Using simple paper mache techniques, anyone can make these three-dimensional letters for home display. Spell out an inspiring word on your mantle, display your child’s name prominently in his bedroom or hang the combined initials of you and your spouse above your bed.
Gather flat pieces of used cardboard to form the basis of your letters. Corrugated cardboard is thicker and will provide a better structure for the letterform. This is an excellent opportunity to reuse shipping boxes you may have sitting around your home.
Trace or sketch the letters of your choosing onto the cardboard. Make at least three identical copies of each letter necessary for your word or monogram, then cut the letter shapes out of the cardboard. Stack the identical copies on top of one another and glue them together. Repeat to make more layers if necessary until your cardboard letterforms equal your ideal depth for the three-dimensional letters.
Mix up a paste for your paper mache. Use about two parts all-purpose white flour per three parts water. Stir well to get rid of any lumps.
Select used paper to create the paper maché. If you plan to leave the final creation unpainted, consider the type of paper you wish to use. Colored paper from magazines will add a lot of dimension to the letters while torn brown paper bags will yield an antique sort of look. White computer paper, on the other hand, will be easiest to paint in just several coats.
Tear your chosen paper into strips several inches wide. Dip a single strip into the paste mixture until it is coated, then wrap it around the letter form. Repeat with as many additional strips as necessary to cover the form entirely. Let the first layer dry completely to prevent mold in your final creation. Once dry, add a second and even a third layer if you desire. Paint the final layer if you choose, or display as is.