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How to make an engraved serving board

A piece of cake on a serving board with a happy Mother's Day design.

Overview

Engraved serving boards make wonderfully unique, personalised gifts. You can engrave names, personalised messages and even drawings suited to the person you’re giving it to, or a design that you like! If you’re looking to create the perfect D.I.Y. gift for a loved one, keep reading this handy guide from Bunnings Warehouse.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glass, ear muffs, gloves and mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

  1. 1

    Choose the timber surface

    To begin, select a flat piece of wood for your project that’s free from major cracks and knots. You can have any size and thickness, so have a play with mini or large serving boards to suit the person’s taste. For safety and ease of use, choose a piece of wood that will sit nice and flat when completed.

    A woman is keeping her hands on a piece of wood.
  2. 2

    Choose your design

    Now it’s time to choose your design! You may want to write a personalised message, the person’s name or even draw a picture. Sketch out your design on some paper or print one off. With a pencil and transfer paper, carefully trace your design onto the board. Alternatively, if you’re a confident drawer you can sketch your design directly onto the board.

    A woman is writing Happy Mother's Day on a paper.
  3. 3

    Prepare tools and engraving equipment

    Prepare the space for soldering in an area away from children and pets. Lay down the stand provided for your tool or find a heat-proof surface to rest your soldering iron. Making sure your iron is off and cool to touch, attach the correct nozzle to the end of the iron - you’ll be able to play with different thicknesses depending on the shape of the nozzle. Turn the iron on and allow 2-3 minutes for it to heat up. It’s good practice to always return the soldering iron to its stand when not in use.

    Adjusting the soldering iron.
  4. 4

    Begin engraving your design

    On an offcut piece of wood, do a few test runs so you get used to the tool and you can see the results that different pressures and nozzles can achieve. Once you’re happy, carefully trace your design with the soldering iron on to your board. Start lightly and go over the pattern a few times to achieve a bolder, clean-cut look.

    To finish off, sand the board lightly to remove any rough spots if required.

    Engraving the Happy Mother's Day design using a soldering iron.
  5. 5

    Apply food-grade sealant

    If your serving board is intended for food, apply a food-grade sealant with a cloth or paint brush. Alternatively, if the board isn’t for food, you can go ahead and apply a regular sealant. The sealant not only nourishes and protects the timber, but it enhances your design too. Allow the sealant to dry completely before moving on to the next step, you may need a few coats depending on the size and thickness of your board.

    Applying food-grade sealant using a cloth.
  6. 6

    Attach handles

    To finish off your board, pick out handles that are best suited to your design and board aesthetic. Once the sealant has dried, use a pencil to mark out where the handles will go and drill into these marked areas. Next, insert the screws through the underside of the holes and directly into the handles, tightening them with a screwdriver.

    And there you have it! A personalised serving board ready to be wrapped up and presented as a lovely gift.

    Attaching handles to the serving board.
  7. 7

    Ready to create a personalised engraved serving board?

    You’ll find everything you need at Bunnings Warehouse. Speak to one of our friendly team members to ask them about our range of wooden boards and soldering irons today.

    A piece of cake on a serving board with a happy Mother's Day design.
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Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.