Best products from r/stencils

There's a lot of ways to approach stenciling. I just started about 5 months ago and have a decent number of pieces completed, but i'm still learning each time I cut and paint.

I'll be happy to share a list of what I use, but just keep an open mind and remember that there's not just a single way to do this.

[] Materials []

• I use #11 blades [Link]
  
• I alternate between these two knives [[link]
  (https://www.amazon.com/X-ACTO-Designer-Hobby-Craft-X3254/dp/B002A2QTGK/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1501185899&sr=8-22&keywords=xacto+11+knife)] [link]
  
• Painters tape [Link]
  
• Spray Mount (Not spray adhesive - I just learned this last week) [link]
  
• 110lb cardstock paper
  
• Clear scotch tape
  
  
• As for paint I just started using Montana, which is a nice-to-have but definitely not necessary. I did a lot of my first pieces with Rusto - in general just stay away from gloss, super gloss, high gloss (it can work, but in general you will have an easier time with flat/mattes.) I went through a lot of trial and error with paint - I bought some Krylon paint which was at a higher price point and it was absolute shit (very watery and runny no matter how long I shook my cans.)
  
  
  [] General Tips []
  
  
• Making your stencils is definitely a part where people's methods differ (specifically in photoshop and breaking up your layers.) Just search YouTube and find a method that works with you.
  
  
• For larger pieces I use rasterbator. Stich them together with clear scotch tape and cut as usual. I tape both sides of the seams/edges.
  
  
• Take your time with your cuts
  
• Make sure your workspace is clean
  
• Let your layers dry
  
• Make sure your stencils are laying flat
  
• shake the shit outta your cans (especially with cheaper paint.) When you think you've shaken enough, shake for another 60 seconds.
  
• Mind the distance between your cans and the canvas (or whatever medium you're painting on)
  
• Take it easy on the paint, you don't need much to create a solid layer.
  
  
  Hope this is helpful, remember to share your pieces!

my tek:

1. Belton Molotow Premium. By far my fav paint for stencils. Low pressure, super fine pigments, dries fast, mad coverage, 4-steel peas for superb mixing, dope screamer colors, interchangeable caps, can't say enough good things about this paint. It never fails -- you can spray it drunk. Belton Color Chart, pdf
   
   
2. You shouldn't need thin layers if you are using good low-pressure high-pigment paint. I only use multiple passes when i'm using watered-down Krylons, which luckily isn't often.
   
   
3. Matt for indoors, almost always. Gloss paint glares when lit by multi-point lighting such as indoors. Plus matt dries faster.
   
   
4. Open window + respirator with OV cans and PF slippers when spraying. Get a cheap ghetto booth for overspray
   
   
5. Like many others here, I don't bother. My canvases don't get a lot of abuse
   
   
6. Not familiar with stencil brushes, but with good tack adhesive and good paint, you should be able to get supercrisp edges every time.
   
   The biggest tip I can give you is get good low-pressure paint. I'm partial to Beltons, but had good luck with Mtn94's as well. You'll be surprised how much difference it makes.

So I went and bought one of these badboys, mostly for cutting glass etching and sandblasting stencils, but I can also make stickers :D

The stencil is mine, and I used Raven to vector it and create the svg. If you're thinking about buying a vinyl cutter, I'd recommend at least thinking about this one - I'm pretty happy so far.

(Sticker is on my sandblasting cabinet, btw)

I’ve taped together a series of heavyweight file folders for 7-8’ projects and been able to use them 8-10 times successfully.



I’ve gotten minimal overspray on smoother concrete using this repositionable adhesive spray but if it’s a rougher texture, the lines won’t be nearly as crisp. Still better than without using the adhesive, though.

Hope that’s helpful!

I feel your pain. I tried using this but I find it hard to cut even a simple curve with that stuff. Have to take it super slow and practice a ton. I'll be ordering a cutting mat soon and giving it another go. Good luck to you!

honestly, I did a one-time thing with printer paper, but I'm going to transfer the stencil to posterboard so I can get some more use out of it. EDIT: I've heard that these are super good for multiple use stencils, but I've never used them.

I use acetate, harry. It'll run through any printer (as long as you buy the correct ink / laser type for your needs) and can be found online where it might also be known as 'OHP sheets' or 'transparencies'.

I specifically use http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000SHSER6/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00 and if you're not based in the UK, I'm sure you can find an equivalent.

I use 3M repositionable spray adhesive, the 400ml blue cans. Great tack, leaves no residue (and if it does, just use masking tape to lift it off your painted surface) and once it's on the stencil it'll last for a while.

If you're really scrimping, you can reactivate the adhesive on a used stencil by warming it up with a hair dryer. In cold weather (like an unheated studio, hah), it can sometimes be a good idea to warm your painting surface up with a hair dryer as glue doesn't work so well when it's cold.

It's probably plastic tracing paper, also used for sewing patterns.
https://www.amazon.com/PRYM-611298-Plastic-tracing-sheets/dp/B0074OLVBM


Some drafting and art supply places will have this and variations of it. It's plastic, but is easy to cut with a razor knife and has a frosted texture so you can write on it with pencil. It comes in various thicknesses, too, so you can get a couple to see what works best for you.

Awesome thanks for the advice. Is this what you were speaking of?

http://www.amazon.com/Grafix-Clear-0-005-Dura-Lar-40-Inch/dp/B0015LWRZY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1405868191&sr=8-4&keywords=mylar+.005+clear

Stencil 101 and Stencil 201. They're pretty basic, and contain more craft stencil ideas than techniques. They're great for beginners, though, especially since they both have 20-25 pre-cut stencils to practice.

There's more info in the reddit sidebar, tbh.

It looks awesome! So you just used something like this?

Yup. Anything that says VOC rated.

Incidentally, I bought myself & my gf masks that vent downwards, which was huge for me, as they don't fog up my glasses. Also, the silicon is a lot more comfortable than the rubber ones. This is the first I've owned that I don't find irritating.

You might try using Duralar instead of acetate. I was asking my local art shop guy about acetate when he recommended using Duralar instead because it's a stronger, thicker material.

Mil means 1/1000th of an inch, versus .00X meaning 1/1000th of a meter (millimeter).

40mil is roughly 1mm.

2mil mylar is extremely thin.

More like this, but in roll form.