Making stencils with your own hands will allow you to decorate any kind of surfaces with images that will emphasize your individuality. Whether you want to learn how to make stencils as a hobby or just decided to design once for a specific project, the steps below will help you easily select, make and cut your stencils.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Stencil Design
Step 1. Decide on the design
Since you are making a stencil for yourself, you can create anything. Think about the size of the surface you plan to stencil (T-shirt, wall, bookmark), who the design is for (child, girl's birthday, best friend) and where the stencil image will be (bathroom wall, kitchen countertop, skateboard deck).
- Stick to basic elements. Letters, numbers, and basic shapes (circles, squares, and diamonds) can be an easy but effective option. Combine a few of these elements to make your stencil stand out.
- Work on a specific topic. Pay attention to the motives associated with the different topics. Shells, starfish, seahorses, boats and anchors create a nautical theme. Aries, Taurus, Libra, Pisces and Crayfish are all inspired by the zodiacal theme.
- Get inspired by nature. Flowers, trees, butterflies, leaves, and the sun are just some examples of ideas that can arise from just looking out the window.
- Stick to the classics. Choose from the Greek key, fleur-de-lis, Celtic cross, or other traditional and universally recognizable symbols.
- If you are new to stencil making, you can start with an image that is fairly simple to design: one that does not contain too many individual parts or details. If you already have experience in creating patterns or are just confident in your abilities, you can do something more complex.
Step 2. Create a drawing
So, inspiration has come to you and you have decided on a drawing. Now is the time to capture it as the next step in stencil creation.
- Draw the image by hand. Use a pencil to express your idea. Self-creation of the image allows you to show maximum creativity, experiment and, if necessary, correct the drawing.
Draw with a pencil until you get a drawing that you are happy with. After that, go over the top of the lines with a permanent marker so that you can easily see the outline when you cut out the stencil
Step 3. Print a graphic or template from the Internet
There are a large number of websites offering free stencils that you can download to your computer and print.
In some cases, you will need to make a photocopy of the printed image in order to reduce or enlarge it. Sometimes it is possible to resize the image when printing or change the printer settings to get a larger or smaller image
Step 4. Use a stamp (seal) as an outline
If you have a stamp that you like to design, use it as an outline for your stencil. Press the stamp against the black ink pad, then press firmly against a sheet of white paper. Make sure the lines are sharp and crisp. With a photocopier, you can enlarge or reduce the size of the stamped sample according to the size required for the stencil.
If the stamp print is too detailed, it may not be suitable for the stencil. But if you really like the image, try to remove some of the lines by painting over them with a corrector to simplify the image
Method 2 of 4: Selecting the type of stencil: single-layer or multi-layer
Step 1. A single-layer stencil is a single sheet of paper or plastic on which the finished image is drawn and cut out
- Choose a single layer stencil if you are working in black and white or want your final image to look like a silhouette or shadow of the image.
- If you want to use a color image, choose one that has high contrast and as few different colors as possible.
- The disadvantage of single layer stencils is that some details can be lost. Their advantage is that you only need to cut and paint on one sheet.
Step 2. Copy the image onto a thin tracing paper
Draw boundaries and divide the image into separate segments. Individual areas should have clear boundaries to create bridges around the paint holes.
Make sure the bridges are wide enough to keep paint from seeping and staining your image
Step 3. Multi-layer stencil
To apply a more detailed or more multi-colored image, you will need to create a multi-layered stencil. In other words, you need to create several stencils, each of which will contain part of the image, and then apply them in turn to the surface, apply paint / ink and create the finished drawing.
- Transfer the image to tracing paper. Start working in the same way as with a single layer stencil. Outline the image and separate its different segments. The areas should have clear boundaries so that bridges will appear around the holes during paint application.
Make sure the bridges are wide enough to keep paint from seeping and staining the image
- Make registration marks. Draw a small triangle or other simple shape at each of the four corners of the drawing. Copy them to each stencil layer created so that you can accurately match the layers.
- Add a new layer of tracing paper to the first stencil. Copy holes and bridges that match in color or idea (shadows, highlights, and so on).
- Create as many layers as necessary until you transfer all the elements of the image.
Method 3 of 4: Create a paper stencil
Step 1. Select a material
You don't need to buy expensive paper to create a stencil. It is likely that your kitchen, office, or workshop already has what you need.
- Greaseproof paper is a special type of paper that can be purchased at your local grocery store. It can usually be found next to foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper. Unlike waxed paper, which has a wax coating on both sides, greaseproof paper is waxed on only one side.
Greaseproof paper is a good choice if you plan to stencil fabric (T-shirt, overalls, bag). Draw the pattern on the unwaxed side. After cutting out the stencil, place it on the fabric with the wax side down. Use an iron to heat the paper slightly so that it sticks to the surface of the fabric. This will make it easier to paint
- Tracing paper. Get started on tracing paper if you plan to copy the outline of your stencil from an existing design you found in a book or downloaded from the Internet. The tracing paper is thin enough to easily see through and accurately copy the drawing.
- Paper. Printer paper and other medium-weight papers can be used to make stencils. The big plus of this material is that almost everyone has it.
- Thick paper. Heavyweight paper and cardboard are used to make a durable stencil that retains well for repeated use. Since this paper is very thick, it is a little harder to cut. When working with this material, make sure the knife blade is sharp enough to make clear cuts.
- Copy paper. If you have made a stencil on tracing paper, but want to transfer it to thick paper, you can use carbon paper.
- Place heavy paper on the table. Place a sheet of carbon paper on top of it. Make sure the matte side of the copy paper is facing up and the ink side facing down.
- Place the tracing paper with the image on top of the carbon paper. Transfer the drawing, repeating every line and detail. While working, press hard enough to clearly and completely copy the drawing.
- Remove the tracing paper and copy paper. The design is now "printed" on thick paper.
Step 2. Seal the stencil
It's important to make the stencil as durable as possible so that it will serve your project well and can be reused in the future.
- Cover the stencil with contact copy paper. Clear contact copy paper is widely available from the household goods section of local stores.
- Place the stencil on a non-porous surface. You don't want to accidentally peel the paint off the table from contact with the sticky paper.
- Cut a piece of contact copy paper the size of your stencil, remove the protective film, and glue the paper to the stencil. Cut off any excess.
- Use packing tape. Place the stencil facedown on a non-porous surface. Stick the strips of packing tape onto the stencil. Place a new strip over the edge of the previous one until you completely cover the stencil surface. Tape the edges of the paper over and trim off any excess.
Step 3. Draw or copy the drawing of your stencil
If you are drawing, it is worth starting to work with a pencil. When the drawing is the way you wanted, repeat the pencil lines with a thin or middle end marker. If you are copying a design, you can use a marker from the beginning.
If in your initial pencil drawing you drew a few lines before applying the ink, be clear about what the final design should be
Step 4. Cut out the stencil
This work is delicate, so you need a sharp stationery knife and a little patience. If you move too fast, you can allow cuts and breaks in the stencil, as a result of which, you will have to redraw the drawing and start all over again.
- Fix the stencil. Use duct tape to firmly secure the edges of the stencil paper to the surface where you cut it. You can also use the poster squares to glue the paper to your work surface. To keep the paper sticking to the surface, use only a small amount of duct tape and flatten it carefully.
- Using a stationery knife with a sharp new blade, cut out the segments of the stencil that you plan to apply paint or ink to.
- Don't cut out the bridges - these are the borders that separate one section of your stencil image from another.
- If the stencil is very large or you are using thick paper, you will likely need to replace the knife blade midway through the project. Do this as soon as you feel the blade is dull to prevent the paper from shifting and tearing.
- When making long cuts, hold the knife at a lower angle and further away from the blade.
- When moving around the stencil, rotate the paper, not your hand.
- To make sharp edges, start cutting from the corners, not towards them.
- Use tweezers and a sharp knife to remove the cut portions of the stencil.
- When done, peel off the tape around the edges. If you can't peel off the tape from the stencil without tearing it, just wrap the edges of the tape over to the back. If you used the adhesive poster squares, peel them off from each corner of the stencil one at a time.
If you notice that you have not completely cut one of the segments, immediately put the stencil back, re-attach it to the surface and re-cut the desired segment
Method 4 of 4: Create a plastic stencil
Step 1. Select a sheet of plastic
There are two main types of plastic to choose from when it comes to stencil making - acetate and Mylar. They both fit perfectly. The choice is just a matter of taste, so look at your local hardware store to determine which one is right for you.
- These plastics come in clear and colored forms, are available in sheets or rolls, and some even have an adhesive backing.
- Check the surface of the plastic sheet to make sure you can draw on it and can easily draw on it. Look for plastic with a matte finish, as this is usually fine for pencil and ink.
- Acetates do have several disadvantages if you are making a stencil that you plan to keep. Over time, it turns yellow or becomes grayish and its edges curl.
- Repurpose old x-rays. These old plastic films can be used as stencil material.
Step 2. Draw or copy the stencil onto the plastic
A clear drawing or a clear copy of the stencil ensures that you can easily follow the template when it comes time to cut the stencil.
- Use a permanent marker with a sharp tip when drawing or copying a drawing. If you originally completed the drawing with a pencil, repeat its lines with a marker.
- Be careful not to smudge the marker lines as you work. The clearer the lines, the easier you will be able to follow them when you cut the stencil.
Step 3. Cut out the stencil
A sharp blade and a hard surface are all it takes to successfully cut a stencil. Move slowly and clearly along the lines of the drawing. Taking breaks to relax and distract yourself can help keep your hand steady.
- Fix the stencil. Apply some spray glue to the back of the stencil, wait for it to become sticky, and place the stencil on the cutting surface. Alternatively, you can secure the outer edges of the stencil tightly with duct tape.
- Using a stationery knife with a sharp new blade, cut out the segments of the stencil that you plan to apply paint or ink to.
- Don't cut - these are the borders that separate one segment of your stencil image from another.
- When making long cuts, hold the knife at a lower angle and further away from the blade.
- Rotate the paper rather than your hand as you move along the stencil lines.
- To make sharp edges, start cutting from the corners, not towards them.
- Use tweezers and a sharp knife to remove the cut portions of the stencil.
- When finished, remove the tape and / or thoroughly clean the plastic surface of the stencil, starting at the outer edges.
If you notice that you have not completely cut one of the segments, immediately put the stencil back, reattach it to the surface and re-cut the desired area
Step 4. Smooth sharp corners
Gently rub over the edges of the stencil with soft sandpaper to smooth out any sharp edges. If the edges of the stencil are not smooth when you apply the paint, the image will not come out accurate and clear.