How To Make Spray Paint Stencils: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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How to Make Stencils for Spray Paint: A Step-by-Step Guide Download Article Create a custom stencil with this DIY method Co-authored by Laura M. Johnson and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: May 23, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Making a Stencil
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• Using the Stencil
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• FAQs
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• Video
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• Q&A
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• Tips
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• Things You'll Need

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This article was co-authored by Laura M. Johnson and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Laura M. Johnson is a Mural Artist and the Owner of Laura Margo Murals & Custom Art in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has over five years of experience in the industry and has worked professionally across venture capital, communications, the arts, and beyond. She helps empower small and growing businesses to find their voices, share their stories, and grow their impact. Laura received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management, and her Bachelors in Journalism and Communication Studies with a minor in Fine Arts from the University of Oregon. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 943,538 times.

Spray paint stencils range from simple hearts to complex city scenes or realistic portraits—the possibilities are endless! But how do you make and use these stencils? In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the process of making and using a spray paint stencil. With this step-by-step guide, you’ll be the next Banksy!

DIY Spray Paint Stencil

1. Make an outline of your stencil design on a piece of paper.
2. Attach the design to your stencil material, like cardboard, with tape or adhesive spray.
3. Use a utility knife to cut out the areas of the design you want to paint.
4. Tape the stencil on your paint surface.
5. Apply the spray paint over the stencil in even coats.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Making a Stencil

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1. 1 Find an image or sketch one yourself. Think about your overall design. Consider what the stencil will be used for—say, a small decoration on a box or a pattern for your walls. How will your use of the stencil influence your design? Will it be small, large, or detailed? Here are a few specific points to consider:[1]
   • The stencil size. If the stencil is going to be large, it is okay to include small details. If the stencil is going to be small, go for a simpler design.
   • The number of colors. For a design with multiple colors, use multiple stencils, each with its own layer of color.
2. 2 Use paper, cardboard, or clear acetate to create your stencil. There are a variety of materials you can use when creating a spray painting stencil. Some material types are easier and less time-consuming than others, especially if you’re a beginner. Here’s a quick breakdown:
   • Cardboard or foam board: Ideal for large, simple stencils on flat surfaces.[2]
   • Thick paper: Great for a single-use stencil on flat or rounded surfaces.
   • Poster board: Stronger than paper and can be used on flat or slightly rounded surfaces.
   • Plastic or clear acetate: Ideal for creating advanced, reusable stencils for flat or rounded surfaces.
   • Frisket film: Ideal for flat and rounded surfaces, but has a slightly sticky backing that can be tricky to work with
   EXPERT TIP

   Laura M. Johnson

   Mural Artist Laura M. Johnson is a Mural Artist and the Owner of Laura Margo Murals & Custom Art in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has over five years of experience in the industry and has worked professionally across venture capital, communications, the arts, and beyond. She helps empower small and growing businesses to find their voices, share their stories, and grow their impact. Laura received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management, and her Bachelors in Journalism and Communication Studies with a minor in Fine Arts from the University of Oregon. Laura M. Johnson Mural Artist

   Make your stencil out of plastic if you want to reuse it. Mylar or other plastic materials don’t absorb paint, so you can reuse stencils made out of them. If you make a stencil out of paper or cardboard, it can only be used once.

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3. 3 Ensure the final image has clean lines and good contrast. Your design image must be super clear to make it easy to cut out. When finalizing your design, make sure your sketch or printed image has easy-to-follow lines. Here are some tips for making the best stencil image:
   • If you’re drawing your own image, clearly outline the areas of the image that will be cut out for the stencil. Define the edges and the details of your image. Otherwise, the stencil won’t portray your original drawing.[3]
   • If you’re using a photograph or online image, adjust the contrast and brightness of the image so there are defined dark and light areas. It’s easiest to switch the image to black and white. Consider removing the background of an image to get a clearer stencil design.
   • If you’re creating a complex image with textures or shadows, make sure your design doesn’t force you to cut whole sections out of the stencil. Alter the image so that the stencil remains as a single piece.[4]
   • Once you have the final design figured out, print it out or ensure it has nice, crisp lines.
4. 4 Attach your design to the stencil material. Once your design is complete or printed out, place the paper design on top of your chosen stencil material (cardboard, another piece of paper, etc.).[5] There are several ways to attach the design:
   • Tape it in place using masking tape or clear adhesive tape. Tape the edges and sections in the middle to stabilize the paper.[6]
   • Attach it with spray adhesive. Simply spray the stencil material with the adhesive, and then carefully place the paper over the top of it.
   • Transfer the image to the stencil material using tracing paper. This works best if the stencil material is cardboard or poster board.
   • Place rocks or paper weights on the edges of the stencil. If you used cardboard or thick paper, it may be easiest to weigh the stencil down with something heavy, especially if all the cutouts are lying flat.[7]
5. 5 Cut out the areas of your design that you want to paint. Using a sharp utility knife, delicately cut out the unneeded portions of the stencil. Ideally, cut out the most high-contrast areas of the design.[8]
   • If your design has more than one color, create different stencils for each color.[9]
   • Make sure you cut out your stencil on a hard surface, such as a cutting mat. The knife could damage tables and other surfaces.[10]
   • If you make a mistake while cutting, don’t panic! Use electrical tape to piece the stencil back together.
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Section 2 of 3:

Using the Stencil

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1. 1 Attach the stencil to your painting surface. Lay the stencil flat on the surface you want to spray paint.[11] The best way to attach the stencil to your chosen surface is with painter’s tape. However, if you have a more complex design with small cut-outs, try using a temporary adhesive spray.
   • The stencil must lie flat, as any portion of the stencil that’s elevated could cause paint to get underneath the stencil, ruining the design.
   • If the stencil material is frisket film, simply remove the backing and stick it to the painting surface.
2. 2 Apply the spray paint in even strokes. Do not apply the paint so thickly that it pools or puddles, as this can blur your design. Instead, keep the application process fast, and do not concentrate the nozzle on a single point for too long.[12] Start by shaking up the can, then begin spraying with the nozzle pointed away from your project. Glide the spray of paint over your stencil in even strokes.[13]
   • If this is your first time using a spray paint stencil (or spray painting in general), try doing a test before spray painting on your desired material. This way, if you make a mistake, it doesn’t matter!
   • Warning: If using spray paint indoors, make sure to wear a respirator or open a window to ensure there’s ventilation.
3. 3 Remove the stencil and inspect your work. Remove the stencil once you're done painting; you don’t have to wait for the paint to dry completely.[14] It’s common for some paint to get past the edge of the stencil (no matter how hard you try), so check to see how the design appears. If you remove the stencil and don’t like how the design came out, try again or use a small paintbrush to make touchups.
   • If you’re making a design with multiple colors, wait for each color layer to dry before adding a new stencil and color. Otherwise, the paint can smear and ruin your design.[15]
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Section 3 of 3:

FAQs

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1. 1 What is the best material to make spray paint stencils? Mural artist Laura Johnson recommends using Mylar or other types of plastic to make reusable spray paint stencils.[16] If you’re not planning on reusing your stencils, go with a thick paper or cardboard material. Some artists have even used thick paper bags or manila file folders!
2. 2 What paper is best for spray paint stencils? Cardstock or poster board paper is ideal for spray paint stencils. The thicker and sturdier the paper, the better. Use whatever type of paper you’d like to sketch your design, but it’s best to use a cardstock paper or poster board for your stencil.
3. 3 How do you spray paint stencils without bleeding? The best way to prevent bleeding when using a spray paint stencil is to secure the stencil in place with an adhesive. If the stencil has a tacky backing, paint is less likely to smudge into other areas of the design. If you don’t have an adhesive or stencil with a tacky backing, here are some other ways to avoid bleeding:[17]
   • Place painter’s tape around the edge of the stencil. The less the stencil moves, the less paint will bleed.
   • Spray 10–15 inches (25–38 cm) away from the stencil. Spraying the paint too close to the stencil can cause the paint to drip.
   • Spray inwards. Paint your design from the outside in to create crisper lines.
   • Use a stick to hold down the stencil. If an area of the stencil is too small to tape down, hold a stick or long object on it while spraying.
4. 4 How do you come up with a spray paint stencil design? There are no limitations to what you design could be—let your imagination run free! If you’re a beginner, we suggest going with a simpler design with fewer cutouts, like letters, numbers, or shapes. If you’re more advanced, try creating a stencil from an image of your dog or a favorite superhero’s logo.
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Community Q&A

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• Question Can I use regular paper for a one-time use stencil on my bedroom wall which will be on top of wallpaper? If not, what would be the best thing to use? Community Answer Paper works great as a one-time use stencil, but if you need more uses, card stock is the way to go. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 20
• Question How do I lift it off without the stencil smudging or the material I used ripping or sticking? Community Answer Spray very lightly and wait until it is completely dry. Repeat 2-3 times, then slowly peel off once it is completely dry. Be patient. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 42
• Question What is the best type of paper to use? Community Answer In my experience, 300 GSM art paper is the best. If you have trouble finding it, you can use 250+ GSM art paper for the stencils. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 10

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Tips

• Is your DIY spray painting stencil not coming out the way you’d like? Worry not! There are plenty of pre-made spray paint stencils available that eliminate the hassle of making one yourself. Some companies will even put your own design on a reusable stencil. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You'll Need

• Drawing or image for stencil design
• Stencil material (cardboard, paper, poster board, clear acetate, or frisket film)
• Utility knife
• Spray paint
• A surface to paint
• Masking or painter’s tape (optional)
• Spray adhesive (optional)

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References

1. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-a-stencil-for-a-paint-pattern-apartment-therapy-tutorials-218717
2. ↑ https://www.allentownartmuseum.org/blog/diy-stencils-for-printmaking/
3. ↑ https://youtu.be/JD43dyjWGvk?t=123
4. ↑ https://youtu.be/HZhnmW-5xs4?t=335
5. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-a-stencil-for-a-paint-pattern-apartment-therapy-tutorials-218717
6. ↑ https://youtu.be/JD43dyjWGvk?t=170
7. ↑ https://youtu.be/HZhnmW-5xs4?t=404
8. ↑ https://youtu.be/JD43dyjWGvk?t=245
9. ↑ https://youtu.be/JD43dyjWGvk?t=316

More References (8)

10. ↑ https://youtu.be/HZhnmW-5xs4?t=134
11. ↑ https://www.rookiemag.com/2013/05/diy-stenciling/
12. ↑ https://youtu.be/riMwjlhF2W8?t=239
13. ↑ https://nadinestay.com/the-art-of-spray-painting/
14. ↑ https://youtu.be/riMwjlhF2W8?t=278
15. ↑ https://youtu.be/JD43dyjWGvk?t=325
16. ↑ Laura M. Johnson. Mural Artist. Expert Interview
17. ↑ https://help.stencilstop.com/en/articles/6047801-how-to-avoid-paint-bleed-with-stencils

About This Article

Co-authored by: Laura M. Johnson Mural Artist This article was co-authored by Laura M. Johnson and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Laura M. Johnson is a Mural Artist and the Owner of Laura Margo Murals & Custom Art in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has over five years of experience in the industry and has worked professionally across venture capital, communications, the arts, and beyond. She helps empower small and growing businesses to find their voices, share their stories, and grow their impact. Laura received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management, and her Bachelors in Journalism and Communication Studies with a minor in Fine Arts from the University of Oregon. This article has been viewed 943,538 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 27 Updated: May 23, 2025 Views: 943,538 Categories: Featured Articles | Spray Painting | Stencil Art and Craft Article SummaryX

If you want to make a spray paint stencil, choose a sturdy material like cardboard, foam board, or clear acetate, and outline your design. Using a sharp utility knife, carefully cut out the areas of the design where you want the paint to appear. If you’re using more than one color of spray paint, you’ll need to create a different stencil for each color. When you’re ready to use the stencil, lay it out as flat as you can on your painting surface and attach the corners of the stencil with masking tape. Wait until the paint is dry before you remove your stencil. If you want to learn how to draw or print off your stencil design, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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