Another T-Shirt Stencil

Step 7 Finished

You've got a new shirt! ...and plenty of supplies to make more.

Known Issues:
-When choosing designs, remember the resolution is not great compared to regular silk screen. Text should be >1/2 inch.
-Take your time cutting out the design. It's tedious, and errors will be reflected in the end product. That said, masking tape can fix many errors.
-Applying an even coat of paint is the most difficult part. The brush should be as large as the widest solidly painted area to avoid lap lines. Apply enough paint that it becomes opaque, but not so much that it will smear as you remove the stencil.

Unknown issues:
I'd like to figure some type of "application tape" to keep multiple parts of the stencil together and properly located. One large piece of tape will inadvertently move the stencil, but I plan to experiment with several very thin strips of tape <1/8 inch. If you remove them one by one, hopefully the stencil won't move. Suggestions?

Comments

[jluey]

You can get packs of "printable sticker paper" online. It's about $1.25 per sheet, seems to come in packs of 5,10,20.

[jluey]

Good project... I wonder how sticker paper would work. Its kind of expensive, but you can print or draw on it, and you're pretty sure to have it stick to the shirt. I haven't done this, tho I'm gonna try soon. I wonder if it'll be harder to peel off tho. A question for you: how'd you go about washing a shirt like this?

[socalcovey]

Hola Amigo

I am glad that you are bringing back some of this old school flavor. Getting dirty fingers and being creative. I want to take a stab at your question. My brother and I used to use stencils like these for airbrushing and the bombest way to keep the silly stencils on was a light coat of 3M magic spray, the best part is if you goof up the alignment, its removable and sticks back on again without having to spray it once more. Good luck! I plan to teach a class with your cool method very soon. I'll send you some pics.

Cholos Locos 4 ever

Socal

[EvlPwnda]

Awesomerrific! nice ible! ... off to go try it myself, thx

[veggieporn]

nice work. i find using a sponge helps with getting an even application of ink when doing stencils.. i like maryrush idea of using sticky paper to hold it down, although i tend to use acetate so i can reuse the stencil (means you cant have any 'islands' in the design though) :-)

[Natty_312]

That's pretty cool and easy, I'm going to try it. Thanks!

[Demon13]

Um so i use xray paper, from the hospital as a stencil, i cut the design into it and instead of ironing the xray on to shirt as you cant i have made a brace that holds the screen allowing you freedom to use my ruler as a squeegy lol

[firebird11692]

I WANT THAT SHIRT. =D

[maryush]

I use a similar techniq. If you want the different parts located right try to stick the smaller or inside parts first and use the parts that are not going to be sticked to the shirt as help. For instance with the shirt above - first stick the big inside part (head, ears etc.) then put inside it the "face part" (the one that is white in the end) and use it as a guide to stick the "K ))" inside it. Once the "K ))" is sticked - remove the "face" and you have the letter exactly where you wanted it. Then stick the outline of the design - with the "head" already in place you will not make mistakes in placing it - the paper is not hard as a cardboard so sometimes it tends to curve, etc. Other thing - i left the paint to dry with the design still ON the shirt. Then i can paint it second, third, ect. time to have better colours (not to show the shirt colour below). This also prevents the "uupsie" while getting the wet "sticker" off the shirt. Oh, and that way i can paint next colour(s) on the previously dried paint. Oh, and the paper - i use plain office type sticker paper, the one thet is A4 size, without cut into adress pieces. Cheap, easier, no ironing, works like a charm for me ;) Anyway, well done and good luck! ;)

[KoolAidDisaster]

Hey thats really good, so hey is the iron on just to hold the stencil down??? how's the graphic holding up in the wash>?

[lynzay_]

utilising Contact clear adhesive vinyl (the stuff you cover books with) will solve alot of the problems your having. and removes the ironing step completely :)

[goldenchild]

Might try using a light coat of McLogan Flash adhesive to keep multiple parts down without movement.

http://www.mclogan.com/store/309.html