Instructions on applying stencils with paint:

Materials:
Paint colors of your choice
Palette (paper or plastic plate works well)
Paper towels
Blue painter's tape
Stencil brushes
Stencil

Step 1 – Measure and position where you want your stencil applied.
Step 2 – Decide spacing for stencils and mark placement with blue tape.
Step 3 – Adhere stencil to wall using a light mist of adhesive spray.
Step 4 – Basic Dry-Brush Technique: Dab stencil brush into paint, loading thoroughly. Brush should be coated no more than 1/8" to 1/4" up the bristles.

Dab brush onto paper towels, using a circular motion, to remove excess paint. Tip: Swipe stencil brush across hand. If it doesn't leave paint, it's dry enough to continue.

Hold bush perpendicular to stencil (bristles should be flat) and swirl brush around edge of design. While swirling brush, the bristles should be kept flat against surface the entire time.

Shading a Shape:
Stencil along the edge, overlapping each rotation to create darker edges and lighter center.

Color Blending:
Begin with a fresh brush. Load stencil brush with paint and rub excess onto paper towel. Stencil one edge and lighten color while moving toward center. From the opposite side, repeat process with second color, overlapping the two colors in the center.

Step 5 – Remove stencil(s) as soon as you are done applying your technique.
Step 6 – When pattern or picture is completed, wash and dry stencil(s).
Step 7 – Paint or finish your design as you wish.



Instructions on applying stencils with joint compound:

Materials:
Stencils
Blue painter's tape
Adhesive spray
Plastic putty knife
Sandpaper
Foam brush

Step 1 – First, prime wall with latex paint (if necessary).
Step 3 – Decide spacing for stencils & mark placement with blue tape.
Step 4 – Adhere stencil to wall using adhesive spray.
Step 5 – Your compound should be mixed to a creamy, lump free consistency. Beginning with a walnut-size bead of joint compound, use plastic putty knife to spread in a thin, even layer. Thoroughly cover entire stencil and edges of the pattern.
Step 6 – After covering entire stencil, pull stencil off wall to reveal the pattern.
Step 7 – Allow joint compound to dry. Use sandpaper to smooth any uneven areas or blemishes.
Step 8 – Apply your desired treatment to the finished design (glaze, paint, etc.) with a foam brush. Make sure to get in all of the cracks and crevices. For more protection and a low sheen, apply a light layer of wax or stain varnish over your treatment.

Tips, Techniques and Cleaning:

• Always begin stenciling in the least noticeable part of your room. This way, you can perfect your technique before moving to the areas that are seen more easily.

• For general use, a round, flat stencil brush is perfect, but read below for tips on different brushes for different projects.

For Fabric
Choose a brush that has split bristles. The separation between the bristles are specially designed to hold a lot of paint. These brushes have a domed shape that helps get in between the fibers of your fabric when you need solid, even, coverage.

Shading & Shadowing
Choose a brush that has curved edges and wide flat shape that make it ideal for adding shading and creating shadows.

For Soft Effects
Choose a brush that has flexible longer bristles which will help in create a softer background or faded out effects. They also are good for filling in large stencil areas.

• Always clean your brushes after every use. The better you take care of them the longer they’ll last and keep giving you fantastic effects.

• It is recommended that you clean your stencils after every use. Hot water and dish soap should be enough to remove excess paint or compound. An old paint brush will help clean the smaller details of the stencil. Stencil adhesive should be removed per the manufactures directions.