A pencil cut file seems fitting because the first day of school will be here before we know it! I’m showing you how to make a cute pencil sign using the pencil cut file.
You can see how to make a sign using wood and power tools in the post I wrote about DIY sign making or you can run to your local craft store or the craft isle at Walmart to find a premade sign.
Back to School Cut File FAQs
What can I make with this cut file?
Cut these files onto any medium you prefer. The things you can make with a Cricut or Silhouette are endless. Make mugs, cups, shirts, onesies, tote bags or basically whatever your heart desires.
I have put together a list of adhesive and iron-on blanks and 35 ways to use adhesive vinyl to give you more ideas. My Vinyl Direct has a whole bunch of vinyl blanks you will fall in love with.
Can I sell items I make using these cut files?
Yes, the cut file is for personal and small business commercial use. You may NOT sell the digital files themselves but you may sell items you create using the cut file designs. Please tag us with your creations on IG (@poofycheeksblog) and we may share on our own feed!
**You may not use this design for sites such as Amazon, Café Press, Zazzle etc.
Do I have to enter my name and email each time I want to download a new cut file?
Yes. The form tracks cut file popularity and how many times cut files are downloaded.
What files are included in the download?
Each download includes one zip folder with a DXF, PNG and SVG of the cut file design.
- DXF files can be opened in Silhouette Studio and cut with a Silhouette Cameo.
- SVG files can be opened in Cricut Design Space and cut with a Cricut machine.
- PNG files can be used with either software using the trace feature if you are having issues with the DXF or SVG files.
How to Open the Free Cut Files
I wrote a post about how to open cut files in Silhoutte Studio and Cricut Design Space .
Download the Pencil Back to School Cut File
DIY Sign with a Vinyl Stencil
Build your own sign, purchase a premade sign or use this stencil method on any wooden surface.
Materials
- Cricut, Silhouette or other Vinyl Cutting Machine
- Oracal 631 Vinyl
- Vinyl Transfer Tape
- Pink, Gray, Yellow, Nude and Black Acrylic Paints
- Sand Paper
- Wooden Sign (Around 12x24 inches works best for the pencil)
Tools
- Scissors
- Squeegee
Instructions
- Gather your supplies including a piece of wood or wooden sign to add your design to. For the purpose of this tutorial I am using a 12x20" sign. Paint your sign background if needed, let dry.
- Using a piece of 220 or higher grit sand paper lightly smooth the surface to remove any bumps, paint stroke lines, etc. Use a damp towel to wipe the dust from sanding off of the surface and allow to dry.
- Meanwhile open the pencil cut file in your cutting machine software. In the image below I labeled the three options A, B and C. For this sign we are using B and C.
- Size the B and C pencil designs to fit the sign (for my 12x20 sign I am sizing the pencils to be 9x15 inches. Then create a rectangle around each one and cut out on Oracal 631 vinyl.
- Weed the vinyl (video attached below) and use transfer tape to add pencil B to the wood sign. Using acrylic paint and a paintbrush apply the paint in thin coats and allow to dry completely between coats (if multiple coats are needed).
- Once the paint is dry slowly remove the vinyl at a 90 degree angle and discard. Then apply pencil C over the painted design of pencil B and paint the areas black to outline the colored parts of the pencil.
- Remove the vinyl again and reveal the finished, painted pencil.
More Back to School Crafts from my Crafting Friends:
Laura from Me and My INKlings has created a set of hand drawn and water colored Back-to-School Lunchbox Notes that are available to download for FREE!
Create the cutest DIY Pencil Case made with felt and embellished with a strawberry. Smitha from Smiling Colors has the full tutorial on her blog.
Shani from Sunshine and Munchkins is sharing the CUTEST Back-to-School Pencil Wreath created from yarn. Fun for the classroom door!
Download and print a set of Lunchbox Notes to inspire the kiddos during back-to-school time. Head over to Laura’s blog Laura’s Crafty Life to get the Free Printable.
Justine from Little Dove has created the cutest DIY Apple Garland from book paper. What a cute way to decorate the classroom for back-to-school.
Make a fun Friendship Bracelet Style Bookmark for your bestie with this step-by-step tutorial from Erica of 5 Little Monsters.
Kelsey of Poofy Cheeks is sharing a fun DIY Pencil Sign with the FREE SVG Cut File. The perfect back-to-school teacher gift.
Make sure to keep all the kids school supplies organized with Personalized Notebooks. Get the editable sublimation files from Katie over on the Crafty Blog Stalker.
Chelly from We Can Make That is sharing the cutest SVG Cut File to create a Home Sweet Classroom Clipboard for that special teacher.
Create a fabulous back-to-school gift for your new teachers with Lindsay’s Resin Pencil Keychain tutorial over on her blog Artsy Fartsy Mama. Makes the perfect backpack charm too!
Beth from Creatively Beth is channeling her inner Dad Jokes with a set of Punny Lunch Notes to keep the kiddos in stitches.
Hydration is super important, so do it in style with Personalized Water Bottles. Marissa of Rae Gunn Ramblings has the full tutorial on her blog.
Dolly
Friday 21st of May 2021
Some of your designs are amazing, but the last few I tried to download told me I missed the freebie and needed to buy a membership. Before I join anything and pay a membership fee, I want to be sure that I can easily use your designs as I am a newbie with my Cricut. I am very disappointed that I spent the time going through things on your site only to find the items were not available without a membership.
Linda
Friday 24th of July 2020
Love this design, simple but cute. What is the font that you used, I love it and would like to use it, also. Where can I find that font? Thank-you for sharing all your inspiration.