How to Make a Black Light Poster

Black light posters are so vibrant that even simple designs can grab your eyes. Fluorescent colors that might be unattractive or even grating in normal light suddenly pop out with a magical unearthly glow once the black lights come on. Use simple bold shapes and bright colors for the best effect.

Things You'll Need

• Pictures
• Stencils
• Cardboard
• Poster board
• Pencil
• Poster paints
• Brushes
• Scissors
• Black permanent marker

Instructions

1. Pick out or prepare stencils. You can buy stencils at arts and crafts stores, or you could simply make your own. To make a stencil, glue your chosen image to a piece of cardboard, then cut it out.

2. Arrange your stencils on a piece of poster board. Trace each one lightly in pencil. The line should be just thick enough for you to see.

3. Retrace the lines in black permanent marker. This step is not necessary, but it does create more definition. Thick black borders between you shapes will make the image more dramatic once the black lights come on.

4. Paint your shapes in bright colors. Use fluorescent poster paints to fill in each stencil.

5. Paint in the background. You can use a dimmer color of paint, or you can create color gradients. To create gradients, paint one side one color. Paint the other side a second color, and blur them in the middle.

Tips & Warnings

• Turn off your lights. Hold your paints under the black light to see how they will look.