How to Make a Curb Painting Stencil

Example of a stenciled-on number

Curb painting is the practice of stenciling house numbers on the curbs of sidewalks to easily identify the address. The practice has been around since the 1960s and is generally performed by charities or private individuals. If you are interested in curb painting, you will need number stencils in order to quickly and easily apply numbers to the curbs with spray paint. Many curb painters purchase metal or plastic stencils to work with, but you can make your own number stencils using heavy card stock or cardboard.

Things You'll Need

• Utility knife
• Thick card stock or cardboard
• Measuring tape
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Measure the height of the average curb you intend to paint. The height is the most important measurement to take, as the length of your stencil will be relative to the height of the curb and dependent on the size of the numbers.

2. Cut a long piece of card stock or cardboard slightly shorter than the height of your curb.

3. Sketch out the numbers one through ten in a line on your piece of card stock. Use a number stencil reference in order to get the negative space areas correct, or print number stencil templates with your printer to use as a guide.

4. Cut out the negative spaces in your stencils using a utility knife.

5. Trim down any excess cardboard with a pair of scissors. Cut apart the line of numbers into ten individual stencils.

Tips & Warnings

• When using the utility knife, cut away from your body. Take care when cutting detailed areas.

References

• Express Your Address: Why Paint Your Own Graphical Curb Address?
• Curb Painting: Kit
• Ask the Decorator: How to Make Stencils

Resources

• Free Stencil Templates