There are so many adorable “Happy Birthday” banners out there. The party stores have all kinds of customized banners, and you can find any type of party banner in any theme on Etsy.
Except, party banners always cost so much – especially when you only use the banner for event.
I have the perfect solution – make your own DIY banner for any occasion with these simple and free printable letters and then customize the card stock or pennants that you glue the letters down on (see our Sesame banner or our puzzle party banner).
You can make an amazing banner and the only cost is the background paper and the ink you used to print.
A few birthday parties ago I wanted to make a simple but cute sign. However, I couldn’t find free printable banner letters to go with the vision in my mind. If I’ve learned anything from my husband Ash, it’s that if you can’t find something the way you want it, just make it.
So I made my own alphabet banner letters, and then I put them into user-friendly google documents to share with you so that you can use these free printable letters for your occasions too!
The best part about these printable banner letters is that you can print four letters per page, and you can add, copy, or delete the letters so that you print exactly what you need. 🙂
Free Printable Banner Letters
I made three different, yet complementary designs. First, I created a few popular banner titles – Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, and Congratulations, using all three designs.
I also created an A-Z index of free banner letters in all three of the designs. You can use these to create your own titles or to add names to the above titles. Last, there are number indexes, along with punctuation and special characters too. I just made these in the first design. The special characters include stars and hearts 🙂
Materials for the Banner Sign
- Free printable letters (see above)
- Card stock, pennants, or other background material (I love this card stock)
- Glue or tape
- Fishing line
Time-Saving Trick for the Banner Letters
I know I already told you that the best part of these banner letters was being able to easily customize your wording, but I have another best part. You can reuse these letters year after year or for every birthday!
This year I had a puzzle party for my son, and last year we had a Sesame theme party. I used the SAME letters for both banners, which saved time, paper, and ink. And, you can do the same with these free printable letters.
I just used scotch tape to tape the letters to the background last year. After the party, I removed the tape and saved the letters. This year, I taped the letters to puzzle pieces. How’s that for saving time!?
Making the Banner Sign
To make the DIY banner from scratch, first print the letters you need and cut around the template.
Next, I chose several card stock designs from my closet card stock collection. I LOVE the below card stock book that I found at Walmart. The designs are so pretty – and I work in other solid color papers too so the patterns don’t clash.
When choosing patterns, I pick designs that I feel would compliment each other and not be overly busy.
For the background, when I made rectangles for the Sesame banner, I cut 4.5 x 4.75 pieces. When I made the puzzle banner, I drew puzzle pieces and cut these out.
Once you have your backgrounds cut and arranged, you can glue or tape your letters on the background. Use tape if you want to reuse those letters for a different banner:)
Here’s a closeup of one of the free banner letters, so you can see the design and card stock up close.
After you tape or glue the letters, flip all of the letters over and hot glue fishing line to the back of the letters.
Banner Making Tip – Use Fishing Line
I love using fishing line for banners because it’s easy and cheap! Perfect for a tight party budget. I love the fact that you can’t see the fishing line, and you don’t have to punch any holes and thread – you just hot glue it to the back.
Here’s a picture of my banner making set-up. It helps to have some little but weighty objects around to hold the fishing line in place while the hot glue dries.
Overall, the birthday puzzle banner turned out great, and I will be reusing those letters for signs to come 🙂
The free banner letters really are so versatile. They go with any color scheme, you can use them for any occasion, and you can customize them so easily for holidays, parties, or even home decor.
In the few months after I made the original banner with my free printable letters, I made about four or five other banners. These printables truly do make it so easy.
Enjoy the free printable banner letters – I would love to hear about the banner sign you are making!
If you want to see how the puzzle party turned out, check it out here.
If you’re wondering how to throw a DIY party without going crazy, click here.
Ginger M Cochran
Too cute 😉 Thanks for sharing with us
Eileen
Thanks Ginger :)) Have a great week!
Gentle Joy Photography
Your banner looks great! It would probably last for several uses as well. Good idea. 🙂
Eileen
Thanks! I was thinking the same thing about swapping about the characters this year 🙂
Annie
I just love this (and have two little boys who would go crazy for it)!!!
Eileen
Awww thanks Annie! 🙂
Sandra Garth
Those character are a great add on, thank for sharing them with us.
Eileen
Thanks Sandra 🙂 I’ll probably be swapping them out for other characters this year 🙂
Samantha @ sammyapproves.com
Love these! They would be so easy to make with any characters too. Thanks for joining us at the Family Joy Link Party!
Eileen
Thanks Samantha! Yes – I’m thinking about switching them out for this year’s toddler party 🙂
Leslie
So cute! I love versatile projects that can be used over and over. It makes it so much more with the effort involved. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Eileen
Thanks Leslie! Me too – I’ve already used these letters so many times 🙂
Chloe Crabtree
So cute! My granddaughters aren’t yet into Sesame Street, but if they get into it, this would be so fun for them! Thanks for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!
Eileen
Aww thanks! I love Sesame Street so much that I tend to push it a little more 🙂 Daniel Tiger is another favorite 🙂
Jess
So cute!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Eileen
Thanks, will do 🙂
JOANNE BAKER
These are adorable – I love how you added the characters. I may have to share this with my daughter.
Eileen
Thanks Joanne! Yes, and you can customize it for other characters too 🙂
Lindsey
These are too cute! Thanks for sharing #iDIYedthat
Eileen
Thanks Lindsey :))
Debrashoppeno5
Such a cute idea. I haven’t made a banner yet but have been thinking it will be cute on the mantel during the holidays.
Eileen
Thanks so much, Debra:) I think that would look great too!
Angela Boone
These banners are so cute! Thanks so much for sharing this.
Eileen
Thanks Angela:) They are so easy to make:)
Jodie
So Cute! LOVE these —
Would love if you’d share at Reader Tip Tuesday: http://www.jodiefitz.com/2017/08/15/reader-tip-tuesday-craft-recipe-party/
xo
Eileen
Will do – thanks Jodie!
Jann Olson
Very cute! I am a big fan of banners!! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Lisa
I love this puzzle piece banner. Thanks for sharing it!
Eileen
Thanks Lisa:) I love the way it turned out too!
STEPHANIE
Great idea for a printable. I love how you can do anything with it. Pinning, featuring tonight at the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party, and sharing on FB. 🙂
Eileen
Thanks so much Stephanie! So excited to be your feature:)
Elise
I adore the puzzle pieces
Eileen
Aww thanks Elise!
Christina Makri
Love the idea of a banner during holiday season! Thank you for sharing at Sweet Inspiration Link Party 🙂
Eileen
Thanks Christina! It’s so easy to make with these letters:)
Kathleen Rupp
Great idea Eileen! Glad I found your post from the pin junkie party! My daughters having a birthday next week and I may have to use this idea. I love it! I agree….decorations are too expensive:) Thanks so much. Pinned!
Eileen
Thanks Kathleen! So glad you find it helpful:) Have a great week!
Shernay
How do I get the letters? I don’t see a link to click on to retrieve them.
Eileen
Just sign up in the opt-in box, and we will email you the link to our Resource Library. Enjoy:)
yasmine
Hey, thanks for sharing this. I was wondering for the sesame street banner, where did you get or download the characters?
Eileen
You’re welcome! I googled the images 🙂