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Stencil Material Recommendation

R

rhill

New Member
Hello All,

So when it comes to Dimensional Letters, our installer likes us to have stencils.
I currently use any cut vinyl I have on a Summa T 140 , but it's not a clean cut for the backing (Blue Lining) of the vinyl.
The through-cut is fine so I know it isn't a blade issue. I just wanted to see what everyone else uses to create stencils.
Thanks!
 
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Stacey K

Stacey K

I like making signs
I use Oracal stencil mask or I use up any Oracal 631 I have laying around since it's less sticky, it's easier to remove. I cut stencils mainly for cornhole boards. When I used to make stencils for wood signs it was important to dab around the edges so the paint didn't bleed.

I'm not sure what you mean by not cutting clean for the backing? Please explain that more.
 
R

rhill

New Member
Stacey K said:
I use Oracal stencil mask or I use up any Oracal 631 I have laying around since it's less sticky, it's easier to remove. I cut stencils mainly for cornhole boards. When I used to make stencils for wood signs it was important to dab around the edges so the paint didn't bleed.

I'm not sure what you mean by not cutting clean for the backing? Please explain that more.
Click to expand...
We have some Oracal 651 lying around that we thought we'd use, but when it cuts, it cuts the vinyl portion just fine but doesn't cut through the blue lining. In order to use this vinyl to create a stencil, we would need to break through the lining. Also I forgot to mention, I Use a summa to cut out my stencil.
 
JBurton

JBurton

Signtologist
More often than not our dimensional (Ironically I'd refer to them as flat cut out letters) letters would have studs on them, so instead of needing the whole letter cut out, we just need a hole marked.
For letters with no studs, just double stick, we would route out a piece of coroplast, just a little larger than the letters, like .01" larger.
 
Stacey K

Stacey K

I like making signs
rhill said:
We have some Oracal 651 lying around that we thought we'd use, but when it cuts, it cuts the vinyl portion just fine but doesn't cut through the blue lining. In order to use this vinyl to create a stencil, we would need to break through the lining. Also I forgot to mention, I Use a summa to cut out my stencil.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry, I read your question too quickly. Sounds like a few good ideas above, hope one of them works for you :)
 
Gino

Gino

Premium Subscriber
Another good way if studs are not involved.................

Layout the letters on your computer screen and cut to the red line. Use the bottom piece, taped on the wall as your template and when all the letters are sticking on, remove the template.
cut red line.jpg
 
bigben

bigben

Not a newbie
I use synthetic poster paper for studs (we always have this in stock) and laser cut cardboard for flat. For flat, we were using low tac material. But the time to cut and premask then lay it out on the job site was alot more time consuming than cardboard.
 
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