Home for the Holidays Round Door Sign (Free SVG Cut File)

Home for the Holidays belongs on the front door, where it is the first thing guests see. A round wood sign works like a wreath. Hang it from a wide ribbon, as in our picture, where dark green lettering sits on a cream round. Rectangular boards have edges to measure from. A circle does not, so most of this project is about finding the center and keeping four words level on it.

How to make it

1. Start with a painted or sealed round that has cured for the time given on the paint label.
2. Measure the diameter. Size the SVG to between two thirds and three quarters of that number. On a 15 inch round, that is 10 to 11 inches, which is also as wide as a standard mat cuts in one piece. So 15 inches is the largest round we suggest. A circle narrows above and below the middle, so check that the ends of the leaf sprigs in the bottom row do not crowd the edge.
3. Cut the design from permanent vinyl, color side up and without mirroring. Use the vinyl setting in your cutting software. Weed the background and the letter centers. The two thin rules beside the script line and the holly between the sprigs are the small pieces to watch.
4. Find the center of the circle. Lay a ruler across the widest point and mark the halfway spot lightly in pencil. Turn the ruler a quarter turn and do it again. The center is the spot where those two marks cross.
5. Make a level line. Stick a strip of painter’s tape straight across the round, a little below where the lettering will end. Measure from the strip up to the center mark at two points, so you know it runs true and not at a slant.
6. Apply transfer tape to the design and burnish. Set the decal on the round with its backing on, centered over the mark, with the base of the word HOLIDAYS parallel to the tape line.
7. Tape a hinge down the middle of the decal, running top to bottom. Peel the backing from one side, cut it away, and smooth that side down from the hinge outward. Repeat for the second side.
8. Burnish well, peel the transfer tape back low and slow, and remove the guide tape. Erase any pencil marks, then attach the ribbon or hanger.

Tips

• Decide where the top of the sign is before you start, and mark the back. On a round, it is easy to apply the phrase slightly rotated.
• On planked rounds with grooves, press the vinyl into each groove with a fingertip so it does not bridge the gap.
• Cold makes vinyl stiff and less sticky. Apply it indoors at room temperature.

FAQ

Will the sign survive on an outside door?

On a covered porch or behind a storm door, yes, for the season. Use outdoor-rated permanent vinyl on a sealed board. Rain, direct sun and freezing nights are hard on both wood and vinyl. Bring the sign in during storms and store it flat and dry after the holidays.

Can a family name be added under the phrase?

Yes, if there is room. Type the name in your cutting software and curve it to follow the lower edge of the round, or keep it straight and small. Apply it as a separate decal after the main phrase is down.

What paint works under vinyl on a door sign?

A smooth satin or semi-gloss finish holds vinyl better than a flat, chalky one. Very matte paints are slightly powdery. If you love the matte look, add a clear sealer on top and let it cure before the vinyl goes on.