Craft Stenciling Tools for Professional Results

As with anything you do, having the right tool is essential for the success of your craft stenciling projects. Trying to get by with whatever you can put your hands on may end up getting you frustrated and making the results of your time and effort a disaster. Of course it’s fun to experiment with different techniques and I always encourage you to do that but not when you are just starting out. I put together some information for you to become familiar with the options available so you can decide on what craft stenciling tools to get started with.

All About Paint Applicators for Craft Stenciling

First, get a good brush for your craft stenciling projects. Stencil brushes have short, firmly packed bristles that are designed to reduce the chances of getting paint under the edges of the stencil. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and widths, from very thin for detailed sections to wide for applying paint to larger areas.

I recommend having a different brush for each color in your stencil. Washing one brush after each use allows water to remain in the bristles. It must have a good amount of time to dry thoroughly. If you use a moistened paint brush your paints will be thinned and more likely to seep under the stencil. Save yourself the headaches and have a few brushes on hand. Always remember that stenciling is a dry brush technique so keeping your brush dry is very important.

Another great option for paint application is a foam brush. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most commonly they are shaped like a paint brush in 1 or 2 inch widths. I find that these foam brushes are great for applying paint to a large area. But let’s say you have a small area to paint. No problem because foam brushes also come in small round sponges with a flat surface. These are called dabbers or spouncers. They are handy for getting into tighter spots and around edges.

Mister Art.com has a dedicated section for all the stenciling supplies you will need.

Securing the Stencil to Your Surface

Securing your stencil to the surface is essential for good results. A stencil that shifts can create several problems. It can smear the wet paint under the stencil. If you don’t notice a shift between coats of paint, you can end up with a double vision or shadow image. So, here are some of the best options for securing a stencil to the surface. You can use low-tack masking tape in each corner or along the edges (or both). This will secure the edges and keep the stencil from moving. Make sure the stencil is laying flat against the surface before you tape down.

If you want your entire stencil to adhere to the surface, then try a spray adhesive. Just turn your stencil so that the side that will be against your wall or surface is facing you and spray. You will want to have some newspaper behind it to catch the access paint sprayed (it can be a little messy). Position the sprayed stencil to your surface and push down gently on the entire stencil. I like to run my fingers over the bridges to make sure every part is flat against the surface. This will keep paint from seeping under the stencil and that is the biggest advantage of creating a sticky back to your stencil.

If you are using a spray glue product make sure it is a “repositionable” type and safe for your surface. You do not want to remove the paint of your background surface when you remove the stencil. Make sure to read the directions carefully on the package or can and always test on your surface. If you find you have applied too much spray adhesive you may try sticking and removing it multiple times on a piece of scrap cloth or other surface.

Also, I have used a glue stick to secure stencils to the surface much the same as a with a spray glue. You don’t have the messy overspray situation as with the spray glue but you do have to be careful that glue from the stick does not get caught in the islands where you will be applying paint. When I use a glue stick I find it best to dab the glue on and use a finger to run it onto the bridges. Again, make sure that you are applying the glue to the side of the stencil that will be against your surface.

All About Paints

I highly recommend investing in good paints. Less expensive paints can be thin and runny. They are more likely to seep under your stencil edges. Also, you will need to apply more layers of paint to achieve the look you want. This means more work and time spent on the project. Watery paints will be hard on a paper stencil too.

Joann.com carries Delta Ceramcoat and Folk Arts Paints. These are a couple of the brands that are good quality, thick acrylic paints. Remember, you want a thick paint that will not run and create a mess. Stenciling is a "dry brush" technique so the goal is to find a paint that is not watery.

Craft stenciling can be a fun and exciting hobby! Once you get the hang of all the stencil supplies and tools available, you will develop some fantastic techniques. Soon you will be creating fabulous works of art!

Here are a few more on-line suppliers for your basic stenciling needs.

Dick Blick Art Materials is one place to find a good selection of brushes, stencil making materials and craft cutting knives like X-acto. You will find they are a supplier of fine art supplies with a good selection for crafters and artists alike.

If you are looking for pre-cut stencil designs, try Stencil Ease. They offer Decorative Home Designs as well as Industrial and Custom Designs plus a good variety of alphabet stencils. You can also find Americana Brand Acrylic Paints which is a good quality paint.

Royal Design Studios is another great supplier of pre-cut stencils and supplies. Most of all it is a beautiful site that offers some great how to information to inspire you.

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And if you are looking for books on this subject of craft stenciling, try Amazon.com. They have a couple of suggestions for you below.

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