How to Make Stencils
The drama club is coming to your house to work on their fund-raising project. Hand made wares are popular sellers and they are going to design and paint frame ready prints and t-shirts advertising their upcoming season. Stencils are easy to use and provide consistent results, but purchasing a professionally done custom design is cost prohibitive. The club is gathering for the afternoon to make the stencils themselves.
Things You'll Need
- Pictures
- Sheets .003 Clear Acetate
- Colored Markers
- Craft knife
- Painter’s Tape
- Transparent Tape
- Cutting Surface
- Newspaper
- Repositionable Spray Adhesive
Instructions
-
-
1
Have your designs or pictures ready to work with and sized to fit the object you intend to paint. Leave masks for the areas that you do not want painted and allow for floating negative space when you draw your designs or prepare your pictures. That is the blank space, in letters and shapes that keep your stencil attached to the acetate.
-
2
Tape your prepared picture to the acetate with painter’s tape; transparent tape is very sticky and can damage your artwork on removal. Color in your design on the opposite side of the stencil to ensure you have achieved the look you want, before you start to cut.
-
-
3
Use a craft knife to cut out your design. Go slow and be careful not to cut yourself. Repair accidental cuts and nicks in the acetate with transparent tape. Protect your furniture from damage; cut your stencil on a piece of board, linoleum or other impenetrable surface.
-
4
Remove the tape and pop out your custom stencil; trim any hanging pieces. To make your stencil adhere to the object you intend to paint. Lay it on newspaper hold the spray adhesive about 18-inches away and thoroughly coat your stencil. Let it cure for 15 minutes and repeat; allow it to dry 15 minutes more. Your stencil is ready to use.
-
5
Clean your stencil with soap and water; dry with a paper towel. Place your stencil between sheets of plastic wrap and lay flat to store.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Clear report covers make acceptable substitutes for .003 clear acetate sheets.
If you are printing different sized items, you need a copy of your design sized to fit each.
