DIY Painted Banners Anyone Can Make
There’s something so special about walking into a party and seeing a personalized banner hanging on the wall. It instantly makes the celebration feel thoughtful and fun. I saw some super cute banners online for birthdays, holidays, and other events — and I thought, why not try making my own?
At first, I free-handed them. While it was fun, it took forever, and the results weren’t quite as polished as I wanted. That’s when I had the idea to make the process easier: a mini projector, Canva templates, chalk markers, and a roll of brown kraft paper. It completely changed the game.
Now I can design any banner I want, project it onto the paper, trace it with chalk, and then paint with acrylics. The results look professional, but the process is still relaxing and creative. And best of all — you can be an artist too with the right tools!
I listed below all the products I use with descriptions and individual links, but I also rounded up all the must-haves here!
What You’ll Need
Here are the exact tools and materials I use (I’ll link everything so you can grab them too):
Mini Projector – Small, portable, and perfect for projecting Canva templates onto the paper.
Brown Kraft Paper Roll – This is the only base I use for my banners. It’s sturdy, affordable, and has that warm, rustic look.
Charcoal Pencils – I trace the design before painting. They wipe away easily once the paint is dry.
Acrylic Paints & Brushes – Always my go-to! The colors are bold, easy to work with, and dry quickly.
Brushes – Yes, these are makeup brushes! But they slide the best on the Kraft paper - trust me!
Canva (Free Version) – I design simple text layouts, add clipart, or upload images I want to trace. You don’t even need Canva Pro!
Painter’s Tape – To hold the paper flat against the wall while tracing and painting.
How to Make Your Own Painted Banner
Design Your Template
Open Canva (the free version works perfectly).
Choose a font, add shapes, or upload images you want to include.
Keep the design simple for easy tracing.
Project the Design
Connect your projector to a laptop or phone.
Project the Canva design onto your brown paper roll. Adjust until it’s the size you want.
Trace with Charcoal Pencils
Outline letters and shapes using a chalk marker.
Don’t worry if it’s not perfect — the paint will smooth it all out.
Paint with Acrylics
Use acrylic paints to fill in your traced design.
Add details like outlines, dots, or shadows for extra character.
Let It Dry & Hang It Up
Give your banner a few hours to dry completely.
Tape it to a wall, hang with clips, or string it across a doorway.
Why I Love Making Banners
Each banner takes me about 1–3 hours, depending on the size and detail. It’s definitely time-consuming, but for me, it’s such a relaxing creative project. The best part is seeing the reaction when I surprise friends or their kids with a custom birthday or holiday banner made just for them.
And remember: you can be an artist too with the right tools and a little time.
Try It Yourself!
If you’ve ever wanted to make your own party decorations, I can’t recommend this enough. Grab a roll of kraft paper, your acrylic paints, and the tools I listed above — then spend an afternoon creating something you’ll love displaying at your next celebration.