How to Make Silver Platter Chalkboards

If you like this DIY Silver Platter Chalkboard Christmas Gift idea & tutorial, you may also love these Santa Claus Mason Jars.

Today I’m sharing with you a gift idea that I know is not new.  I can’t remember the first place that I spotted one of these platters, but I immediately fell in love with them.

The idea of a Silver Chalkboard platter was so fun and unique that I spent the better part of the Fall scouting out platters at my local antique and thrift shops. Let me tell you these things are not super easy to find! All of these platters had damage and were not usable for food. Also, none of them were very valuable and I’m pretty sure are not even real silver.  Some of them felt pretty plastic.

After a bit of thrifting, I did manage to find 4 silver platters that I loved.

How to turn a Silver Platter into a Chalkboard:

1- Before you start to paint, sand the platter surface lightly with sandpaper.  You need to rough up the surface so the paint has something to stick to.

2- Use good quality chalkboard paint. My favorite is Benjamin Moore. Gives a nice smooth coat.

3- Don’t bother with painters tape- it’s too hard to get lined up right. I found it easiest to use a small foam brush to outline the edge of where the chalkboard paint should go. Then I filled in the center.

4- It will take 3-4 coats.

5- Let the paint dry at least 24 hours before you write on it.

6- Season the chalkboard painted surface by rubbing it all over with chalk, then wipe it off.  Use a softer chalk… the cheaper the better I found.

For a fun gift idea, package them up with easels and letter them with Merry Christmas!