Custom Stencils For Painting

Custom stencils are made from a durable plastic that is available in different thicknesses. We offer a thin 7 ml Mylar, which is great for small designs with intricate detail and is applied to smooth surfaces. We also offer a thicker one-tenth inch thick heavy duty plastic that is great for larger designs. These are applied on irregular surfaces, such as concrete or pavement.

Mylar is a thin, craft-like stencil that is meant for delicate projects, such as a small plate. It is thin and flexible, so you need to be careful not to rip it while handling. The thicker material is a low density polypropylene plastic, which is a thick durable plastic that is meant for rough surfaces like pavement.

We do not offer brass metal stencils because they are stiff and allow underspray to leak onto the printed surface. Plastic stencils allow for better manipulation and sharper impressions. Oil board stencils are greased cardboard, which can tear and are not as durable as plastic.

Mylar is very thin and flexible so it is very fragile. LPDE is one-tenth inch thick and very thick and durable.

Stencils are designed for repeated use of the exact impression. The number of impressions depends on the thickness of the stencil material and how well you care for the material. Custom pavement stencils can be reused multiple times. It is best to store them flat and without any weight on it. There is some UV protection in them but direct sunlight or the back of a pick-up cab would cause them to crack. Thin custom mylar stencils can be reused only a couple times if you gently wash it after each use.

Stencils can be made any size large or small but there are limitations on what the production machine can cut without deforming the stencil impression. Large custom stencils can be produced in sections and paneled to create stadium size designs. You don't want a large continuous stencil because it is difficult to transport and handle. The smallest size custom stencil depends on the intricacy of the logo or text. We can make lettering as small as one-quarter inch tall used for hobbyist or adding names to shirts. Custom stencil raw material is produced in logs 8 feet wide by a continuous length but the stencil could come in multiple pieces depending on the logo.

The stroke is the area where the paint goes through the stencil to make the impression. Most customers don’t ask about the stroke unless it is specified by a government agency. We have FHA Highway Gothic fonts that have 2, 3 or 4 inch strokes. If you have any stroke requirements, you can include them in the stencil design.

Paint can be applied by using spray equipment, brushes or rollers. You can get spray equipment from Graco Sprayers, Sherwin Williams, Dura Clad or Pervo Paint Ultra 9000. They offer a conventional dry, non-heated application, water-based paint intended for marking interior and exterior curbing and lanes on driveways, sidewalks, factory floors, parking lots and airport runways. We do not recommend oil-based paint. Please consult a paint specialist for your application.

Each stencil we make has what are named bridges, which allow the stencil to stay together when applying. For example, the letter O has an inner section that needs to be held together with bridging. Otherwise, there would be just a larger outer circle. The bridges will show after you paint, so you can touch up after the stencil is removed. We try to make your stencil as one piece. However, depending on its size, we may have to produce it in sections. If your custom stencil has multiple colors, each color will be a separate section that you can overlay.

For outdoor or rough surfaces, we recommend using duct tape or gorilla tape to hold the edges of the stencil. The tape has a strong adhesive that can keep the stencil flat on outdoor surfaces. We recommend the thinner Mylar material for any curved surface, such as posts, barrels or bollards. Mylar can be used for stenciling wine glasses, and can be held in place with masking or painter's tape. To prevent shifting or overspray, make sure your stencil is securely taped down. For stencils with intricate details, you may use your fingers to hold down the edges and prevent underspray. We do not provide magnetic stencils or self-adhesive stencils.

Gently wipe mylar stencils with a soft cloth and soapy dish water after each use. It will eventually deteriorate, since it is not meant to last a long time. Thicker stencils can be cleaned by using a hand brush and soapy water. When paint is dry, just bend the stencil or hit it against a hard surface, and the paint will flake off easily.

The stencils are typically shipped rolled and boxed to prevent damage during transit. We will ship smaller stencils by the Post Office and larger stencils by a carrier. Stencils should be layed flat in a warm location overnight to get any memory curl out.