OUR STENCIL MATERIALS:
Mylar is the most recommended stencil material for just
about any type of stencil application because it is so durable and has
properties that other stencil media just doesn’t have.
Mylar is exceptionally strong!
Mylar is solvent proof, so you can clean it with alcohol,
acetone, paint thinner or any other non-acid based chemical.
All of our mylar materials are food safe.
Mylar is flexible, so it can confirm to uneven surfaces as
well as wrap around cylindrical objects.
Repositional stencil adhesive can be used with any of our
mylar stencil materials.
ALL OF OUR STENCILS ARE REUSABLE!!
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The concept of a stencil is to be able to repeat the exact
same text or pattern several times and achieve consistency in your
artwork. We are often asked “How many
times can I reuse my stencil?” There are
no hard and fast numbers to exactly how long a stencil will last. There are quite a few variables that come into
play such as how often the stencil is cleaned and how it is cared for.
The primary reason that a stencil will break down and become
unusable is a buildup of dried paint on the edges. This causes a thicker edge and an uneven
stencil. The best way to make sure your
stencil has longevity is to clean it often.
You do not need to clean your stencil every time you apply it, but you
want to make sure you remove as much paint as possible when it appears to dry
on the stencil template. It is also
highly recommended that you clean your stencil thoroughly after your project is
finished and before you store it.
Under typical use, and with proper cleaning, your stencil
should last you a minimum of 15 to 25 applications.
One thing to keep in mind when choosing your stencil
material, a thicker stencil does not mean it will last longer than a thinner
stencil. Paint buildup will still become
an issue.
THIN STENCIL FOR CRISP, CLEAN RESULTS:
Some people tend to think “The thicker the better” when it
comes to stencil materials. If you are
looking to achieve a crisp image with sharp edges and no paint bleeding, we
suggest a thinner material.
Thicker stencils will not sit flush against your surface,
and they will tend to cause more of a paint build up inside the cutout shapes.
Our 10 mil Mylar is a great blend of durability and
flexibility while still being thin enough to achieve amazing, professional
results. That is why it is our most
popular and recommended stencil material.
DRY BRUSH FOR BEST RESULTS:
While choosing the best stencil material is one of the main
factors for a clean stencil application, it is not the only factor. You also need to consider the paint you are
using, and how much of it you are using.
If you are using a stencil brush, sponge or roller, only use
a small amount of paint. Your applicator
(brush, sponge or roller) should feel almost dry to the touch. If your paint is drips off the applicator,
you are using too much. Excess paint
will bleed under the edges of the stencil and create a mess.
This is called the “Dry Brush Technique”, even though the
applicator is not actually dry. A good
comparison to keep in mind is shoe polish.
Shoe polish is a waxy paste that does not drip. Your stencil application should feel like a
shoe polish rag.
EVEN THICKER MATERIALS:
We do realize that some applications do call for very thick,
very heavy duty stencils for use on pavement marking and similar industrial
projects. We do offer thicker materials,
and they are available upon request.
We do not offer any metal or magnetic stencils.
WHAT IS A MIL?
Our stencil material is measured in Mil. A Mil is 1/1000 of an inch. It is a standard unit of measurement for
films and foils. In metric, 1 mil =
0.0254 mm.
If you are not familiar with this term of measurement, here
is a great resource. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thousandth_of_an_inch
We do not sell adhesive-backed vinyl stencils.
Adhesive-backed vinyl stencils are limited in the number of
times you can use them. Most vinyl
stencils are single use.
