Equipment Chalk Chalkline Checklist Gather materials Chalk line Chalk Measuring tape Straight edge Prepare the surface Clean and dry the surface Determine the line placement Measure and mark the line placement lightly with chalk Load the chalk line Open the chalk line and fill it with chalk powder Set the line Place one end of the chalk line at one end of the line you want to mark and secure it Hold the other end of the line taut and perpendicular to the ground Snap the line