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Home » DIY Home Projects » DIY License Plate Map {Update}

DIY License Plate Map {Update}

April 24, 2013 By Jamie Dorobek 25 Comments

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen the DIY license plate map in progress. My mom and I started making it about 2 months ago, and it’s finally done. We made the 1st license plate map back in 2008, but this time around we found a little short cut with that same awesome look! (Here’s the first post about the DIY license plate map and here’s a follow up post with license plate map tips and tricks.)

DIY license plate map

Instead of making the board ourselves, using a paper map to cut the plates, and tracing the outline of the map onto the board. We bought a map from World Market that already had the United States outlined on it… a giant time saver! The map costs 79.99 full price, but we used a 20% off coupon (sign up for emails)! We totally suggest this method if you’re in the market for a license plate map. So, here is what we started with:

DIY license plate map

 

Here’s what you need to make your own map:

  • License plates
  • Map board
  • Wax paper
  • Tin snippers (We have 3 pairs of tin snippers: let cut, right cut, and straight cut. The straight cut are by far the easiest to work with!)
  • Tape
  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • Sharpie marker
    DIY License plate map CRAFT

 

The hardest part of making the map, is cutting the plates. And there is no short cut for that. My mom did most of the cutting with her handy dandy straight cut tin snippers. Some plates are easier than others, but cutting license plates stinks. Also, instead of using a map we found in National Geographic we used wax paper to trace the state already outlined on the World Market map board, then taped the wax paper to the plate to determine how we wanted to cut license plate. These pictures should help it make more sense…

DIY license plate map

 

DIY license plate map

Another question we get a lot is: Where do you find the plates? This can be tricky and expensive. My mom has quite a collection these days. But, she starts by buying a lot of 50 plates, usually on Amazon or ebay. You get one of each state and it’s something to work with. Then she buys a black Texas and a blue California. Then we start cutting the plates and nailing them into place, when we realize that let’s say, 5 states are all white plates, my mom does  a little search and finds a colored plate that to break up the white. Here is one of her favorite license plate sites.

So if you notice, the top map has a white Missouri. We couldn’t have that ; ) Check out the middle map, we’ve got a marroon-ish Missouri and the 3rd map pic, we got a new Iowa and Nebraska!DIY License plate map

The reason the map takes so long to make is because we were always waiting on more license plates to show up, ha!
How to make a license plate map
So the big news is: We often get emails about making and selling license plate maps. The problem is, they are expensive and time consuming to make! But, if you can not live with out a license plate map (ha!), we are selling this one for $2500! If you think that’s a lot, you could also buy one here for $3,900! We will happily continue to answer questions and help you make your own! But if you think it’s too much work or not ready for the tin snippers… we’ve got you covered!  Email me at craftaway at gmail dot com if you are interested in buying a one of kind license plate map!

Psst… Here is the first DIY license plate map post and here are more tips and tricks to make your own map.

Filed Under: DIY Home Projects

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Comments

  1. Sandy MacIntosh says

    June 22, 2020 at 4:15 pm

    Can you use a Drexel tool to cut ou license plates? Or do you still cut them by hand?

    Reply
  2. Carol says

    August 20, 2019 at 6:48 am

    Thank you! A lot of useful information. Inspirational! Now to find the plates and get the tools!

    Reply
  3. Cody says

    April 25, 2017 at 9:13 pm

    We have been making these for many years. Every one of them are unique and tell a story.

    Reply
  4. Momto10 says

    March 28, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    Heads up! I can’t tell for sure, but I believe the third map where you have new NE & IA plates, the black NE plates are some of the first state plates.

    Lots of controversy on our new plates for 2017 and I just happened to look back at all the NE plates. I really liked the black ones, and they are much older and possibly more valuable.

    Just a heads up, this is an older post so you probably sold them already.

    Reply
  5. Pete says

    June 23, 2015 at 7:56 am

    Can this be hung outside or would the plates rust and the board deteriorate in the weather?

    Reply
  6. jual balon foil says

    May 2, 2015 at 3:05 am

    Oya, gw pernah liat lomba TELEVISION Champion di TPI yang berkreasi dengan balon sabun.

    Reply
  7. Tammy says

    June 22, 2014 at 8:42 am

    You could cut the plates with a jewelers saw and a 0 or 1 blade. I do it all the time and it cuts the plates like butter. Probably get them done in half the time.

    Reply
  8. rebecca lopez says

    May 9, 2014 at 5:39 pm

    Super cute. I love this. xoxo

    Reply
  9. Route 401 says

    April 8, 2014 at 9:35 am

    I have a very large USA license plate map for sale for $999 if anyone is interested 🙂

    Reply
  10. capturing joy with kristen duke says

    April 6, 2014 at 11:19 pm

    that’s pretty fabulous!!

    Reply
  11. Ben says

    October 12, 2013 at 6:34 pm

    Very nice!! I have been making these for years, about a dozen done. I bought a laminated map of the USA then cut out each state with an exacto knife, I use them as templates and trace it on the back on the plate with a sharpie then snip then out by hand like you.

    Reply
  12. Liz @ Quirky Vistas says

    May 1, 2013 at 6:05 am

    A work of art! “Work” being as operative a word as “art”, right? I hope you find a buyer for them. They are amazing.
    Liz

    Reply
  13. Melissa @ No. 2 Pencil says

    April 29, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    Hello! This is beyond rad!

    Reply
  14. Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says

    April 29, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    I need this in my life now!
    Kelly

    Reply
  15. Miss Charming says

    April 25, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    So cute, Jamie!

    Reply
  16. Laura / The Shed blog by Pet Scribbles says

    April 25, 2013 at 6:04 am

    Wow – love, love, love! I’ve seen these in various high-end catalogs and web sites, as you point out, so your price is actually a good one! Truly a piece of art you have created there!

    Reply
    • Jamie Dorobek says

      April 25, 2013 at 4:11 pm

      Yea… it’s pricey to make AND takes forever! We just thought we would give selling one a shot 😉 If not, no biggie… It will hang on one of our walls!

      Reply
  17. katie says

    April 24, 2013 at 8:01 pm

    Awesome DIY license plate map, my friend!

    Reply
  18. Smallgood says

    April 24, 2013 at 7:54 pm

    Wow! I’m sure collecting and cutting those plates takes a lot of time. Do you ever feel like cheating and leaving some of the smaller states off? 😉

    Reply
  19. Tashia says

    April 24, 2013 at 5:11 pm

    North Dakota represent! So glad you chose my home state and darling buffalo to demonstrate on. I miss have a little bison on my plates! Great project!

    Reply
  20. World Market says

    April 24, 2013 at 12:06 pm

    We love this.. Thank you for sharing. We hope you don’t mind, we posted your DIY project on our Pinterest Inspiration board http://pinterest.com/pin/248331366925633814/

    Thanks!
    ~ World Market

    Reply
    • Jamie Dorobek says

      April 24, 2013 at 12:25 pm

      Thanks, World Market 🙂 Glad you like the map! Oh and of course I don’t mind if you pin it!

      Reply
  21. Amy says

    April 24, 2013 at 11:32 am

    I have seriously been wanting one of these for my oldest sons room. Great job!

    Reply
  22. Lorie says

    April 24, 2013 at 8:11 am

    Wow! It is gorgeous! I hope you get a seller quickly!!

    Reply
    • Jamie Dorobek says

      April 24, 2013 at 12:08 pm

      If we don’t sell it might get to end up in my house, which is A-OK with me 🙂

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Jamie!
I Create Really Awesome Free Things for your home, wardrobe, kitchen, and kids in Austin, TX with the sometimes help of Andy!
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