How to Create a Birthday Banner

Any birthday, from one to 100, is a cause for celebration. Let neighbors, family or party guests know of the special occasion by making a birthday banner. While generic banners are available in party and card stores, creating your own gives you the option to personalize the banner. A variety of computer programs are available to help you create festive banners. After a couple of clicks, you'll be ready to help blow out the candles.

Using Paint

• 1

  Open Paint, click the Paint button in the top-left corner of the screen and select "Properties." Type the banner dimensions into the "Width" and "Height" boxes, such as "70" and "10" respectively. Select the "Inches" button and click the "OK" button.

• 2

  Choose a color from the "Colors" section of the ribbon/toolbar at the top of the screen. Select the "Text" tool, which looks like an "A" on the toolbar. Click the left side of the banner.

• 3

  Type the banner message, such as "Happy Sweet 16, Rose!" Drag the text into place in the middle of the banner.

• 4

  Select a new colored square from the "Colors" section. Click the "Brushes" button and select "Airbrush." Click around the white space of the banner to add a glitter/confetti effect to the banner. Change colored squares and keep clicking for a rainbow look.

• 5

  Click the Paint button, select "Save As," name the banner and save the file to the computer.

Using Publisher

• 1

  Open Publisher and click the "Banners" button under the "More Templates" section of the "Available Templates" screen. Double-click the "Birthday" banner under the "Event" section. After a few moments, the banner opens in the Publisher workspace.

• 2

  Click into the "Happy Birthday" text, which becomes highlighted. Customize the message, such as "Happy Birthday, Max" or "Look Who's 40!"

• 3

  Highlight the text and click the "Home" tab at the top of the page. Select a new font, text color and text size from the options in the "Font" section of the ribbon/toolbar.

• 4

  Select the "Page Design" tab at the top of the screen. Click the "Background" button on the right side of the ribbon/toolbar. Choose a background color or design for the banner. Skip this step if you'll be printing on colored vinyl or foil.

• 5

  Click the "File" tab at the top of the screen. Select "Save As." Give the banner file a name and save it to the computer.

Using Photoshop

• 1

  Open Photoshop, select the "File" menu and click "New." Type "BirthdayBanner" into the "Name" box. Type dimensions into the "Width" and "Height" boxes, such as "75" and "15." Pull down the dimensions menus and choose "inches" for each. Click the "OK" button.

• 2

  Select the "Type" tool, which looks like a "T" on the "Tools" palette on the left side of the screen. Choose a font, text color and text size from the toolbar at the top of the screen.

• 3

  Click the "BirthdayBanner" box and type the banner text, such as "It's Betty's Birthday!" Drag the text into place on the banner.

• 4

  Click the "Paint Bucket" tool on the "Tools" palette. Pull down the "Foreground" menu on the toolbar at the top of the screen and select "Pattern." Click into the pattern box and select a background design, such as bubbles or stars. Slide the "Opacity" bar down to 25 percent. Click the white space of the "BirthdayBanner" box, which fills the background with the design behind the text.

• 5

  Select the "File" menu, click "Save As" and save the banner to the computer.