DIY Baseball Wall Art: A Big Ticket Gift Idea!

Knock it out of the park with this DIY baseball decor! Easy, budget-friendly, and perfect for Father’s Day or any baseball fan’s wall.

Hi, it’s David from Cheltenham Road.

I’ve been wracking my brain to come up with a Father’s Day gift. Of course, being me, I’ve left it to the last minute (it’s how I roll) but I think I’ve got a fun, unique, easy and very affordable wall decor idea dads will love.

My dad has enough books to fill a library, doesn’t wear ties anymore, and probably isn’t in need of any more drink coasters (although some dads whose sons don’t make coasters might check out my Etsy shop if you’re so inclined).

What I did decide is that some personalized wall decor might be fun, and he loves baseball and baseball history. And since I love anything vintage and graphic, I decided this DIY baseball decor could work out great!

I used a vintage ticket design, but you could use anything: other paper memorabilia from a favorite game or concert, perhaps? You could also make a collage of tickets or children’s art, black and white pictures – the sky’s the limit.

This project came together crazy quick, so it’s great if (like me) you’re a bit stuck on selecting a Father’s Day gift idea.

And, best of all!?!!!!

No one will know you only spent a few dollars on this because . . . it looks like . . . A BIG TICKET ITEM! Sorry, couldn’t resist . . . should have, but couldn’t.

Are you ready to give it a try? Get the printable how to card below:

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4.50 from 4 votes

DIY Baseball Decor

Learn how to make this baseball wall art with a vintage print of a ticket! This is a fun personalized decor gift idea.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Active Time1 hour hr

Dry Time2 hours hrs

Total Time3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Yield: 1 piece

Cost: $15

Equipment

• Sandpaper or sander
• Foam brush(es)
• Paint roller
• Large plastic tub

Materials

• 1 Enlarged print of an old baseball ticket
• 1 piece Medium density fiberboard lumber cut to size: 36" x 10.5"
• Mod Podge Matte and/or Hard Coat
• 1 bottle Craft paint white
• 2 “D” hook hangers

Instructions

• Find the graphic you like. Resize and have printed as an engineering print – 36" x 10.5" size.
  
• Give the board a light coat of white paint. Let dry and then give a light sanding to smooth out bumps and add a bit of distressing.
  
• Soak your print in a container of water for a few seconds. Soaking the paper makes it easier to smooth out with fewer wrinkles.
  
• Apply a medium coat of Matte Mod Podge to the board.
  
• Handling the paper carefully (it's fragile at this point), lay it out onto the board. Use a roller to smooth out air bubbles and squeeze out excess Mod Podge. Wipe away with a brush. Let dry completely.
  
• Sand away the edges for a worn look. Seal the entire piece with two coats of Hard Coat Mod Podge. Let dry.
• Add the hanging D hooks to the back of the board and hang.

Notes

Step 1: After you find a graphic you like, save the resized graphic as a PDF (to guarantee that it prints out at the correct size), transfer it to a thumb drive, and take it to Staples.

At Staples I asked for an “Engineering Print.” Engineering prints are affordable, oversized print outs that are great for graphics. My three foot long print out cost $6, and they did it while I waited.

Step 2: I chose to use Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) for my backer because it is inexpensive and has a super-smooth surface that makes it easy to work with when decoupaging – no splinters or unevenness.

I like working with MDF, but any fairly smooth lumber will work just fine. And if you don’t have access to saws, most lumberyards will happily cut the board to your dimensions.

Step 3: Since this project was so large, I used a plastic bin that I had on hand. I’ve done similar using the kitchen sink or bathtub.

I hope this helps any last-minute gift makers like myself! If you have any questions about my DIY wall decor, fire away – I will monitor the comments section. Also check out these other ideas:

• This Baseball Card Table Uses Simple Supplies!
• DIY Comic Book Coasters Made with Mod Podge
• Make a Faux Leather Frame (With Paper Bags!)
• DIY Lazy Susan from Unlikely Materials (So Easy!)
• DIY Breakfast in Bed Tray for Cozy Mornings at Home