How to Make 3D Faux Metal Letters for Cheap

Feb 24, 2019 12 comments The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the full disclosure

How to make faux metal letters for cheap

DIY Faux Metal Letters

Recently I came across some metal letters at Anthropologie and I loved them, but didn’t love the $18/letter price tag. That price just doesn’t work with my monthly budget!

Being a frugal crafter, I decided I could make them for a lot less! As it turns out, making metal letters on your own is easier (and cheaper) than you may think! This is a fun and frugal craft that anyone can do.

supplies for faux metal letters

Supplies for Faux Metal Letters

The supply list is pretty small for this project. First decide what you want to spell, I decided on EAT to put above my pantry.

Here is what you need:

  • Paper Mache letters; and
  • Spray paint

That’s really it! I bought my paper mache letters from Hobby Lobby, they were $2.47/letter. About once a month they will go on sale for half off so you can keep your eyes for them and get them even cheaper.

For the metaI spraypaint, I got the hammered finish silver Krylon because I wanted a little texture to my letters. This was $7.99, but I used my 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby so I got it for under $5. (I’ve got lots left over for other projects too.)

There are a lot of different metal finishes in spray paint so get what matches your home. We have brushed silver accents and stainless steel in our kitchen.

Paper mache letters

Step 1. Spray paint

Take your craft letters outside and spray paint them. I rested them on a piece of scrap wood so I get the bottom edges without having to flip them over.

spray painted metal letters

I applied about 3 coats of paint. Just let it dry a little between each coat.

Spray painted faux metal letters

Step 2. Let them dry

I let my metal letters dry overnight before I hung them up. I love how they have a slightly hammered look to them. They look like metal, not paper mache anymore!

Finished faux metal letters

Step 3. Hang them up

I like to use Command Picture Hanging Strips to hang up things like this. They are easy to use and don’t put any holes in my wall.

Command hanging strips

They are kind of like Velcro so I stick them together and put the adhesive on the letter. Then I remove the other strip and stick them to the wall.

Metal letters with command strips on the back

I put the A up first, then eyeballed the E and T. Here’s the finished result:

Hung up faux metal letters

Final Thoughts

I LOVE how it looks and I love that it cost me under $10 to do it (I still have lots of spray paint left so I’m not counting the whole can in my costs).

So the next time you see something you like, but you don’t like the price, figure out how you can make it on your own for less. I like the letters I made a lot more than I would if I had spent $54 on some letters already made.

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DIY faux metal letters

Types: Crafts, Adult, Teen
Categories: Decoration, Inside The House

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