When you are hosting a party with a buffet table, it’s essential to identify the various dishes with food signs. So making a reusable chalkboard sign is a perfect easy diy project.
Your guests want to know what food dishes are on the table, but they don’t always feel comfortable asking.
Having food signs on your table will make your guests happy since they can read what is being served.
Plus it’s super helpful for those guests with food allergies or preferences to know what they can eat and what to avoid.
These diy reusable food signs are made from items I bought at Dollar Tree, and take about 15 minutes to create. Talk about a cheap diy project!
Supplies for Reusable Chalkboard Food Signs
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- Chalkboard paint
- Small artist canvases
- Paintbrush
- White chalk
- Binder clips
How to Make Reusable Buffet Food Cards
Step 1: Paint your diy buffet food cards
Take your small artist canvas and completely paint it with the chalkboard paint. One coat should do it, but add a second coat if your canvas isn’t completely covered.

Let dry.
Step 2: Prep the reusable food signs for writing
When you use chalkboard paint you need to “prime” it for chalk writing before actually using it.

First, take a piece of white chalk and completely cover the painted canvas with the chalk.


Next, using a rag, or paper towel, wipe off the chalk. Don’t wash it off.


Your canvas will no longer be black, but more of an ash-black color, which is what you want.
Your reusable chalkboard food sign is now ready to use.
Step 3: Using your diy chalkboard sign
To put your new reusable food sign to use, you can either place them on small stands around the buffet table or lean them against the dishes.
Or another option is to put a binder clip on the bottom of the sign and remove the “handles” of the clip. The sign will now stand on its own.


Pretty cool, huh!


Enjoy using your diy buffet food signs over and over again.