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When I started making door hangers, the amount of online resources out there felt like slim pickins! Pinterest just had recipes and craft ideas, and while you could definitely still find door hanger information, you wouldn’t find nearly as much as you do now!

It’s great that there’s so much available these days, but that doesn’t make knowing what’s what in the door hanger world any easier. There are too many options!

I know when starting out, figuring out what tools and supplies to use can get confusing and maybe even a little redundant when you’re searching all over the internet for them. But I have good news..,

In the video below (or with the notes in this blog), I’m going to give you five different DIY door hanger must-haves! I highly recommend any beginner focus on these before spending too much time worrying about the “fancy” tools they may not even need. 

Ready to see what you need to put on your shopping list? Let’s get to it!

Must-have #1: Quality Paint

Our first order of business is, of course, the paint! Your paint is one of the most important parts of your door hanger, so you want to make sure you invest in good, high-quality materials. 

Now, when I say high quality, I don’t mean “top-of-the-line” or the most expensive one on the shelf. A higher price doesn’t always mean it’s the best one! Instead, what you really want to look out for is a paint that’s consistent.

I’ve been using DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paint for years, and one thing I love is that each color is always consistent. Every time I open a new bottle, it’s the same color, even from way back when I first started seven years ago!

I can always rely on these paints, and they’re my absolute go-to! Plus, the colors go on even and smooth, so it has a beautiful finish, too!

Must-have #2: Quality paint brushes

This is another given, but it’s really important to pick to the right paint brushes! The main reason is that cheap brushes tend to shed bristles and get mixed into your paint — you definitely don’t want that!

But it’s also important to pick the right ones because each type of brush has a different purpose! For example:

• Large, flat-tip brushes are good for base coating
• Filbert tips are good for painting things like polka dots and petals
• A round brush can help you create those fine details
• A fan brush can give you a “splatter” effect without the mess!

If you want to know my picks for the best paintbrushes, you can check them out here! But whatever brush you decide to go with, make sure it has nylon bristles and is flexible — stiff brushes can make it harder to paint smooth, even lines. 

Must-have #3: Baby wipes

This is my secret weapon when it comes to making door hangers! 

Baby wipes are perfect for wiping the acrylic paint off your hands, your desk/workspace, brush handles, and they can even help you effortlessly erase mistakes on your door hangers. 

There’s no magic eraser for making door hangers, but these are pretty close! 

Must-have #4: Paint pens

Paint pens come in all different colors and sizes and have so many fun uses! You can use them for painting fine details, or for hand lettering since they give you a little more manual control than paint brushes!

Just make sure whichever one you go with, you get a water-based paint pen that will layer well on top of craft paints. 

I recommend using Artistro Dual Tip Markers. They come in a wide variety of colors, and each pen has dual tips for multiple uses. 

On one end, you have a fine tip that can help you create those tiny details and thin lines. On the other end, you have a bullet or chisel tip that can help you cover larger areas. Whatever you need to create, these markers can help you do it!

Must-have #5: Something to store your paint in

If you’ve been using paper plates up until now, you don’t know what you’re missing — these silicone ice cube trays are quite the upgrade! 

Just fill them up with paint in the dedicated cube, so everything stays tidy and separated (no more accidentally mixing colors!). If you’re taking a break or not using your paint, you can snap the lid shut so the paint doesn’t dry out either. 

When you’re done with each color, just push up on the bottom to pop the cube up and scrape out the dry paint. It’s super easy to use and a great way to keep everything clean!

BONUS: Pre Cut Wood Blanks

Something I get asked about a lot?

“Where do I even start with cutting out my own door hangers??”

This is one step of the process that can feel quite intimidating if you’ve never done it before. Maybe it’s the time commitment, maybe it’s learning something new, or maybe it’s the power tools (if you’ve never used a jigsaw before, it can be a little nerve-wracking). 

Whatever the reason, if you don’t want to cut your own door hangers right now, no worries! I created the Big Box of Blanks subscription for this exact reason!

Each quarter, you’ll get three wood blanks shipped right to your front door, along with the door hanger templates (delivered to your inbox), all cut out and ready to paint!

Our designs change with the seasons, so you’ll always have something new to work on! This is perfect if you want to take your time and really hone your skills. 

Interested in learning more about a Big Box of Blanks subscription? Follow me here, friend!