Stencils for spray painting

[minho]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to create stencils for spray painting? I'm interested in replicating logos/various designs to be spray painted on my keyboard, and I don't want to rely on my ****ty cutting skills and some masking tape.

[fohat.digs]

A sign shop can generally cut adhesive masks but it will get expensive very quickly.

The cut and frisket technique is the only way to get a good result in small areas - paint will run under your mask if it is not stuck down.

[CPTBadAss]

Find a picture of what you want to spray paint and print that out. Tape that picture to a sheet of sturdy cardstock or a flyer with a heavier paperweight. Then use a knife and cut along the picture, removing the parts you want to show up. Cut hard enough to cut through both papers. When you're done, remove the piece of paper and you should have your stencil.

I've done this on some furniture and took pictures of the process, but the site I posted pictures to is blocked at work. If you remind me, I can post the link here later.

[fohat.digs]

Cut hard enough to cut through both papers. When you're done, remove the piece of paper and you should have your stencil.

This works pretty well down to elements of only a few mm, if you are careful, working on flat surfaces, and do not need sharp edges.

If you need interior voids, you will still need to mask with something adhesive.

[CPTBadAss]

But you can still make the outline then mask off what you want later. I think it's a good start.

You're right though. The shape I made was relatively simple, it was the StarCraft 2 Terran Logo.


From here

[minho]

But you can still make the outline then mask off what you want later. I think it's a good start.

You're right though. The shape I made was relatively simple, it was the StarCraft 2 Terran Logo.

Show Image

From here

Your bottom stencil looks a lot nicer than the top one. I'm assuming you just smoothed out the bits you didn't like from trial one and then redid it?

[CPTBadAss]

I actually forgot to keep the unit flat so I sprayed it and then tipped it up a bit. And yes I did tweak it a little. My post on the stencil can be found here on TeamLiquid.

[minho]

I actually forgot to keep the unit flat so I sprayed it and then tipped it up a bit. And yes I did tweak it a little. My post on the stencil can be found here on TeamLiquid.

Ohh I see. Thanks for the link.

[handystack]

To get sharp edges, I suggest making your stencils out of a plastic transparency film and using a removable spray-on adhesive to really stick the stencil to the object you are marking. I get transparencies printed up at my local print shop for stencils. If you need designs that can't be done with stencils, you might consider silkscreening - it really isn't that hard. Post pics when you are done!

[HipsterPunks]

I swear by card stock and exactoknife you'll ruin the stencil after a few sprays. After cutting the stencil spray the underside with hairspray and stick it the surface. Spray paint and remove 

[minho]

I swear by card stock and exactoknife you'll ruin the stencil after a few sprays. After cutting the stencil spray the underside with hairspray and stick it the surface. Spray paint and remove 

Will the hairspray leave any stains?

My current plan is to first sand the case, completely paint over it with one color and let it dry, then put on the stencil and spray paint a different color and finally cover it all with some clear coat finish.