Stencilling is a cheap and easy way of designing T-shirts. The
computer-designed iron-on transfer techniques serve as the easiest
method of T-shirt printing. This technique has also replaced the age-old
mirror-image transfer sheets.
Stencil designs also cost the least as most of the requirements are
easily met at home. Though endless types and varieties of T-shirt
designs may be chosen for stencilling, simple designs ensure a better
stay and legibility after quite a few washes. Similar to the process of
silk-screening, a stencilled T-shirt is durable enough. It uses long
lasting ink as used for silk-screening.
Requirements for stencilling
T-shirts
For stencilling a T-shirt, few basic things are required. These
include the following:
Tools:
A printer
Straight edge or a ruler
Household Steam Iron
A Blow dryer for optional use
Exacto Knife
Graphic designing instruments and software like Photoshop, Word,
web browser and illustrator or you can even hand draw a logo
An ironing board
Supplies:
A wide end Paintbrush
A Freezer paper or butcher paper
Printer paper
Parchment paper
Silkscreen fabric paint
A good selection of graphic or design
Procedure of stencilling T-shirts
Though the process of designing a T-shirt using the art of
stencilling is quite easy, yet a proper sequence of steps should be
followed to ensure perfect results. Following is a list of steps that
needs to be orderly followed to obtain a well-designed T-shirt through
stencilling.
The first step involves cutting and trimming of the freezer or
butcher paper to a size to fit into the printer. Then use the
printer paper as a piece of reference while trimming the edge with
an Exacto knife after setting the edge with the ruler.
The most crucial thing is to cut the areas to be printed using
the Exacto knife. A stack of printer paper may be used as a cutting
board below the freezer paper.
Step 3 calls for ironing both the t-shirt before printing as
well as the stencil's papery side while maintaining a proper level
starting with the outer piece first. The iron set on highest mode
without steam ensures a better result.
Cover up the design with long continuous strokes using a wide
end brush for an even effect.
Remove the stencil at once without smearing or smudging the
paint onto the t-shirt.
Let the paint dry for 1-2 hours under fan or using a hair dryer,
before placing a parchment paper and ironing evenly over it on high
mode for about 3 minutes.
Precautions:
A few tips remembered while stencilling a T-shirt offers a better
result. While choosing the design and measurement of text you should
consider the legibility factor. Cutting out the design also calls for
great concentration and expertise to avail an error free cut out, though
minor error may be fixed using a masking tape.
Having known all about the process of stencil designing, now it is your
turn to design the funkiest T-shirts all by yourself.
