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Acrylic paint is a good medium for stenciling with but care must be taken to avoid creating bulk and stiff layering that cracks and peels if bent or over time. By keeping the layers thin and light, you can use acrylic paint successfully for stenciling and get a sharp ad clear stencil.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Stenciling a canvas

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Stencil with Acrylic Paint
    If you want a colored background on the canvas, paint this first.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Stencil with Acrylic Paint
    The stencil design will need to fit on the canvas. If you're overlaying stencils, plan this out in advance.
    • If your stencil is made from a thinner material (like printer paper), be sure to cut the edges precisely.
    • Use thin slivers of tape under any edges that may fold over or stick up during the paint application, to avoid smearing or paint bleeding over the edges.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Stencil with Acrylic Paint
    Always add less rather than more; top up as needed.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Stencil with Acrylic Paint
    Dip into the acrylic paint but here is the trick––only dip just the edge of the brush and do not apply too much paint. Thin layers are the most effective for acrylic paint stenciling. Rub off any excess paint if needed, using paper towel or an old rag. [1]
    • A stencil brush has a wide, flat surface. It's ideal for picking up a thin layer of paint. A soft stencil brush with natural bristles is the best choice; do not use synthetic ones or any other sort of paintbrush.
    • Use a large stencil brush for large canvas areas, a small one for daintier and smaller areas.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Stencil with Acrylic Paint
    Take a lot of care at the edges; do not push the brush under the stencil.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Stencil with Acrylic Paint
    Remove the brush.
  7. Apply other colors or areas only after the first one has dried, to avoid accidental smudging from your hand movements. Fortunately, acrylics dry quickly.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Stencil with Acrylic Paint
    Carefully pull away. The stenciled print will now be completed.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Stenciling fabric

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Stencil with Acrylic Paint
    The stencil design will need to fit on the fabric. If you're overlaying stencils, plan this out in advance.
    • If your stencil is made from a thinner material (like printer paper), be sure to cut the edges precisely.
    • Use thin slivers of tape under any edges that may fold over or stick up during the paint application, to avoid smearing or paint bleeding over the edges
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Stencil with Acrylic Paint
    Sponging will cover more area and lessen the risks of smears from difficult edges/angles. Mainly all types of sponge works––kitchen, makeup, etc.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Stencil with Acrylic Paint
    [2]
    • Don't apply too many layers. Over application of acrylic is what leads to that bulky stiffness.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Stencil with Acrylic Paint
    [3]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Stencil with Acrylic Paint
    If you'd like, once you're stencil has dried completely, run through the quick cycle in your washing machine for extra softness.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Do I have to to thin paint for stenciling?
    EnBOOKds
    Community Answer
    You do not have to thin the paint, just use a small brush so you can see what you're doing, and give it time to dry before adding more paint.
  • Question
    I want to do a flower, a tree, a red truck carrying a tree, and other such things. How do you stencil with more than one color?
    Community Answer
    Tape over sections you do not wish to paint; wait for paint to dry before taping over other sections. Or you can free hand very carefully if you think you can do it carefully enough.
  • Question
    What is the best paint for stenciling on canvas?
    Reina Itoga
    Community Answer
    Liquitex Basics acrylic paint is cheap, and works really well on canvas. As a tip, use painters tape to hold the stencil in place, and put a book under the canvas to make sure the stencil does not move.
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      Tips

      • Another option for the fabric stenciling: there are specially-made acrylic paints for use on softer fabrics, as well as thinning liquids that are made to be mixed with the regular acrylic paints. They can usually be found in any arts/crafts store (in the same aisle as the paints themselves).
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      Things You'll Need

      Method 1 :

      • Canvas
      • Stencil
      • Trimming tool
      • Acrylic paint
      • Stencil brush

      Method 2 :

      • Fabric
      • Stencil
      • Paints
      • Palette or plate (something to put small amounts of paint onto)
      • Sponge


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