How to Make a Personalized Cutting Board Gift

Need a unique and thoughtful gift idea? Learn how to personalize a cutting board and create a thoughtful gift for any occasion.

Personalized bamboo cutting board engraved with a large letter W, decorative swirl, and the name Waters below.

Looking to add a personal touch to your gift-giving? Look no further!

Personalized cutting boards are a fantastic way to show your friends and family how much you love them!

Explore how to personalize a cutting board. This guide offers step-by-step instructions for creating a meaningful and memorable gift for any occasion.

Let's get started and gift something special!

Jump to:

Craft Tutorial Video
Supply List
Cricut Design Space
Prepare the Stencil
Wood Burn
Package for Gifting
Frequently Asked Questions
More Handmade Gift Ideas

Skill Level: Beginner

Total Time: 30 minutes

Craft Tutorial Video

If videos are your thing, you're in luck-I've got a full tutorial ready for you!

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Supply List

Some links may direct you to similar items when the exact item is not available online.

DIY cutting board project supplies including bamboo boards, sponge, cutting board oil, heat gun, transfer tape, vinyl, marker, and paper towels.

Cricut Design Space

The exact stencil I used is no longer available on Etsy, but I did find a similar Monogram SVG File here.

Purchase the design from Etsy and upload the file into Cricut Design Space.

Tablet screen showing Cricut Design Space with a personalized cutting board design, featuring a large letter W, decorative swirl, and the name Waters.

Size the file to fit how you want on your cutting board.

For my cutting boards, I wanted the design centered on the darker part of the board, so I sized it accordingly.

Cut the design out of vinyl using your Cricut cutting machine.

Cricut cutting machine in use with pink vinyl sheet on a green cutting mat, ready for a personalized project.

Prepare the Stencil

Weed the design using some vinyl weeding tools.

Since I am using the vinyl as a stencil, remove the positive of the design (or the text) and leave the negative.

Weeded vinyl design of a large letter W with the name Waters on a Cricut light pad, with a lint roller holding excess vinyl scraps nearby.

I love to use my BrightPad when weeding because it helps me see the cut lines, but it is entirely optional.

Place a piece of transfer tape over the top of the vinyl stencil.

Hands holding a vinyl stencil design with the letter W, decorative swirl, and the name Waters on transfer tape, ready to be applied to a surface.

The cutting board I am using is bamboo. I love how the wood grain looks, and they hold up really well.

Sand the cutting board using 220-grit sandpaper.

The smoother the surface, the less likely the ink will bleed when coloring with the marker.

Hands holding a small bamboo cutting board while cleaning the surface with a yellow scraper tool in preparation for a DIY project.

Lay the vinyl stencil onto the cutting board where you want the design.

Hands applying a vinyl stencil with the letter W and name Waters onto a small bamboo cutting board using transfer tape.

Slowly and carefully peel back the transfer tape.

Vinyl doesn't like to stick to wood, so press the vinyl down with the scraper tool as you peel.

Then press the vinyl into the wood using your finger, pushing out any bubbles.

Wood Burn

With a paper towel handy, color in the stencil with the wood-burning marker.

Dab the tip of the marker on the paper towel periodically, as you don't want excess ink, which can cause the design to bleed.

You can also dab the paper towel onto the top of the wood to absorb any excess.

Hands using a marker to trace a vinyl stencil with the letter W and name Waters onto a small bamboo cutting board for personalization.

Depending on the color of the wood, it may be hard to see the marker ink on the cutting board, but it is there. You don't need to add more ink to try to see it.

Small bamboo cutting board with a pink vinyl stencil applied, showing a large letter W, decorative swirl, and the name Waters.

Heat the heat gun to 1000° F.

Leave the vinyl stencil on the board and apply the heat all over the inked design.

Bamboo cutting board with a pink vinyl stencil design reading W Waters, being heated with a heat gun to set the design.

Be careful not to add heat around the outside of the stencil. You only want the burn to show inside the stencil area where you applied the marker.

While the vinyl stencil is still warm, peel back the vinyl stencil with a weeding tool. If you wait too long, the vinyl will leave a sticky residue since it has been heated.

Hands peeling away pink vinyl stencil from a bamboo cutting board, revealing an engraved design with the letter W, decorative swirl, and the name Waters.

To protect the board, apply some Cutting Board Oil with a paper towel, rag, or cotton round like I did.

Hands wiping a small bamboo cutting board engraved with a large letter W, decorative swirl, and the name Waters.

Let the cutting board "dry" for at least an hour before packaging to gift.

Package for Gifting

Slide the custom cutting board into a clear cellophane gift bag. Mine measured 8 x 12 inches.

On the backside of the board, slid in some cheese, summer sausage, and a cheese knife.

Fold the cellophane bag over itself and secure it with tape.

On one side, you'll see the personalized cutting board.

Hands holding a personalized bamboo cutting board engraved with a large letter J, decorative swirl,

And on the other side, you'll see the yummy cheese and sausage.

Gift set with a bamboo cutting board, stainless steel cheese knife, Cracker Barrel extra sharp yellow cheese, and Hillshire Farm summer sausage wrapped in plastic.

These cute little packages make such great gifts! Here are the items I included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use a personalized cutting board?

Yes, you can use your personalized cutting board. Here are a few tips to keep a cutting board in great shape.

You cannot remove cut marks from a wood-cutting board. Cut on the back and display the front of the cutting board.

Apply mineral oil regularly to prolong the life of the cutting board.

Do not place a wood-burned cutting board in the dishwasher. Hand wash only.

Use the cutting board as a serving board; it will be used and enjoyed without damaging the board.

Is a wood-burned cutting board food-grade safe?

This is a constant debate, and since I am not a doctor or a scientist, I can't give you a 100% answer.

When I am done wood-burning, I wash the cutting board with mild soap and water, seal it with cutting board oil, and then use it with no problem.

However, if you're concerned, you can always play it safe and use only the back of the board for food preparation.