We took an old drafting table we found at a yard sale and transformed it in to the perfect table for my studio by creating custom stencils with Cricut and adhering them with my Xyron Creative Station!
DRAFTING TABLE MAKEOVER WITH CRICUT
{This post first appeared over on the Cricut blog where I am a contributor.} My husband Don and I love to bring new life to old furniture. I was looking for a new desk for the studio, and when we found this drafting table we knew we had to turn it in to something special! So today I am sharing our own drafting table makeover! {FTC disclaimer: I received some of these products free of charge. This post contains affiliate links which means I may make a small commission something if you buy an item – at no additional cost to you!}
LET’S TALK ABOUT OLD TABLES:
In this section, I am briefly going to talk about selecting your table. This is because the most important part of this project is the table you choose to makeover (trust me).
Now, this may sound a bit obvious, but not all tables are DIY-friendly. Due to that, I wanted to point out a few things that you may want to look for or consider when picking out a table for this project.
First, don’t limit yourself to the thrift store, make sure you check out yard sales!
We love shopping in thrift stores but sometimes prices can be high. This big drafting table that we used in this project we found at a yard sale for such a great deal!
Second, ask yourself, does the table have much wear?
If we had to do this project over again we might have picked a different table. This is because we had to end up building a brand new table top (more on that in step 1). So, look for a table that doesn’t have ”too much damage”. Don’t get me wrong, a piece of furniture that shows its age is great, but you don’t want to spend a ton of money replacing table legs, the table base, etc.
Third, think big and small!
I needed a new work table for my studio, so we went big. However, you could easily make this project in a smaller version! For instance, you could makeover a side table, coffee table, or even a card table!
Ok, not let’s start our drafting table makeover!
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
- Cricut – This project can be completed with any Cricut machine. In this project, I used the Cricut Explore Air.
- Cricut 12×24 standard grip adhesive cutting mat
- Cricut 12×24 cardstock – The color does not matter; use what you have in your stash!
- Xyron Creative Station with repositionable adhesive
- masking/painter’s tape
- two colors of spray paint – We used blue and white paint.
- stencil brush
- paint roller
- table
- optional: furniture sealant, grid sand paper
Ordering from cricut.com? Use code CRICUTCREATORS10 for 10% off and FREE shipping on any order over $50. Includes sale and clearance prices, does not include machines (anything with a plug). Cricut items can also be found at HSN, Amazon, and JOANN stores.
Ordering from amazon.com? Then check out my Cricut Tools and Accessories page!
Do you want to order your Xyron products from amazon.com? Then check out my Adhesives & Fixatives page!
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN DRAFTING TABLE MAKEOVER:
PREPPING AND PAINTING TABLE:
1. Before painting, check to see if your table top has a clean, smooth surface. Depending on the type of table you are using, you may need to do a light sanding with some grit sandpaper to get a smooth finish.
The top of our table was so eroded and covered in glue that we built a new top to fit right over the original. However, if your desk, dresser, or table has a decent top, you can just sand it smooth and you will be ready to go!
NOTE: Don’t skip this step! I know sanding the whole table is boring, time-consuming, and a lot of hard work. However, it is this little thing that will make a HUGH difference when it comes to the final look of your table.
2. Once your table has been sanded, it is now time to paint the top with the color you want to see through the stencil. Even though you will not be stenciling the entire area, be sure to paint the whole tabletop to ensure an even top coat.
Also, depending on the type of material your table is made out of or how deep you want your paint color to be, you may need to add a few coats of paint.
CREATING THE STENCIL:
3. Now we are ready to create our stencil!
To begin with, first, Open Cricut Design Space. Then select any single-layer image or font to create your stencil.
If you are creating a word stencil, do the following before you cut:
- First, size your letters.
- Second, make sure each word is “grouped.”
- Third, make sure each word is a different color, as this will ensure that each will cut on its own piece of cardstock.
CUTTING THE STENCIL:
4. Once you are happy with how your stencil looks, load your mat with some cardstock. Then cut the cardstock using your Cricut Explore.
Remember: The color of the cardstock you use doesn’t matter, so use a shade that’s not your favorite.
5. When your stencil has been completely cut out, carefully remove the negative and positive images from your mat.
NOTE: You will need both the negative and positive images, so make sure you save all the pieces.
APPLYING THE STENCIL:
6. To begin with, grab all of your pieces from step 5 and separate them into negative and positive images. Then run the positive images (the letters) through your Xyron Creative Station.
NOTE: Be sure you are using repositionable adhesive, this is because the machine comes loaded with permanent adhesive.
7. Next, grab your negative images. This is because we are going to use these images to determine where we are going to place our stencils.
We added our stencils to the left-hand corner of our table, but you could add yours in the center of the table instead.
Once you are happy with the placement of your stencils loosely attach them to your table with some masking/painter’s tape.
8. When all of your negative images have been taped down, peel the letters off from the backing (aka your positive images) and place each letter inside its negative image. Then, firmly rub around the edges to ensure complete coverage, and remove the negative image.
PAINTING THE STENCIL:
9. When painting your letters, use a stencil brush (not a foam brush or basic paint brush!) to tap the top color around the letters. You don’t want to skip this step because it will add an additional seal to the stencils.
10. Paint the entire desktop in your top color. You may need to add several layers of paint but be sure to leave time to dry between each layer. Also, when painting the entire tabletop, I recommend using a small roller brush so you can get a ”smoother finish” and not have any ”brush strokes’.
We used white chalk paint, but you could use regular paint instead.
Be SURE to watch this one minute video where you will see me in all my non-showered, bra strap showing, baseball hat wearing glory. I’m pretty sexy. 😉
11. Now for the fun part! Gently peel the letters away from your desktop… and behold! Your table now has a fresh new look!
OPTIONAL: If you want to make your paint and lettering last for a very long time, feel free to add a protective coat on top! You could add a few coats of poly (aka polyurethane) or your favorite sealant.
Drafting Table Makeover with Cricut
Materials
- Cricut (I used the Cricut Explore Air but this could be done with any of the Cricut machines)
- Cricut 12×24 standard grip adhesive cutting mat
- Cricut 12×24 cardstock: the color does not matter; use what you have in your stash!
- Xyron Creative Station with repositionable adhesive
- masking/painter’s tape
- two colors of spray paint
- stencil brush
- paint roller
- optional: furniture sealant
Instructions
- Start with a clean, smooth surface.We bought this drafting table at a yard sale. The top was so eroded and covered in glue that we built a new top to fit right over the original. If your desk or dresser or table has a decent top – you can just sand it smooth and you will be ready to go!
- Paint the top with the color you want to see through the stencil. Even though you will not be stenciling the entire area, be sure to paint the whole tabletop to ensure an even topcoat.
- Open Cricut Design Space and select any single-layer image or font to create your stencil. The possibilities are endless!If you are creating a word stencil, do the following before you cut:– Size your letters.– Make sure each word is “grouped.”– Make sure each word is a different color, as this will ensure that each will cut on its own piece of cardstock.
- Cut cardstock on your Explore. Remember: the color of the cardstock you use doesn’t matter, so use a shade that’s not your favorite.
- Carefully remove negative and positive images from your mat – you will use both sets.
- Run the positive images (the letters) through your Xyron Creative Station. Be sure you are using repositionable adhesive – the machine comes loaded with permanent adhesive.
- Use the negative image to determine where you are going to place your stencils and loosely attach with masking/painter’s tape.
- Peel letters from backing and place each letter inside its negative image. Firmly rub around the edges to ensure complete coverage, and then remove the negative image.
- Use a stencil brush to tap (not brush!) the top color around letters. This will add an additional seal to the stencils.
- Paint the entire desktop in your top color. You may need to do several coats, and be sure to leave time to dry between coats.
- Gently peel letters away from desktop… and behold! Cover the entire desktop with sealant if desired.
IF YOU LOVED THIS FURNITURE MAKEOVER, THEN CHECK OUT THE PROJECT BELOW!
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Beth Kingston
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LB says
Beth,(and Don) I love this table top.
thanks s for this Idea.
Beth Kingston says
thanks so much LB!!