- How are stencils sized?
The sizes listed are for the size of the entire piece edge to edge. Most have an average of a 1” border around the actual stencil. If you have any questions about specific sizing, please contact us and we will assist in getting you an answer.
- What material are stencils made of?
The stencil is cut from 10 mil Mylar. This is high quality, flexible and durable to provide a long life.
- How long does it take to get stencils?
Our stencils are made to order, and production will take up to 3 business days. Our preferred method of shipment is via USPS and these shipments are sent out Monday-Friday. Shipping in the continental U.S. is generally 3-5 business days, but not guaranteed.
- Can I cancel my order?
If you would like to cancel or change your order, we must be contacted immediately after placing the order. We will do our best to accommodate your request. You can call us at 888-816-9656
Please make sure you have every item you need and please double check your billing and shipping information before checkout.
- What is the return policy?
Please contact us by phone or email to let us know of your intentions to return your items within 14 days of the purchase date. The customer is responsible for the return shipping fees.
We only accept the return of unused and undamaged items.
Please send your items in the same or similar packaging to ensure your items do not get damaged in transit. We will not issue a refund for a bent or damaged item. Once we receive your return, we will issue a refund for the full price of the items.
The shipping fees are nonrefundable.
If a package is returned to us for any reason (unclaimed, refused, etc.), the initial shipping fee is nonrefundable and any reshipment fees are the responsibility of the customer.
If you received a damaged stencil, we must be contacted immediately for your choice of a full refund including the shipping fees, or a replacement.
- Is Expedited Shipping Available?
Please contact us with the zip code the order is shipping to, the date you need to receive the order by and what stencils and sizes you would be ordering, and we would be happy to provide the cost to expedite the order.
- Are they reusable, how do I clean and store them?
Yes, they are made to be reused with proper care. The best way to ensure a long stencil life is to clean the paint off your stencil after you are finished.
You can clean your stencil with just water and a stiff brush, like the one used for scrubbing dishes. Lay the stencil on a flat surface like cutting board or baking tray and scrub it under running water. Make sure to place a mesh into a drain hole, you don’t want all that paint residue going down your drain. It’s always easier to clean the stencil soon after you finish your project, as opposed to letting it sit for days or weeks. Depending on the paint used, it can come off very easily or may need a slight pre-soaking to loosen it. Usually, acrylic paints come off very easy, and some latex paints may stick a bit more. DO NOT USE PAINT THINNER TO CLEAN THE STENCIL!
It’s important to remember that it’s very difficult to completely remove spray adhesive from a stencil, but we find that it is not necessary to get it off completely, the stencil still will be very usable for your next project even if it’s a little bit sticky. Just make sure to store it on a piece of a wax paper or freezer paper, as a backing.
- How do I use the stencil?
Use a spray stencil adhesive or painters tape to hold the stencil in place. Using a good spray adhesive can greatly reduce bleed. Lightly mist the back of the stencil in a well-ventilated area and let dry for a minute. Don’t drench the stencil with adhesive because it could transfer to the wall. Re-apply the adhesive every few prints or as it loses its tack.
Due to the nature of stenciling, paint bleeding can occur. Bleeding happens when the paint seeps under the edge of your stencil and creates an edge that’s less than perfect.
The idea is more about reducing bleed rather than eliminating it completely. Here are some tips on reducing bleeding while stenciling.
*Don’t use too much paint! Too much paint on your roller or brush is the biggest reason for bleed. Off load your brush or roller onto paper towels to remove excess paint and build your paint coverage with 2 coats if necessary. Even if you think that you don’t have too much paint on a roller it still may be too much, so please blot off the roller onto the paper towel before stenciling.
*Don’t use a roller with a nap! They hold too much paint. Using a dense foam roller produces the best results.
*Don’t push the paint under the edge of the stencil and don’t apply too much pressure when rolling or stippling with the brush.
*Stenciling on a flat sheen base coat will work better then stenciling on glossier surfaces because your stencil paint absorbs into the basecoat and dries quicker and has less time to seep under the edge.
*Stenciling with flat latex or craft acrylic paint works best because it dries quickly and has less time to seep.
If paint bleed occurs, you can quickly wipe it off with a moist rag or baby wipe, or touch it up later with an artist liner brush and some base coat paint. It’s a good idea to clean the paint that bled on the back side of the stencil, since it could contribute to more seepage.
- What do I use for a brush?
We recommend that you have one brush for each color so that you can complete all your colors/overlays before repositioning the stencil along your wall. Generally, ½ inch size works for most all openings but a variety of 3/8 to 3/4 is good to have. For larger stencils and large openings, you can use a larger 1+ inch pouncing brush or foam roller.
- What paint do you recommend?
Most latex and acrylic paints work great.
- Can I use spray paint with my stencil?
Sure, but with caution. In general, we do not recommend using spray paint for interior stenciling, but it is do-able! Just a few things to consider before you start.
First, in most cases spray paint is rather toxic. So, if you do use spray paint with your stencils try to do the project outside or at least in a well-ventilated area. Shake the can well before spraying.
Another thing to remember spray paint is liquid and tends to drip under the stencil when you sprayed a bit too much. We find it hard to control. It might be a good idea to use spray adhesive on the back of your stencil, so it sticks to the surface. This should help to keep the paint from blowing under the edges of the stencil.
Also, it’s very easy to spray too much paint on. Always start spraying before the stencil openings and move across the stencil evenly. Stop spraying after you’ve passed over the openings. This prevents paint dripping. Spray multiple lighter coats and gradually build up your coverage. You may want to mask the surrounding surfaces to prevent overspray.
And one last thing. Spray paints usually take longer to dry then regular house paints.
- Can I use these on concrete?
Yes – Stenciling on smoother surfaces always works better then on textured surfaces. If you want to stencil a textured surface, it’s best to select a pattern that is more organic and has fewer straight lines. This way any paint bleed will be less noticeable. Using a stencil or stipple brush, not a roller seems to work best for textured surfaces.
- Do you make Custom Stencils?
Please contact us as we may be able to resize any of our current designs, but please keep in mind that we do have size limitations. We do not create fully custom designs.
- Do you make stencils for cookies and cakes?
Our stencils are not intended for use on food items
- Do you provide tracking when my order ships?
Yes, you will receive an email with tracking information once the order ships.
- Do you sell Gift Certificates?
Currently, we do not have Gift Certificates available
- How do I contact you?
You can call us or email us, and we’ll be happy to assist you and answer any questions!
Our phone number: 888-816-9656
Our email address: contact@stencilgiant.com
