Here are some suggestions on what needs to be done in preparation for a paint job. The web sites at the bottom go into more detail.

Useful items for painting:
Angled sash paintbrush.
Blue painter’s tape.
Brushes, 4-inch for larger areas, 3-inch (for small areas) and 1 ½-inch (for trim) and for (for irregular surfaces, trim and wall corners) latex paint = Nylon or Synthetic Polyester oil paint = bristle brush.
Wall brush and oil based paint = natural double bristle brush
Broom and dustpan
Bucket to clean the surface
Cap or scarf
Can opener or widening tool
Canvas drop cloths best, durable and don’t bunch up
Caulk and Caulking gun
Claw hammer
Disposable gloves
Drop cloth / tarps
Ear protectors
Eyewear (protective)
Face mask or Respirator
Fine-grit sandpaper
Five-gallon bucket
Foam = for fine finishes
Gloves
Hand sanding block
Hole filler
Ladders
Masking tape and masking paper 2-inch wide
Nap (large) for rougher surfaces
Newspaper
Orbital sander
Paint can opener
Paint edger
Paint thinner or solvent for oil Rags
Paint guide
Paint scraper (triangle scraper)
Paint thinner (with oil-based paints)
Paint trays and liners
Pouring spout
Putty knife
Primer
Protective eyewear
Rags
Roller for larger surfaces
Roller cage handle and extension (if needed)
Roller covers with appropriate naps
Roller pan with screen
Safety glasses or goggles
Sandpaper
Scraper and putty knife
Screen.
Place this inside the bucket to wipe any excess paint off the roller
Screwdriver
Self-adhesive drywall tape
Sponge.
Step stool / ladder
Stirrers. Usually comes free with any paint purchase.
Tape measure
Wire brush
Zip lock bags

Before you paint
-Always stir paint before applying.
-A reusable canvas drop cloth, which is less slippery than plastic, on the floor.
-Attach the spout to a gallon of paint and pour without any mess.
-Before priming, wash the walls with a few drops of dishwashing detergent mixed with water.
-Caulk around door trim, windowsills, siding etc. and fill nail holes.
-Clean room and remove wall paper, light and socket plates etc.
-Cement surfaces should have water put on them cover floor and furniture (tie around furniture) also outside area if paint outside.
-First dry up to 48 hours priming coat
-Fix any necessary items behind the wall you’re painting (electrical or plumb etc.)
-Fix scaffolding properly
-Furniture in center or out of room.
-Lead based paint is in most homes before 1970 until they learned it was unhealthy. Find out what is requir4d to remove this.
-Measure walls first so you’ll know how much paint to buy. Typically, one gallon of paint
covers 400 square feet.
-Plaster surface voids, pores and cracks (give six mo. to dry)
-Primer needs to be compatible with what you’re painting. Power wash drive way for organize your work area in advance
-Outside job (make sure its dry before you paint)
-Remove old pain (wear appropriate protection)
-Remove all stains (paints react to stains differently)
-Stir pain well
-Tape areas next to windows, trim etc.
-Zip lock bags can hold light fixtures, cabinet knobs hinges etc. (label what came from where)
-Under light-switch covers and electrical-outlet covers in a newly painted room. Write the vital information (brand name, paint color, paint number)

During your paint job:
-Do ceiling first
-Use a primer with a stain blocker
-For big jobs that require multiple gallons of paint, keep the color consistent by mixing all the cans in a large bucket.
-For spray painting cover bushes, windows, etc.
-Hole filler: Quicker than spackling: Dab hole fiber glass tape can bridge large holes or wide cracks in a wall. Fill into small holes in the wall.
-A 3/8-inch nap provides the best finish for most interior walls
-Ladders should have cloth to protect bumps against wall and floor
-Screwdriver: Use to loosen any ceiling plates of lighting fixtures and remove switch plates before painting
-Each night wash brushes in hot water and soap plus all containers.
-Do secondary coats 24 hours later.
-Paint thinner can take care of drops, fittings
-Tint the primer = will give better paint job. Mix a little topcoat pain into the primer. Either latex or oil based.
-To remember original color maybe pain on masking tape and put on inside to light fixture
-Paint shoes that stay in the room when you exit or check your feet for paint each time you leave a room.
-Wear old stainable clothes and shoes and shower cap
-When painting rooms, forget the ladder and get a telescoping extension pole for your paint roller

Please add items that have been missed or if y0u have painting techniques that have served you well, I encourage you to share them.

Links:
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/painting/painting-supplies-checklist-00000000000209/index.html
http://www.gharexpert.com/articles/Paint-2011/Checklist-Painting-Work_0.aspx
http://interiordec.about.com/od/interiorpainting/a/a_paintingtips.htm
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/interior/4286872
http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/checklists/ms_checklist_paintroom.pdf
http://www.ripaintingandrestoration.com/PDFs/house_painting_checklist.pdf
http://www.vansicklepaint.com/howto/exteriorchecklist.html
http://www.sbsalaska.com/assets/news/topics/checklist.htm
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/interior/4286872
http://www.kilz.com/masterchem/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=282090033f9ff110VgnVCM1000008a05d103RCRD
http://www.ehow.com/list_6535607_house-painting-checklist.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9gtE1F4H1I
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/interiorpaintcheck#b
http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/paint-painting-preparation-checklist
http://www.quotify.com.au/painting/buyer-guides/exterior-painting-preparation-checklist
http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/paint-painting-preparation-checklist#ixzz286N2fPNN