Behind The Banner: The Supplies I Use For Every Order
I started painting banners purely on impulse. I had seen so many artists creating these amazing event banners on social media, and as someone who loves a new hobby, I knew I had to try it for myself. I now paint a lot (and I mean a lot) of banners for all sorts of occasions, charging $35+ for each one and giving myself a hobby to keep me busy between school semesters.
It took some time, but I’ve finally figured out the best, top-notch supplies needed for banner painting (and what you definitely do not need!). Whether you’re just getting started or curious about the behind-the-scenes, I wanted to share and link anything and everything you could ever need to be successful in banner painting.
Builders Paper
Let’s start with the base. I actually use heavy-duty builders paper that you can find in the paint section of most hardware stores, but I got mine from Home Depot. It’s durable, affordable, and gives you a nice texture for the paint to grip onto. These rolls are also HUGE, so they will last forever, giving you maximum banner quantities with a few mess-ups along the way.
GET IT THROUGH AFFILIATES: The Home Depot 35 in. x 140ft. Builders Paper BP35x140 - The Home Depot
2. Paints
I use a TON of paint for these banners, so make sure to get lots of colors and multiple bottles! For any white that is used, I use a white chalk paint since it’s more opaque and contains way more pigment than regular acrylic paint. As for every other color, MATTE acrylic paints work fantastically. You’ll want to use the Apple Barrel brand for any dark colors; this paint is cheap, has great coverage, and dries smoothly. As for any lighter colors, Folk Art is the way to go. It’s a little more expensive, however, lighter colored paint contains less pigment and dries lighter than it originally looks.
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3. Makeup Brushes
Don’t ask me why- I have no idea- but makeup brushes hold paint 10 times better than regular paint brushes. They are much denser, create even strokes, and are cheaper than paint brushes you would find at the craft store. The brand/style of brush doesn’t matter too much, so I usually pick these up at Walmart or TJ Maxx. I do also use paint brushes in my banners, but typically only for small details or tiny sections.
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4. Masking Tape
I personally think that the type of tape you use matters. I have tried 2 different types, and only 1 of them really holds my banners up well while I’m painting: Scotch. You might think that the classic blue colored, wall painting masking tape would work best, however because of the texture on the paper this tape does not hold up very well.
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5. Projector
Let’s be real, I suck at freehand drawing. However, I am a graphic designer, so I definitely put these skills to use when designing banners. I use Canva (I have the PRO account!) to layout all of my designs in one place. This lets me see what my final banner will look like, and allows me to change fonts or colors before I begin painting. Once I have my design mocked up, I set up my projector and get to work. The projector will be your best friend when it comes to perfecting those designs!
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THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT GET
EXPENSIVE PROJECTOR: A cheap one from Amazon will do great!
EXPENSIVE BRUSHES: Head on over to Walmart, TJ Maxx, or even Dollar Tree and pick up some cheap makeup brushes.
CRAFTSMART BRAND PAINT: This brand is AMAZING for canvas paintings, however, it does not work very well on this medium. Go for other brands like Apple Barrel or Folk Art.
Take It From Me
When you’re using lighter colors, add a layer of white paint before the colored paint to make the colors pop more
Cut your banner paper about 2 inches longer than you need it to be on each side, this way you have some wiggle room and can go back and cut more off later.
Client presentation is important! Roll up the banner and tie a ribbon/bow around it not only to keep it secure but to also present nicely to your customers! If you have a business card, include that as well.
Well, that’s the lineup of supplies I use to paint banners - nothing too fancy, just tried and true tools that make the process easier. Whether you’re painting your first banner or just nosy about what other people use (because same), I hope this gave you some helpful ideas.
Now go forth and paint something fun, or messy- it still counts.
