Diy Stencils

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  Step 1

  First you need to find a photo of the object you'd like to make a stencil of. Objects on a white background work best. Once you find a photo of the object you'd like to use, open the photo in whatever photo editing software you use on your computer. I'm using Photoshop.

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  Step 2

  Then you'll need to change the photo to Grayscale (black and white).

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  Step 3

  Next you'll need to adjust the Brightness/Contrast of the photo.

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  Step 4

  Adjust the Brightness/Contrast of the photo until your image looks like the one above. It should be very dark, with minimal shadow.

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  Step 5

  Now make the image as small or as large as you'd like.

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  Step 6

  Print the image out.

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  Step 7

  Now you will need to tape the image to a window or lay it on top of a light box.

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  Step 8

  Next, tape a piece of poster board (with shiny side down) on top of the image.

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  Step 9

  Trace the image onto the poster board.

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  Step 10

  This image happens to have "islands" so we'll need to correct these so we don't loose the detail of the stencil. "Islands" are pieces that would be cut out with the whole stencil if we didn't connect them to the outside part of the stencil. I've circled where the "islands" are in this stencil.

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  Step 11

  To eliminate the "islands" in this stencil, I've simply erased the two small bits near the revolver trigger and re-drawn them as pictured above.

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  Step 12

  Grab your cutting board and X-Acto knife and carefully cut on the lines that you traced onto the poster board. Remember: Slow and steady wins the race. Take your time on this step. The cleaner the cuts, the better your stencil will look.

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  Step 13

  When you're done cutting around the lines you traced, pat yourself on the back! You've officially made your very own stencil.

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Shortly Blank · Amsterdam, North Holland, NL · 3 projects 24th November 2013

What do you need all the image adjustment steps for if you end up tracing the image the old skool way

Thera Joyce · Chandler, Arizona, US · 57 projects 25th November 2013

It's basically for when you start making more complicated stencils, or if you don't have tracing paper and a light box on hand. You should write a tutorial on how you do it. I'd love to check out your method! )))

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