Try wood letter decorations with this easy DIY. Use comic books to make colorful letters for shelves, walls, or gifts.
I'm finally sharing these wood letter decorations that sat on my to-do list for way too long.
You know those projects you keep meaning to finish? This was one of mine-and I'm so glad I finally did it.
These custom wooden letters turned out so fun and full of personality. They're made from old comic books, giving them a bright, layered look that works perfectly in a kid's room or any playful space.
Aubrey absolutely loved them, and honestly, that made the whole project worth it.
Jump to:
Skill Level: Beginner
Total Time: 20 minutes per letter
Supply List
- Large Wood Letters (or MDF)
- Mod Podge
- Foam Brush
- Old Comic Books or Themed Wrapping Paper
- Scissors
- Command Strips (optional)
How to Make Wood Letter Decorations
This is a simple project, and it's a great one to do with kids if you want something creative but not complicated.
1. Prep Your Paper
Start by cutting your comic book pages into pieces.
You can:
- Cut around characters for a bold look
- Trim comic strips into rectangles
- Or just cut random shapes for more of a collage feel
If cutting up comic books feels a little painful (I get it 😆), you can use comic-themed wrapping paper instead. It gives a similar look with less commitment.
2. Apply the Paper
Working with one section at a time:
- Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the wood letters
- Press your paper piece onto the glue
- Smooth it out gently with your fingers or a brush
- Add a light layer of Mod Podge over the top
Continue layering the paper pieces until the entire letter is covered.
Working in sections helps keep the glue from drying too quickly and makes it easier to adjust the placement as you go.
3. Build a Collage Look
Don't worry about making it perfect.
Overlap pieces, mix colors, and let different parts of the comic show through. This is where you can really lean into creativity and make each letter unique.
That layered look is what makes these monograms stand out.
4. Let It Dry
Once your letter is fully covered, set it aside and let it dry completely.
This step is important so everything sets properly and doesn't shift when you move it.
A Little Real-Life Note 😄
Aubrey had so much fun helping with this project. I'm not sure if he enjoyed brushing on the Mod Podge more… or peeling it off his hands afterward!
Either way, it made this one of those projects that's just as fun to make as it is to display.
How to Display Your Letters
Once dry, your wood letter decorations are ready to use.
You can:
- Set them on a shelf or dresser
- Hang them on the wall with Command strips
- Use them as custom monograms in a bedroom or playroom
They also make great gifts since you can personalize them with colors, themes, or favorite characters.
To go along with this comic-inspired decor, I also made a decorative pillow, and I love how everything came together.
More DIY Decor Tutorials
Looking for more easy decor ideas? Here are a few more projects to try next.
Hi, I'm Katie!
I'm so glad you're here. Want to make something fabulous? I'm here to help!
Tiffany @ The Mister and Missus
These letters are awesome! And different than any others that I have seen before. Most letters I have seen just don't screeam "BOY!" to me, but these definitely do. I will keep this in mind when my hubby and I begin our family. Great job!
Katie
Thank you so much! Anything boy is difficult for me. Give me fabric ruffles any day. Boys make you think.. both in life and in decorations, haha : )
Joyce
That has to one of the coolest things ive seen for a boys room! I lov it!
Katie
Thank you! My son would agree.. or course I think it's more batman and superman that he's excited about, I can pretend it was my efforts though : )
Jaime
Those are super cool, way to go mama!!
Katie
Thanks Jaime! 🙂
Jen @ Four Marrs & One Venus
I love it! What a great idea for a bedroom! So cute..love the comics- you are one crafty girl I tell ya!!
Katie
Thanks girl! Hope you are having a great night : )
Katie
OMGoodness, those turned out sooooo cute! I bet Aubrey is very proud of his awesome Mama!
Katie
Thank you : ) I don't know if he's proud of me... but he sure loves batman : )
Kimberly @ The Brown Eyes Have It
Those are so cool!! They would be perfect in my boys' room. I have several "comic book covers" (actually a calendar) that I framed in their room, just posted about it last week, too. 🙂
Katie
I saw those! I bought some pictures from etsy a while back I need to hang. They are little lego looking superhero guys. I feel like I live on superhero planet sometimes!
Diane @ The Checkered Apple
This is such a great idea and it turned out so cool looking! Lucky boy!
Katie
Thank you so much Diane!
Linda Leyble
I love these letters. Something a boy would love - totally. We are so used to seeing all the sweet letters - pick, damasked, glittered etc - it's nice to see something different.
I signed up for your link party...
I am switching to WordPress...I know you love it. Do you see any difference in how you post? I admit that's the one thing I'm scared of? Any other difference that you can see? Let me know.
Thanks again for hosting!
Linda
Laura@live-love-scrap
Too cute! Love this idea- never would have thought to use old comics!
Katie
Thank you! : ) Have a wonderful weekend!
Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon
These looks fabulous!!! My son would LOVE these! 🙂
Katie
Thanks Bonnie! I think my son loves these more than me sometimes, lol. Anything with batman, superman, and spiderman is number 1 in his book... haha!
Katie
Thanks so much Linda! So glad to have you at the party : )
I use windows live writer for all my posts actually so it didn't change that much. As for differences, there are quite a lot. It is a whole new game, but it's not too hard to figure out. The difficult things I ran into were designing the blog myself and altering the appearance of the blog itself. As far as arranging your widgets and the layout, its not bad at all! When you make the switch let me know if you have any questions! I had a lot of people help me so I'd love to pass along what I have learned! Have a great day!
Hope
Absolutely Fabulous! I want to do this for both of my sons!
Katie
Thank you! I might have to send some to my nephew now for his birthday! : ) Luckily his name is only 4 letters!
Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe
Completely and utterly awesome!! My son would flip over these!! 🙂
Katie
Thanks Michele! My son is kind of obsessed with them... of course. batman is #1 around here! : )
Shyanne
I want an excuse to make these! Gotta love Modge Podge 🙂
Katie
They are such a great gift! I found the old comics in the vintage section of etsy for just a few dollars!
Jenn/Rook No. 17
To borrow from the vernacular of my teen years -- Totally Awesome!
Katie
Thanks so much! : ) Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Courtney
Found you via chic on a shoestring....so cute! I'm going to have to do this for my little superhero's room. Thanks for the inspiration!
Katie
Thank you! So glad you stopped by : )
Carol
Love this idea. My college aged son is a serious comic book collector. This gives me an idea for his dorm room for next year!
Katie
Thanks Carol! I'd love to see what you do : )
Emily
So fun!! I've featured on FB and pinned!
Katie
Thanks girl! : )
Chelsea Ward
I love these! Unfortunately, I have no little boys...or children for that matter! So these may have to make an appearance in my crafting bubble instead! Win!
Katie
Thanks Chelsea! You could totally put these anywhere! My husband loves theme even though he's not a big comic person... I guess guys just can't deny comic books in the end though!
Laura @ House Of Joyful Noise
How SUPER cool are those name letters?! What a lucky boy.
Katie
Thanks Laura! Hope you enjoy your Sunday!
amber
I can't wait to see the quilt and I LOVE these letters. So cool !
Katie
Thank you so much! I hope to quilt turns out like I have planned... I'm a little nervous about it!
The Sisters
These are so fun! Especially for our little boys!
Erin{LavenderandLemonDrops}
Those are AWESOME! I love the vintage look of the paper! My boys would LOVE this. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Katie
Thanks so much Erin! You can't go wrong with superheroes and boys! : )
natalia simmons
Oh my gosh, this is so great, I love it!! My sons would go crazy for it. I might have to give it a try!
Katie
Thank you! I'd love to see what you do if you make some! : )
Roeshel
Super cute! I love those velcro strips too - they're what I used to hang the "R-E-A-D" letters in our library area. Thanks so much for sharing! I bet they look awesome in the room!
Katie
Thanks Roeshel! Velcro strips are AWESOME! Especially since we are still renting! : ) Plus they are just plain easier!
Cristine
These are amazing! I think these have inspired to me to make a set for my house [and my superhero obsessed boyfriend!]
Katie
Thank you so much! : ) Make sure and send me a pic if you made some! I'll be sure and share with my readers!
Erika
What a lovely letters, great idea, it's wonderful, congratulations. well done.
Katie
Thank you so much!
amy @ one artsy mama
Hi. I think you're awesome. And so is this. That's all. 🙂
Oh and thanks for linking at Shine on Fridays. I'm glad to be your nerdy superhero friend.
Katie
Thanks Amy! : ) Thank you for hosting!! Yes superhero friends, we.are.awesome! : )
Lauren
The letters are awesome! Maybe one day I'll have a boy to make them for. 🙂
Liz
What kid wouldn't love these?! Comic book pages are quite the draw with nostalgic adults as well. You nailed it with these!
Liz
Katie
Thanks so much Liz!
Katie
Thanks Lauren!
Tina B.
I'm surrounded by boys in this house (2 sons, 1 stepson, and my boyfriend) so I welcome any and all super rad boy crafts! I love these letters!
Katie
haha, that is a lot of boys! Thanks for stopping by : )
Beth @ Aunt B's Kitchen
Cool idea! What little boy wouldn't love these? Thanks for sharing your project.
Katie
Thanks Beth! My son LOVES them.. of course anything with a superhero is good for him! : )
Kadie
Great idea!! All three of my boys would love these! I will be featuring these at our party tomorrow morning. YAY! Thanks so much for partying with us!:)
Gabrielle
My boys would love these for their room! What a great idea, they turned out amazing.
Liz @ Here's to Handy Andy
These look so great! Sometimes it's hard to do crafty stuff like this for boys, but you did a great job with these letters using comics! Thanks so much for linking up to A Pinteresting Link Party!
Katie
Thanks Liz! I definitely struggle making things for my son! They just don't like ruffles, lol
Shasta Farrar
I love your mod podged letters! I just saw them featured at Craftionary...congrats. I'd love it if you would share them with our readers at our All Star Block Party. We are a group of 5 blogs sharing 1 link party. Your link would show up on all 5 blogs.
Shasta
Katie
Thanks so much! I missed it this week, I'll have to catch the next party : )
Aimee - ItsOverflowing
I love them! Featuring you tomorrow! XO, Aimee
Katie
Thanks again Aimee!! : ) Hope you are off to a great start this week!
Zachary Bennett
Great project! I actually just made this for my boyfriend as a half birthday gift (yes, we celebrate half birthdays). However, i put my own little spin on it. Let me know if you'd want to see a picture of it! great job again!
Katie
oh I'd LOVE to see it!! You can either email it to me: thecraftyblogstalker {at} hotmail {dot} com or post it on my facebook wall : ) http://www.facebook.com/thecraftyblogstalker! So excited to see!!
Linda @ it all started with paint
Really, really clever. SUPER cute. Tee hee.
Just love these ...
🙂
Linda
Katie
Thanks Linda! So glad you like them : )
Callie
Love these! I have a little boy on the way and hope I can use this idea in the future! 🙂
Katie
Congrats! You will definitely have plenty of superheroes in your future, that I can assure you!!
amy c
you did a great job wrapping these and they look great!!
Katie
Thanks so much Amy!
Kristen
Loove these! I have boys but I am going to make one for myself with my favorite comic strip!
Katie
What a fun idea! I'd love to see what you do! : )
Hilani-Handmade by Hilani
Ya, this is pretty awesome! 🙂
Katie
Thanks so much Hilani!
Pam
What a GREAT idea! I would have never thought to use comics. I love it. Found you at Jaqs Studio link up--I'm a new follower.
Katie
Thanks Pam! Sorry for the late reply. Just got moved and had family in. So glad to have you! looking forward to blogging with you : )
Alice
Love this idea! What kind of modge podge glue did you use.? And did you put it over or under the comic paper????
Katie
Thank you Alice! : ) I used a matte finish modge podge. I Put a layer of the modge podge under the comic strip, then after that dried I put a layer on top to seal it. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Alice
Love this idea! What kind of modge podge glue did you use.? And did you put it over or under the comic paper????
Rosie
These are very cool! I want to make them for my nephews 10th birthday. I'm on the hunt for Pokemon comic books! Thanks for sharing!
print on canvas
My spouse and I stumbled over here coming from a different web page and thought
I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i
am following you. Look forward to looking
over your web page yet again.
Colleen
Am so going to try to make for my grandson's room who is a huge super hero's fan. I am not "crafty" but feel as though this I can do. Thank you for sharing
Colleen
Am so going to try to make for my grandson's room who is a huge super hero's fan. I am not "crafty" but feel as though this I can do. Thank you for sharing
Jenn
Hi! I LOVE these letters! Great job! Just curious where you got the comic books from?
Thanks!!
Katie
Thanks so much : ) I actually ordered them from etsy. They were missing the covers which was fine for me, so I got like 3 comic books for $5 I think. You have to keep an eye out, but I still some on there occasionally : ) Ebay might be a good place too!
Whitney
I am redoing my sons room. I can across this and loved it! I am going for old superhero theme so you see how much I love this project it's perfect. I did have a question, could I use a thin fabric ? Do you know where I could find old comic books?
I am so excited to do this:)
Thanks a Ton
-Whitney
Katie
Whitney, you could definitely use fabric! I found mine on etsy. I've also gotten some at garage sales, but that is kind of hit or miss. Good luck and I'd love to see how yours turns out!
Sarah
These are awesome! I would like to make some for my son for his birthday. Did you sand or paint the letters first, or just Modge Podge, apply the comics, and Modge podge again? Did you cut the paper to go just to the edge of the letters or did you wrap it around? Thanks for your help!
Katie
Hi Sarah, I didn't sand them, everything is still sticking great after a few years! I did one layer of the mod podge, then layed the comics over it gently smoothing out wrinkles then did another layer over that. As far as the edges go, I just kinda folded it over when necessary, mine aren't perfect at all, but you really can't tell unless you are specifically looking for it! I just stuck some paper on there until it was all covered. If I had a lot of excess I did trim that off though.
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This comic book letters is amazing its very eye catch and you have a great talent and great knowledge in this post, I'm glad to read this post and I appreciate your post and I will suggest this post with my relatives.