DIY Party Banner Ideas (Easy Bunting, Pennants & Letters)
Part of our guide: Party Backdrop and Decor Ideas: The Complete Guide
A party banner is a quick, cheap way to add color and a message to any celebration. Triangle bunting, pennants, and letter banners all come together in an afternoon, and a fabric one can be used again for several parties. These DIY party banner ideas cover the styles, how to make them, fabric vs paper, and exactly what you need.
At DecorWillow, our top tip is to make a fabric banner if you want to reuse it, and a paper one for a quick, themed look. Either way, cut from a template so every piece matches.
- Best for: any party
- Styles: bunting, pennants, letter banners
- Reusable: fabric; quick: paper
- Budget: about $13 for a 6-foot fabric banner (scissors and ruler not included)
- Time: about 1 to 2 hours, or 30 minutes for paper
Top Decor Picks for this Setup
Curated essentials on Amazon with top customer reviews to help you recreate this setup easily.
Coral, Mustard & Sage Bunting Banner Kit
The handmade triangle bunting across the wall is the main focal point.
Cotton Fat Quarter Fabric Bundle
The gingham, floral and solid fabrics cut into the triangles.
Felt Letter Banner Kit
The PARTY letters and hearts on twine.
White Scalloped Cake Stand
The cake stand on the table below the banner.
Table of Contents
- Why a DIY banner
- Banner styles
- Fabric vs paper
- How to make a bunting banner
- Letter and message banners
- Other banner styles in one minute
- Before and after
- Color and theme ideas
- Exact supplies you need
- Budget breakdown
- Worth it vs skip
- Small space version
- Hanging tips
- Common mistakes
- Banner checklist
- Helpful safety sources
- FAQ
- Related articles
Why a DIY banner
A banner adds instant color and a personal message, like “Happy Birthday” or a name, for very little money. It is one of the easiest decorations to make yourself, fills an empty wall or table edge, and a fabric version reuses for party after party. It pairs perfectly with a balloon garland above or behind it.
Banner styles
A few styles cover most parties:
- Triangle bunting: classic strung triangles, fabric or paper.
- Pennant banner: longer pointed flags.
- Letter banner: spelling out a name or message.
- Tassel or fringe banner: a soft, textured look.
- Shaped banner: circles, hearts, or themed shapes.
Triangle bunting, pennants, and letter banners each add color and a message in an afternoon.
Fabric vs paper
Pick based on reuse:
- Fabric banners can be used again for several parties, can be washed, and store flat. Best for a reusable “Happy Birthday” or neutral bunting.
- Paper banners are quick, cheap, and easy to theme to colors or patterns. Best for a one-off themed look.
- You can mix: a fabric base with paper letters.
How to make a bunting banner
This makes a banner about 6 feet long with 10 triangles.
- Make a template. Cut a triangle from cardboard, 6 inches across the top and 7 inches tall.
- Cut 10 triangles. Trace the template on the back of the fabric or cardstock and cut them out. Two or three fat quarters (18 by 22 inches) in different prints make 10 triangles, or use 3 to 4 sheets of cardstock.
- Cut the twine. Cut about 10 feet of jute twine. That leaves roughly 18 inches free at each end for hanging.
- Lay it out. Put the twine on a table and place the triangles along it, 1.5 inches apart, starting 18 inches from the end.
- Attach. For fabric, fold the top 1 inch of each triangle over the twine and glue it with fabric glue, or stitch it with a straight stitch. For cardstock, fold the top over the twine and glue or tape it.
- Let it dry. Fabric glue needs about 30 minutes before you hang it.
Fabric edges can fray, so cut with pinking shears or put a dab of fabric glue on the cut edge.
Letter and message banners
Plan about 5 inches for each letter plus 1.5 inches of space. “PARTY” is about 2.5 feet long, and “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” is about 7 feet.
- Cut a square or rectangle about 5 inches wide and 6 inches tall for each letter, from felt or cardstock.
- Cut the letters about 4 inches tall from a second color, using a stencil or printed template so they are the same size.
- Glue each letter onto its square.
- Thread the squares on twine with a hole punch, or glue them on, with 1.5 inches between each.
- Add a heart or star between words.
Keep the message short: a name, an age, or “Happy Birthday.”
Cream felt letters on coral squares, with a small heart between each, spell a short message.
Other banner styles in one minute
- Pennant banner: Cut long flags 4 inches wide and 9 inches tall, with a pointed or V-shaped bottom. Glue the top over twine, 2 inches apart.
- Tassel banner: Wrap yarn 30 times around a 4-inch piece of cardboard, tie the top, cut the bottom, and tie each tassel to twine 3 inches apart. See our DIY tassel garland for the full steps.
- Shape banner: Cut 3-inch circles or hearts from felt, glue two layers around the twine, and space them 2 inches apart.
Before and after
A banner finishes a plain wall or table. Here is the same spot before and after. The only changes are one bunting banner, a cake on a stand, and a few balloons, and it takes about an hour.
The same spot, finished with a DIY bunting banner that adds color and a message.
Color and theme ideas
Match the banner to your party:
- Use your theme’s palette, two or three colors.
- A fabric neutral banner reuses for any party.
- Pattern mix: gingham, floral, or solid triangles.
- Metallic letters for a dressy look.
- Match it to your balloon garland and tableware.
Exact supplies you need
For a 6-foot bunting banner with 10 triangles:
- Fabric or cardstock: 2 to 3 fat quarters (18 by 22 inches), or 3 to 4 sheets of cardstock.
- Twine or ribbon: about 10 feet.
- A template: one cardboard triangle, 6 inches across and 7 inches tall.
- Glue: fabric glue, or a glue stick for paper. Hot glue works for both.
- Tools: scissors or pinking shears, a ruler, a pencil, and a hole punch for letters.
For a letter banner, add 4 to 6 felt sheets and a stencil.
Everything you need fits on one table: fabric, twine, scissors, a template, and glue.
Budget breakdown
This assumes you already own scissors and a ruler:
| Item | Bunting banner | Letter banner |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric (3 fat quarters) or felt (5 sheets) | $6 | $5 |
| Jute twine (100-foot roll, you use 10 feet) | $3 | $3 |
| Fabric glue or glue sticks | $4 | $4 |
| Total | $13 | $12 |
Prices are approximate, exclude tax, and vary by store and location. A fabric banner can be used again, so the cost per party drops.
Worth it vs skip
- Worth it: a fabric banner you will use again, or a paper one in your party colors. It is a cheap way to add color.
- Skip: cutting by eye. A template takes 5 minutes and saves the whole look.
Small space version
Small wall or table? A short bunting banner along a shelf, a mantel, or the edge of the cake table is plenty. A little banner adds color and a message in a tiny footprint. For more, see our small-space party decorating ideas.
Hanging tips
- Use removable hooks or tape so you do not damage walls.
- Hang it with a gentle dip in the middle for a natural drape.
- String it along a table edge, mantel, or wall.
- Pair it with a balloon garland above for a fuller look.
- Keep the ends secured so it does not sag.
Common mistakes
- Uneven triangles. Trace every triangle from the same template.
- Gaps that change. Measure 1.5 inches between pieces.
- Letters in different sizes. Use a stencil.
- A long message. More than about 13 letters needs two lines.
- Weak ends. Tape or hook both ends so the banner does not sag.
Banner checklist
- Choose a style (bunting, pennant, letters)
- Fabric for reuse or paper for a quick look
- A cardboard template (6 by 7 inches)
- About 10 feet of twine, with 18 inches free at each end
- Even spacing between pieces
- A short, readable message
- Matched to your theme palette
- Removable hooks or tape to hang
Helpful safety sources
A few trusted places for the safety points in this guide:
- HealthyChildren (AAP): choking prevention: Why balloons and broken balloon pieces are a choking risk for young children.
FAQ
How do I make a DIY party banner?
Cut even triangles or letters from fabric or cardstock using a template, string or glue them onto a length of ribbon or twine with consistent spacing, and leave extra ribbon at each end to hang. A fabric banner can be used again; a paper one is quick and easy to theme.
What is the difference between fabric and paper banners?
Fabric banners can be used again for several parties, can be washed, and feel higher-end, which makes them best for a reusable banner. Paper banners are quick, cheap, and easy to theme to colors or patterns, best for a one-off look. You can mix a fabric base with paper letters.
How do I make a letter banner?
Cut or buy letters in cardstock, felt, or glitter paper using a template so they are the same size, then string them on ribbon or twine with even spacing. Keep the message short, like a name, age, or “Happy Birthday,” and add a shape between words.
How much does a DIY banner cost?
A 6-foot DIY bunting banner costs about $13: fabric about $6, twine about $3, and glue about $4. A letter banner costs about $12. A fabric banner can be used again, and paper is the cheapest option for a one-off look.
How do I hang a party banner?
Use removable hooks or tape so you do not damage walls, and hang it with a gentle dip in the middle for a natural drape. String it along a table edge, mantel, or wall, and pair it with a balloon garland above for a fuller look.
What colors should a party banner be?
Use your theme’s palette in two or three colors, or make a neutral fabric banner that reuses for any party. Mix patterns like gingham or floral, or use metallic letters for a dressy look. Match it to your balloon garland and tableware.
How do I make a small party banner?
Make a short bunting banner along a shelf, mantel, or the edge of the cake table. A little banner adds color and a message in a tiny footprint, and pairs well with a mini garland above.
What size should I cut the triangles for a 6-foot banner?
Cut 10 triangles that are 6 inches across the top and 7 inches tall, and space them 1.5 inches apart on about 10 feet of twine. That leaves about 18 inches free at each end for hanging.
How do I stop fabric banner triangles from fraying?
Cut the fabric with pinking shears, or run a thin line of fabric glue along each cut edge and let it dry for 30 minutes. Felt does not fray, so it is an easy choice for beginners.
Related articles
- DIY Tassel Garland Tutorial
- Streamer Decoration Ideas
- Cheap Party Decoration Ideas
- 15 Party Backdrop Ideas
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Recreate This Look: Complete Supply Checklist
Every prop, decor item, and material identified in our styled photos, linked directly to top-rated supplies on Amazon.
The twine the banner hangs on.
Cuts fabric triangles that do not fray.
For cutting the triangles.
Attaches the folded fabric over the twine.
A quick way to attach paper and felt.
For cardstock banners.
For measuring triangles and gaps.
For paper banners and letters.
For letter squares, hearts and circles.
So every letter is the same size.
For threading letter squares on twine.
An easy way to clip pieces to the twine.
An alternative to twine.
For the tassel banner.
Hang the banner without marking the wall.
The balloons beside the cake in the photos.
