https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/diy-stencils • Posted by Thera Joyce
I've been busy all day writing up this tutorial on how to make your own stencils. These stencils are super easy to make and totally give your wardrobe that one of a kind edge. You can stencil on your old shirts to give them new life, or stencil onto your mini skirt to make it one of a kind.
I've been busy all day writing up this tutorial on how to make your own stencils. These stencils are super easy to make and totally give your wardrobe that one of a kind edge. You can stencil on your old shirts to give them new life, or stencil onto your mini skirt to make it one of a kind.
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.
Then you'll need to change the photo to Grayscale (black and white).
Next you'll need to adjust the Brightness/Contrast of the photo.
Adjust the Brightness/Contrast of the photo until your image looks like the one above. It should be very dark, with minimal shadow.
Now make the image as small or as large as you'd like.
Print the image out.
Now you will need to tape the image to a window or lay it on top of a light box.
Next, tape a piece of poster board (with shiny side down) on top of the image.
Trace the image onto the poster board.
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.
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.
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.
When you're done cutting around the lines you traced, pat yourself on the back! You've officially made your very own stencil.