Free Printable Bulletin Board Borders

About these bulletin board borders handouts

A border is the quickest way to make a bulletin board look finished, and a printed border means you are not buying rolls of trim that are the wrong color. Each page holds four strips, each 7.5 inches long and a little over two inches tall. Cut them out on the dashed lines and tape them end to end, so one page covers 30 inches of board and a classroom board takes three or four pages.

The six patterns are all geometric, so they sit well behind almost any display. The scale pattern is a pair of overlapping rings that read as a scalloped edge. The zigzag has layered pointed bands and a bold line through the middle. The polka dot and the diamond harlequin are quiet backgrounds for busy work. The candy stripe runs at an angle, and the wave pattern layers soft curves that suit science and water themes.

Every strip is built from the page's color style, so the border matches the rest of your decorations when you pick the same style for the title, letters and labels. Alternate strips swap the two accent colors, which gives a long border a gentle rhythm instead of a repeating block.

The strips tile at the cut line, so the patterns line up when you butt the ends together. Trim about a quarter inch of overlap if you prefer to tape from behind. For a board that will stay up for the term, print on cardstock or laminate the strips before you staple.

How to use them

1. Pick a pattern that stays quiet behind your display: dots and diamonds for busy boards, scales and waves for a softer edge.
2. Choose a color style and print on white or pale paper. Cardstock holds up better under staples.
3. Cut each strip on the dashed lines.
4. Lay the strips along the edge of the board, end to end, and tape them together from behind.
5. Staple through the strip into the board, placing staples where the pattern covers them.

Classroom tips

• Measure your board before you print. A 4 by 6 foot board needs about 20 feet of border, which is eight pages of strips.
• Cut the first strip, lay it against the board, and count pages needed from that strip. It is quicker than measuring in your head.
• Print a few spare strips. Corners need to be mitered or overlapped, and a spare strip makes it easy to patch a mistake.
• Mix patterns for a themed look: waves along the top of a science board and scales along the bottom make a simple frame.

Notes on this page

• Each page has four strips, 7.5 inches long. Tape strips end to end.

Last reviewed 2026-10-03. Handout Hero designs are original and made for this site. They are general reference material; check your own school, district or tradition where it matters.