DIY Inexpensive Cork Board with Tile Stencils
Upcycled Stenciled Cork Board
Hey there Cutting Edge Stencil DIYers! Have a plain cork board in desperate need of a makeover? Well have no fear, because we have an easy and inexpensive stencil project that will take your boring cork board to the next level. Using a tile stencil, we upcycled this ordinary office cork board into a stenciled treasure. Let’s get stenciling!
Before you start, check out our video to see the steps in action:
The stencil used for this DIY stencil project is the Alhambra Tile Stencil. The paints used were Benjamin Moore Navajo White, Philipsburg Blue and custom Grey. Spray adhesive is optional and can help reduce paint seepage but, is not necessary. Painter’s tape is definitely an essential for this stencil project, to ensure crisp paint lines upon removal. Stencil rollers are great for the borders and the cork section of the cork board but, stencil brushes are ideal for the stencil itself. It may be intimidating to stencil on an odd surface such as cork but, it’s super easy and not so different from stenciling an accent wall or stenciling a floor!
First, tape the inside edges of the cork board with blue painter’s tape. When you paint and prime the frame of your cork board, the tape will act as a barrier between the frame and the actual cork itself. Therefore, the chance of paint and primer seeping onto the board will be significantly less.
With a 2” dense foam stencil roller, apply two coats of primer to the frame of the cork board. Make sure you prime the sides of the frame too! Don’t be afraid to rotate the cork board to make reaching each side easier.
For the inner portion of the border, use a 1/4” professional stencil brush. This makes priming small spaces a lot easier.
Wait for the primer to dry and repeat the same process with your paint color!
Once the paint has dried completely (over night is best), tape off the painted frame including the inside edges. With a 4” dense foam stencil roller, apply two coats of Navajo White paint to the cork portion of the cork board.
Because cork has a porous texture, it tends to absorb paint much like a sponge would. However, the solution is easy! Just take a 1” professional stencil brush and dab paint onto any areas that look sparse.
Wait for the paint to dry, then you’re ready to stencil! Place your stencil in the center of the cork board. To find the center of the cork board, simply take a tape measure and mark the midpoint of the tape measure horizontally and vertically. Place the center of the stencil at the midpoint.
Use professional stencil brushes for each different color of the stencil so your colors don’t mix. Use dabbing motions instead of swiping motions so the paint gets into the texture to the cork board!
Align your stencil using the built-in registration marks and the previously stenciled parts. You can choose either side to stencil first! Simply repeat the same process as with the stencil in the middle. It’s just as easy!
Finally, slowly peel the tape to reveal your beautiful stenciled masterpiece! Now you have an elegant stenciled cork board that’s both useful and decorative. And it took no time at all! Hang it in your dorm room or office: the possibilities are endless! Can’t get enough of Cutting Edge Stencils:
- Check out our Cutting Edge Stencils Facebook Page to see our beautiful customer photos and interact with the people who created them.
- Buy our Tile Stencils for your next stencil project, and browse our other wonderful stencil designs.
- Follow us on Instagram and Pinterest and share your designs using #CuttingEdgeStencils. We love seeing your projects!
Thanks for reading and happy stenciling!
