Check your printer manual beforehand if you aren’t sure what type of printer you have or what types of paper or material are compatible with it. Never put vinyl in a laser printer. Because of its high temperature, it can melt the vinyl or distort the stencil. If you have a laser printer, print your design onto a sheet of regular paper. Then trace it onto the vinyl with a permanent marker.
Some stencils just require you to hold them down and that will help to keep it defined on the edge. To hold the stencil in place, you can tape it to the mat or ask someone to hold it for you while you cut. You can also use a stencil cutter or vinyl cutter if you have one. Set aside any of the inside sections that you’ll need later to create your design. For example, if you’re cutting out a donut, keep the piece that you cut out of the inside. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a filled-in circle instead of a donut.
Use appropriate tape for whatever surface you’re painting. For example, if you’re stenciling a painted wall, use painter’s tape so it doesn’t damage the paint that’s already there.
Stenciling is going to work based on the consistency of the paint, therefore the applied paint should not be too thick or thin. Be careful not to brush or roll too vigorously. You don’t want to shift the stencil or push paint under the edges. Choose your paint type based on the surface you’re stenciling. For example, if you’re decorating a wall, use interior wall paint or, if you’re designing on ceramic, opt for acrylic paint. Spray paint is also a quick and easy option for stenciling.
When your paint is fully dry, it shouldn’t be tacky to the touch. If it feels a little sticky, let it sit for longer.
Do not try to print on freezer paper with a laser printer. It will melt the paper and damage your printer. If you have a laser printer, print the design on regular paper, then trace it onto the freezer paper with a permanent marker.
Remove any sections on the inside of your design that you want to be painted, too. Taping the paper to the mat or having a friend hold it in place will make the cutting process easier. If you have a vinyl or craft cutter, you can use that instead of cutting the paper by hand.
Don’t hold the iron in one place for longer than 5 to 10 seconds or you’ll melt the paper. Keep the iron moving over the stencil constantly. [8] X Research source Check for any gaps or loose edges. Paint will get under them, so if you notice any, iron those areas again.
To prevent the paper from shifting while you paint, tape it to the underside of the fabric. A thick piece of cardboard or sheets of newspaper are both good alternatives to freezer paper for the protective layer.
How many coats you need depends on the color of the shirt and the paint. For example, if you’re using a light color or white paint on a dark shirt, you may need to do more coats to cover the color of the shirt. Let each coat dry before painting the next one. You can also buy a stencil brush instead of a regular paintbrush from a craft store or online retailer.
You can speed up the drying process by using a hair dryer to blow hot air over the paint. [12] X Research source
Use your X-Acto knife to carefully loosen any edges that are difficult to peel off. If you want to protect your painted stencil, you can place a thin cloth over the paint and iron it for 30 seconds. This sets the paint even further into the fabric.
