Chalkboard labels had been in some corner of my mind for a while when a friend returned from a trip to the US and gifted me a pack along with a chalkboard pen.
This reshuffled my brain and chalkboard labels came to the forefront!
Now I not only found chalkboard labels on amazon, but I also found chalkboard tape! While chalkboard tape sold on amazon.com for under $3, in India, on amazon.in, it sold for over Rs.4000/= which is almost $60. Ridiculous, isn't it!!
Some more researching on the Net and I found bloggers who'd posted recipes for chalkboard paint which can be used to make labels, or even chalkboards!
Basically, what we need:
The recipe states 1/2 tablespoon of grout to be mixed with 1 cup of latex or acrylic paint. Mix well so the grout is uniformly distributed and then apply it to the surface you want to paint quickly because it tends to dry and harden soon after the grout is mixed. Some sites suggested running a paint roller over it for a smoother finish.
So I bought a small bottle of black acrylic paint and the minimum quantity of grout the shop was ready to sell. I chose black grout since my paint was black as well, but you can make this paint in whatever colour you like!
I painted over some ready sticker labels I had. Let it dry then applied another coat. I didn't use a roller, maybe next time I will, for a smoother finish.
And my chalkboard labels were ready for use. The first container to get labelled was where I stored the grout! I tried the chalkboard pen which gave nice thick lines.
After a while, I tried rubbing it off with my fingers but it stayed as
it was, no smudging or erasing. I then used a damp cloth and off the
writing came, neatly and cleanly.
Then I tried writing with regular chalk - thinner lines than the pen, but nice anyway. If you rub with your finger, this will smudge. Wet wipe it to get it cleanly off.
So we're done.
Are you going to experiment?
This reshuffled my brain and chalkboard labels came to the forefront!
Now I not only found chalkboard labels on amazon, but I also found chalkboard tape! While chalkboard tape sold on amazon.com for under $3, in India, on amazon.in, it sold for over Rs.4000/= which is almost $60. Ridiculous, isn't it!!
Some more researching on the Net and I found bloggers who'd posted recipes for chalkboard paint which can be used to make labels, or even chalkboards!
Basically, what we need:
Unsanded grout available at hardware stores
Latex paint or acrylic paint available at paint stores or even stationery stores
The recipe states 1/2 tablespoon of grout to be mixed with 1 cup of latex or acrylic paint. Mix well so the grout is uniformly distributed and then apply it to the surface you want to paint quickly because it tends to dry and harden soon after the grout is mixed. Some sites suggested running a paint roller over it for a smoother finish.
So I bought a small bottle of black acrylic paint and the minimum quantity of grout the shop was ready to sell. I chose black grout since my paint was black as well, but you can make this paint in whatever colour you like!
I painted over some ready sticker labels I had. Let it dry then applied another coat. I didn't use a roller, maybe next time I will, for a smoother finish.
And my chalkboard labels were ready for use. The first container to get labelled was where I stored the grout! I tried the chalkboard pen which gave nice thick lines.
Then I tried writing with regular chalk - thinner lines than the pen, but nice anyway. If you rub with your finger, this will smudge. Wet wipe it to get it cleanly off.
So we're done.
Are you going to experiment?
