| Get a quality template | | | | coat is not enough, wait a few minutes for the paint to |
| When using stencils the template quality is of utmost | | | | dry and apply another coat. |
| importance. It should also include a detailed guide and | | | | Keep it in place |
| even some images to show you how to apply the | | | | It is likely that you will use more than one colour. Each |
| stencil. | | | | piece of the stencil should stay on its place until you |
| Tools | | | | are done with painting. Keep it in place using a tape. |
| Stencil paint should be applied with a brush, a sponge | | | | Low-tack kind of tapes are best as they are easily |
| or a roller. The stencil brush you are going to use | | | | removed and do not harm the paint. |
| should be round, soft and stiff. Regardless of the tool | | | | Multiple uses of your stencils |
| you use, the paint should be applied carefully so that it | | | | What should you do if the design you are creating |
| doesn't gather along the edges of the stencil and | | | | required the use of the same stencil more than one? |
| eventually go under them. | | | | Well, obviously you should need to either get another |
| If you are creating a stencil with more than one colour | | | | stencil or use the one you have already used. Wash it |
| it is best to get a separate tool for each colour rather | | | | before using it again. Even if you will apply the same |
| then use one and wash it all the time. | | | | paint colour, dirty stencils can spoil the quality of the |
| Techniques | | | | design. |
| There are various stencil techniques. You can read | | | | How to store stencils |
| about them on the internet or even buy a book to | | | | Once you are done with the decoration you can keep |
| show you the world of stencils. However regardless | | | | the stencils. First of all wash them carefully and let |
| of the technique used, the paint should be applied from | | | | them dry. Smaller stencils can be stored in a book. |
| the edge of the stencil towards the center. This way | | | | Larger ones can be stored in a box. Put paper or |
| the chance of paint going under the stencil is minimal. | | | | carton between each stencil to avoid scratching or |
| Another important thing about the paint application is | | | | any other damage. You should keep them flat as |
| that it should create thin layers. Using more paint than | | | | otherwise they will become unusable. Smaller stencils |
| required may result into paint under the edges of the | | | | can be stored in a book. |
| stencil or poor quality of the design. If you feel one | | | | |