How To Make A Stencil

So, you want to know how to make a stencil. Maybe you found the perfect image and want your own stencil designs. Well, there are many ways to do this. Here I've detailed the step by step instructions on a couple of different types of stencils. Read and follow along with the illustrations and then I've added a video at the bottom of this page with more tips.

First you need to decide if your image will work best as a Single Overlay Stencil or a Multiple Overlay Stencil. If you need to know more about these options and the differences, check out our discussion on Stencil Patterns , which will help you decide what is going to work best with your image.

Now that you are familiar with the types of stencil designs, what do you want your stenciled image to look like? Do you want a silhouette or ghost of the image? Are you looking for a simple picture with one or few colors that has little detail? Or do you want a final image that has more of a hand painted look?

You need to look at your image in a different way. How much detail is in the image? And how much detail do you want to keep for your stencil? You need to try and visualize your image as if it were broken down into layers – maybe by colors or maybe by shadows versus light areas. Needless to say, the fewer the details the better the image for creating a stencil. At least, when you are just starting out.

The best images have high contrast with few variations. What does that mean? Well, in order to create a stencil you need to break it down into sections and the more color variations and shaded areas the more complex your job.

I should tell you this, Single Overlay Stencils are less work when it comes to stencil painting but can be a little harder when it comes to designing. Take a good look at both options before deciding and then take another look at your image.

OK! Let’s say your image is a black and white photo. That’s pretty easy and takes a lot of the guess work out of it for you – it will work best as a Single Overly Stencil.

Or, perhaps, your picture has a few details but you are only looking for the silhouette or ghost of the image as your final painting. If so, then a Single Overlay Stencil is right for you.

Click here to move on to the details for creating Single Overlay Stencil Designs.

So, you've taken a good look at your image and decided that you want to keep the detail and you really desire the hand painted look. Great! A Multiple Overlay Stencil will get your where you want to be. You are ready for the next step of learning how to make a stencil. Follow this link to get the scoop on Multiple Overlay Stencil Designs.

So, you created a stencil design. You really put some work into it. Now you want to preserve it for future use. Or maybe you want to use it multiple times.

Click here to get some tips on Long-Term Stencil Making and methods for preserving your stencil designs.

Now that you know how to make a stencil, you'll want to get your hands on some special materials. For instance, you may want to use sheets of mylar or acetate instead of paper for multiple use or permanent stencils.

You’ll want a product that can accept ink without smudging or pooling. Remember that a glossy finish will not accept ink and will cause paint to run (and seep under your stencil). So I would highly recommend a product that has a matte finish on both sides.

For all of its usefulness, acetate does cause a few headaches — ink that won't stay, a yellow or grayish cast as it ages, edges that curl.

Grafix Dura-Lar is the acetate alternative. It combines the best features of Mylar® and acetate, and offers a variety of products so that you can purchase the film that suits your needs precisely. It is always consistent in color and overall clarity, and won't discolor with age. Dura-Lar is archival quality, safe for overlaying artwork, and it lays flat. It will remain dimensionally stable for as long as you need.

Dura-Lar Matte — Both sides have a matte surface which accepts ink without feathering, as well as pencils and other drawing media. The surface is erasable. Its thickness is .005" (.127 mm), medium weight.

When learning how to make a stencil you will find that there are many options for the materials that you use. In fact, I've heard of people using report covers or clear transparancies. Again, I'm trying to give you as many ideas as I can think of so that you can experiment and find what works best for you!

Dick Blick Art Materials has a large supply of stencil making materials including the Dura-Lar acetate alternative products. You can find acetates in rolls or sheets, colored or clear, matte or glossy and even adhesive backed. Experiment until you find the one that works best for you.

Another stop when seeking stencil making materials is MisterArt.com. They have a few options of films (for permanent use) and Bee Paper Stencil Oil Board which is cardstock thick so you are able to use more than once when stenciling (but not permanent). You'll find they have a dedicated section for stenciling.

I know I'm a little crazy about my passion for stenciling but learning how to make a stencil added a lot of excitement to this hobby for me. I hope it does the same for you!

Looking for more information? Amazon.com has some suggestions for you below on the subject of how to make a stencil and I've provided a Google Search Option for your convenience.

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If you need to overlay the stencil to continue on another sheet, consider using registration points so that you are sure of the alignment when you go to painting. I know it sounds silly because you can overlay the design and see how it falls, right? But sometimes, especially with a repeating pattern it's not that simple and you don't want to find out that you're out of alignment after you have applied paint and your pattern is coming up short. Be safe!

Do you need more information on Registration Points? Visit Multiple Overlay Stencils for more on how to use registration marks or points.

Also, when you're cutting out your stencil, try to rotate the stencil with one hand while you continue to cut in as straight a line as possible, steadily and gently pulling the blade towards you. This will keep your wrist in a more comfortable and natural position and give you more control so you don't make mistake cuts. Twisting your wrist to cut along a winding line is more difficult.

Well, that's it for how to make a stencil (for now, anyway). I hope you found what you were looking for and are now inspired to create your own designs.

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