How to Make a Reverse Canvas into a Reusable Chalkboard with BlackBoard® HTV

If you keep up with the latest crafting trends, you may have tried your hand at a reverse canvas. If you keep up with Siser’s product launches, you may have tried the award winning heat transfer vinyl,  BlackBoard. Today’s craft combines both! Whether you want a re-usable note station, menu, or motivational quote board, this reverse canvas can do it all! Keep reading to see how we put it all together- plus get the trick to perfect chalk lettering!

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own reverse canvas chalkboard…

Supplies

  • Stretched Canvas (the one I’m using is 9″x12″)
  • Exacto Knife
  • Paint and Paintbrush
  • BlackBoard heat transfer vinyl
  • Heat Press or Home Iron
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Binder Clips

*No vinyl cutter required!

Step 1: Disassemble Stretched Canvas

The first step to making a reverse canvas is to separate the cotton canvas from the wooden frame. Instead of prying each staple out, use a knife tool to cut around the edges. Thanks to Silhouette School for coming up with this nifty work around!

Use an exacto knife to cut the canvas past the stapled edge

Pull away the trimmed edges of the canvas

After cutting, peel off each trimmed piece and set the canvas to the side.

Cotton canvas separated from wooden frame

Step 2: Paint Wood Frame

Technically, this step is optional. You could leave the wood unfinished, but I think it looks more put together either with some wood stain or acrylic paint. I decided to go with a white frame, and ended up doing 2 coats of paint.

Use a paintbrush to paint the wooden frame with stain or acrylic paint

Step 3: Cut BlackBoard HTV to size of Canvas

While the paint is drying, use the piece of canvas to measure and cut a matching section of BlackBoard HTV.

Cut BlackBoard HTV to the same size as the cotton canvas

Step 4: Apply BlackBoard HTV to Canvas

Set your heat press to 275°F and press the canvas for 1-5 seconds. Now the canvas is perfectly flat and ready for HTV! Place the square of BlackBoard with the carrier side facing up. The carrier side on this material is cloudy/dull. Then top it all off with a heat transfer cover sheet before pressing for 10-15 seconds with medium pressure.

Pre-press the cotton canvas for 5 seconds to flatten it out

Use a heat press to apply BlackBoard heat transfer vinyl

After pressing, peel the carrier while it’s hot.

Peel the carrier from BlackBoard when hot or cold

BlackBoard heat transfer vinyl applied to cotton canvas

Check out this video, for home iron and Cricut® EasyPress™ application settings.

Step 5: Re-Attach Canvas to Frame

Working in sections, use the glue gun and binder clips to stretch and secure the canvas in place.

Use a glue gun to re-attach the canvas to the wooden frame

Use binder clips to clamp the canvas down while the glue dries

After the glue is dry, remove the clips and use your knife one last time to trim down the edges.

Use an exacto knife to trim the excess canvas on each side.

The completed reverse canvas is now also a chalkboard

Step 6: Display and Draw on Your Reverse Canvas Chalkboard!

Your new chalkboard is ready for drawings, to do lists, and even your favorite mantra or Bible verse- like I decided to display on mine. Remember though, BlackBoard works best with standard chalk. Which is easily wiped away with water and a paper towel!

reverse canvas chalkboard with an EasyPSV Removable stencil

Be sure to use standard chalk when drawing on BlackBoard® HTV!

Reverse canvas chalkboard with chalk lettering

If you’re really talented, you might be able to hand letter without any help, but I need the help of EasyPSV® Removable to make my chalkboard dreams come true!

Watch this video to see how to make PSV stencils from start to finish.

Do you remember when we decorated canvas with Glitter HTV on the blog? That was before the reverse canvas craze, but it’s still a fun project!

Did you like this post? Pin the image below to save it for future crafting!

Turn a plain stretched canvas into a re-usable chalkboard with NEW BlackBoard HTV from Siser! This reverse canvas is easy, quick, and can be used in so many ways! From kitchens to classrooms, this chalkboard reverse canvas is a perfect addition!

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