Spray paint stencils range from simple hearts or circles to complex urban scenarios or realistic portraits. Homeowners could use stencils to liven up an old piece of furniture or to create decorative borders in a room. Artists are usually more interested in creating complicated stencils to fully mirror their thoughts or ideas. In this article, you will learn which steps and materials are required to create stencils with simple or complex spray paints.
Steps
Step 1. Make a plan before you start stenciling
- Determine what size stencil you need. If the stencil is going to be large, it's okay to include small details. If the stencil is going to be small, a simple design should be used.
- Decide how many colors you want to use for the stencil image. This will affect the amount of materials you need and how many stencils you will need to create.
Step 2. Draw a picture of the image you want to get from the stencil or search for an image or photograph online
Step 3. Create the final image with clean lines and good contrast
- If you are drawing your own image, clearly delimit the areas of the image that will be cut off by the stencil. Remember that you need to define the edges and details of your image, or the stencil will not portray your original design.
- If you are using a photograph or an online image, you must use software that is capable of modifying the contrast and brightness of your image in order to achieve defined light and dark areas.
Step 4. Print the final image on a regular sheet of computer paper
It is a good idea to mark the areas that will be cut off the stencil with a pencil or highlighter to make sure you have clear lines for your stencil.
Step 5. Choose the type of stencil material you want to use
- Cardboard or foam boards are suitable for large and simple stencils on flat surfaces.
- The paper is fine for stencils used only once on flat or rounded surfaces.
- Cardstock holds better than paper and can be used on flat or slightly rounded surfaces.
- Plastic or clear acetate is suitable for creating reusable stencils for both flat and rounded surfaces.
- Frisket film, which is a transparent film that is slightly adhesive on the underside, is suitable for flat and rounded surfaces.
Step 6. Tape the stencil image sheet to the stencil material
Alternatively, attach it with an adhesive spray or transfer the image onto the stencil material using carbon paper.
Step 7. Cut out the areas of your image where you want the design to be visible using a utility knife
If the stencil will have more than one color, create different stencils for each color.
Step 8. Stick the stencil onto the surface to be painted with tape or using the adhesive spray on the back of the stencil and wait 1 or 2 minutes before sticking it on the surface
If the stencil material is frisket film, simply remove the backing and attach it to the surface to be painted.
Step 9. Paint with sprays
Try your best to stay inside the stencil.
Step 10. Remove the stencil
Step 11. Finished
Use your stencil wherever you need it.
Advice
- Make sure you use the utility knife on safe surfaces, such as a cutting board.
- If you're starting with a photograph or image, it's okay to alter the image to make your stencil work. Sometimes it is necessary to create external borders, or some dark area must be eliminated in order to create a stencil that adequately portrays the initial image.
