How to Make Your Own Stencils

Stencil art is popular. It is a great way to redecorate your home or create art pieces. Moreover stencil art is fun.

Since stencils are very common there are a lot of templates available both online and at the DIY and hobby shops. However sometimes making our own stencil is what we really want. If you are eager to try creating a custom design, read on to find out how to make your own stencil.

First let's see what tools and materials are required for stencil making. A firm surface is required for cutting the stencils. A cutting board or a piece of thick carton is good enough for this purpose. The cutting is done with a craft knife. You will also need a piece of stiff plastic or another transparent material and a low-tack tape.

Obviously you will need the design of the stencil you are going to create. You can draw it on paper and get it enlarged on a photocopier. If you are not going to draw the design than use an image - just print it and get it into the size required.

Now it is time to cut the stencil. Place the print out (or your drawing) over the cutting board and place the plastic over it. Than use a sharp craft knife to cut the plastic through. If you feel your knife is not that sharp, cut the blade and then continue cutting. It is of utmost importance to use a very sharp knife otherwise the stencil quality will be poor.

Cut one line at a time. You can start with the longest lines or the straighter ones. These are the easiest and will help you get used to cutting. Rotate the cutting board to ease cutting. It is best to use tape so that the print and the plastic do not move.

Once you have cut the whole design, you are done. There is only one thing that should be done - check out the edges of the stencil. If there are some rough edges try to soften them to prevent paint gather in there.

Once your stencil is cut, you can start painting. Use a stencil brush or a sponge to apply the paint. Apply a think layer of paint at a time. It you need to apply a second and even a third layer of paint after the first one is dry. Wash the stencil if you are going to use it again in future and store it flat in a box or between the pages of a book.