Do you want to make stencils with the help of a DIY machine but need help figuring out how to work with them? Making stencils with Cricut stencil vinyl is easy and less time-consuming. We will make this work easy for you by giving you a step-by-step tutorial about how to make stencils with the help of a DIY machine and some tips and tricks to make your project great effortlessly.
What is a Stencil?
Stencil is a thin sheet of material (with a design cut out of it) made up of materials usually, like vinyl, paper, and plastic. It is very versatile and can be used for different projects, like wall tiles, cake decorating, painted floors, glass etching, wood signs, wallpaper, cookie decorating, and cloth printing. Put the stencil sheet on the surface and apply paint over it to use a stencil; the color will pass through cut-outs, transferring the design to the surface. You can easily make stencils with a DIY machine; whether a simple design or complex, it can be done effortlessly and flawlessly.
Materials required for making a stencil: blank surface, transfer tape, stencil vinyl, stencil brush, paint, weeding tool, scraper, and cutting machine.
Best Cricut models to cut stencils: Stencils can be cut by all models of Cricut. However, Cricut Maker, Explore, and Joy is some of the best models. Explore, and Maker can cut any stencil material, while Joy can only cut removable vinyl, freezer paper, and stencil vinyl with multiple passes. You can cut up to 11.5 x 11.5 inches standard mat size with Explore and Maker and up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches standard mat size.
Material Used As Cricut Stencil Vinyl
A Cricut stencil vinyl is reusable, repositionable, and not complicated as long as it does not lose its stickiness or tears.
- Regular removable vinyl: Traditional removable vinyl can make stencils, like Oracal 631 and Cricut premium vinyl. However, it would be best if you did not reuse it as regular vinyl is not designed for use as a stencil; it can be torn while peeling it from the project surface.
- Stencil film: Stencil film is sheets made of mylar and can be used repeatedly; they are reusable, washable, and can make multiple copies. Because of mylar, these sheets are flexible and durable and do not have an adhesive backing. However, you can use adhesive spray to make them sticky.
- Freezer paper: Freezer paper can be stuck to the surface and removed from the surface quickly. So, it is easy to make stencils from freezer paper.
- Paper and cardstock: You cannot reuse these as they are not durable, but they can work great as a stencil for one-time use.
How to Cut and Apply Stencils With Cricut
To make stencils with your cutting machine, follow these steps.
- Make the design in Cricut Design Space: You can create or upload your design on the design space or can choose a ready-to-make design from the Cricut image library, available in the design space.
- Cut the vinyl: Place your material on a light or standard grip-cutting mat and use your scraper to ensure that your material is stuck with the cutting mat and is smooth and flat. After loading the mat, press the "load/unload" button and the "make it" button in your design space by following the screen prompts. Ensure your fine-point blade is loaded, and then click on the "go" button.
- Unload the mat: After the cutting is finished, again click on the "load/unload" button and unload your mat.
- Weed your design: Remove the extra or unnecessary parts of your material.
- Apply transfer tape: Peel the tape liner, and with the adhesive side down, put the tape on your design.
- Remove the paper liner: remove the paper liner from the design and the tape at an angle of 45 degrees.
- Add to the base material: Ensure that your base material is clean and dry, and then put your design on the surface of the base material by burnishing it starting from the center towards the edges. After the process of burnishing is completed, remove your transfer tape.
- Use the paint: On the surface of your stencil, with the help of a sponge or stencil brush, apply a light coat of paint; the color will pass through cuts, transferring the design to the project surface. Try to apply multiple thin coats instead of a thick coat of paint, as a thick coat can ruin your project design.
- Remove the stencil: Remove the stencil after the paint dries up.
Tips to Use Stencil
- Use brushes that are specially made for stencils.
- Remove the excess paint with the help of a paper towel or brush.
- Apply the paint using a brush in an up-and-down motion; it will prevent color bleed under the edges of the stencil.
- To prevent your project from dripping and smearing, wait for the paint to dry before removing the stencil.
Conclusion
Stencil is a thin sheet of material (with a design cut out of it) made up of materials usually, like vinyl, paper, and plastic. It is very versatile and can be used for different projects, like wall tiles, cake decorating, painted floors, glass etching, wood signs, wallpaper, cookie decorating, and cloth printing. A Cricut stencil vinyl is reusable, repositionable, and not complicated as long as it does not lose its stickiness or tears.
FAQs
Question- Is weeding your stencil compulsory?
Answer- NO! It is not compulsory that you weed your design; your design needs to be weed or not, depending upon the design and cut of your stencil. Stencil vinyl is thicker than regular vinyl, and you can easily remove its backing without tearing or stretching. You can easily peel off the backing without needing a weeding if your design is simple; however, if your design contains many curves and delicate parts and is complex, weeding is a must process.
Question- Do you need to use transfer tape with stencil vinyl?
Answer- The transfer tape's need depends on your stencil's design. If you can easily peel off the backing without needing weeding, if your design is simple, you can directly apply it to the project surface without transfer tape. However, if your design contains many complex curves and delicate parts, weeding is a must process; you will be needed a transfer tape to apply your stencil design to the project surface.
Question- Which material is used for making reusable stencils?
Answer- Many materials are used to make reusable stencils, but mylar is one of the best. Sheets made up of mylar can be used repeatedly; they are reusable, washable, and can make multiple copies. Because of mylar, these sheets are flexible and durable and do not have an adhesive backing. However, you can use adhesive spray to make them sticky. It is made of plastic sheets, so they last long and can be cleaned easily after every use.
