Upcycle Karate Break Boards into Wood Signs

If you have a child involved in any type of martial arts, you will likely amass a collection of broken break boards, you know, the ones they punch and kick in half. At our dojo, we use pine boards and when I look at those broken pieces, I see craft supplies. Yes, yes, I also see a job well done by my son, but mostly I see a potential project. It’s just too easy to Upcycle Karate Break Boards into Wood Signs to let them go to waste or throw out. Your options for materials to make your sign are only limited by your available tools and resources and your imagination. I chose to try out ironing on an image since I haven’t tried that before, but Angie at Country Chic Cottage did with great results! You could also hand paint, stencil, use regular vinyl, decoupage, wood burn, etc. So many options!

Upcycle Karate Break Boards into Wood Signs

Materials

• Scrap Break Board
• Paint or Stain for Board
• Iron on Design or Vinyl or Other Paint
• Iron or Easy Press or Wood Burner (if Needed)

Upcycle Karate Break Boards into Wood Signs Steps

1: Paint or stain your wood piece. I used the same chalk paint I used on this wood frame last month. It just worked perfectly with the iron on colors.

2: Prepare or make any of the iron-ons or materials like stencils or vinyl art you’ll be using.

3: Preheat any irons or your Easy Press or wood burners you’ll be using. If you’re using an Easy Press, set it to 300°.

4: If you’re using an iron-on, position it on the sign where you like it best. Hold the iron or Easy Press firmly onto the image and wood for 40 seconds without wiggling or moving the iron. You’ll smell the wood heating up. Once you remove the iron, let the plastic sheet cool off and then carefully peel it back starting in the corner. You can also use a stencil or apply vinyl, no iron needed.

5: If you’d like a more distressed look, sand the edges of the board and some of the iron on. You could also seal it with some matte Mod Podge if you like.

How fast and easy was that!? I made this sign as part of a Craft Lightning CHallenge featuring wood where we make a project in 15 minutes or less. Considering this took me only about 10 minutes to make, I’d say it fit the bill nicely. You can easily and quickly Upcycle Karate Break Boards into Wood Signs, too, with supplies you probably have on hand or with cute premade iron-on designs like this one from Cricut. So what would your sign look like!?

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