How to Make a Placard
A placard is a message or picture written on a rectangular piece of cardboard, attached to a stick. Placards can be shared peacefully at a protest or they can be displayed in your window or on your bedroom wall at home instead.
Step 1: Decide your message
• What do you want to say?
• How will you say it?
• Do you want to use words, pictures or symbols?
Step 2: Gather your materials
• Save money and help the environment by using materials you already have at home.
• We used some cardboard, an old piece of wood, a ruler, a pencil, a leftover tester pot of paint, a black marker pen and some adhesive tape, but an old cereal box, ballpoint pen, felt pens or even nail varnish would work!
• Having less materials to choose from can actually make you more creative, so see what you can find and be imaginative.
Step 3: Sketch out your message
• It can be useful to mark out your words or design using a ruler and a pencil
• Use a pencil to lightly sketch out your message before using paint or pen to make sure you are happy with how it is spaced out
Step 4: Complete your design
• Go over your sketched design to make it bold and easy to read. You can add colour or go over design to make it clear and bright
Step 5: Complete your placard
• Attach a stick to turn your poster into a placard. You can use adhesive tape, a staple gun or make holes and use string. Wood works well, but a piece of bamboo, a garden cane or a broom handle can also be used.
Step 6: Display your work
• Whether you make a poster, placard or try making a large banner using fabric, decide where you would like to share your work and display your message!
Info for parents and teachers
This activity is aimed at young people aged 11-17 years-old.
If you’re a parent, teacher or caregiver looking for an simple PDF print version of this activity, click here to download a printable PDF version.
Click here for more activities and resources aimed at young people with an interest in activism and getting their voices heard.