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So…you want to host a paint party and bring all your friends together for a night of fun. You love making door hangers, and you may have even been asked by a few people if you could show them how to make their own. 

It sounds like a great idea…until you think about party planning, trying to coordinate schedules, and teaching people how to paint in real-time. 

Don’t worry — it’s not as intimidating as you may think. In fact, if you’ve ever painted even just one door hanger, you’re more than qualified to host a paint party! How do I know?

Because I hosted my first paint party with little door hanger experience, I just wanted something my friends and I could do together when their kids came over for playdates. I had no idea what that one party would eventually turn into!

All I’m saying is…give it a chance! And even better, I’ve got a step-by-step guide for you in this post. Let’s get your first paint party in the books!

Why Hosting a Paint Party is Easier Than You Think

I get it. You might feel like you don’t have a lot of experience under your belt, or you’re not quite sure you’re qualified to teach. When others are looking to you as the expert, there’s a lot of pressure to be perfect.

But that’s the great thing about making door hangers — it’s supposed to be fun, not perfect!

No one is expecting you to be Picasso; they just want someone who can walk them through the steps. A little bit of confidence and basic instruction is really all you need. The rest you can work out together!

Plus, speaking from personal experience, they’ll appreciate having someone who knows what they’re doing, even if you don’t feel like an expert.

Now then, let’s get onto those paint party planning steps!

Step #1: Decide on a Door Hanger Template

The first thing you’ll need to do is figure out what you’ll be painting. All your supplies will depend on what door hanger you choose.

Not sure what to start with? I have a FREE library of door hanger templates for you here. These are perfect for beginners, and there are plenty of fun, seasonal designs to choose from!

When you know what you’ll be painting, you’ll need the wood blanks to match your templates. You can either cut your own using a jigsaw or buy pre-cut blanks from our shop. We have over 1,000 designs to choose from, and they even come with laser-etched lines to make painting easier!

Step #2: Grab Your Paints 

Next, get your paints ready! If you’ve painted door hangers before, then you know that acrylic paint is the way to go. I personally LOVE DecoArt Paints because there are so many colors to choose from, and it always brushes on pretty smooth. 

The colors you need will depend on which door hanger template you choose, but when hosting a paint party, it’s good to have a variety in case anyone wants to customize their design.

And I always keep plenty of basics — like black and white — on hand. Sometimes you’ll need them to brighten or darken a color. Plus, even if you don’t have many colors, you can use color theory to mix paints to get what you need.

Step #3: Buy Your Brushes

The brushes you choose for your project matter! They can make all the difference between a smooth painting experience and a frustrating one. Make sure you have enough brushes in multiple sizes so each guest has what they need!

Each guest will need about three or four brushes: a wide brush for larger areas, a  smaller flat brush for details, and a round tip brush for finer work. If you want to keep things simple, I have a brush pack for you in the shop with all the brushes you need for paint parties!

Step #4: Create Your Table Setup 

Each guest should have their own station, complete with water cups, a paper towel for cleaning brushes, and a foam plate to use as a palette. You can also use paper plates, but foam plates don’t wear down as quickly when you add paint to it.

And make sure you protect your tables by laying down craft paper or cheap plastic tablecloths. Acrylic paint is easy to clean, but less mess means more fun!

Step #5: Don’t Forget These Supplies!

Don’t forget the small stuff! Along with your door hanger blanks and templates, paints, and paint brushes, you’ll also need some extra supplies like paint pens, pencils, rulers, painter’s tape, and a stapler for attaching strings to hang the door hangers.

You may also want to consider having a hair dryer (or two!) on hand to help speed up the drying process between layers.

Final Tips for a Successful Party

Now that you have all your supplies ready, here are a few extra tips to make sure everything goes well!

1. Pick a Date and Time: Make sure everyone knows when and where you’re meeting, as well as what to expect. Remind them to wear old clothes or bring an apron in case they get paint on themselves!
2. Collect Payments Upfront: Things happen, but I know firsthand how frustrating it can be to plan a paint party for 10 guests and only 5 show up. It’s a lot of effort to plan, but you can help avoid no-shows by collecting payment before the party. You can let people paint their project at a later date if they miss the event, but this way, you’re not stuck covering the costs!
3. Be Flexible: The first party might not go perfectly, and that’s okay! My first party had just five people, but I learned a lot about what worked and what didn’t. And we still had a blast! Each time, you’ll improve and feel more confident!

Ready to Start Planning?

See, that wasn’t so bad! Hopefully, now you feel a little more confident and prepared to host your first paint party. Whether you’re gathering friends for a fun night in, looking to add a little extra to your income, or simply wanting to explore your creative side, you now have the essentials to get started.

Want to build a little confidence before you host? Grab the Door Hangers for Beginners Mini-Course! Inside, you’ll see how to do everything, step-by-step, from cutting out your own blank to painting the finishing touches.