Brown Paper Banner Supplies

by Caitlin Krumm October 08, 2025

My Go-To Supplies for Making Kraft Paper Banners

Crafting custom kraft paper banners has become one of my favorite ways to add a burst of color and personality to every celebration. Over time, I’ve streamlined my process and found a set of reliable, budget-friendly supplies that deliver great results and are easy for anyone to use—even if you only have a few hours before party time! Here’s what I reach for every time:

Contractor’s Paper (Kraft or Builder’s Paper): Found in the paint section at Home Depot or Lowe’s, this paper is sturdy, paint-friendly, and super affordable. It’s sometimes labeled “builder’s paper” or just “brown kraft paper roll.” I love its smooth, classic look and how it stands up to paint without tearing.
White Chalk Pencil or Light-Colored Pencil: Perfect for sketching your designs or tracing a projected layout onto the brown paper. Easy to erase or paint over and helps keep lettering crisp and clean.
Projector (Optional): When I want to get my design or hand-lettering just right, I use a basic mini projector to beam my digital sketch (from Canva or Procreate) onto the banner. This makes it so much easier to achieve bold, balanced letters and fun illustrations.
Acrylic Paints: My top pick for bold, quick-drying, and opaque color. Brands like FolkArt, Crafter’s Collection, or even generic craft-store acrylics work beautifully. Colors stay vibrant on the kraft background—sometimes I add a layer of white as a base if I want extra pop, especially for lighter shades.
Brushes of Various Sizes: I keep a selection of brushes on hand—wide, flat brushes or even a clean foundation makeup brush for filling in large areas, and small round brushes (or even eyeliner brushes) for lettering and details. Using the right size makes painting less messy and much faster.
Painter’s Tape: Handy for hanging banners without damaging walls or the art, and useful for taping down your paper while you work.
Cup of Water, Paper Towels, and Magic Eraser: For cleaning brushes, blotting mistakes, and quick clean-ups while painting.

Whenever possible, I link these trusted supplies for easy reference—because having the right tools makes all the difference in creative DIY projects! If you want to try your own hand-painted party banner, explore my favorite picks and enjoy the process of crafting something custom and memorable.