How to Make a Paper Scroll Sign and Holder

DIY PAPER SCROLL SIGN | AFFORDABLE HOME DECOR | FARMHOUSE DIY HOME DECOR

I came across a giant paper scroll sign at a boutique last spring and have been wanting to make one ever since. I loved the idea of a paper scroll so that I could tear it off and create a new sign when I get the itch for a new quote, but, as is typical for me, I didn’t love the price…

Below, I’ll share all the details for how I made a custom scroll with my favorite quote as well as the scroll holder at a fraction of the cost of the boutique one.

Here’s what I used to make my scroll and scroll holder:

  • 1×5” pine board cut into (1) 24” long piece
  • 2×2” pine board cut into (2) 3” long pieces
  • 5/8” dowel cut into (1) 24” piece
  • (2) 1/2” Copper tubing caps
  • BB Frösch Chalk Paint Powder mixed with any color flat latex paint for faux stain technique
  • BB Frösch Dark Premium Finishing Wax
  • 18” Wide Kraft Paper (I used 16’ but you can cut yours any length)
  • Optional: Heat Transfer Vinyl for saying

With all the boards and dowel cut to length, I drilled a 3/4” hole into each of the 2×2” pieces.

To get the look of stain, I always use BB Frösch because it is waaaay faster and easier than traditional stain, it isn’t smelly like stain, and I can use ANY color I want. For the look of traditional brown stain, my go-to is Benjamin Moore “mink” mixed with BB Frösch. For a full faux stain tutorial, click here.

Once the dowel and all the cut wood pieces were faux stained, and dark waxed, I glued the 2×2” blocks onto the 24” board about 1” in from the end and evenly spaced from top to bottom. Gluing was a BAD IDEA because the pieces popped right off. So, I ended up nailing them on. Next time, I’ll screw them on from the back.

The dowel slid nicely through the holes, and the copper caps fit snuggly on the ends of the dowel.

For the quote, I used my Silhouette to cut heat transfer vinyl inspired by my favorite sign from Details2Enjoy. I just ironed it on with my household iron!


If you don’t want to use heat transfer vinyl, you could use a stencil and paint a saying or hand letter your favorite quote onto your paper. The nice thing is, you’ll have plenty of paper to start over if you screw up!

I happen to use 18” paper scrolls as packing material in my business, so I just cut a 16’ length for this project, rolled it around the dowel, and secured it with paper clips like this:

If your paper wants to stay rolled, just secure a hinge clip or two to the bottom to weigh it down. When you get bored, roll the paper out, tear off your sign, and make a new one!


Find more affordable chalk paint inspiration at bbfrosch.com. Follow BB Frösch on Instagram,  Pinterest and Facebook.

Published on January 4, 2018

4 thoughts on “How to Make a Paper Scroll Sign and Holder”

  1. I loved that you had this DIY i to saw the scrolls and fell in love with them and then saw the price. Thank you for this and I will be making it tomorrow. I donaell online already I have a huge huge roll of brown paper and could make these all day.
    You did a great job of creating the samething.
    CHEERS!!!

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