banners


for long term reusable, buy some canvas or other sturdy cloth
short term/one time -
old sheets
  -pick & save or other second hand stores, dorms?
(for indoors, even paper?)


put newspapers under and around banner before painting 
to keep from getting paint on floor

use waterproof paint/ink if possible (if banner drop is outdoors, duh)
spray paint


stencils
 -cardboard cutouts (cut up manila folders, cardboard scraps, 
stiff thick paper w/ x-acto knife, box cutter, scissors)
 -make letters in masking tape stuck straight on the cloth, 
paint around them & peel off

scout out locations beforehand if possible - 
how visible if you don't already know, 
ways to attach banner - railings?, 
including check if you could get arrested at that location, 
or if there are locked doors to get past, 
or dangerous places one must climb,etc


of course simplest banner drop/display is people standing & holding banner
(large banners & windy days - might need several people to hold it)

 bring supplies for fastening or any last minute modifications:
tape
string
scissors
clothespins
big safety pins
wire?

possibly some sort of weights if it is windy - rocks? 
(& make pockets in banner by folding & pinning or tying) 
or even tie your shoes/book/jacket/something heavy-ish  
to hanging banner 
or hold on ground w/backpacks in emergency  
& if banner drop is just for a short time

try to make sure weights won't fall on someone or on a car
or cut wind holes  (random slits/crescent cuts on banner)


or fold over top of cloth & sew or pin and then put a pole or curtain rod through it
or maybe put up a clothesline/string/wire & hang banner on it?