Stenciling is an amazing way to add unique, intricate designs to your projects. Whether you’re working on tags, journals, or home decor, a few simple techniques can make all the difference. Here’s a step-by-step guide packed with practical tips to help you achieve clean and professional stenciling results every time.
My favorite medium to use with stencils will always be acrylic paint. I primarily use 1 of 3 methods to get the acrylic paint onto my substrate:
- A Stencil Brush
- A Cosmetic Wedge Sponge
- A Gelatin Plate
In today’s blog post, I’m going to cover all three for you. So, let’s get started!
How to Use a Stencil Brush for Clean and Clear Results
In this video, I’m sharing practical tips on how to stencil cleanly and efficiently.
From choosing the right brushes to using repositionable spray adhesive, I’ll show you how to achieve flawless results every time. You’ll learn:
- How to prep your surface for stenciling
- Techniques for blending colors directly on your brush
- The difference between stamping and swirling methods
- How to clean and care for your stencil brushes
Whether you’re stenciling tags, journals, or home decor, these tips will help you create beautiful, detailed designs. Watch the video for more:
Practical Tips for Using a Stencil Brush:
Stencil Preparation:
- I use Dynasty Stencil Brushes, specifically the Stencil Pro Brushes — like the 3/8-inch and 1-inch brushes.
- I tape my tags together, making it easier to work on them as one surface before separating them.
- You can use a repositionable spray adhesive, like Pixie Spray, to secure the stencil to the tag. Remember to use it outside or in a well-ventilated area, and take safety precautions.
Paint Application:
- I mix my acrylic paint directly on the brush, creating variations in color.
- You can choose to stamp up and down or swirl your brush to apply the paint.
- The choice of method depends on whether you’ve used a spray adhesive on the stencil.
- Stenciling over pre-decorated tags or surfaces adds depth and interest. Don’t be afraid to layer colors or highlight specific areas with a smaller brush for intricate details. Remember, imperfections can often enhance the character of your project.
Results:
- After stenciling, carefully remove the stencil to reveal your clean and detailed design.
- The adhesive on the stencil keeps it securely in place, ensuring precision.
- You can reapply the stencil if the adhesive remains sticky.
Continued Use and Cleanup:
- You can re-use the stencil in the same way, as long as the stickiness lasts.
- Proper care extends the life of your tools. After each session, clean your stencil brushes by wiping them on scrap paper until no paint remains. This scrap paper can later be used for collages! For a thorough clean, wash the brushes with soap and water.
- I generally don’t clean my stencils.
The biggest misconception about stencil brushes is that you can use them like regular paintbrushes. Many people assume that brushing back and forth will yield the best results, but this often causes paint to bleed under the stencil, ruining the crispness of the design. Stencil brushes are designed for a dry-brushing technique, where you use minimal paint and either dab (pounce) or swirl the brush with light pressure. Proper technique, combined with offloading excess paint, ensures clean, sharp edges and a professional-looking finish.
Makeup Sponges are Awesome for No-Bleed Stenciling
And now, the humble Cosmetic Wedge Sponge aka a makeup sponge (I buy mine at my local CVS).
The biggest question people often have about stenciling is: “How do I prevent paint from bleeding under the stencil and ruining the design?” This issue is common, especially for beginners. This video directly addresses this concern by teaching a key technique: using makeup sponges to apply paint in thin, controlled layers. I want to emphasize the importance of offloading excess paint from the sponge and using a pouncing motion to minimize bleeding. Watch the video for all the details:
The stencil in this video is called “Pebble Grid.”
Here are some key tips from the video:
- Choosing the Right Paint: When stenciling with cosmetic wedge sponges, consider using slightly heavier body acrylic paint for better control and to avoid excessive “roll-under” (paint going outside the stencil edges).
- Preparing the Sponge: Before stenciling, ensure your cosmetic wedge sponge has an appropriate amount of paint. Dab off excess paint to avoid overloading the sponge.
- Dabbing Technique: Dabbing lightly with the cosmetic wedge sponge is essential for achieving clean stencil results. Avoid pressing too hard, which can lead to paint seeping under the stencil.
- Reloading and Tapping Out: Continually reload the sponge with paint and tap it out on palette paper to maintain control over the paint application.
- Minimal Paint: Less is more; an overloaded sponge can cause paint to seep under the stencil edges.
- Securing the Stencil: To prevent the stencil from moving during the stenciling process, consider taping it down or using a spray adhesive for stability.
- Mixing Colors: You can mix colors using cosmetic wedge sponges by layering one color over another or applying both colors to the sponge simultaneously for blending effects.
- Achieving Intense Color: For more intense color, it’s better to apply multiple layers of paint, allowing each layer to dry before adding another, rather than applying excessive pressure.
- Cleanup and Reuse: Cosmetic wedge sponges with dried and hardened paint can be reused. Cut off the paint-covered end to reveal a fresh, soft sponge for future use.
- Experimentation and Personal Preference: Stenciling techniques can vary, and there is no one “right” way. Experiment with different methods to find what works best for your preferences and desired results.
These practical tips ensure clean, sharp edges and will help you achieve professional-looking results!
Gelli Printing with Stencils is Quick, Clean, and Easy!
Have you ever wanted to add rich, layered textures to your artwork with minimal effort? Using a Gelli Plate with stencils is one of my favorite ways to achieve this! (If you don’t have a Gelatin Plate, get one. It’s easily the single best tool that I’ve brought into my art practice in the last decade.)
It’s a simple technique that delivers impressive results, whether you’re working on mixed media pieces, journals, or prints. In this video, I’ll walk you through the basic steps to get started and show you how one stencil can produce three unique prints:
The stencil I’m using in the video is called “Big Spools.”
The Process, Step-by-Step:
- Apply a thin layer of Golden Fluid acrylic paint (or any acrylic paint) to the gelatin plate with a brayer.
- Place the stencil on the plate and then place a piece of paper on top of the stencil.
- Rub the paper to transfer the paint onto the paper, creating a beautiful print through the stencil.
- Lift the stencil, revealing the wet paint underneath.
- Place another piece of copy paper over the plate and smooth it down to create a second print, highlighting the stencil’s negative space.
- If there’s anything left on your plate, you can apply another color of acrylic paint in a thin layer onto the plate.
- Place a piece of paper on top and rub.
- Pull the third print.
Practical Tips for Gelatin Plate Stenciling:
- Choose the Right Paint: I love using Golden Fluid acrylics because they’re highly pigmented and dry quickly, making them perfect for layering and pulling crisp prints.
- Keep Your Gelatin Plate Clean: Store your plate in its original packaging to protect it and prevent dust from settling on the surface. Cleaning it after each session ensures consistent results.
- Experiment with Layers: After pulling the first print through the stencil, don’t stop there! The residual paint left on the plate can be used to create a second or even third layer with different colors for added depth and contrast.
- Roll Thin Paint Layers: When adding a second color to pull up dried residue, make sure your layer of paint is very thin. This helps lift the details without overwhelming the original design.
- Use Simple Copy Paper for Practice: It’s inexpensive and works well for learning the technique before moving on to fancier surfaces like canvas or specialty papers.
Using a gelatin plate with stencils is fun and efficient — offering a versatile way to create multiple prints and experiment with different colors and designs. Don’t forget about my mega online course called “A Year of Gelatin Printing” for those interested in diving deep into gelatin plate printing. Happy printing!
In Conclusion
As you can see, stenciling is a versatile and rewarding mixed media technique that can add personality and charm to any project, from furniture makeovers to wall art and beyond. While I’ve shared a ton of practical tips can help you achieve crisp, clean designs, it’s important to remember that perfection is overrated. In fact, those little quirks and imperfections are often what make handmade pieces so special and unique.
As you explore how to stencil, focus on enjoying the process rather than aiming for flawless results. Everything you make will have evidence of your personal touch, turning your project into something to treasure. So, grab your materials, start experimenting, and don’t worry about “getting it right” every time. Creativity is about expression, not perfection. I’d love to see your stenciled creations—share your work and any tips you’ve discovered in the comments below!
Thanks for stopping by!
P.S. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel where I’ve shared more than 100 FREE stenciling videos!
