How to Make a Shiplap Flatlay Background
I love flatlays. I am fortunate because my husband has built me a counter in my craft room made out of reclaimed lumber (from our old deck). He also built me a table from an old Barn Door that still has the chippy white paint on it. I LOVE to use the table and counter as the background for my product photography, because the texture is so rustic looking which goes along with my branding. Because of my branding, I don’t feel using a plain white background for flatlays would look good, so I decided to bring in shiplap to the mix.
Side Note: If you need help with your brand statement, Especially if you sell on ETSY, here is a link for a FREE step by step branding statement guide: Voice Your Brand. THIS FREE GUIDE IS AN AMAZING RESOURCE!
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The background dimensions when finished will be 24″ x 24″ square. This is a perfect size for small products but if you have big products, you may have to adjust accordingly.
Supplies you will need
- 12 feet of 1×4 board (purchased from Home Depot, Lowe’s or any lumber store)
- White Paint
- 2 in. Foam Paint Brush or 1 in. Foam Paint Brush (Depending on your preference. I used 1 in. Links here have great prices)
- Sanding Block (unless you have an electric sander)
- Annie Sloan Black Wax (optional)
- Polyurethane Satin Spray
Tools you will need(optional)
I have a way for you to do this tutorial without tools if you do not own any – refer to the end of this tutorial)
- Chop Saw
- Electric Sander
Instructions
- Cut your boards and immediately number the backs of the board. I numbered my boards so I will remember where they are placed when I am finished. You will end up with 11 pieces. I prefer a staggered look to make it look authentic and show seams. Below are the lengths of the wood that I cut for this project and the number I wrote on the back of that board. Sidenote: I purchased 2 8 ft boards. It was easier for me to cut the boards in half before I cut the following sizes:
- 15″
- 9″
- 17″
- 7″
- 19″
- 5″
- 12″
- 12″
- 24″
- 18″
- 6″
- Paint the front sides of each board with white paint. You will need two coats. Allow dry time in between coats (Once I finished the 11th board, the first board was dry, so I immediately started painting the 2nd coat.
- Sand the edges of each board.
- Apply Dark Wax around each board (optional). This helps with the depth of each board. It is not necessary, I have a picture of what it looks like with the wax (product on top) and without the wax.
- Apply wax with a finger tip or Q-Tip.
- Let it sit for a couple minutes
- Wipe the wax off with a dry cloth.
- If the wax gets over the paint, repaint the section. (Easy fix)
- Spray the boards with satin Polyurethane
- Assemble the boards in number order as follows: 1 & 2, 3 & 4 above 1 & 2, 5 & 6 above 3 & 4, 7 & 8 above 5 & 6, 9 above 7 & 8, 10 & 11 above 9. See image for example
- You do not have to glue or the boards. I stack them and store them for easy storage until I need them. I put board #9 on the bottom since it is the full length board and stack each row on top of each other.
If you don’t have tools
Problem: Don’t have a Chop Saw
Solution: When you purchase your boards, ask the guys in the lumber section of the store if they will make the cuts for you. (Lowe’s and Home Depot will)
Problem: Don’t have an Electric Sander
Solution: Purchase a sand block – they are easy to use. I use them quite frequently.
Final Thoughts
I hope that you like this tutorial. If you have questions or comments, please leave them in the comment section.
Until next time friends
~H
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Ooh this is such a great DIY for flatlays! I so wish I had a craft room, I have so much crafting stuff!!
I am way more crafty in my mind than in reality- ha! But this looks like a project I could actually accomplish. Thank you for posting this for all those *pinterest-worthy* display images I’ve got in mind!
That shiplap background looks amazing! Great job – and thanks for the tips and instructions!
This was so informative! I love doing flatlays too, so this is something I can totally make on my own. Thank you for sharing this! 🙂
Um seriously i’ve been wanting to make a shiplap flat lay for my lifestyle blog!!!! This is just want i needed and seriously is so easy!
Be sure to take a picture and tag me on insatgram. I’d love to see it. http://www.instagram.com/montanavintagemarket