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Whats the best material for a chalk board?
What’s the best material for a chalkboard?
I have been asked to make a series of chalkboards for a cafe.
Some are interior and some are exterior.
Most suppliers seem to be either very expensive or restricted in the sizes available.
They need to be specific sizes to fit where they are needed.
I am thinking of using Chalkboard vinyl flooded onto a board.
What board material is best?
MDF, Exterior Ply, ACM or Foam Board?
Could I use all of these?
I guess some may be better than others, depending on wall-mounted, free-hanging. inside or outside.Grateful for any tips.
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11 Replies
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The first thing I thought was foam board!
But on reflection, a bit of heavy-handed use and I reckon it would show a mass of dents and scores.
I guess it’s good old plywood or some Dibond, would be best. -
Material called HPL, it is also called Chalkboard, is available from Amari.
John
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We normally make dry-wipe boards from a composite sheet and apply dry-wipe vinyl.
We do the same with chalkboard vinyl, but not one we do very often.Below are some photos of one we made from composite.
The wood frame was just mitred wood skirting, then painted matt black.
The composite is standard Skybond black, but the reverse has a satin finish, so I used that as it looks better.
The text is all cut vinyl. Then I have applied a section of “chalkboard vinyl”, which the customer will write in his daily specials.
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As someone who is a chalkboard signwriter, I find the best material to write on is actually MDF board, which has been well-painted.
i.e undercoated, sanded, matt black paint, sanded, matt black paint.With regard to them being able to wipe off what they`ve written for daily specials, etc, I have found it best to use ZIG POSTERMAN WET-WIPE pens and remove with green Mr Muscle.
This really does work if the board is well prepared and has been allowed to dry completely before writing on it for the first time.With regard to chalkboard vinyl, I have personally found it not very good, and the pens always leave a “ghosting” behind.
Hope this helps.
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Hi Chris,
No disrespect, mate, but…
The trouble with MDF is the weight and life expectancy.
I know you can get medite exterior grade, but it still has to be 100% prepped and sealed properly to avoid pulping if moisture gets in.
It’s also a much more long-winded method of creating the same.When you say the chalkboard vinyl leaves a “ghosting”, do you mean with those Zigg-Zagg pens?
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Hi,
No disrespect taken.Regarding the ghosting, it seems to be with any chalk pen that the shops/pubs/cafes use.
Some of these so-called “wipe-clean pens” do not do what they say on the tin!Internal use, I would say MDF all the way (if weight is not an issue).
As long as edges are properly sealed, I have not come across any issues. However, if the front gets damaged (kicked or blown over) and the face gets scuffed, then yes, the pulping will eventually occur.Like I say, just a personal preference and what to write on.
I find that writing on composite covered with vinyl is harder to control the pens as there is no natural resistance, and sometimes it’s like writing with oil on water, and the pen does not adhere. -
Thanks for the input…
Especially the difference in the signwriters’ requirements against the signmakers’ priorities.
As for ghosting on cleaning, does anyone have experience with this product compared to Mr Muscle Cleaner, which is often mentioned?
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i have tried it, not as good in my opinion. Works quite well on Zig wipe clean pens but not on any other brand of wipecleans that ive come across.
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John,
is the Amari Chalkboard stiff enough to make a free-hanging sign?
Sounds like good stuff, 3mm thick black all the way through, so it can be cut to size without framing if necessary. -
yep no probs…
Comes in 5mm as well.
Be careful when cutting, because it will splinter.John
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Amari only offers 3mm thick.
I am looking for 5 or 6mm thick.
Does anyone know a supplier?
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