Framed Chalkboards & Custom Chalkboard Frames

A chalkboard worth hanging

The chalkboards you remember from a school supply aisle are almost always disappointing in person. The frame is plastic, the writing surface is a paint film that ghosts the first menu you write on it, and the size never matches the wall. A framed chalkboard built to order is a different category of object. The board itself is a tempered composite panel with a real matte tooth, set into the same kiln-dried hardwood mouldings we use on custom picture frames. It writes cleanly, it erases cleanly, and the frame holds its shape under the weight of a 40-inch board.

Because every chalkboard is cut to the dimensions you enter-down to 1/8 inch-it fits the wall you actually have. Cafes get a board that matches the soffit above the espresso bar. Kitchens get a board that fills the awkward gap between cabinets. Mudrooms get a board sized to the inset behind the hooks. The configurator accepts any width and height from 8x10 inches up to 32 by 40 inches (or 40 by 32 inches).

What's in the box

• Matte black chalkboard panel with tooth that grips standard chalk and accepts liquid chalk markers. Does not ghost or scratch under normal use.
• Solid hardwood frame in your choice of 40+ picture-frame mouldings. Same kiln-dried wood we use on custom picture frames.
• Sealed backing to keep dust out and protect the chalkboard panel in transit.
• D-rings and braided wire installed and sized for the frame weight. Optional French cleat upgrade for a flush wall mount.

Standard chalk vs liquid chalk markers

The chalkboard surface is fully compatible with both. Standard chalk gives a soft, hand-lettered look that fades naturally and erases easily with a felt eraser. Liquid chalk markers (sometimes called wet-wipe markers) produce vivid color and sharp lines that resist smudging-the format you see on cafe boards and event signage. To erase liquid chalk you wipe with a damp microfiber cloth or water-dampened paper towel.

If the board will live in a humid environment, like a coffee bar or a porch, liquid chalk markers tend to perform better because traditional chalk can absorb moisture and clump. For a kitchen menu board that gets rewritten weekly, either works fine.

Frame moulding choices

The black-on-black look of a chalkboard in a black moulding has become the standard for cafes and modern kitchens, but it is not the only option:

• Black picture frame: the modern default. Disappears against the writing surface and lets the chalk lettering do the work.
• Natural wood or oak frame: farmhouse-friendly contrast against the black surface. Pairs well with kitchens and breakfast nooks.
• Barnwood frame: distressed wood for rustic cafes, breweries, and farmhouse interiors. The weathered grain reads as old-school cafe signage.
• White picture frame: high-contrast and gallery-like. Works in modern offices and kids' rooms.
• Walnut or mahogany frame: the right pick for a study, library, or upscale dining room.

All 40+ picture-frame mouldings in our catalog are available-the same mouldings used on our custom picture frames.

Sizes for common installs

A few of the most-ordered sizes and where they tend to live:

• 11x14 or 16x20: small entryway boards for a daily quote, greeting, or grocery reminder.
• 18x24: kitchen menu boards and mudroom organization.
• 24x36: the cafe and coffee-bar standard. Big enough for a daily menu without overwhelming a small storefront.
• 32x40: wedding seating charts, event signage, retail storefronts, and classrooms.

Seasoning a new chalkboard

If you are planning to use traditional chalk, season the board before the first real write: rub the side of a piece of white chalk across the entire surface in both directions, then erase with a felt eraser. This fills the surface tooth with a thin layer of chalk dust so subsequent writing does not get permanently absorbed and create ghost lines. Liquid chalk markers do not need seasoning-the formulation sits on top of the surface.

How it's built

The chalkboard panel is set into the frame rabbet, backed with rigid foam-core to keep it flat, and secured with framer's points. The back is sealed with kraft paper, and d-rings are screwed directly into the frame moulding for a secure mount. Every board is cut, framed, and finished at our Somerset, NJ workshop. Standard production is 3-5 business days from order to ship.