Stencil Materials
Stencils can be bought or handmade. You can find stencils in any
design, and many numbers and letters are done in different script to
better match the ambience you are wishing to convey. As you become more
and more adept at stenciling, you may want to explore making your own
stencils. Stencil card is available at most craft stores. This is manila
card that is soaked in linseed oil. The oil toughens up the stencil
card, making it tough and pliable, as it may need to bend around areas
that you are working on. The card is somewhat waterproof. To insure the
card a longer life if you are going to use water based paints, go ahead
and give your card a coat of spray paint. This will minimize damage from
heavy use.
If you are ready to try your hand at making your own stencil card, there
are 2 methods that will achieve that. Materials needed are cartridge
paper or manila card, linseed oil, or shellac, which is sometimes known
as knotting. The first method begins with brushing linseed oil on both
sides of the manila card and letting it dry for a week. The amount of
time needed to dry is the only disadvantage to this method. If this is
your chosen method, do several cards and stockpile them. You will have
them as you need them. The quicker method is the one using shellac. To
do this, coat both sides of the manila card with shellac. Drying time is
15 minutes. The shellac is not good as the linseed oil but it does work
and the time is very attractive over the oil’s time.
Clear acetate is another material used to make stencils. It’s nice to
work with as it aligns so easily with as you apply the pattern in a
repeat manner. Of course, it’s a very slippery material to work with, so
making your cut can be a challenge. Copying your pattern onto acetate is
simple as it is see through. It is a weak material as you go to bend
around corners and such, so do take that into consideration. If you wish
to work with acetate that is a heavy grade, then be careful as you cut.
You may want to use acetate for certain projects when applicable and not
on others when the difficulties in execution are obvious.
Your cutting tool is, perhaps, your best friend when it comes to
stenciling. You have 3 choices and may want to try all 3 at different
times to see which feels the best in your hands. The job of cutting the
stencil is critical, at best. You will come to rely on the tool you
choose and will need to trust its capability. Some would be lost without
their Stanley knife, feeling it’s the most accurate and true to the cut.
Others prefer a craft knife and may be recommended by the stores that
carry them. Others are very exact with a scalpel. As mentioned earlier,
blades dull quickly, so be sure to have a good supply on hand, as you
would not want to risk your stencil to a dull blade.
Cutting mats protect your work surface. There are some that are
expensive and some that get the job done but overtime have to be
replaced. If you are a beginner in stenciling, you may want to save your
money and repurpose an old phone book as a cutting surface. You can
apply pressure upon the pages and when they are cut through just rip out
to get to fresh ones. They are great for small patterns but big patterns
may be a bit too difficult. If you find stenciling is a hobby you wish
to invest in, then the best cutting mat, as mentioned earlier in the
introduction, is the cutting mat that is renews itself every time it is
cut into. Pretty fascinating! Yes, there is mat that does just this and
is a dream to work with, but is expensive to purchase. Hard board is a
reasonable purchase and one that you might consider as you get more
serious in stenciling. Find it in craft stores.
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