Homemade Wooden Plaques
- 1). Draw the pattern for the plaque onto a piece of paper. Draw the outline using a ruler to ensure that the lines are straight. If you want your plaque to have curves or be an unusual shape, fold the paper in half and draw one side of the plaque against the fold . Leaving the paper folded, cut out the one-sided outline and then unfold the paper. The two halves of the plaque pattern will be symmetrical.
- 2). Trace the paper pattern onto the wood piece. Cut the shape out of the wood with the router saw. Cut a small groove 1/16th of an inch deep, about 1/4th of an inch away from the edges of the plaque, with a quarter-round bit on the router. Cut all the way around the plaque.
- 3). Sand the plaque with medium-grit sandpaper, then with fine-grit paper. Sand the wood until a soft cloth runs smoothly over the wood's surface. Pay special attention to the rounded edges of the plaque. Do not sand the top of the plaque so much that you sand away the groove. Wipe the plaque thoroughly to remove all the dust caused by sanding.
- 4). Brush the wood stain over front and sides of the plaque with a paintbrush to give the wood the desired color. Apply the stain following the grain of the wood. Allow the stained plaque to dry for two hours. If you wish to stain the back of the plaque, do so after the front and sides have dried, and then allow ample time for the freshly-stained back to dry.
- 5). Apply a polyurethane sealer all over the front and sides of the plaque. Allow the sealer to dry for 24 hours, then paint the back side with the sealer as well. Allow the back to dry for 24 additional hours.
- 6). Mount the certificate or plastic plaque cover over the plaque. Use wood glue to hold the information on the plaque. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours before hanging the plaque. If desired, you can paint the plaque information directly onto the wood.
- 7). Screw the hanging hook into the back of the plaque prior to mounting it on the wall.