I laminated my numbers and words immediately with my little Scotch Laminator. Then I cut the numbers and words out with my little Martha Stewart paper cutter (from scrap booking) to make nice straight lines. The straws look just like the straws you stir coffee with- maybe slightly bigger, but if you loose straws then just buy regular or coffee straws. The pouch is smaller but holds your extra straws and numbers. The dimensions make it just right for a smaller space on the wall. Has no problem hanging with smaller thumb tacks. I might make a second set of words and numbers so people can see from across the room easier- but the size it comes with is fine too.