How to Build Stencils
Choose your design., Create your design., Print a graphic or template from the Internet., Use a stamp as an outline.
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Choose your design.
Since you're making your own stencil, there's no limitations on what you can create.
Think about the size of the surface you plan to stencil (T-shirt, wall, bookmark), who the design is for (baby, birthday girl, best friend) and where the stenciled image will be (bathroom wall, kitchen border, skateboard deck.
Stay with the basics.
Letters, numbers and basic shapes (circles, squares and diamonds) can be an easy but effective design choice.
Combine a couple of these elements for a personalized look.
Work with a theme.
Consider motifs associated with different themes--shells, starfish, sea horses, boats and anchors create a nautical look.
Rams, bulls, scales, fish and crabs are all elements inspired by a zodiac theme.
Draw inspiration from nature.
Flowers, trees, butterflies, leaves and sun are just some examples of ideas you can come up with by simply looking outside your window.
Stick to the classics.
Chose a Greek key, a fleur de lis, a Celtic cross or other traditional and universally recognizable symbols.
If you're new to stenciling, you might want to start with an image that's fairly basic in design--not too many separate pieces or too much detail.
If you're more experienced or simply confident in your skills, you can create something that's more intricate. -
Step 2: Create your design.
Once inspiration has struck and you've decided on a design, it's time to capture it as the next step to creating your stencil.
Draw the design by hand.
You can put pencil to paper to get your idea down.
Drawing it yourself allows for maximum creativity and room to play and adjust your design.
Work in pencil until you get the design to your liking.
Later you'll trace over it with a permanent marker so that it's easy to see the outline when you cut. , There are tons of online sites that offer free stencils for you to download and print to your home computer.
In some cases, you may need to take your printed image to a copier to reduce or enlarge it.
In other cases, you may have the option to change the size when you print or you can change your printer settings to allow it print the image larger or smaller. , If there's a rubber stamp design you like, consider using it as the outline for your stencil.
Press the stamp into a pad of black ink and then press it firmly onto a sheet of white paper.
Make sure the lines are clean and clear.
Use a copier to increase or decrease the size of your stamped image to fit the size you need for your stencil.
If the rubber stamp image is too detailed, it may not be a good choice for a stencil.
If you still like it, consider eliminating some of the detail lines--paint over them with Whiteout--to simplify the image. -
Step 3: Print a graphic or template from the Internet.
-
Step 4: Use a stamp as an outline.
Detailed Guide
Since you're making your own stencil, there's no limitations on what you can create.
Think about the size of the surface you plan to stencil (T-shirt, wall, bookmark), who the design is for (baby, birthday girl, best friend) and where the stenciled image will be (bathroom wall, kitchen border, skateboard deck.
Stay with the basics.
Letters, numbers and basic shapes (circles, squares and diamonds) can be an easy but effective design choice.
Combine a couple of these elements for a personalized look.
Work with a theme.
Consider motifs associated with different themes--shells, starfish, sea horses, boats and anchors create a nautical look.
Rams, bulls, scales, fish and crabs are all elements inspired by a zodiac theme.
Draw inspiration from nature.
Flowers, trees, butterflies, leaves and sun are just some examples of ideas you can come up with by simply looking outside your window.
Stick to the classics.
Chose a Greek key, a fleur de lis, a Celtic cross or other traditional and universally recognizable symbols.
If you're new to stenciling, you might want to start with an image that's fairly basic in design--not too many separate pieces or too much detail.
If you're more experienced or simply confident in your skills, you can create something that's more intricate.
Once inspiration has struck and you've decided on a design, it's time to capture it as the next step to creating your stencil.
Draw the design by hand.
You can put pencil to paper to get your idea down.
Drawing it yourself allows for maximum creativity and room to play and adjust your design.
Work in pencil until you get the design to your liking.
Later you'll trace over it with a permanent marker so that it's easy to see the outline when you cut. , There are tons of online sites that offer free stencils for you to download and print to your home computer.
In some cases, you may need to take your printed image to a copier to reduce or enlarge it.
In other cases, you may have the option to change the size when you print or you can change your printer settings to allow it print the image larger or smaller. , If there's a rubber stamp design you like, consider using it as the outline for your stencil.
Press the stamp into a pad of black ink and then press it firmly onto a sheet of white paper.
Make sure the lines are clean and clear.
Use a copier to increase or decrease the size of your stamped image to fit the size you need for your stencil.
If the rubber stamp image is too detailed, it may not be a good choice for a stencil.
If you still like it, consider eliminating some of the detail lines--paint over them with Whiteout--to simplify the image.
About the Author
Cheryl Jimenez
Enthusiastic about teaching crafts techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: