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How to paint with a stencil ?

Categories : Clothes , Shoes & Sneakers , Tips

Want to use a stencil to paint on wood, shoes or a decorative object ? Follow our tips to learn how to paint with a stencil to get a clean, sharp result and avoid paint bleeding.

Applying Your Stencil Properly

Which stencil to use to avoid paint bleeding ?

There are two types of stencils : adhesive (sticky) and reusable. 

For best results, use a high-quality adhesive stencil if you want to avoid bleeding especially when the surface is not smooth.

The technique we explain in this tutorial is the same for reusable stencils.

Picking Up and Applying Your Stencil

If you’re using a simple stencil (heart, star, etc.), you can peel it off directly and apply it.
If your stencil has more details, we recommend to use transfer tape :

  • Cut a piece of transfer tape

  • Apply the sticky side firmly onto the stencil (press with a rigid card)

  • Lift the stencil using the transfer tape

  • Stick the stencil (with the transfer tape still on top) onto the surface and press again

  • Remove the transfer tape to leave the stencil perfectly in place

Make sure the stencil is firmly applied to reduce any risk of bleeding. If the surface isn’t perfectly smooth and there’s no paint underneath, gently heat the stencil so it sticks better and conforms to the surface.

How to Stencil Without Bleeding ?

The materials you need

To get a perfect result, we will use SneakArts paint and the right tools to apply the paint :

  • On smooth materials like leather : use stencil sponges 
  • On absorbent materials like fabric : use a stencil brush

Painting With a Stencil

To paint with a stencil without bleeding, start with a base coat, then apply thin layers of paint using a stencil brush or sponge. Your base coat should match the color of the surface.

Avoid loading your brush or sponge with too much paint, or it may bleed or lift when you remove the stencil. 

Allow each coat to dry fully (make sure not to heat the paint). Apply 2 to 3 coats for an even finish.

Once the paint is completely dry, gently remove the stencil to reveal your design. If you want to perfect your technique on fabric, check out our dedicated article.

You now know how to use and paint with a stencil without bleeding, whether on sneakers or any decorative item.

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2 comments

By Giannis 2024-03-24 14:21:32

je voudrais peindre du texte avec un pochoir sur du bois peint auparavant, est-ce possible ? - en quelle matière est faite votre pochoir ? - c’est quoi ce « film de transfert » ? on s’en sert comment ? ça sert à quoi ? j’ai rien compris ! merci

By Bastien 2023-12-14 16:34:45

Bonjour, petite question. Les résidus de colle du pochoir ne vont il pas poser problème pour l'adhérence du vernis ?