Holiday Photo Backdrop DIY

I made a photo backdrop for a secret santa party we hosted! I’ve included the materials and instructions you need below, and watch the YouTube video to see how I put it together! Enjoy!


MATERIALS

  • 8 boards ranging from 6 - 8 feet (see size guide below)

  • 5 colors of satin spray paint

  • Table (or hand) saw

  • Electric (or hand) sander

  • Tarp

  • Sharpie

  • Face mask 

  • Thin gloves (to protect hands from spray paint)


BOARD SIZING & COLOR GUIDE

Key: Board (#): [height], [spray paint color]

Board 1: 6’, Color 1

Board 2: 8’, Color 2

Board 3: 6’6”, Color 1

Board 4: 7’6”, Color 3

Board 5: 7’,Color 4

Board 6: 6’6”, Color 5

Board 7: 8’, Color 4

Board 8: 6’, Color 5


STEPS

  1. Cut boards to varying heights, using the size guide above

  2. Sand boards all over with particular attention to any cut ends

  3. Use a sharpie to number the board on the back

  4. Lay down tarp to protect surface from paint

  5. Lay down 2 risers that boards can rest on for painting. This will help them not dry to the tarp. 

  6. Pair the boards that will use the same color (eg. Boards 1 & 3) and lay on risers. Put on your face mask and gloves.

  7. Paint one light coat of paint on the front and all sides. This first coat is just a dusting of paint, so there will be a lot of board still showing through. Wait ~5 minutes.

  8. Paint a second coat of paint on the front and all sides. This time will be more thorough and you won’t see much board showing through. Wait ~ 15 minutes.

  9. Paint third coat of paint on front and all sides ensuring no board shows through. Move to the end of the riser for drying, leaving a small gap in between each board. If you need to store the paint, but it on it’s head. 

  10. Repeat steps 6 - 9 for the remaining boards and colors.

  11. Let all boards dry for a few hours, I recommend letting sit for a day.

  12. On day of event, arrange boards in numerical order, setting them right next to each other. 

  13. Style with balloons or other decorations!


TIPS

  • If you’re storing the boards on the ground, lay them on risers so they don’t retain moisture from the ground 

  • Store spray paint on it’s head if you want to reuse it

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