The earliest memory most people can recall about stencils is art class, some time before the internet or video games when drawing was one of those things people did for fun.
Tracing letters or shapes onto a piece of construction paper that mom stuck on the fridge or a teacher lined the classroom chalkboard with is one of those things associated directly with childhood.
There are a few more practical uses for stencils, which are one of the oldest art form as experts trace stenciling back to the 15th century in both Japan and parts of Europe. Most stencils used by business are
stencils for parking lots. Companies looking to create an attractive new sign that is both original and sharp-looking don't need a big electric marquee sign; a few words stenciled on a white backdrop can provide the same effect as digital shine with rolling messages about sales and other offers.
Even people looking for an interesting way to liven up a wall in the house can make use of stencils. Rather than purchasing a painting or photograph of a sunset or some grassy meadow somewhere, looking for an interesting stencil will make a boring wall a little more attractive.
Stenciling has found its way back into the design conversation in recent months, especially as people seek out ways to decorate their home or office without spending too much money. The Ridgefield Press in Connecticut reported on February 24 that Ridgefield Continuing Education offers a stencil class for $53 that teaches both the history of the craft and some interesting uses in the home.
Joanie Friedman, a decorating expert for the Reading Eagle Company, recently responded to a question from a reader about an inexpensive way to liven up a dull wall in a bedroom with some ideas about stenciling.
"Freshen up a guest room or dull powder room by stenciling the walls up near the ceiling. Or, instead of wallpapering the entire room, add a border around the top of the wall at ceiling height," Friedman wrote for the Reading Eagle Company. "Choose a large border and coordinate the comforter and curtains."
Stencils have undergone something of a rebirth in recent years well. Most printers used to create signs offer customizable stenciling options that make for an attractive way to design a new banner for an office or small business.
Now more than ever, the idea of branding plays a large role in the financial success of a company. Using a stencil can provide a logo that stands out from many newer logos because of a little retro spin. For certain businesses, a stencil-based design is antiquated and ineffective. Smaller companies in close-knit communities can use the designs because they convey a certain old-world feeling that often resonates in more suburban communities.
Modern technology has eliminated the strictures stencils previously had. At the IPC Apex convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, printer companies will display some of the latest developments in sign printing. A majority of these products feature stenciling capabilities that go far beyond the
plastic alphabet stencil everyone used in art class.
One of the newest and most popular forms of stenciling is silk-screen printing, which uses a custom stencil to print a design on t-shirts and other items. Using silk-screen printing is an inexpensive way to improve brand recognition of a company, especially to reach people who don't use Twitter or Facebook. Making t-shirts with a company logo on it is inexpensive, and people never seem to say "no" to free t-shirts.
Resisting the implementation of technology can be costly for company. Sometimes, though, a little nod to the past, like stenciling, can do great things for a company.
©
2010 All rights reserved. Reproduction with
permission.
