How to Put Butcher Paper & a Border on a Bulletin Board

Cover the holes in your bulletin board and create an appealing display.

That bulletin boards are well-used for communicating information in classrooms or offices is evidenced by the masses of thumbtack or pin holes in the surface of the display board. You don’t have to look at those uneven craters, however, if you cover the bulletin board with butcher paper. Add a decorative border and the colors from your board will “pop,” bringing extra attention to the news you’re sharing.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure or yardstick
• Stapler
• Craft knife or scissors
• Scalloped border roll or pre-cut pieces

Instructions

Adding the Paper

1. Measure the width of your bulletin board, including the frame.

2. Cut a length of butcher paper to match your measurement.

3. Center the paper along the inside edge of the bulletin board’s top.

4. Staple a corner in place.

5. Smooth the paper across the top of the bulletin board, keeping it flush to the top edge of the board and adding a staple about every 6 inches. Check the paper to be sure it is straight. Make any necessary adjustments.

6. Smooth the paper down the board on the left edge, pressing the side of your hand or your finger along the inside of the frame to crease the paper.

7. Staple the left edge about every 6 inches.

8. Repeat the smoothing and stapling along the right edge of the frame.

9. Slide the craft knife along the inside edge of the frame to remove the extra paper. This provides a smooth edge that extends completely across the board.

Adding the Border - Single Roll Style

1. Trim the end of the rolled border to be sure it is straight.

2. Align the end in the top corner on the left side of the bulletin board, with the scalloped side facing the center of the board. Staple the border at the corner.

3. Stretch the border down the left side of the board, keeping the straight edge against the inside frame edge. Staple the border about every 3 inches.

4. Slide the craft knife along the bottom inside frame edge to cut the border.

5. Repeat on the right side of the board, then on the top and bottom, overlapping the border at the top and bottom over the side pieces.

Adding the Border - Pre-cut Pieces

1. Align the first piece of border in the top left corner, placing the straight edge flush against the frame edge. Staple the corner and about every 3 inches.

2. Place a second piece of border on the side of the board, overlapping it with the first piece so that the scalloped edges match. Staple it about every 3 inches.

3. Continue adding strips until you reach the bottom of the bulletin board. Trim the excess with the craft knife.

4. Repeat for the right, top, and bottom edges.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute the corner and edge of a metal ruler or one blade of your scissors for the craft knife. The paper may tear more easily with these tools, so work slowly to remove excess paper and border neatly.

• Make your own border with construction paper, scrapbooking or wallpaper, or ribbon. You can make it with straight edges, with scallops from a template, or with edging scissors.

• If your bulletin board is taller than the width of the paper, repeat the steps with a second length of paper, this time aligning it with the bottom inside edge of the frame.