Create and design aesthetic bulletin boards for your elementary classroom with the right bulletin board supplies ready. From a trusty printer (that isn’t hard on ink) to good affordable cardstock, these supplies are essential for using bulletin board sets in the classroom.
Below you’ll find the lowdown of the must-have bulletin board supplies. Thank you if you purchase through my links! Please note that these are affiliate links, so I get a small kickback if you use my link.
Essential Bulletin Board Supplies
1. Printer and Ink
A reliable printer is everything for your bulletin board creation process. Whether you’re printing decorative elements or bulletin board letters, a quality printer that rarely runs out of ink is key.
In creating bulletin board sets for the classroom, I’ve gone through a few printers. My husband was *slightly* irritated when, about a year ago, I mentioned that I had ordered yet another printer. He was valid in being annoyed. This is my fourth or fifth printer. I’ve quite literally lost count.
I’m finally happy with my printer – the Epson Ecotank ET-2850! It’s my favourite of all of these bulletin board supplies. The ink tanks are barely halfway used up and I’ve printed a lot this past year. Like, a lot a lot. I haven’t replaced the ink once!
This printer is a bit pricier than others, but in my opinion, it’s 100% worth it for not having to replace the pretty much ever. I also love that it prints vibrant colours which makes a huge difference when you’re printing bulletin board sets for the classroom.
Check out the Epson Ecotank ET-2850 here.
2. Cardstock
Using durable cardstock makes all the difference when printing your bulletin board sets for the classroom. And, yes, cardstock is a key item on this bulletin board supplies list! Paper is thin so you can usually see the bulletin board paper right through it. That’s probably not the look you’re going for. Plus, cardstock is more durable because we all know that bulletin boards get tattered the longer they are up.
There are a few things that matter when choosing cardstock. The first is the colour. There is quite a range of whites when purchasing cardstock from bright brilliant white to ivory. You probably want something in between.
Second, is the cardstock texture. Cardstock texture can make or break your printing. It can make you think your printer is a piece of garbage or make you super happy with the result.
Just like with printers, I’ve experimented with cardstock with all the printing I do when creating bulletin board sets. This cardstock is by far the best I’ve tried (without being super expensive) and works great with my printer. They are best buds.
3. Stapler and Staple Remover
Don’t be like me and use a junky stapler to put up your bulletin board sets for the classroom. I have this stapler in my classroom and it’s fantastic. It requires little effort and the staples don’t get jammed up. I won’t link the stapler that I use in my home office because it’s trash. Every single time I take a video of myself putting up one of my bulletin board sets, it jams and I have to edit that part out of the video. As I’m typing this blog post, I’m also going to order this stapler so I have one at home, too. It’s essential.
While you’re at it, make sure you have a staple remover too. These magnetic staple removers are cute, colourful and they make it super easy to quickly take down bulletin board elements and letters. A staple remover is also handy when you need to make quick adjustments as you’re putting up your bulletin board display.
Effortless Stapler and Magnetic Staple Remover
4. Scissors
Comfortable scissors are key when you want to settle into cutting bulletin board pieces and letters in front of the TV with a yummy beverage. Whether you’re trimming borders, cutting out accents, or shaping letters, invest in comfortable, precise scissors that don’t break the bank. Check out these pastel scissors. They come in a multi-pack so you can enlist help from a friend, family member, or spouse!
5. Better Than Paper
Better Than Paper truly is superior to regular bulletin board paper. I will admit that I avoided it for years. I it was expensive for a bulletin board paper alternative and didn’t understand the hype.
But now I’m hooked and don’t use anything else. In my opinion, it’s a much for bulletin board supplies! You can use it year after year and it still doesn’t look tattered. It’s amazingly tough and the texture adds to the aesthetic. Unlike traditional paper, Better Than Paper is tear-resistant, fade-resistant, and can be wiped clean, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like classrooms.
It comes in different patterns, below are some of my faves! I suggest choosing one with a neutral colour so that you don’t have to change it as you change your bulletin board sets.
Better Than Paper Faves: White Wood, Dark Rustic Wood, & Woven Fabric
5. Bulletin Borders
This might be an unpopular opinion but hear me out… I believe that choosing neutral bulletin board borders is the best option. Similar to the Better Than Paper, by choosing neutral borders, you can leave them up long term and don’t have to change borders every time you put up a new bulletin board set. This saves you a ton of time!
A cute bulletin board set should have enough flair to be eye-catching without needing to change borders. I’ll link some of my faves below.
Bulletin Board Borders: Burlap, Mauve, White wood, Bamboo Weave, Black and White Dots, & Black and White Squiggles
6. Clothespins with String
Clothespins are the perfect way to put up banner pieces from bulletin board sets! Bonus, you can leave the string and clothespin up and simply rotate the banner pieces as you change bulletin board sets in your classroom.
Clothespins & String: natural wood clothespins, white clothespins or fun heart clothespins
Want to shop all of the Amazon links at once? Check out the bulletin board supplies list in my Amazon storefront.
Bulletin Board Sets for the Classroom
Although this list is all about the bulletin board supplies you need to print and prep bulletin board sets for the classroom, you might also be looking for the actual sets! Click here to browse all of the Learn Grow Blossom bulletin board sets.
By equipping yourself with these essential bulletin board supplies, you’ll be well-prepared to create beautiful bulletin boards that contribute to your inspiring classroom space.
