Introduction: Custom Drawing Boards for FREE!
In this instructable I'll show you how to make your own custom drawing boards. The end result is a lightweight surprising durable drawing board with an even smooth surface - best of all, it's FREE, or at least very inexpensive.
Items you'll need:
Matboard
Cardboard
Masking tape
Mat cutter or box cutter and straight edge
Items you'll need:
Matboard
Cardboard
Masking tape
Mat cutter or box cutter and straight edge
Step 1: Step 1 - Getting Supplies
If you've ever had a picture framed then you are probably familiar with matboard. Matboard is often used to put color around a picture - it also acts as a barrier to keep the artwork from touching the inside of the glass when it is framed. The Crescent brand is probably the most popular one you can find.
Matboard comes in a wide variety of colors and textures, but they all have a nice smooth acid-free surface on the back. Most are white, but there are some that are black - both surfaces make a great drawing platform.
Truthfully, matboard is fairly inexpensive stuff but why pay for it when you can get it for FREE? Besides, it's a great way to recycle material that is headed for the trash.
Just go to your local frame shop and ask if they have any scraps or discontinued colors. Most will just give you these items or charge you a nominal fee.
The matboards have smooth surfaces but they need a stiffer structure to be of any use as a drawing platform. I've found a heavy cardboard does the trick. Refrigerators and stoves come in huge boxes that are perfect for this project. I get free cardboard boxes from a local appliance store.
Matboard comes in a wide variety of colors and textures, but they all have a nice smooth acid-free surface on the back. Most are white, but there are some that are black - both surfaces make a great drawing platform.
Truthfully, matboard is fairly inexpensive stuff but why pay for it when you can get it for FREE? Besides, it's a great way to recycle material that is headed for the trash.
Just go to your local frame shop and ask if they have any scraps or discontinued colors. Most will just give you these items or charge you a nominal fee.
The matboards have smooth surfaces but they need a stiffer structure to be of any use as a drawing platform. I've found a heavy cardboard does the trick. Refrigerators and stoves come in huge boxes that are perfect for this project. I get free cardboard boxes from a local appliance store.
Step 2: Step 2 - Cutting
Use a straight edge and box cutter or a mat cutter and cut 2 pieces of matboard and 1 piece of cardboard all the same size. I usually work on 14 x 17 pieces of paper so I make my boards 16 x 19. Make yours whatever size you want.
Step 3: Step 3 - Tape
Sandwich the cardboard between the two pieces of matbord making sure that the colored side of the matboards are against the cardbord. Cover the corners and sides with masking tape and you're done!
Step 4: Step 4 - Enjoy!
Use your drawing board to create your masterpieces. When it gets too ragged or dirty to use, just throw it out and make a new one!