In my recent Kitchen Refurb project, I used my Silhouette Cameo cutting machine to make some large scale stencils and today I'll share the two techniques that I used. For the splashback, I pieced together 6 a4 sticker sheets and used registration shapes to align them, whereas for my cocktail cabinet upcycle, I cut long continuous lengths of vinyl from a roll.
Piece Together Smaller Stencils Using Registration Marks
For the splashback, I wanted a gentle stencil material that wouldn't damage or lift my dark grey paint. I decided to use my favourite metallic sticker paper from Poundland (£1 for 8 sheets). The only problem is that these stickers are A4 in size, so I needed 6 sheets to make up the stencil. To make sure that I was aligning my sheets exactly, I cut little squares along the sides which formed registration marks. Once I piece the 6 sheets into one, I covered over the squares
I'm a big fan of the Whatcha Working On blog and Eff recently did a tutorial on large wall decals. She used the same registration idea as I did, but used stars instead of squares (any shape with corners is fine). In the wall decal tutorial, the stars are used to align then removed, in much the same way as I uses the squares to combine the sheets before then covering them. Check out Eff's guide on How to Divide a Large Wall Decal in Silhouette Studio - the principles are exactly the same for a stencil.
Cut Long Lengths of Vinyl Directly from the Roll
My cocktail cabinet is quite narrow, so I didn't need to piece together separate stencils, but at 90cm high, it's much longer than even my biggest 12 by 24 inch mat. I therefore decided to cut my stencil without a mat, directly from the roll. I normally cut everything from a mat, even vinyl despite the fact it has a backing sheet so doesn't strictly need it.
TOP TIP 1: Ensure the top of your vinyl is cut crisply and is as straight as possible
Cutting without a mat works just fine, but it's very important to load it straight. If your vinyl doesn't have a nice clean edge it may load wonkily or not at all. Similarly, if not cut square, you'll find the vinyl will eventually slope off it's rollers. The back of your vinyl will likely have a grid to keep you right and I recommend using a rotary cutter if you have one.
TOP TIP 2: Position Clear of Obstructions
I placed my Silhouette Cameo on the floor, making sure there were no obstructions
TOP TIP 3: Use Arrow Keys to Test Feeding
I used the arrow keys on the machine to feed the vinyl through and test that the vinyl would load through for long lengths without any issue. I was tempted to buy the roll feeder, but decided I wouldn't use it enough to merit the outlay (and storage!).
For more tip's check out How to cut without a mat on your Silhouette
TOP TIP 1: Ensure the top of your vinyl is cut crisply and is as straight as possible
Cutting without a mat works just fine, but it's very important to load it straight. If your vinyl doesn't have a nice clean edge it may load wonkily or not at all. Similarly, if not cut square, you'll find the vinyl will eventually slope off it's rollers. The back of your vinyl will likely have a grid to keep you right and I recommend using a rotary cutter if you have one.
TOP TIP 2: Position Clear of Obstructions
I placed my Silhouette Cameo on the floor, making sure there were no obstructions
TOP TIP 3: Use Arrow Keys to Test Feeding
I used the arrow keys on the machine to feed the vinyl through and test that the vinyl would load through for long lengths without any issue. I was tempted to buy the roll feeder, but decided I wouldn't use it enough to merit the outlay (and storage!).
For more tip's check out How to cut without a mat on your Silhouette
Use the Hinge Method
Spray Tent
Oh how I yearn for a garage! Unfortunately adding a garage to a lovely apartment in Edinburgh's city centre comes at an eye watering price, so I've come up with a slightly barmy idea that works for me! I bought a deluxe aqua dome tent which is really quite big at over 2m tall and 1.65m square. It's ample size for the furniture I need to paint and I don't have to worry about fumes as the paint I use (General Finishes) is non-toxic and has no odour. My colleague thought I'd be a disaster trying to put it up, even asking me to Facebook Live it! I defied his mockery though and was quite happy that it was up within 30 minutes.
Finished Product
Bloopers and Outtakes
I'd never want to make out that all my crafting projects go to plan. Normally there's always something that goes awry! On the splashback, I got some bleeding. Now normally the sticker paper is perfect, giving very crisp results, but the force of the HVLP sprayer must have been just a bit much for it. I just tided up with an artist's paintbrush. On the cabinet, I originally tried the wet application method, but it was a disaster, I couldn't get the vinyl to stick to the cabinet and the transfer tape wouldn't come off the vinyl either!
Big shout Out to Baillie Signs Edinburgh
A while back, I contacted Baillie Signs asking if they had any offcuts of vinyl. They generously gave me a few big rolls! Whilst not the colour I'd use to directly decorate items with, they work perfectly for stencils. Many crafter pals I know have struck up friendships with their local sign makers. It might be a handy way to buy smaller quantities instead of ordering online and if they are happy for you make pretty things from what would otherwise be waste, I think everyone wins :)
©Baillie Signs Edinburgh
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