DIY Printed Classroom Posters

Do you love the look and functionality of classroom posters, but dislike the fact all your big company manufactured posters are mix-and-match and don’t really gel with your current classroom theme?

I have always felt that way and for years, I always ONLY purchased classroom decor items that were solid primary colors so that way my decorative classroom elements would at least feel like they all went together.

Of course, that was back in the days when our only option to purchase classroom materials was typically an annual trip to the local brick and mortar teacher supply store or from a few select mail order catalogs that were sent to the school. And they only had a limited supply of options.

But once I started seeing all the adorable classroom decor sets that were available today – so many that are digital downloads and customizable, I LOVED all the beautiful new options I had. The bonus is that so many of these sets are super economical, so I could swap out the design I chose as often as I liked really.

Do you love the look and functionality of classroom posters, but dislike the fact all your big company manufactured posters are mix-and-match and don't really gel with your current classroom theme? Learn how to make your own!

But – as with anything that is print yourself, you are usually limited to the size of your home printer.

So I went on the hunt for an inexpensive solution that allowed ALL teachers access to printing their very own classroom posters and I love the end result!

Ready to create and print your own masterpieces too?

Let’s go!

Step 1: Decide what type of poster you would like to create.

Do you want something strictly decorative?

Or one that is instructional in nature or gives directions?

Step 2: Once you know what you want your poster to say and look like, you can either design something from scratch via Power Point or use an editable template from a set you have purchased.

Want some done-for-you choices?

Organized Educator offers FULL BUNDLE Sets that contain all the following posters with most that allow for editing:

Decor Posters
Lunch Menu Poster
Grading Scale Poster
Daily Objectives Poster
Daily Class Schedule Poster
Classroom Jobs Poster
Behavior Expectations Poster
Discipline Policy Poster
Class Incentive Poster
Birthday Poster
Book Levels Poster

The sky is the limit – this is just a sampling of the options, but you can make a poster out of any type of handout honestly. Even a welcome sign or parent conference night schedule.

Step 3: Once you have your file, you’ll want to make sure it’s in a photo format. So that would be a .jpg or .png file.

What happens if you have a PDF file?

Super simple: Go to PDF to Image and convert your PDF file to an image file.

Step 4: Now, head over to Canva and set up a free account if you don’t already have one.

Once logged in, head to the upper right corner and click on “Create a Design” and then choose “Poster.” You now have a blank template for making your poster.

Step 5: Upload your picture that you want to make into a poster.

Do that by clicking on the “Uploads” icon on the left hand toolbar and then click “Upload Media.”

Step 6: Once uploaded, click on your image {tip: don’t drag it over} and then resize by pulling the corners until it fits in your poster template just right.

You might need to turn your image 90 degrees if you are making a landscape poster vs a portrait poster.

Step 7: After you have your poster looking exactly like you want it, choose “Print Posters” from the top right corner of the screen.

The system then walks you through making sure you aren’t cutting anything off you want to be shown, it has you look at a proof to triple check for spelling errors, and allows you to pick the size of posters you would like – and the cost.

The Proof is in the Printing

As you notice, Canva’s pricing is super economical and allows you to print even just one poster if you want. No minimum print limits involved at all.

Another print-on-demand option is Staples. But I found their pricing to be twice the cost, so perhaps only consider using that option if you are in a time crunch and need it quicker.

Once you place your poster order with Canva, it takes almost 2 weeks to receive it, so keep those timelines in mind. But the quality is wonderful!

They send rolled up in a strong cardboard triangular prism box and so they come in perfect condition.

The paper is thick and it does have that slight glossy sheen. { Takes me back to those *NSYNC bedroom poster days – haha!}

Displaying Your Classroom Posters

Once you have gotten your posters delivered, you have a few different options for displaying:

1 – Staple the corners up on your wall if you have drywall.

Why staples and not sticky tack or pushpins?

I actually had a principal share once that it was MUCH easier to paint and cover staple holes in a wall than large push pin holes. From that point on, I realized she was correct and you could barely see the tiny staple holes when I moved something versus the larger push pin or thumbtack holes.

Obviously if you have concrete block (been there too), you can use sticky tack or wax.

I have also heard hot glue works well on concrete block, but to be honest, I’m not sure the hot glue won’t burn right through poster paper, so maybe check one before trying it on your only display copies.

2 – A second option is to frame and hang.

THESE FRAMES from a big box store work great.

Just make sure you get the right size so you don’t have to lug 7 home, then 7 frames back to the store, to swap out for the right size, and lug all 7 home again. Ask me how I know this…

3 – Last: If you go with a smaller poster print, you can frame, then place the frame on a heavy duty photo easel on a shelf or window ledge.

All options allow you to add writing to your poster if it’s an interactive option (such as a classroom incentive chart or weekly objective poster).

If your poster “template” is in a frame, use a dry erase marker on the top to easily change it from week to week as needed. For example: On Monday your student helpers change, so you can easily erase the current student names and write the new ones on the glass frame that overlays the actual poster so it can be reused all year long.

Designing Your Dream Classroom Space

Need more classroom decor and organization inspiration?

Make sure to check out all current themes listed at Organized Educator to see TONS of pictures of the 935 pages of done-for-you templates for absolutely everything you would need to feel less stressed and more effective in your classroom.