Use a custom stencil to make a sign listing your favorite things about fall!
There are so many things that I love about fall, I could make a list... oh wait! I did, with this Fall Words Sign using a custom stencil I made using my Ikonart kit!! This was such a fun and simple project to make, and I absolutely love how it turned out. Not only is it the perfect accent piece to your fall home decor, but it can be used as kind of a bucket list for fall if you wanted to. I'm also sharing the FREE design so that you can get inspired to make a sign for yourself!!
To make your own Stenciled Fall Words Sign, you will need these supplies:
- Fall Words Design (personal use only)
- Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit
- 6"x9" Wood Plank
- Sandpaper
- Acrylic Paint
- Chalk Paint Powder
- Squeegee
*Save 15% on Ikonart supplies when you shop with code AFM15
To make a stencil, you need to start with a printed design. Download the Fall Words design (for personal use only) and print the design as dark as possible on either inkjet or laser Ikonart Printer Film.
Printables from Artsy-Fartsy Mama are for personal use only. You may use these in an educational setting, but you may not sell them. If you'd like to share this printable digitally, share a link to this post only. Do not share a direct link to the printable.
The next step in the process is exposing the stencil film. Set up the exposure stand with UV LED Light by following the directions included in the kit. Ikonart Stencil Film is light sensitive, so be careful to keep it out of sunlight and bright lights before exposure. Cut a piece of the film the same size as the design print.
Lay the piece of film down on the base of the stand with the textured side facing up. Place the printed design on top of the stencil film, making sure it's right-side up - meaning that if there are words in your design, you should be able to read them.
Lastly, place the clear exposure sheet (found in the stencil film pack) on top and press it down well to seal the design tight against the stencil film. Turn the exposure light on and expose the film for 35 seconds.
The final step in the stencil-making process is to washout, or rinse the stencil. Clip the exposed stencil film to the Ikonart clipboard with the shiny side (carrier sheet) touching the clipboard. Use the kitchen sink sprayer to rinse the stencil film with warm water until the design shows through and becomes completely clear. The washout process shouldn't take more than 3 minutes.
Gently blot excess water off the from of the stencil, and hang or lay flat to dry for about 45 minutes. When the stencil is dry, you shouldn't see any water spots or discoloration. Once the stencil is completely dried, place the it back on the exposure stand and expose it again for at least 2 minutes without the clear cover sheet. This extra exposure will increase the durability of the stencil so you can get as much use out of it as possible.
Use a permanent marker and write "back" on the carrier sheet (shiny side) on the back of the stencil. This helps to put the carrier sheet and the stencil back together the right way after you are done using it.
Once the stencil is made, you can use it on practically any surface you want. I decided to put my fall words list onto a wood plank with bark on the edges for a natural look. Use sandpaper to make the surface of the wood plank as smooth as possible. If your surface is uneven or textured, it's more likely that the stencil could bleed and ruin your project.
Use a permanent marker and write "back" on the carrier sheet (shiny side) on the back of the stencil. Peel the carrier sheet away from the stencil and set it aside (don't throw it away). Carefully rub the stencil down and apply pressure to help it stick to the surface and to get rid of any air bubbles.
Because acrylic paint has a thinner consistency, I sometimes have trouble with bleeds on my projects. Chalk paint is thicker than regular acrylic paint, so it helps to create crisp lines when stenciling. To thicken your acrylic paints (any brand or type), I recommend mixing in a little bit of chalk paint powder. Just add a little bit of powder to the paint and stir it together with a craft stick. Add a little more powder at a time, if necessary, until you get the consistency you want.
I am going to paint each fall word line in a different color, so I mixed up seven different colors of paint and chalk powder in a paint tray.
If you're not sure what to use on your project, Ikonart has a list of paint and ink selections to help you out!
Use a squeegee, sponge, or even your fingertip to apply acrylic paint over the first line of the stencil.
If using a sponge or a fingertip, dab the sponge/finger in the paint, and then gently tap over the stencil. Don't rub or add too much pressure.
If using the squeegee, add a little line of paint above the word, and gently pull the squeegee down over the letters until they are all evenly covered. Scrape away the excess.
Chalk paint is thicker, but it does happen to dry quicker than regular acrylic paint. After covering the first line of words with paint, lift the stencil up to reveal that one line and then gently lay the stencil back down (don't add pressure or anything). If you lift it up and see any spots that you may have missed, carefully lay it back down and add a little more paint.
This simple step will help to prevent the paint from drying in the mesh and lifting up with your stencil.
Repeat the painting and peeling process for each of the fall word lines. Once completed, carefully peel the stencil away from the bottom line, and remove it completely from the project. The paint will still be wet, so be careful not to accidentally touch any of the paint!!
To wash your stencil so that it can be used again and again, first get the clipboard wet so your stencil doesn't stick to it. Place the stencil on the clipboard with the textured side up, and lightly rub the stencil under cold running water to remove all the paint.
Do not rub or scrub the adhesive side of the stencil, and NEVER use anything other than water to wash the stencils. To prevent the stencil from breaking down, don't ever leave the stencils to soak.
Remove the stencil from the clipboard and lay it down with the adhesive side up. While the stencil is still wet, place the carrier sheet onto the stencil so that the word “BACK” is readable. Hang or lay the stencil flat to dry completely.
It was a lot of fun trying different colors of paint for this Stenciled Fall Words Sign, and love how it turned out! This sign is perfect to keep on display all autumn long, and I kind of want to make a bunch of them now for friends and family.
I'd love to hear what you think about this project, or if you want to know more about Ikonart reusable stencils. If you've made your own stenciled projects, I would love to see your creations! Share them on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest! #AFMCrafts!
Looking for more fall inspiration?
Check out this collection of OVER 100 creative fall craft ideas!!
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