Transform a plain clipboard with fabric, paint, and Mod Podge! A fun and easy craft to personalize your office or school supplies. Makes a great gift too, especially for teachers.
Skills Required: Beginner. I recommend doing a test with a scrap piece of wood and fabric if you have never Mod Podged before, so you can make sure you don’t get wrinkles. Otherwise, you’ll be good to go! This is relatively simple.
Let’s be honest – you could have a plain, brown clipboard, or you could have something way cooler. Basic brown just doesn’t do it for me, so I decided to give a brand new clipboard a Mod Podge makeover!
And while I was crafting, I had a special person in mind: my mom, who spent years as a fifth-grade teacher. She might be retired now, but she still appreciates cute school supplies.
Wouldn’t this make an awesome gift for a teacher? Whether for a classroom, home office, or just someone who loves a little extra flair in their workspace, a personalized clipboard is both practical and fun.
Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make! All you need is some Mod Podge, fabric (scrapbook paper works too), and a few simple supplies to create something unique.
This project is perfect for beginners—so if you’re new to Mod Podge, this is a great place to start.
The best part? You can completely customize it with any design, colors, or patterns you love. Want something sleek and modern? Go for it. Prefer bright and bold? Make it pop! The possibilities are endless.
Whether you’re making one for yourself, a teacher, or a friend who loves organization, this DIY clipboard is going to be a hit. Ready to ditch the boring brown and upgrade your office supplies? Let’s do this!
Get the printable how to below:
Decorate a Clipboard
Equipment
- Pen or pencil or fabric marker
- Brayer optional
Materials
Instructions
- Lay the clipboard on the back of your fabric. Trace around and loosely cut the material using your scissors. Set aside.
- Use painter’s tape around the clip to protect the back from being spray painted and sticking to the clip. If it has a plastic covering, leave it to protect the clipboard back.
- Use a few light coats of spray paint on the clip until it is fully covered (on the top as well as inside), making sure to let it dry in between. Let dry completely when done.
- Working in sections, Mod Podge your material onto the clipboard. If your clipboard is MDF, apply a layer of Mod Podge on the material before adhering it down, and then apply another layer of Mod Podge on top of the material to reinforce the adhesion. Let each section dry before moving on to the next.
- When you get to the top section, cut a slit on the top part of the material to fit around the clip. Cut any excess fabric that would overlap the clip backing, before Mod Podging it down.
- Apply another layer of Mod Podge on top of the material as a final coat.
- Trim the excess material around the clipboard and use Mod Podge to secure the edges. Let it dry.
Notes
Did you enjoy decorating a clipboard? Then you’re probably going to love these other homemade gift ideas:
DIY Magnets • DIY Notebook • Glitter Mug • Make a Keychain • Mod Podge Coasters • Painted Wooden Spoons • Photo Blocks • Photo Bracelet • Photo Pillows • Travel Mug
Do you cover the back of the clipboard. When my friend and I did one we decided that if you are in front of a meeting that you would be holding it in such a way that the back would be seen and the front covered by papers. JoAnn
Love making these. Mini and regular size! 🙂
audrey
I love that clipboard! I remember decorating clipboards back in the day, of course it wasn’t with Mod Podge though 🙂 I love your awesome Mod Podge ideas!
Hope you’re having a great day!
Dollie
Was hoping you would give more directions on how to remove and reattach the clip. Thanks, Amy
JoAnn – that’s a great idea to cover the back with papers too! I love it!
Anonymous – the clip attaches with two little screws – if you get one of these clipboards, you’ll see how easy it is to remove and reattach the clip. The clip is actually one big piece 😀
Thanks everyone!
I love this idea! I wanted to let you know that I featured this on my “What I Bookmarked This Week” post stop by and see.
How fun Amy. The clipboard looks way better now. And you know I am up for spray painting anything and everything!
Beautifully done! What a stylish upgrade.
As a non-crafty person I, too, am wondering about removing the hardware. I’ve had my husband do that for me on several of my classroom clip boards so I could have a flat work surface, but he usually bangs them off and they are not in any condition to replace. What’s the easy method?
Also, could you tell me the purpose of painting the entire surface with paint if you’re covering it with decorative paper?
Thanks!
Hi Mrs. Yazzie – the ones I buy have clips with screws that you can easily remove with pliers. So I would get those from the craft store!
Also, not all papers are thick, and some you would be able to see the brown of the clipboard through the paper. For thicker papers, you don’t need to, for thinner papers you should paint the entire thing.
Adorable! Where did you find the “Mood Spinner?”
Hi Jackie! Got that from K&Company quite awhile back – I would take a look at the scrapbook section of your local craft store to find something similar!
Where did you find the clipboards? I have looked everywhere and can’t find any with the clips that are removable?
This one was from Michaels! I’d try there first.
Amy, this is a GREAT tutorial!! Thank you for the step-by-step and pictures:) I had to share with my Etsy shop fanpage. I am the owner of Eljah*B and one Tuesdays, I share DIY tutorials. I posted yours this week. I hope you find more followers through the sharing.
Many Blessings!
Rachel
I invite you to stop by my shop:
http://www.eljahb.etsy.com
and my fan page:
http://www.facebook.com/eljahb
I just completed me first one and I have bubbles all in the paper; however the paper was completely flat before the Mod Podge . Help! Please!
Hello! I recommend watching my videos at youtube.com/modpodgerocks – I think some of the tips there will help you!
The best paper to use is cardstock. When you use regular paper (like typing paper thin), YES, it does bubble up a lot. In my area, I haven’t found much patterned paper that is cardstock quality. It is mostly paper thin. Then you wouldn’t get any bubbles using the mod podge.
Hey, how did you remove the “hardware” off of it? I am having trouble with that! HELP!
Hi Shanna! Mine had screws with nuts on the back that I could remove.
My solution to the hardware problem is this: I don’t remove the hardware and just work around it covering it with paper the best I can. I always add a plethora of ribbon on top anyway so it covers any minor imperfections. While the Mod Podge is drying I hold the clip open with a zip tie(cable tie, that’s what I call them anyway). I didn’t paint my clip, but, if you wanted it painted, just paint it before covering the board in paper, I use scrapbooking paper btw.
Good tip April!
Hi – Attempting my first decorative clipboards. Love the look of the painted clips. How do you get the clip off, tho?
Thx
Hi Heather! Mine had screws on the back. If yours doesn’t, I’d use painter’s tape to mark it off while spray painting 😀
Thank you for such a creative idea. I made a couple of them, however, one of the clip boards seems to be causing my papers to stick to it. I am not sure if I used the correct Mod Podge, would this be the issue?