Stenciling Basics - 3 Things That Need to be on Your Shopping List

Even if you're not a stenciling whiz, there are a few basics that you will need for just about any stenciling project. If you want to go into your projects fully prepared, you will need to have these 3 things on your shopping list:

1. A good number stencil Whether you are spray-painting your address on the curb, painting your phone number onto the side of your office building, marking various products, or numbering your shipping crates, a good number stencil is an absolute must-have. Luckily, you can customize a number stencil so that it meets all of your specific needs. You can start by picking out a size and a font that's perfect for your next art project. Then, you can even customize the material that your stencil is made out of. If you only need to use your number stencil for basic indoor projects, a plastic stencil may be all you need. But if you need to use your number stencils for more industrial-type projects - or if you need to keep it stored in your garage - you'll probably want a metal stencil that can hold its own against the elements.

2. Playground stencils They may seem like a good "extra" to have on hand, but playground stencils are actually incredibly important. Sure, playground stencils can help you have the coolest Hopscotch game, alphabet grid, or Four Square game on the block, but they also do much more than that. Playground stencils can also make it clear where kids can and cannot play - or let parents know where it's safe to drop off their kids.

3. Stencil ink Let's face it - your stenciling projects are nothing without the right stencil ink. In order to have the most successful stenciling projects possible, you will need stencil ink that can hold its own against foot traffic and Mother Nature. Luckily, a good stencil retailer will have stencil ink that can be used on everything from metal, to concrete, to fabric. And, remember, you will know that you're getting a quality stencil ink if it can dry quickly. After all, if your stencil ink takes any longer than 10 or 15 minutes to dry, you'll likely wind up with smudges and streaks! As an added benefit, if you do business with the right stencil company, you will also have your choice of stencil ink that either rolls on or sprays on. That way, your stenciling project will be as easy as possible!

About the Author

Richard A. Manfredi has written about www.nationalstencil.com . Find custom stencils such as letter stencils, number stencils and metal stencils. Get low prices on a custom stencil and have your stencils done right.

Personalized Stencils - 3 Things They Can Be Used For

If you think that stencils are just for kids, think again. Personalized stencils can be used for all sorts of grown-up projects, like: 1.Wall decorations Whether you want to add new designs - without putting up tacky wallpaper - or you want to add an inspirational quote, personalized stencils offer the perfect way to decorate the walls around your home.

You can use an alphabet stencil in your son's room to spell out his name on the wall. Or, you can use letter stencils to write out your favorite quote or Bible passage on the wall above your couch. You can even get personalized stencils in all sorts of different designs so that you can add some color and dimension to your walls - without buying expensive artwork or going through the annoying process of putting up wallpaper.

Best of all - when you use personalized stencils as wall decorations, you can simply paint over them if you ever want to get rid of them. You won't have to scrape off wallpaper or cover up holes in the wall. Potential homebuyers will appreciate that, too! 2.Clothes Looking for a fun activity for your daughter's next birthday party? Why not buy some plain t-shirts and some personalized stencils and let the party-goers come up with their own creations? A good number stencil and alphabet stencil will give the kids everything they need to come up with a unique design - and have a great time in the process!

As your kids get older, you can use this idea on other things - like personalized tote bags for your daughter's sorority or personalized gym bags for your son's soccer team. In fact, personalized stencils are so easy to use that you can make these things by yourself as a gift! 3.Concrete Maybe you just need an easy way to spray paint your address on the curb. Or, maybe you are looking for an easy way to add your company logo to the floor of your lobby.

Either way, personalized stencils are a breeze to use on concrete! You can go all out with by getting a custom-cut stencil or even letter stencils in a specific font, then staining it to the concrete, instead of painting it. That will give it a less "crafty" look. Or, you can simply get a number stencil and a can of spray paint and spray your house number on the curb. Either way, you'll have an easy art project that will dry quickly.

About the Author

Richard A. Manfredi has written about www.nationalstencil.com . Find custom stencils such as letter stencils, number stencils and metal stencils. Get low prices on a custom stencil and have your stencils done right.

On Stencils' Multiple Uses

Stencils open up innumerable possibilities for decorative and, let's say it, utilitarian expression. Prehistoric man and his "fairer" counterpart were as well-aware of the fact as today's top fine and applied arts majors. Although, with some effort, one could probably find a stencil that gives even the most awkward of clumsy-thumbs a rather true (if minimalist) likeness of the Mona Lisa, it's also the supremely gifted masterpiece forger, who uses his mightily capable brushstrokes and nonpareil detailist eye for good, not evil, that will find a kindness in the usefulness of a simple standard or custom  stencil.

Outside of the art world, or just in the space beyond the domains of museums or big New York- and London-based auction houses, who hasn't seen the advantageous and practical ends to which civic authorities deploy the humble parking  lot stencil? The evidence for their highly credible utilizations is plain for the eye to see and the mind to grasp at every mall parking lot visited. Without the commendable numerical or lettered stenciling, how would the big- and small-car drivers of the world -- because who cannot claim acquaintanceship to at least one individual able to manage parking on one type only? -- figure out where their compact or non-compact cars fit otherwise?
Another constituency aided by number stencils, harried landlords, who, overrun with worry as their lot can only be expected to be, are able to at least point their tenants to a designated parking space.

They, thereby, so admirably avoid many a dispute among the multiple, and frequently pugnacious, building-mates they manage.   

Although there are adventurist stenciling souls with a taste for the back-to-basics glory and sense of novelty imparted by the use of stencils made of vegetable fibers, manila card, or even animal skins, most stencilers find contentment (and great practicality) through polyester film and Mylar stencils. It should not be forgotten, however, there are stencil artists who focus not just on the final design outcome, after the paint has been expertly applied through the stencils, but on the shaping and cutting of the stencil itself. Some people prefer one aspect of stenciling to another, some people prefer both, and some people just go online to get their stencils!  


Sam Walters is a writer living in Los Angeles. Her writing appears in print and online.

About the Author

Richard A. Manfredi has written about www.nationalstencil.com . Find custom stencilssuch as letter stencils, number stencils and metal stencils. Get low prices on a custom stencil and have your stencils done right.

How to Order Custom Stencils

When it comes to stencils, the best way to get the design, shape or lettering you want is to order custom stencils.  Here's a look at how to order custom stencils online. Stencils have come a long way since art class. No longer are they reserved for children's projects, such as pumpkin carvings. On the contrary, stencils are being used today to paint designs, lettering and other characters on just about any surface on the planet, from living room walls to construction sites. Whether you want to repaint the numbers on your driveway with driveway stencils or create a floral pattern in your bedroom, stenciling is a great way to get the job done without spending a lot of time and money.

Although retailers offer a wide range of stencils to choose from, the best way to get the design, shape or lettering you want is to order custom stencils.  Here's a look at how to order custom stencils online.
Before you can order custom stencils, you will need to write out the text and check your spelling. Once you have selecting the text, you will need to choose the type of font you wish to use. Most stencil retailers offer a large selection of fonts to choose from, including both traditional and whimsical fonts.

Next, you will need to choose the letter height as well as the desired sentence width and length. The next step in the ordering process is to specify text alignments, or whether you would like the text to be centered, flushed left, or flushed right.  

The final step in the ordering process is to select the material of the stencil. Stencils are available in brass, Mylar, oilboard and magnetic materials. If you're ordering a handicap parking stencil, for example, you may want to order a material that you can use over and over again. Oilboard stencils, also known as Stencilboards, are thick oil treated tagboards that can be used over and over again. Likewise, Mylar stencils are thick, extremely durable, and can be cleaned with solvent and reused multiple times.

After the final step, you're ready to place your order. Keep in mind that parking lot stencils and other oversized stencils and may take up to two weeks to ship.

About the Author

Richard A. Manfredi has written about www.nationalstencil.com . Find custom stencils such as letter stencils, number stencils and metal stencils. Get low prices on a custom stencil and have your stencils done right.

Stencil Suppliers – 3 Things They Should Have on Hand

When it comes to the world of decorating, the tried-and-true method of stenciling is still very popular.  Whether you are trying to add some flair to an old piece of furniture, add a design to one of your walls, or simply paint your house number on the curb, stencils can do it for you.

But in order to get the very best stencils, you need to work with the very best stencil suppliers.  If you're dealing with a good one, they should have these 3 things on hand:

1. Letter stencils

These are the most basic of all stencils.  If your stencil suppliers do not have a wide variety of letter stencils, then you are definitely dealing with the wrong people!  You should easily be able to find tons of letter stencils that are packaged both individually and as sheets of letters.  And, you should also be able to find letters in all different sizes.  Plus, you should even be able to have your pick of fonts.

Bottom line – when it comes to something as basic as letter  stencils, a quality supplier will have what seems like an endless array of them!  If yours doesn't, you need to be on the lookout for new suppliers.

2.Sandblast stencils

In many cases, you need a way to put letters, numbers, pictures, and logos onto non-traditional surfaces – like rough concrete, plastic, glass, granite, marble, or wood.  Or, you might need stenciling for a massive commercial project.  Either way, sandblast  stencils can make your work easier for you!

Sandblast stencils are particularly effective because they work quickly.  Instead of taking the time to paint or spray everything, sandblast stencils use an actual sandblaster.  They are perfect for bigger areas – like floors and tabletops.
Typically, sandblast stencils are used to put logos, designs, or borders on floors or tables.  When done on a giant floor, they can serve as a boundary between two sides of a room.

3.Custom stencils

While most of the quality stencil suppliers out there have a huge assortment of stencils to choose from, sometimes, you just will not be able to find what you need.  That's when you need a supplier that specializes in custom  stencil creation.

When you get a custom stencil from a quality supplier, you can specify every single detail that you need.  You can tell the supplier exactly how big you need your stencil to be, exactly what needs to be included, and exactly what surface it needs to go on.

About the Author

Richard A. Manfredi has written about www.nationalstencil.com . Find custom stencils such as letter stencils, number stencils and metal stencils. Get low prices on a custom stencil and have your stencils done right.