Stencils let you paint multiple versions of one design.
Creating a stencil by hand takes some practice before you achieve a final product that allows you to accurately paint the image you were attempting. You may want to make a few practice stencils with cardboard or paper before you work on your official stencil board. Graffiti stencils are simply larger versions of regular stencils. They should only be used on your own property or with permission, such as for painting shop windows with washable paint for homecoming.
Instructions
1. Spray paint your graffiti on large paper. Once you get the design you want, with the colors you like, make it into a stencil. Take down the papers with the final design and glue the design on a piece of poster board. Spray adhesive works best. If your design is too large for one piece of poster board, tape two or three pieces together. Tape along the entire seam, front and back. Leave a small gap in the seam so you can fold the poster board for easier transportation.
2. Cut the design out and place the pieces for each layer on their own piece of poster board. You will be making a layer for each color. For example, if you're making a stencil for your tag, you would have one stencil for the main color, one stencil for the white highlights and one stencil for the black shadows. Glue each color set to poster board in the position they will be in for your final design. Let the glue dry.
3. Place the poster board on a cutting mat. A thick piece of cardboard or a scrap piece of wood make cheap cutting mats. Use a box cutter or other sharp-bladed instrument to cut around the design you glued to the poster board. Work slowly and press lightly, retrace the cut lines if they aren't deep enough to go all the way through the poster board. Move the stencil under the blade while cutting instead of moving your wrist to achieve straighter lines.
4. Take duct tape with you when you use your stencils to affix the stencil to the wall, leaving both hands free to spray paint.
