How to Make My Own Airbrush Stencils for Nails

Airbrush a design on a fingernail using a sticky-back stencil.

Airbrush designs add flair and personality to finished fingernails. The designs range from a simple shape, such as a heart or star, to a complicated Celtic knot. A stencil is used to get a crisp clean line on the edge of the design. Fingernail stencils are made with a sticky-back stencil paper that ensures they will not slip during the airbrush process. Make your own personalized or special designed fingernail stencils in as little as five minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Thin sticky-back stencil paper
• Stencil design
• Ultra-fine permanent marker
• Cutting mat
• Craft knife

Instructions

1. Place the stencil on a flat work surface so the paper side is on the back.

2. Draw or trace the fingernail stencil onto the stencil surface with an ultra-fine marker.

3. Place the stencil material on a cutting mat so the paper is on the back. Carefully cut along the drawn lines with a sharp craft knife. Press hard enough to cut through the stencil and the backing paper at the same time.

4. Cut the stencil from the sticky back stencil sheet from 1/2-inch to 5/8-inch wide, depending on the specific fingernail. Cut the length of the stencil from 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch, again depending on the specific fingernail.

5. Peel the paper from the back of the stencil prior to application.

Tips & Warnings

• An alternative to sticky-back stencil paper is sticky-back vinyl, label sheets and contact paper. The same process is used to cut the stencil. Remove the paper back prior to application.

References

• Stencil Ease: Adhesive-Backed Stencils, A How to Guide
• All About Stencils: Airbrush Tattoo Stencils