Searching for the best DIY Decorative Clipboards Craft? You’ll love learning How to Make Customized Decorative Clipboards with these easy DIY decorating ideas for clipboards!
Then… have even more fun playing with Mod Podge with these fabulous tutorial for How to Make Photo Coasters!
DIY Decorative Clipboards Craft – How to Make a Decorative Clipboard
A few years ago, I made my first customized clipboard, and couldn’t believe how EASY they were to make!
These Decorative Clipboards are fun to use, simple to make, and are a great thrifty gift, too!!
I’ve given them to teachers, homeschooling moms, and friends that run businesses at home… and they’ve always loved them! And yes… I even made two extras for me! 🙂
They are such a fun homemade project that you can use around the home… or give to a teacher or homeschool friend. Not too hard and easy on the budget.
Would you like to make one, too?
Seriously, you can do this!! Here’s how to make a decorated clipboard…
Related: Fun Crafts to Do at Home (HUGE List)
Decorative Clipboard Crafts – Supplies Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to round up to make your cute clipboards…
- Clipboard (I buy mine at Walmart for $1.00) ~ you’ll want your clipboard top to be similar to the one pictured below… it will allow you to tie on ribbons!
- Foam Brushes (small and large) ~ when you’re done, wash these out and save them to reuse again later!
- Mod Podge ~ I used the Matte variety (found at craft stores)
- 12×12 regular Scrapbook Paper (not cardstock ~ trust me!)
- Ribbon (thin) in a variety of colors & styles that match or coordinate with your paper. I cut pieces of ribbon between 6″ – 7″ long.
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Paper Corner Rounder Punch
- Push pin or Xacto Knife
How to Make Cute DIY Clipboards
Here’s what you’ll do…
1. The first thing you’ll need to do is trim the paper down to fit the clipboard.
Turn paper over and measure with a ruler. You’ll want the paper to be approx. 1/4 inch in from the edges of the clipboard.
2. Once the paper has been trimmed down to fit the clipboard, use a corner rounder (or scissors) to gently round the corners of the paper.
3. Now you’ll need to flip your page over again, and get ready to carefully make a cut out around the clip at the top. Now set your paper aside.
4. Lay down newspapers ~ it’s time for some fun with the Mod Podge!
5. Use the large sponge brush to make long strokes from top to bottom, of a thin layer of Mod Podge on the clipboard.
Be careful now ~ Catherine Zeta-Jones is watching you in the upper right hand corner… do you see here on the newspaper there?
She thought I did a good job… she’s smiling! She’s calling Michael Douglas to let him know.
6. Now carefully lay your paper that you’ve prepared on the clipboard (color side up). Gently smooth it down with your hands to avoid bubbling.
7. As it begins to dry, if you see bubbles, you can… carefully poke them with a pin needle, push pin or Xacto knife tip.
(Card stock will really bubble, so promise me you didn’t use it.)
8. Let glue completely dry. (30 min. – 1 hr)
9. After it has dried, it’s time to do a layer of Mod Podge on the top! Use long strokes from the top to the bottom again.
(You can use the smaller brush to get around the clip at the top.)
10. After you’ve applied the Mod Podge, allow it to dry completely.
Just like before, you can watch for any little bubbles, and either poke them or gently smooth them out with your hand as it dries.
11. Once it has dried completely, just for fun… it’s time to add one more coat of Mod Podge.
12. After applying that last coat, allow it to dry completely.
13. Now if you want to add anything else (a photograph, letters cut out to spell a name, etc.) you can add them after the final coat has dried.
Just put a dab of Mod Podge on the back, then add Mod Podge over the entire top. Allow to completely dry… and then on to the ribbons!
14. Once the clipboard is dry, begin adding the ribbons and knotting them up at the top on the clip.
15. Once you’ve tied on all the ribbon, trim them down if they’re too long, then trim the ends slightly diagonally in alternating directions.
(I usually start with ribbon pieces that are 6″ – 7″ long)
Have fun with the colors… the options are endless.
Make one for yourself, or give some as thrifty gifts!
DIY Clipboard Craft Reviews
What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About This Mod Podge Clipboard Craft…
Carolyn writes: “I just made some decorative clipboards for some girls that are in college..they are so cute. Teachers always need clipboards, you could decorative them with teacher paper (paper with apples, pencils etc.) I got the clipboards from Office Depot 3 in a pack for $3.99. Got paper from hobby lobby as well as embellishments.”
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So have you tried making these DIY Decorative Clipboards yet?
Leave a comment and share…
Heidi~
What a great idea, and well done tutorial with such great photos! I’ve heard about your site from so many sources, but this was my first time visiting, and I’m definitely coming back for more inspirations such as this.
Question: When you say the paper should be a quarter inch from the edges of the clipboard, do you mean to leave an added quarter inch around the edges, as with a sewing pattern, or to cut it a quarter inch shorter– and if by that, do you mean /all/ of the edges? In which case, I’m assuming the aim is to cover the board from the base up, and have space remaining at the top? However, wouldn’t that leave a gap on every side?
Thanks for clarifying if you’re able!
Mod podge works on everything! Use double sided scrapbook paper since you can see it from the back.
I had a friend to put her design on the back of the clipboard where it can be seen when she is holding it. on the front she used the same paper but just made a cute border for the front.
Thank you for posting these! I just maade 12 of them for my Initials Inc. business! You can’t order pretty bags on ugly clipboards!
I actually bought one of these and paid $15.00 for it! On mine they actually painted the clipboard to match the paper…that way the ugly clipboard color doesn’t show.
I made some of these for gifts for my daughters friends. But the end product had ridges on it, any help as to help with this. As it makes it hard to write on. Project otherwise turned out SUPER SUPER cute…!!
Hi Cindy ~ if you’re having trouble with bumpiness, you can try popping any little bubbles with a pin while you’re applying the mod podge. You can also roll with a brayer to help smooth out bumps during the mod podging process. Regular scrapbook paper works best, too… cardstock will be bumpier. Hope that helps! 😉
~ Heidi
Thank you so much for this idea. I am a student teacher and I am making this as gifts for the students in my class – they are always using class clipboards.
Something I did to eliminate bubbles it to use a wallpaper/border roller over the paper after attaching it to the clipboard. This also ensures that it is really smoothed out 🙂
I made 2 of these for Xmasre SUPER cute and everyone loved them! gifts. I found that a little heavier paper works better. I also put the paper on the back. They were SUPER cute and everyone loved them!
I did this using wrapping paper and bows and ribbons as the guest-list holder for my in-laws 50th anniversary party. We used the same bows and ribbons on the table decorations.
I love this idea!!! <3
Aww ~ thanks, Mippy! I love the tip on the corkscrew ribbons, too! I’m definitely going to try that. 😉
~ Heidi
Hi Heidi!
I love the one you did in pink! And I’m not even a pink kinda girl! Love this! Thank you for sharing! 😀