There is something about a birth stat sign that hits differently than any other gift you can give a new parent. It is not something they will use up or outgrow. It hangs on the wall and it stays. Years from now, that little person will stand in front of it and read their own story: the day, the time, how long they were, how much they weighed. It becomes part of the room.
I recently made two of these for a dear friend of mine. As a fellow military family, she had two for her boys and after countless moves, her daughter’s never got one, and they felt a certain way about it, so she came to me to see if I could make a pair for them! Two very different colour palettes, two very different little girls, and one really happy mom.
Here is exactly how I made them.
What You Will Need
- Wood boards (I used rectangular boards, approx 12×18 inches — you can go larger for a statement piece)
- Sublimation printer and sublimation ink
- butcher paper
- Heat press (or home iron)
- Special paint markers for touch-ups and details
- Sealant spray or Mod Podge for finishing
- Design software (I design in Canva)
Step-by-Step Tutorial
1. Design your layout.
I built the birth stat designs in Canva. I had her son’s boards for inspiration, but I updated the fonts to more feminine styles and used their favorite colors. The layout is everything on these signs — the mix of font sizes, weights, and styles is what gives them that bold, editorial look where the important details jump out at you. Plan your hierarchy: the baby’s name should dominate, with the date and stats supporting it.
A few things to think about in your design:
- Use 2-3 complementary fonts maximum (one serif, one script, one bold sans works really well)
- Run the time vertically down the side for a classic editorial touch
- Size the name generously — it should be the first thing the eye goes to
- Choose an accent colour for the name and a neutral for the supporting text
Once you are happy with the layout, mirror your design before printing if your sublimation process requires it. For this project the boards were larger than a standard sheet of paper so I had to print on several sheets then recreate the layout I wanted.
2. Prep your wood.
Make sure your wood surface is clean, smooth, and completely dry before transferring. My friend had already painted the wood her desired color so they were good to go!
3. Transfer your design.
My friend is so sweet and let me just experiment with these, so I had never sublimated on wood before this. My husband got me this sublimation printer for Christmas and I’ve had a blast experimenting with it ever since. The sublimation ink bonds directly into the surface, which means the design is part of the wood rather than sitting on top of it. No cracking, no peeling, no fading. It’s so amazing for shirts, signs and more!
Tip: Use a piece of butcher paper in between the transfer page and your heat source. This will protect your iron from the vapors that come from sublimation. Let the wood cool completely before removing the transfer paper. Pulling it too soon can smear the design.
4. Touch up with paint markers.
Once the sublimation transfer is complete, I go back over the design with my special paint markers to add depth, pop certain elements, or correct anything that came out softer than I wanted, especially when I had previous signs to match. This step is optional, but it is what takes these from good to really polished.
For the Anabel’s sign I used a teal and grey palette. For the Adelyn’s I went with a raspberry pink and charcoal grey. The paint markers let me intensify those colours right where I wanted them.
Tip: Work in thin coats with your markers and let each pass dry before adding another. You have much more control that way.
5. Seal the finished piece.
Once you are happy with the result, seal the whole sign with a matte sealant spray. This protects the surface, evens out any sheen, and makes the whole thing feel like a finished, professional piece.
Hang with a sawtooth hanger on the back, or add twine for a more rustic look.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
- Get your design right before you transfer. Unlike painting, you cannot really undo a sublimation transfer, so take your time in the design phase.
- Stick to 2-3 colours per sign. These look most striking when the palette is intentional and restrained.
- The paint marker touch-up step is your insurance policy. If anything comes out lighter than you expected from the transfer, you can bring it back up with a marker pass.
- Use a lint-free cloth to wipe down the wood surface right before you lay your transfer paper. Any dust or debris will show up in the final result.
- If you are making these as commissions, always confirm the exact spelling of names and all stats with your client in writing before you start. Triple-check. Then check again.
What I Would Do Differently
I wanted these boards to feel like a complete collection with the baby boards she already had for her boys. But if I were doing these purely for fun, I would play more with the fonts and layout. Running it vertically down the side is classic, but I think there is a version where it sits more integrated into the overall layout in a really interesting way.
I would also love to try out different stains of wood to really make it pop.
Final Thoughts
Birth signs are one of my favourite things to make. They always mean something. Every single set of numbers on that board is completely unique to one person, one moment, one family.
If you make one of these, whether for a commission or as a gift for someone you love, I would love to see it. Tag me on Instagram at @simplyhappybrittany so I can cheer you on.
And if you want to save this for later, pin it to your nursery or gift-making board on Pinterest.
