How to Make a Sign Out of Rope Lights

Turn decorative rope lighting into a custom sign.

Custom neon signs can be pricey, depending on their size and application, but rope lights are an affordable way to achieve the same effect. Rope lights, which are both decorative and functional, are affordable and readily available at craft stores, home-improvement centers, lighting shops and discount retailers. Rope lights come in a variety of sizes and colors so be sure to choose the best one for your project.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4-inch thick board
• Rope lighting
• Pencil
• White butcher paper
• Measuring tape
• Staple gun
• Staples
• Paint
• Medium paint brush
• Carpentry nails
• Picture hangers

Instructions

1. Draw to size the design of your sign on white butcher paper. Write in cursive, or draw in one fluid stroke if you are creating a graphic image, in order to avoid having to cut your rope lights numerous times.

2. Measure the drawing you have sketched out on butcher paper to ensure that you have enough rope lighting to make the image.

3. Paint the front and side edges of the wooden board that will hold the rope lighting.

4. Re-draw the image you made on butcher paper onto your wooden board, making the outline dark enough to see the lines when it is time to affix the lighting.

5. Lay out the rope lights on your board along your pencil outline and attach rope lights to the board using a staple gun.The plastic covering will prevent the lights from breaking during the stapling process.

6. Attach the picture hangers to the top corners of the back of your sign; if your sign is more than three feet long, you may want to add another picture hanger in the middle as well. Use the carpentry nails to hang your sign on the wall. Plug in your rope lights.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a base color for your sign that will create a high level of contrast with the color of lights you have chosen.

References

• "Creative Outdoor Lighting": Easy Outdoor Rope Lighting Solutions