Working with Uncut Stencil Material

Our Over N Over Uncut Stencil Material is the perfect combination of flexibility and endurance. The material sheets come in two sizes 5" x 8" and 8" x 10" and can be cut by hand with a hobby knife or used in a wide variety of craft cutting machines and mini plotter systems. The blank material produces stencils that are pliable, self-adhesive, and reusable.

This material was created for use with our Armour Etch Glass Etching Cream, Sand Etch or small sand blasters. It is also compatible with water-based paints, colored pencils, Pinata tints, art wax finishes, chalks, stamping inks, dry pigment colors and body paint.

In general, making your own stencils can be tricky. We recommend crafters consult in person or online resources to educate themselves on the basic do's and don'ts to ensure successful stencil creations. Always bear in mind, floating pieces, as in the center of a donut, require connecting bridges to keep them attached in the finished stencil. You can always refer to the Over N Over Stencil designs on our website for guidance.

Basic Cutting Instructions

1. Select an area on the blank stencil material where there will be a minimum of 1/4 inch of solid material around the design when completed.

2. Make sure your design is in stencil format. Avoid very intricate designs with fine lines as these can stretch and tear during use.

3. Once the design has been cut into the sheet, a border of at least 1/4 inch of solid material must be cut around the design so it can be removed from the sheet for use.

Stencil Care. Stencils made from our Uncut Over N Over Stencil Material should be removed carefully from the backing sheet. Always lift in the direction of the bridging and small pieces to prevent tearing. After each use, thoroughly rinse stencils with warm water and pat dry with a lint free paper towel before returning to the carrier sheet. Stencil will become sticky again when dry.

Longevity Factors.The lifespan of a stencil depends on the proper storage, handling and care during use, materials used with it, and the frailty of the stencil design. For sandblasting, 220 grit is recommended. With proper care and handling, stencils can be reused up to approximately15-20 times.

Craft Knife: For craft or hobby knives, arrow point blades work best with either a fixed or swivel head for curves. For smoother lines, keep the blade in place and rotate the material to the knife edge along the cut lines. This will produce much cleaner design edges inside the stencil than repeatedly lifting the knife in and out of the material.

Cutting Machines: While not laser compatible, our Blank Over N Over Stencil Material works beautifully with all major brands of DIY cutting machines when used on the settings for thick vinyl. For seamless edges inside designs that require multiple stops and starts, position the cutting tip in an existing cutline or begin from an area that will be removed later.

Article Posted: 10/27/2022 10:20:11 AM