brush stroke look.

I didn't finish all of the edges. Wanted an aged, torn look.



Step 5: The fun part, carefully removing the vinyl letters. Use an exacto knife. Notoriously impatient, I didn't even wait for the paint to dry. This made my work twice as hard as I had to be very careful to not get wet paint on the white space.
Aggressive squeegie technique paid off with crisp white lettering, just had I had hoped!

It feels like it has been months for me to get to and complete this project. It was so worth the wait.  I probably skipped many of important steps but I didn't want to bore you with too many details. If you need more information on how to complete your own family bus roll/sub way sign, please email me directly:
heather.runners@gmail.com. I would love to answer any questions you may have.

Just to recap, the gorgeous bus roll signs in this size (30" x 48) at Restoration Hardware would have set me back $750.00. My personalized version cost just over $100.

Canvas: used a 50% off coupon from Aaron Bros. and purchased for $34
Graphics: $50, purchased from local graphic shop
Paint: $18 from Daniel Smith