How to Make Kraft Paper Banner (Hand Painted Banners)

This post may contain affiliate links, sponsored content and products received at no cost.

6:00 AM

How to Make Kraft Paper Banner (Hand Painted Banners)

It's my 45th birthday! (1-23-2026)

Today I’m sharing a full tutorial for one of my favorite party projects: a custom hand-painted banner made from brown kraft paper.

This kraft paper banner is easy to customize, budget-friendly, and endlessly adaptable.

A Fun and Easy Way to Celebrate Birthdays, Showers, and Special Events

There is something truly magical about celebrating life’s big (and small) moments with handmade details.

In a world filled with quick shipping and last-minute party décor, slowing down to create something with your own hands feels like getting back to the heart of the internet—sharing creativity, inspiration, and joy with others.

Let's get started!

A Fun and Easy Way to Celebrate Birthdays, Showers, and Special Events There is something truly magical about celebrating life’s big (and small) moments with handmade details. In a world filled with quick shipping and last-minute party décor, slowing down to create something with your own hands feels like getting back to the heart of the internet—sharing creativity, inspiration, and joy with others. Let's get started!

Whether you’re celebrating a happy birthday, planning a baby shower, hosting a graduation party, or decorating for other special events, this banner is a great way to make your space feel festive and personal.

This project uses simple supplies, beginner-friendly techniques, and a clever method that lets you paint the banner right on the wall for perfect spacing and alignment.

If you love custom banners, bold lettering, and creative party décor, you are going to love this tutorial.

Whether you’re celebrating a happy birthday, planning a baby shower, hosting a graduation party, or decorating for other special events, this banner is a great way to make your space feel festive and personal. This project uses simple supplies, beginner-friendly techniques, and a clever method that lets you paint the banner right on the wall for perfect spacing and alignment. If you love custom banners, bold lettering, and creative party décor, you are going to love this tutorial.

Why Custom Hand-Painted Banners?

Handmade banners have a charm that store-bought decorations just can’t match.

They’re personal, flexible, and can be tailored to your theme, color palette, and event.

Unlike printed banners with fixed fonts and phrases, custom hand-painted banners allow you to:

Choose your own lettering style
Adjust sizing to fit your space
Reuse the design idea for different occasions
Create décor that feels meaningful and one-of-a-kind

This project is also one of the best strategies for last-minute decorating.

There’s no worrying about a missed delivery date or delayed shipping. If you have paper, paint, and tape, you’re ready to create.

Why Custom Hand-Painted Banners? Handmade banners have a charm that store-bought decorations just can’t match. They’re personal, flexible, and can be tailored to your theme, color palette, and event. Unlike printed banners with fixed fonts and phrases, custom hand-painted banners allow you to: Choose your own lettering style Adjust sizing to fit your space Reuse the design idea for different occasions Create décor that feels meaningful and one-of-a-kind This project is also one of the best strategies for last-minute decorating. There’s no worrying about a missed delivery date or delayed shipping. If you have paper, paint, and tape, you’re ready to create.

Supplies Needed for Kraft Paper Banner DIY:

affiliate links

This banner comes together with affordable and easy-to-find materials. Many of these items can be found at craft stores or even the dollar store--I got mine at Dollar Tree.

Materials:

Roll of brown kraft paper (also called craft paper)
2-inch painter’s tape
Tear-off Palette
Chalk pencil or regular pencil
Acrylic paint (Plaid multi-surface wicker white acrylic paint was used here)
Small makeup or eye shadow brush with short, tight bristles
Scissors

Optional: ruler, eraser, and drop cloth

Using craft paper or kraft paper keeps this project lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to store for future use.

This banner comes together with affordable and easy-to-find materials. Many of these items can be found at craft stores or even the dollar store.

Step 1: Prepare the Wall with Painter’s Tape

Start by deciding where you want your banner to hang. I recommend a blank wall with plenty of space so you can work comfortably.

Roll big loops of 2-inch painter’s tape and place them sticky-side out along the wall in a straight horizontal line. These tape loops will temporarily hold your paper in place without damaging the wall.

This method is a great way to test placement and spacing before committing to paint. It also allows you to see the banner exactly how it will look once it’s finished.

Step 1: Prepare the Wall with Painter’s Tape Start by deciding where you want your banner to hang. I recommend a blank wall with plenty of space so you can work comfortably. Roll big loops of 2-inch painter’s tape and place them sticky-side out along the wall in a straight horizontal line. These tape loops will temporarily hold your paper in place without damaging the wall. This method is a great way to test placement and spacing before committing to paint. It also allows you to see the banner exactly how it will look once it’s finished.

Step 2: Attach the Kraft Paper

Unroll your kraft paper banner directly over the painter’s tape loops, pressing gently so it sticks evenly across the wall. Make sure the paper is smooth and aligned.

Painting the banner on the wall is one of the best parts of this technique. You can see the scale, spacing, and balance of your design as you work. Let gravity help you keep everything straight.

This approach works beautifully for long banners and eliminates the guesswork of painting on the floor or table and then rehanging later.

Step 2: Attach the Kraft Paper Unroll your kraft paper banner directly over the painter’s tape loops, pressing gently so it sticks evenly across the wall. Make sure the paper is smooth and aligned. Painting the banner on the wall is one of the best parts of this technique. You can see the scale, spacing, and balance of your design as you work. Let gravity help you keep everything straight. This approach works beautifully for long banners and eliminates the guesswork of painting on the floor or table and then rehanging later.

Use scissors to round the corners for a more finished look.

Step 3: Sketch Your Design

Using a chalk pencil (or a regular pencil), lightly sketch your lettering onto the kraft paper.

For this birthday banner, I chose:

Big, bubbly, balloon-style letters spelling BIRTHDAY across the bottom
A hand-lettered, swirling “happy” floating above

Don’t worry about perfection—this is meant to feel playful and hand-drawn. Chalk pencils are great because they erase easily, but a standard pencil works just as well.

Step 3: Sketch Your Design Using a chalk pencil (or a regular pencil), lightly sketch your lettering onto the kraft paper. For this birthday banner, I chose: Big, bubbly, balloon-style letters spelling BIRTHDAY across the bottom A hand-lettered, swirling “happy” floating above Don’t worry about perfection—this is meant to feel playful and hand-drawn. Chalk pencils are great because they erase easily, but a standard pencil works just as well.

If you’re nervous about freehand lettering, you can:

Practice on scrap paper first
Use light guidelines for height and spacing
Keep your shapes loose and rounded

This technique translates beautifully to other phrases for baby shower décor, graduation party ideas, or holiday banners.

If you’re nervous about freehand lettering, you can: Practice on scrap paper first Use light guidelines for height and spacing Keep your shapes loose and rounded This technique translates beautifully to other phrases for baby shower décor, graduation party ideas, or holiday banners.

Step 4: Paint with a Makeup Brush

Instead of a traditional paintbrush, use a small makeup or eye shadow brush. This might sound unconventional, but it’s one of the secret weapons of this project.

Makeup brushes have:

Short, tight bristles
Excellent control
The ability to create crisp, clean outlines

Step 4: Paint with a Makeup Brush Instead of a traditional paintbrush, use a small makeup or eye shadow brush. This might sound unconventional, but it’s one of the secret weapons of this project. Makeup brushes have: Short, tight bristles Excellent control The ability to create crisp, clean outlines

Dip your brush into the acrylic paint and begin tracing your pencil lines. Plaid multi-surface wicker white acrylic paint gives beautiful coverage against brown kraft paper and dries quickly.

Work slowly, outlining first and then filling in the letters. Because you’re painting on the wall, you can step back often to check balance and spacing.

Have fun while painting, put on some music and don't stress about perfection.

Remember, we live in a world of fakes and AI generated slop, so PLEASE let this be a hand made, obviously human created piece of art.

Step 5: Let It Dry in Place

One of the biggest benefits of this method is that you can let the banner dry exactly where it will be displayed.

Allow the paint to dry completely before removing the paper from the wall. Acrylic paint dries fairly quickly, but giving it extra time prevents smudging or curling.

Once dry, gently peel the kraft paper off the painter’s tape loops and roll up the banner.

Step 5: Let It Dry in Place One of the biggest benefits of this method is that you can let the banner dry exactly where it will be displayed. Allow the paint to dry completely before removing the paper from the wall. Acrylic paint dries fairly quickly, but giving it extra time prevents smudging or curling. Once dry, gently peel the kraft paper off the painter’s tape loops and roll up the banner.

Step 6: Display and Celebrate

Hang your finished banner using tape, clips, or string—or simply leave it up where it was painted if you’re celebrating at home.

This happy birthday banner instantly transforms a space and becomes a focal point for photos, gifts, and memories. It’s bold, cheerful, and unmistakably handmade.

Step 6: Display and Celebrate Hang your finished banner using tape, clips, or string—or simply leave it up where it was painted if you’re celebrating at home. This happy birthday banner instantly transforms a space and becomes a focal point for photos, gifts, and memories. It’s bold, cheerful, and unmistakably handmade.

Ideas for Other Special Events

This project isn’t just for birthdays. It’s a versatile technique that works for so many celebrations:

Baby Shower

Create a soft, neutral banner with pastel paint and flowing lettering. Add hearts, stars, or floral doodles for a sweet touch.

Graduation Party Ideas

Spell out “Congrats Grad,” the graduate’s name, or their class year. Use school colors or metallic acrylic paint for impact.

Holidays

This style works beautifully for Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and more. Simply swap out the wording and colors.

Weddings & Showers

Custom banners make amazing backdrops for gift tables, dessert bars, and photo areas.

Hand-painted banners are one of those best strategies for creating high-impact décor without a big budget.

Ideas for Other Special Events This project isn’t just for birthdays. It’s a versatile technique that works for so many celebrations: Baby Shower Create a soft, neutral banner with pastel paint and flowing lettering. Add hearts, stars, or floral doodles for a sweet touch. Graduation Party Ideas Spell out “Congrats Grad,” the graduate’s name, or their class year. Use school colors or metallic acrylic paint for impact. Holidays This style works beautifully for Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and more. Simply swap out the wording and colors. Weddings & Showers Custom banners make amazing backdrops for gift tables, dessert bars, and photo areas. Hand-painted banners are one of those best strategies for creating high-impact décor without a big budget.

Tips for Success

Keep paint layers thin to prevent warping
Use short strokes for clean edges
Step back often to check spacing
Don’t stress about imperfections—handmade charm is the goal
If you make a mistake, let the paint dry and touch it up with more acrylic paint or embrace it as part of the design.

Why Kraft Paper Works So Well

Brown kraft paper is sturdy, flexible, and has a warm, neutral tone that pairs beautifully with white paint. It’s easy to roll up for storage and reuse later.

Unlike vinyl or plastic banners, kraft paper feels organic and creative—perfect for anyone who loves handmade décor and crafting with intention.

Why Kraft Paper Works So Well Brown kraft paper is sturdy, flexible, and has a warm, neutral tone that pairs beautifully with white paint. It’s easy to roll up for storage and reuse later. Unlike vinyl or plastic banners, kraft paper feels organic and creative—perfect for anyone who loves handmade décor and crafting with intention.

That's it!

This kraft paper banner tutorial is one of my favorite ways to celebrate. It’s simple, affordable, and endlessly customizable.

Whether you’re decorating for a happy birthday, planning a baby shower, or brainstorming graduation party ideas, this project is a great way to add personality and creativity to your space.

Crafting like this reminds me why I love sharing ideas online—it’s about connection, creativity, and being part of the heart of the internet where inspiration is passed from one maker to another.

I hope this tutorial inspires you to create your own custom hand-painted banners for all of life’s special moments. 🎉

Happy crafting—and happy celebrating!