How to Make a Chalkart Project
I have a new love and I am constantly thinking about creative ways to use this fun new product I found. My new bestie is called A Maker’s Studio Chalkart. ***Update to this post, I tried Chalk Couture, but have switched to A Maker’s Studio products because I LOVE the artwork and style so much more plus there is a wider variety of products available beyond the stencils. The products are very similar and the information here applies to both! I have no issue with Chalk Couture, just a personal preference!***I have a friend that was making all kinds of cute stuff and I had to jump on the bandwagon. Today I am going to show you the basics and tell you why I love A Maker’s Studio! Here is everything you need to know about Chalkart to get a project started and finished! This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I might may a small commission, your price stays the same.
First of all, I love this product because literally ANYONE can create with success using it. You don’t have to be a talented painter or hold a paintbrush just right, you don’t even need a ton of tools or time. The projects are quick, professional looking and repeatable! 
You can create fun stuff for your own home, as gifts or even to sell if you want to sell things in a booth or online. You can even sell A Maker’s Studio if you are as smitten as I am. They are AMAZING for personalized gift giving!
Here are the basics, because I had to have this explained to me multiple times, but it is easy. There are TWO different products you need to know about, Chalkart and A Maker’s Studio Paint. (update, now THREE! Gel Art Ink is now here and it is amazing – permanent ink for your fabric projects!!!)
Chalkart is a non-permanent product you can use on almost any surface in conjunction with Maker’s Studio transfers (more on this in a minute). For instance if you want to decorate a chalkboard seasonally you would LOVE this product. You simply select a transfer, wipe on your Chalkart, remove the transfer and you are done. When you are ready to change things up you rinse your chalkboard with water and wipe off the Chalkart. If you want to make a permanent design you will need to seal this product. The type of sealer will depend on the surface you apply it to. You may want to use a wax or clear polyurethane, clear spray paint or the like. There is a beautiful matte sealer available from A Maker’s Studio here. The Chalkart paint is recommended for nonporous surfaces such as mirrors, windows, glass, painted walls and painted furniture. Once the product dries (which happens rather quickly) it has a hard matte finish.
Rescue Restore Paint is for best for a permanent finish. When it is heat set it’s permanent and is great for apparel, fabric and soft surfaces. You can use it on other surfaces as well. I have a few t-shirt and bag ideas in mind. 🙂 You can now use the Gel Art Ink for fabric projects, you will need to let it dry and then heat set it with an iron after about two hours once completely dry. 
Here is step by step pictures of how easy it is to use Chalkart and Mesh Stencils:
- Start by selecting a stencil. The transfers are different than a regular stencil you may be used to. They have a fine mesh in the “cut out” part that allows the paste to go on. Each transfer has a sticky back and is RE-USABLE! There is a HUGE selection of transfer options and they can all be mixed and matched for unlimited designs, plus they have fonts (so cool). There are also multiple different sizes of transfers to choose from so you can find something for just about any project or budget.
- Apply the transfer to your project surface, I like to start by laying down from the middle out or one side to the other, smoothing and realigning any bubbles or folds as I push it down. Rub transfer to make sure the edges are applied firmly.
- Select your Chalkart color, Gel Art INK or Rescue Restore Paint and stir it up.
4. Using a squeegee tool, scoop a little bit of paint onto the transfer and smooth across the transfer kind of like icing a cake, but really thin. Different surface take the paint medium differently. 
If you are getting a bleed don’t press so hard. If the details aren’t crisp, be more firm. You can also thin your paint with a touch of water if they dry up. Just add a VERY small amount and stir well. 
5. Make sure you cover the transfer and smooth any product build up lines for a nice smooth surface.
6. Put the excess product back in the jar to use next time. A little goes a long way.
7. Remove your transfer. Two important tips: the products dry quickly so remove the transfer quickly. Also when removing the transfer pull from the top and bottom or sides, NOT from the corners. Pulling from the corners can stretch your transfer and disfigure it. 
8. Wash your transfer quickly under warm water to remove the excess product. You can also use disinfecting wipes to help clean the transfers. Sometimes I use a scotch pad to scrub the surface and remove the paint stuck on the dark part of the transfer.
9. To store your transfers wash them and allow to dry then stick them back on the glossed paper they came with, I keep mine all together in a baggie.10. You can layer transfers and colors, you can also mix colors on the same transfer for an ombre or multi-color effect. Honestly, the combos are limitless. If you are layering transfers let each layer dry completely before moving to the next, should only take a few minutes. 
11. If you want to re-chalk over and over you are done! (see how I just wipe off part of the sign with a wet rag above!?) If you want to make this design permanent seal it with the appropriate sealer. If you used the Gel Art INK heat set it to make it permanent.
Here is a link to my favorite Maker’s Studio products. You can see this simple project takes next to no time and can be done over and over! A Maker’s Studio has some great surfaces you can purchase from them to chalk on but really, you can get great pieces at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s and you probably have potential projects all over your house! I got this slate from the dollar store! 
I have some REALLY CUTE projects I’ve done on Facebook Lives videos and if you are interested in joining my team and selling it or buying it just to make products to sell you can join my team when you click the BECOME A MAKER BOSS button on the Maker’s Studio page or message me directly with questions! I’d love to work and play alongside you. Last but not least if you just want to see more fun ideas I have a FREE Facebook group you might want to join, I share new ideas, products and promos here all the time! It is called the Crafty Maker Club, click to join! Scroll here for project ideas…
Here is a gorgeous Bee pillow idea:
I’m learning to worship in new way through Bible jounaling and also enjoying art journaling.
I haven’t gotten into bible journaling, but would love to. I bet it is am awesome way to spend time with the Lord, so glad you have found it
What did you not like about Chalk Couture? I am looking at both of these companies and on the fence. It appears you are using Chalk Couture stencils in this post. Do you prefer those stencils instead? Do you use both products? I would love advice from someone using both.
Hi Toby – I have used both products and have no complaints about either! I have chosen to sell A Maker’s Studio for a few reasons, number one the designs fit my style and home more, they are very European and I just enjoy them more. There are also a variety of products available in this line, not just stencils, but stamps, pastes, plaster art and something called a heart gathering which is an opportunity for women to get together and craft amazing projects with a guided lesson…a beautiful opportunity. All that being said there is nothing wrong with Chalk Couture, it is just my preference! I hope that helps and I am happy to answer any other questions you may have!
Hi Kim, I have been through your post and see the contrast and comparison of A Makers Place and Chalk Couture but cannot tell if the transfers are interchangeable. Can I use makers place stencils with chalk couture paste and ink?
Gail Burns
Hi Gail, yes, all the products will work together interchangeably. I doubt all the companies would tell you this, but they are super similar and it comes down to a matter of preference and what you have on hand! Have fun mixing and matching! Chalk Couture will not let its representatives sell both products while Maker’s Studio would and has not problem with it, that is why you will not ever see one person selling both though!
Hi Kim,
How do you seal projects chalked on glass? I’ve tried several sealers but they are not clear enough.
have you tried clear spray paint? That would be your best bet, just go light on it and test it on something unimportant first!
Kim, I don’t see Southern Gentleman listed on the page showing the available colors. Has it been discontinued? What would you replace it with? Also, I don’t see any brown shades, but I can’t really tell what the colors actually look like from the jars shown. I wish they could make a larger, clearer display of the colors.
I know it can be hard to tell…the Southern Gentleman color is in the rescue restore paint, not the chalkart so that is why you aren’t seeing it. It is just a permanent paint instead of a washable chalk based paint. Does that makes sense? I don’t see any dark Chalk art colors this minute, but they are getting ready to release some more product, so I am sure it’s coming!
I am currently with CC but, like you I find AMS more of who I am. I would like to see more of the stencils AMS has to offer before I sign up…how can I view them?
Obviously I understand! MS has more than just stencils too, with gilding supplies, amaing paints, stamps and gathering opportunities for small groups! here is a link to the stencils, ore are coming out November 15…I’d love to have you on my team, let me know if you have more questions! https://amakersstudio.com/membertoolsdotnet/shoppingcartv4/StartPublicShopping.aspx?MG=6&G1=74&G2=83&ReferringDealerID=813643&ProductID=-1&CatalogueID=208
Hi Kim,
I’m interested but wondered if you have a post where you break down what is included in the kits and cost? I clicked the link you had above but didn’t see it.
Thank you!!
Can you please give me a link to makers studio please. I’m looking into doing this and there is Something about the other chalk company that didn’t settle right with me.
of course, please let me know if you have nay questions! https://amakersstudio.com/
Hi Kim, I have been adventurous with paint on canvas bags and wall hanging banners using the blue oracle film everyone uses with cricut and silhouette for stencils. It rarely bleeds and is almost always a really crisp line. Looking at some of these examples closely it looks like they bleed. The mesh stencils do add a lot of dimension I can not get the way I do it. What is your experience with bleeding?
HI Margie – A lot of it depends on the surface you are painting on, rough surface and the stencil has more gaps and opportunity to bleed (as does any stencil). You will occasionally get some bleed, but it is typically minimal. When using the chalkart paint, it can wipe fright up with a Q-tip or the like. It is harder when you are using the permanent paint on fabric, but if you adhere the stencil and smooth it well they work amazingly well! I’ve been nothing but pleased with them personally! Hope that helps, let me know if you have additional questions!
Hi Kim,
I was wondering what are the monthly costs to a maker? Is there any sales minimums.
Thank you,
Lisa
hi! They have changed the program recently and now what you do to get started is purchase a starter kit and that is it! There is only a monthly minimum if you grow a team and want to receive credit for their purchases and that min is $100/month. I’d love to have you sign up if you are interested, let me know if you have any additional questions. The products are amazing! here is my link to join: https://amakersstudio.com/pages/become-a-maker#a_aid=813643
I bought a metal tray that was painted with chalkart, but it’s not sealed. What is the best way to deal it? Thank you!
Hi katie…you could spray it with a clear spray paint so you dont mess up the design…that is unless you want to change the design over and over. If you want to change it leave it unsealed. A makers studio also sells a matte finish product you can paint on for a clear seal.
Hi there! I am thinking about signing up for A Makers Studio but I have questions and was hoping you could help me.
1) How many uses can you get from a stencil?
2) Am I allowed to hold make and take workshops in a local store that sells similar products.
Thank so much for your help.
Hi – I love A Maker’s Studio! I’m not sure what to tell you on the reuse amount, I use mine over a bunch, even when they loose a lot of their stick. I don’t have a problem with them, but sometimes that depends on the surface you use them on. So I don’t have an exact answer for you on that. Yes – you can absolutely hold make and takes, they are super flexible and want your business to flourish. Tons of great ongoing training and project ideas when you join. If you decide to join, I would be so honored if you would enter my name as your referrer! Please feel free to ask more questions or email me!
I’m all new to this but looks very interesting to me and fun to do. My question is I have some canvas’s and I also have blackboard paint. Can I put the blackboard paint on the canvas then work from there making something after looking for stencils. I also have a Cricut maker and so will try making some stencils on it. I do not want to sell just want to do this for my own and for maybe presents for family and friends.
Thank you very much
Yes! You should able to do that application just fine! It’s lots of fun to try all kinds of projects, enjoy!!
Hi,
I’ve been thought your post. I was wondering if the A Marker Studio stencils have to be fuzzed like the Chalk Couture stencils do?
Thanks,
Barbi
You can definitely fuzz them, sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t! It often depends on what kind of surface I am using them on first. I would say if you are used to that then go ahead with it here. They are very similar products
Hi Kim, are your prices any more reasonable than chalk couture? I was going to order a $21.00 stencil which came to $31.00 with shipping , handeling and tax so I cancelled it. They also control what you can sell your stencils used at as well. I follow their demonstrators and love all their demos.
I think A Maker’s studio is a lot more free on their control, you can sell the items you make and they always have great sales, flat rate or free shipping promos, etc. I definitely love them
Hi! If a stencil loses its stickiness, is there anyway to restore that stickiness?
it’s hard to do, but I find that they are still very usable on a multitude of surfaces. It just makes them harder to use on slick surfaces once the sticky has gone away. I don’t have a great solution for you though, unfortunately! so sorry