How to Stencil a T Shirt

Co-authored by Joy Cho

Last Updated: February 11, 2020 Approved

Sometimes, it can be hard to find that perfect t-shirt with the perfect design. If you do end up finding one, it is usually the wrong size or ridiculously expensive. Luckily, it is easy to make your own custom t-shirts at home using stencils. All you need is some sort of base material for the stencil, a freshly-laundered t-shirt, fabric paint, and paintbrushes!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Contact Paper

1
Print or sketch a simple design. Choose something with solid, dark lines, so that you can see it through the contact paper when you go to trace it. Even though you will be using clear contact paper, the paper backing will make the design harder to see.
- This method is suitable for intricate designs and reverse stencils/silhouettes.
2
Trace your design onto a sheet of clear contact paper. Tape your design to a flat surface first, then tape your contact paper over that. Trace over the design using a permanent marker. If you are having trouble seeing the design, tape the whole thing over a bright window.
- Do not remove the paper backing from the stencil just yet.
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3
Cut out your stencil. Remove the contact paper from the template, but don't peel the backing away. Place the contact paper onto a cutting mat, then cut out the designs using a sharp craft blade. If you have any inner designs, save those as well.
4
Peel the backing off, then stick the contact paper to the t-shirt. Figure out where you want the design to go first, then gently set the contact paper down. Start at one end, then smooth it down until you reach the other. Make sue that you flatten out any ripples or wrinkles.
- If you had any cutouts for inner designs, be sure to stick those down as well.
5
Place a sheet of cardboard inside the shirt. The cardboard only needs to be a little bit bigger than the stencil. This will keep the paint from soaking through the fabric and staining the back of the shirt.
6
Apply fabric paint over the stencil. Squeeze out some fabric paint onto some sort of palette, then dip a foam brush or a pouncer into it. Gently tap the brush against the stencil; do not drag it past the edges. Avoid using too much paint, otherwise it will loosen the contact paper and leak underneath it.
7
Wait until the paint dries, then peel the stencil off. As the paint dries, run your hand inside the shirt, between the fabric and the cardboard. This will prevent the paint from sticking to the cardboard as it dries.
- Some types of fabric paint need to be heat-set after they dry. Each brand will be a little different, so be sure to read the label on your bottle of paint carefully!

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Freezer Paper

1
Sketch or print out your design on regular paper. You will be tracing this design onto the freezer paper, so make sure that you use thick, dark likes for your design.^{[1]
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- This method works great for reverse stencils, such as silhouettes.
2
Trace your design onto the freezer paper. Tape your design to a table first, so that it doesn't move around, then tape the freezer paper on top of that, shiny-side-down. Trace use a pen to trace over your design once more.^{[2]
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- If you are having trouble seeing the design through the freezer paper, tape everything to a light table or a bright widow.
- Make sure that you are using freezer paper, not wax paper or parchment paper.^{[3]
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3
Cut your design out using a craft blade. Transfer your freezer paper to a cutting mat. Cut out the design as precisely as you can using a craft blade. You can also try using a small pair of scissors. Do not cut past the outline of your design.
- If your design has an inner shape, save that shape.
4
Iron the freezer paper, shiny-side-down, to a t-shirt. Place the freezer paper, shiny-side-down onto your shirt where you want the design to be. Iron the entire shirt using a hot, dry iron. The heat of the iron will cause the freezer paper to stick to the shirt.^{[4]
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- Focus on the edges of the freezer paper.
- If your design has an inner shape, iron that shape to the shirt as well.
5
Tuck a piece of cardboard inside the shirt. The cardboard needs to be a little larger than your design. It will prevent the paint from soaking into the back of the shirt.^{[5]
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6
Apply fabric paint over the design using a pouncer or foam brush. Squirt some fabric paint onto a paper plate, plastic lid, tray, or any other sort of pallet. Dip your pouncer brush into the paint, then lightly tap it over the stencil. Do not drag it back and forth and do not over-saturate the shirt.^{[6]
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- You can apply more than one layer of paint. Wait about 20 minutes before doing so.^{[7]
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- You can also use fabric spray paint instead. This is great if you want to use multiple colors for an ombre effect.^{[8]
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7
Allow the shirt to dry before removing the cardboard. This can take a few hours to overnight.^{[9]
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8
Peel the freezer paper off of the shirt. Discard the stencil, or save it for another design. Freezer paper stencils usually last for a few designs; they do lose their adhesive power overtime, however.
- Some types of fabric paints need to be ironed after they dry. Read the instructions on your bottle of paint for any further instructions.
- If you are going to reuse the stencil, make sure that you wipe any paint off of it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Plastic Sheets

1
Sketch or print out your design into paper. A simple image with clear lines will work the best. If you will be using a darker color of plastic for your stencil, then make sure that you use thick, dark lines for your design.
2
Trace your design onto a sheet of thin plastic. Tape your design to the table first, then tape the acetate over it. Trace over the design using a permanent marker. Acetate sheets and blank stencils work especially well for this.
- You can find acetate in office supply stores and printing shops.
- You can find blank stencil plastic alongside the regular stencils in arts and crafts stores.
3
Cut the stencil out using a craft blade. Transfer your stencil to a cutting mat. Cut out the design as carefully as you can using a sharp blade. Discard the inner parts of the stencil, and save the outer portion. You will need the straight edges to secure the stencil to the shirt; this design won't work on silhouettes.
4
Tape down your stencil to the shirt. Place the stencil onto your shirt where you want the design to go. Smooth out any wrinkles or ripples, then tape down all four edges of the stencil sheet.^{[10]
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5
Place a sheet of cardboard inside the shirt. The cardboard needs to be a little bit bigger than your stencil. It will keep the paint from soaking through the fabric and onto the back of the shirt.
6
Apply the paint. Work your way from the outside edge of the stencil to the middle. Do not drag the paint from center-out, or you will get paint under the stencil.^{[11]
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- You can use a foam roller, a pouncer, or a flat brush.
EXPERT TIP

Joy Cho
Designer & Style Expert, Oh Joy!
Joy Cho is the Founder and Creative Director of the lifestyle brand and design studio, Oh Joy!, founded in 2005 and based in Los Angeles, California. She has authored six books and consulted for creative businesses around the world. Joy has lectured on business, leadership, and entrepreneurship at conferences and companies such as AltSummit, Pinterest, Target, and Hallmark, while her home and studio have been featured in magazines such as House Beautiful, Parents, and Domino. She has also been named one of Time's 30 Most Influential People on the Internet multiple times and has the most followed account on Pinterest with more than 14 million followers.

Joy Cho
Designer & Style Expert, Oh Joy!

Stenciling works based on the consistency of the paint. Your paint should be in the middle of not too thick and not too thin so that it sticks to the outline of the stencil and doesn't bleed underneath. It’s important that your stencil has clear, sharp, defined edges and that your hand is steady while applying the paint.
7
Peel the stencil away, then let the paint dry. As the paint dries, run your finger inside the shirt, between the fabric and the cardboard. This will keep the paint from sticking to the cardboard.^{[12]
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8
Remove the cardboard, then set the paint, if needed. Some types of fabric paints are ready to go once they dry. Other types of paints need to be covered with an ironing cloth, then ironed. Refer to the label on your bottle of paint for more specific instructions as each brand will be different.

Community Q&A

Question

How long should I wait to wash the shirt?

Community Answer

At least 48 hours, depending on the type of paint.
Question

In Step 3.3, how do I secure the stencil on the cutting mat? (I've never used or seen a cutting mat.)

Community Answer

To secure it, you can either hold it with one hand, or pin the corners of your stencil to the mat. You can use a wooden surface instead of a cutting mat if you don't have one.