Wood colors, letter colors and the right marker for a wooden guest book
Murat · from our family workshop ·
the short answer
Pick the wood first, the letters second. Sign light wood with a black oil-based paint pen, dark stains with white.
Choose your wood and letters →Pick the wood first, the letters second
The wood color is the mood of the sign; the letter color is the contrast that makes your names readable in photos.
- Light woods (Natural, Sun Bleached, Teak, Golden Hazelnut, Golden Oak): airy and modern; white letters look soft, black or metallic letters look crisp.
- Warm browns (Early American, Mahogany): the classic rustic look; white letters glow against them.
- Dark stains (Jacobean, Black): dramatic, black-tie; white or metallic gold letters are the natural pairing.
- Greys and colors (Country Grey, Ocean, Emerald): for coastal, garden and boho palettes; white letters, or metallic silver on grey.
Wood is a natural material: grain and tone vary a little from board to board, so the swatches and photos are a close guide, not an exact match. That variation is what makes each sign one of a kind.
Which marker writes on wood?
Signatures need a pen that sits on the finish rather than soaking into it.
- Light and medium woods: a fine-tip, oil-based black paint pen.
- Dark stains and black: a fine-tip, oil-based white paint pen (or metallic gold or silver). Regular black ink disappears on dark wood.
- Avoid: ballpoints (they scratch and skip on the finish) and wet gel pens (they smear before they dry).
Our signing markers are matched to the finish you choose; add them in the builder and they arrive with the sign. Two markers at the table keep the line moving.
Before the wedding
- Test the marker on the back of the sign once.
- Put the "Please Sign Our Guestbook" mini sign beside it with one marker uncapped; guests copy the first signature, so ask a friend to write the first wish neatly.
- Keep the sign out of direct sun on the welcome table so the finish stays cool and the ink dries evenly.
After the wedding
Let the signatures dry overnight before moving the sign, then hang it (see our display guide). Dust with a soft dry cloth; no sprays.
See all 12 wood colors and 8 letter colors · Personalize the bestseller
