Use A Wine Box To Make A DIY Light Box Sign
When it comes to the bigger decisions in my life I’m quick and decisive. But when it comes to the stuff that doesn’t matter I can dither. With this DIY light box sign, I couldn’t decide on one just one sign. So I made it so that the signs were interchangeable. So I could then have as many different signs as I wanted.
My Aunt turned up at Christmas with another one of her wine boxes from France. I made my son a DIY nightstand from the box she gave me last year. With this year’s wine box I made a light box.
The individual signs were printed on to acetate and the lights used were LEDberg lights from IKEA.
I think the COFFEE cup is my favourite sign, well it is this week!
This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my disclosure policy.
What You need to make a DIY light box sign
- Wooden Wine box- I used a six bottle wine box for a large rectangular sign. You could use a single bottle wine box to make a smaller sign.
These wine boxes are often available from your local wine merchants sometimes for free. At worst you’ll have to buy some wine and drink it to get the free box. - IKEA LEDberg Spot lights
- Dark wood wax
- Inkjet Printable Acetate
- Velcro dots and/or double sided sticky pads.
- Drill
- Inject Printer
- Hacksaw
- Hot Glue Gun
TOOLS..
How to Make A DIY light box Sign
- The wine box I used for this sign was new, so I simply used dark wax to age the box and give it a more retro look.
- Drill a hole in the top corner of the wine box that is large enough to feed through the wires of the IKEA Ledberg spot lights.
- Place the IKEA Ledberg spotlights inside the box. Fix them to the top of the box using the stick pads provided. Feed the wires through the drilled hole.
- Next make a frame mount for the printed light box sign. You can either cut one from the box lid or use scraps of craft wood to make a simple frame. I made mine from wood scraps glued together with a hot glue gun and then waxed to match the wine box.
- All the signs for the box were A4 in size. They were designed using CANVA.com (a free graphic design site). These were then printed on to Acetate paper.
TOP TIP : The colour saturation on the acetate can be abit light. To compensate for this print off 2 copies of each design and stick them together.
- Stick the acetate sign to the frame using either velcro dots or double sided sticky pads. That way it is easy to change up the signs whenever you like.
Printing the DIY lightbox signs..
As you can see I had fun designing the different quotes and pictures for the DIY light box sign. The Coffee sign is my favourite and I will use the bunting sign for birthdays. I will design and print off different signs for different holidays, such as a heart for Valentine’s and a tree for Christmas.
If you are wondering what the”KJEMPEFLOTT” sign is all about. “KJEMPEFLOTT” is my favourite word, which I use a lot. It is Norwegian and means awesome! You will have to visit Google translate for the pronunciation.
What words or phrases would use for your light box?
For more sign ideas check out DIYideacenter.com
Leanna
This is a fun project. I bet teenagers would especially love it. It could show seasonal sports favorites, etc. Great idea Claire.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Leanna. I like the sports idea.
Teresa
The light box turned out so nice. The original wine box was so pretty it was a good place to start! Thank you for sharing with us at Party in Your PJ’a!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much. The wine boxes are fun to craft with.
Funky Junk Interiors - Donna
Clever clever clever clever CLEVER! I want to make one!
I’ve featured you in this weekend’s DIY Salvaged Junk Projects too! Thanks for linking up! 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much Donna. Have a great weekend.
Sam - Raggedy Bits
WOW What a fabulous idea Claire! Love how you used an old wine box to make this! Brilliant!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Sam. I have a steady supply of wine boxes, luckily.
Amber Lyon Ferguson
Great post! Thanks for sharing at TFT!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Amber.
Caro | The Twinkle Diaries
You are literally like a crafting machine Claire!!!! You never stop!!! I think — if all the makes of yours that I’ve seen so far — this one is my favourite. I love the ON AIR one! I used to work on the radio and there was a real one of those on the wall. It would be great to recreate it at home. Shame I’ll have to go and buy myself a box of wine before I can make a start though 😉 Thanks for linking up to #HomeEtc Caro xx
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Caro, sorry to make you go and buy wine! Unfortunately for me, it’s probably too much crafting and not much else.
Julie
How awful, your readers are now forced to go to a wine merchants to buy a half decent bottle of wine in a box – what hardship you cause for us!!!
I love this idea, and may be forced to go and buy wine in a box myself. Purely for crafting purposes of course. Does the frame just prop against the box or is it fixed?
My mum always used to say her favourite word was the german for pencil sharpener – Bleistiftspitzer. I think mine would be Blatherskite, a word I came across a year or so ago which means a person who talks a load of nonsense.
Claire Armstrong
Sorry, to force you to drink wine 😊. I just used sticky pads to stick the frame to the front of the wine box so it was easy to change the signs. You could hinge it for a more permanent fixture. I like Blatherskite but I think you’ll need an extra large wine box for that one!
Cecilia
Fabulous tutorial! Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you 😊
Audra @ Renewed Projects
I’d like to make one that says, “BED TIME” so when the light goes on the kids know to get ready for bed.
You CRACKED ME UP when you said, “At worst you’ll have to buy some wine and drink it to get the free box.”
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Audra. It wouldn’t be too much of a hardship having to drink all that wine. 😉
Lins @ Boo & Maddie
I think you’ve just given me the best idea for my niece’s birthday present later this year. She’s in her early teens and would love something like this! X #HomeEtc
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Lins. It is fun as it’s so easy to customise.
Jessica
This is sooo fantastic! What a great idea!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you!
Jane Taylor
I’m seriously impressed! It’s such a simple and effective idea! My 15 yr old just peered over my shoulder and loved it! Thanks for the idea! #HOMEETC
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, yes it is easy. I bet your 15year old can think of a good sign to make.