Everything you need to know about stenciling
Some of the most asked questions I get about stenciling are:
“What are your favourite stencil brushes?”
“How do I stencil without paint bleed?”
“What’s the best way to clean stencils?”
“Which paint do you use on fabric?”
… and so much more.
So, today I’m going several steps further. This massive, LONG overdue post will showcase everything you need to know about stenciling.
How to stencil, my fav supplies, how to store, how to clean, what to make, where to purchase these stencils, and more!
Ready to learn big today? Here we go!
This post contains some Amazon affiliate links in which I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank-you for helping to support my blog!
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Everything you need to know about stenciling
About these stencils
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First off, this post features my own line of stencils.
I personally design Funky Junk’s Old Sign Stencils. They are market sign themed and patterned stencils made from a high quality 10 mil mylar.
I’m a 20 year sign maker by trade. So when I started creating old signs for my own home, readers desired to make the same designs. Hence… the stencils were born! So now you can make the signs I make too!
View and learn more about the stencils HERE
(paint shelf tutorial is HERE)
Basic must-get stencil supplies
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As with any hobby, you’ll want to stock some basic supplies.
I suggest to gather these things up, and have them all nearby before you start. There is nothing quite like having to run alllllll the way upstairs, while juggling four invaluable stencil brushes threatening to dry up on you…
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good lighting – natural light is best
a work table
a big roll of paper to protect surfaces
something flat-ish to pour paint into
something to off load paint from the brush (rag or plank of wood)
container of water
stencil brush
other specialty paint brushes
a box of plastic sandwich bags (to store wet paint brushes)
plastic wrap (for wet paint brushes or to cover trays)
high density sponge roller – useful for glass
masking tape
measuring tape and pencil
scissors – helpful to reduce the footprint of the outer stencil in tight areas
stencil spray adhesive – optional
paint of choice (I use Fusion Mineral Paint)
storage means for stencils (I created a trolly you will see below)
storage for paint supplies nearby
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How to stencil
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Stencilling is actually very easy. However in order to achieve exceptional results, a little practice comes into play.
The most common issue is bleeding underneath the stencil. This is due to too much paint applied.
The key for super sharp lines is using VERY little paint. Your stencil brush once fully loaded should feel dry-to-the-touch.
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How to stencil to create sharp images:
1. Pour the paint onto a flat surface of choice.
2. Dip the stencil brush into the paint, then off-load most paint onto a rag, leaving your brush dry-to-the-touch.
3. Position the stencil into place with masking tape, then tap or swirl paint through stencil to create the desired effect.
Learn more about How to stencil HERE
Favorite stencil brush tips
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- Collect a variety of all sizes
- Think beyond just stencil brushes, try large wax brushes too!
- Select dome-tipped brushes if you can find them.
- Go for a higher quality. They do a better stencil job.
Collecting a variety of quality stencil brushes has become somewhat of a hobby! However, the better the brush, the better the outcome.
Some paint brushes aren’t even specifically stencil brushes. Pictured above is actually a quality wax brush, perfect for working with large stencils.
I suggest to collect all sizes and types of stencil brushes.
And choose dome-tipped stencil brushes if you can find them. The paint goes on so beautifully thanks to the slightly rounded edges.
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My two personal favorite stencil brushes are:
For small stencils – dome tipped
For Large stencils – Staalmeester #3600 wax brush (shown above)
Make any brush into a stencil brush
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Wrap an elastic band around a fatter wax brush
Find many kinds of brushes HERE
(Potting Shed crate tutorial is HERE)
(Potting Shed crate tutorial is HERE)
Other paint brushes
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Before you stencil, you may desire to coat your surface first.
For this reason, I stock several different brushes.
The most important part is quality. If you get quality stuff, your work just turns out better, and the brush lasts longer.
Tip: An all synthetic brush may offer the least amount of brush strokes.
Find many kinds of brushes HERE
(Potting Shed sign tutorial is HERE)
Masking tape
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Masking tape is needed to hold your stencil in place. For that reason, a low grade is all that’s really needed.
But it also comes in handy for other things, such as painting lines. Here’s where you want more of a specialty painter’s grade tape so the paint won’t bleed underneath.
I stock both cheap and good stuff, then use accordingly.
Tip: The Martha Stewart blue tape is exceptional for no-bleed lines!
(Lunch window sign tutorial is HERE)
Paint of choice
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Nearly any paint can be used for stencilling. But the more opaque, the less paint you will require.
What paint you chose can also depend on what surface you are painting.
Wood, glass, fabric, indoor, outdoor all play a part in choosing.
The paint I use:
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I personally use Fusion Mineral Paint today. It’s super durable, requires no added top coat, and is suitable for most surfaces, including fabric, glass and metal. It’s also outdoor durable.
Here are Fusion’s main perks:
- requires little to no prep work
- built in top-coat
- great indoors and out
- matte finish
- very durable
- use it for coating out pieces AND stencilling
- excellent for fabric
- exceptional for stencilling wood
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How to purchase Fusion:
Find Fusion in my Amazon store HERE
View all colours on website HERE
Purchase from a local retailer HERE
Visit Buffalo Check checkers board tutorial HERE
Should stencils be cleaned?
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Personally, I don’t clean my stencils.
But for photography purposes, I do stock 2 of each. One to use, and one for photos.
I use to clean stencils when I first started stencilling, but I found the more cleaning they got, the more risk of damage they came in contact with.
So today, I do not clean. I run my finger against the cut edges to remove any paint build-up, then let them air dry.
However if I conducted workshops frequently, I’d consider cleaning them due to being used repeatedly to ensure those sharp edges are maintained.
Here are some cleaning tips if you prefer to clean yours…
How to clean stencils (if desired)
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- After stenciling, soak the stencil in hot water until there’s time to clean.
- Spray Simple Green on the stencil, then gently rub off the paint as the solution starts to work.
- Use baby wipes for a quick clean.
Spray adhesive – yes or no?
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I personally don’t use stencil adhesive. But I sure did when I first started!
When I first started stencilling, I had trouble getting the lines looking super crisp. For this reason, I’d spray a light coat of spray adhesive on the back of the stencil, allow it to tack up a bit, then stencil.
The adhesive makes it so little to no paint bleed occurs so crisp lines are achieved.
But with a little practice over time, you will not require the adhesive. The key is using a super dry to the touch paint loaded brush.
How to use stencil spray adhesive
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- Lightly mist under the stencil.
- Allow it to set / tack-up before using.
- Leave adhesive on the back to dry, then hang stencil to store to keep clean, as adhesive attracts dust.
How to store stencils
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What’s the best way to store stencils? Horizontal, vertical or otherwise?
I’d say it’s dependent on how often you reach for stencils, how visual you like them to be, and what kind of space you have.
I myself prefer to hang stencils so they are in full view and easy to grab.
Hanging stencils also reduces the risk of them getting damaged or tangled up with other stencils.
Here’s a few ways I store stencils:
- A plank of wood attached to the wall with nails
- Standing coat rack with nail hooks
- Stencil Trolley – pictured above
- Ladder and plank storage
- Simple DIY stencil ladder
Check out the cool wooden racks I found on Amazon below… swoon!
Paint and brush storage ideas
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I find it handy to have paint and brushes stored near the stencils. Therefore, I created what I call a paint station. It’s basically a work table with two shelves, housing all my paint and brush supplies.
Here’s a few of my own paint storage stations:
Easy pallet-styled shelf (in my workshop)
Repurposed cupboard to antiques paint cart (above)
Reclaimed wood paint shelf
Visit my paint studio with LOADS of salvaged storage ideas
A tour of my workshop and all the storage ideas
Stencil videos
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If you’re a visual learner, most of our stencil projects HERE include short video clips.
Or you can VISIT THIS POST which shares many stencil videos in one spot for easy access.
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Click above to watch one of many short stencil videos!
View the Garden Label post HERE
Stencil projects to make
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Desire some stencil ideas on what to make? Boy can I help there!
Click below to view all my own stencil projects:
One page access / listed by stencils alphabetically
By project posts / listed newest to oldest
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Share your projects
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Join this Facebook group, What I made with Old Sign Stencils, so you can share YOUR creations with the rest of us in the group!
Hope to see you there! 🙂
Subscribe to hear the latest stencil news
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Would you like a heads up when there’s some new stencil designs released or new projects to make?
Subscribe to daily blog posts HEREThis will send you out a prompt in your inbox the next AM. Most thorough and current of all!
Sign up to subscribe to Old Signs Newsletter HERE – periodic
Get alerted with new stencil design releases, new projects, and more!.
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Whew. That was some post. I think I got it all.
But if this post didn’t answer everything you need to know about stencilling for yourself, feel free to leave questions in comments below. I will answer them, and possibly even add an FAQ to this post if needed.
Thanks for your visit, and happy stencilling to all!
Find all my stencil projects HERE
Thank for such a complete tutorial! It must have been a lot of work to post and include the product links, but it is fabulous and I appreciate all the good information!
Thanks, Donna!
Thanks Lisa! The post took several days to write, but a little at a time got the job done. It was needed! Glad it helped!
awesome post…thank you! I need to look at more brushes and paint!
Thanks Jane! We need to swap ‘fav brushes source’ once we have that one down. I’m ready to try the ones I’ve highlighted in this post. Neeeeeed them in my life!
Thx for this. I tried stenciling on a wooden Christmas tree…. and the letters ended up being fuzzy (like the paint bled)? Not sure what I did wrong. 😮
He Reenie!
Yes, you guessed right. What happened was there was too much paint on the brush, which then seeps underneath the stencil, creating fuzzy lines.
A super dry brush is #1. After you load your brush, tap most off it off again onto a cloth. Then try again.
And if you can get away with only one layer, stop there if you can.
Also make sure your brush is dry. If you wash a brush and it still carries some water, it’ll dilute the paint too much, making it too translucent, therefore, wanting to use more paint, which is never a good idea.
Keep trying. The day you land the perfect image, you will be HOOKED!
Great post! Thanks so much for sharing all that info. I’m trying to get the nerve to stencil a clock face my husband made from pallet wood … which I’m scared of ruining. So your post was most helpful.
Thanks Cindy! And I totally get it.
Just do lots of practice on a like minded surface. Surfaces that absorb vs. those that don’t need a totally different hand. Once you succeed, you’ll truly find it hard to quit. Nothing is plain in my house any longer… haha
OMG, you are so good at what you do.
This is amazing. I am in awe.
Michele, would you please email me with this message every Monday morning? Total mood booster! haha Thank you!
Donna,
Very nice post. Now I feel like I could stencil anything with your precise instructions. I tried stenciling years ago and made a mess. Paint oozed under the stencil. Never did it again, Thank you for your instructions,
Thanks SO much for this post! It had to have been a LOT of work so I really appreciate the time & energy you spent creating this for all of us! I love that it is so specific…. I am one of those “visual learners” so this fits the bill for me perfectly!
I do have one suggestion 🙂 you should partner with a company, or however those things work, & create your own brush & sell along with your stencils!
You’re welcome, April! And I agree. I’d LOVE to carry my own specialty brushes… and paint too! It’s on the wish list. 🙂
Thanks Donna for pulling all your stencil know-how and your sample displays into one post, great for reference and inspiration.
Joy
Thank you for this awesome post. I love coming to “visit” with you!
This was very informative! Thank you for sharing!
So….I use a paper plate to off my paint, I don’t clean my stencils either, nor do I use spray adhesive, mostly because I’m just lazy. But I’ve been using stencil brushes I’ve had since the 80’s, so I added the short fat one to my Amazon cart. Oh and the stencils have a place of honor on top of shelving in my family room where they lay nice and flat, but I am going to make something cool to hang them like you’ve done.
Very well done post!!!
What do you use to clean the adhesive from your stencils? I seem to have quite a build up on some of mine.
I haven’t found a sure fire way to clean them up!! Looking for guidance please,
Dawn
Hi Dawn! I’d suggest some kind of environmentally friendly glue remover that is safe for plastic. I used to use something called Rapid Remover when I had my sign company. As always, test anything before using it full throttle.
I personally do not use adhesive, and when I did, never did clean it off. I found it safer to allow to cure as is. There will be a rough texture left on the backside. Aggressive cleaning can tear the stencil, hence my suggestion for not using it at all. 🙂
Hello! this is a fantastic post with tons of fabulous information! Thank you. I’m an avid stenciler and love to do raised/embossed stencils and have found spray adhesives for those invaluable – especially on doors, for furniture,etc and have ound THE BEST stencil cleaner – it easily removes the paint and adhesive residue. It’s called Goof Off and comes in various formulae. I prefer regular or Professional Strength. It may remove the color off the stencil (like the gray of the DecoArt Stencils) but doesn’t harm them in any way. The Pro Strength s faster – no wait time but the Reglar formula you only have to wait 3 minutes. No scrubbing needed and it only costs about $3 – $4 a bottle. I hope this information helps. Thak you for all your hard and beautiful work!
Thank-you for your fabulous tips, Christie! So invaluable! I’ll have to try Goof Off!
I have read that others recommend using Mod podge first to fill in stencil prior to using paint. Your thoughts on that?
Hi Mary! I have read that too! I think if one is having bleed issues, it may be a helpful step to attempt. However, lack of sharp images simply means too much paint on the brush. That is easily fixed by off-loading more paint until your brush is dry to the touch. A little practice is really all that’s needed to achieve perfect results.
I had a question. I get that I am supposed to use a dry brush but sometimes the little lines or dots on my stencil are so tiny I cant seem to get any paint into them with the dry brush. I go over and over and over and it is like a tincy speck instead of the area covered in paint and looking like a line or a dot. So then I get frustrated and over load my brush and then I get smudges. Not sure how to solve this problem. Is my brush size wrong? I am using one that is about dime size for these smaller spots. Thanks!
Hi Emily!
It’s a matter of finding the right amount of paint for a given area. If your brush is too dry, try adding a little more paint. The key is whenever you load your brush with fresh paint, ensure you offload again to take the super fresh paint off.
A brush can make a difference although I’m uncertain that’s your current issue. I’d suggest to pick up a variety of sizes so you can try the one that best suits. My favs are 1.5″ and larger.
Love your stencils and projects! Can find tons of stuff I’d like to do for myself. Would like to see more for my husband’s workshop!
Thanks Margot! Are you referencing workshop-themed stencils and project ideas?
Hi,
I really like your stencils and your website and the tutorials. I am wanting to try to do some stenciling. I noticed you mentioned using the craft paints to stencil with. Do they need a top coat or anything else besides the craft paint? Do they work as well as the Fusion Mineral paint? What is the best way to decide what size container, etc to by to use with the stencils?
Thank you for your answers
Cindy
Hi Cindy!
Acrylic craft paint doesn’t require a top coat as it’s already built in. My preference is Fusion because I can use that paint for a base coat for my projects as well. It’s just handy to have one paint that does it all.
I base the size of my paint depending on how much I think I’ll use it. I always have lots of black and white on hand so I get larger in those, and smaller sizes of colours. Most acrylic craft paint comes in a great size for small projects already as you’ll soon find out once you shop. Try for a name brand so you know the quality is good and you should be good to go!
Thanks for all the information. I’m about to start my first project and was fortunate enough to find your web site
How do you clean your brushes?
Hi Lynn! I use Fusion Mineral Paint’s brush cleaner that comes in a tube. And if I run out, I use a bar of soap but you have to really ensure you get all the soap out. The brush cleaner is better because it conditions the bristles.