All About Stenciling

I've been doing it the cheap way, with a manilla folder and I've also used a couple of mylar sheets. Obviously the mylar works best, but the folder gets the job done pretty good. Any suggestions on other materials?

Plastic lids from butter tubs.

Hi: There are metal stencils for letters but carboard and poster board works geat for me which I use as well also there plastic stencil sheet that work just as good too. For any long term stencils the following ( the very best to the least is list in order) Metal Plastic Rubber Poster board Wax paper cardboard Manilla folders Paper Hope this helps.

Clear shelf paper. you cut out the design, then peel off the backing and stick it to what you are stenciling. One roll will last a long time

Empty cereal boxes- the cardboard is stiff enough to last for a while.

Anything that is made of plastic, that can be cut with an Exato knife ( or a hot wood burning stencil cutter ) will work.Even your stencils cut out of folders will work better if you shellac the stencil first. This prevents the paint penetrating the stencil. If you are stenciling on glass, such as in glass etching with glass etch cream, ordinary contact paper will work. If you are making stencils that you want to keep and reuse, Mylar plastic is the best. Cutting a stencil is a lot of work. You should use a material that will allow you use it repeatably.

oiled-paper is traditional rawhide has also been used You could waterproof the manila paper (file folders or grocery sacks) with acrylic instead and let it dry thoroughly before the first use.