How to Center a Stencil Before Applying

I’ve been requested to write a tutorial by a wonderful friend on How to Center a Stencil Before Applying, and of course I gladly said yes to the request.  I actually use 2 different ways that stencils can be centered before paint hits the canvas.

The first way is super technical, are you ready?  I eye ball it and if it looks centered that’s where it gets stenciled.  I know sounds complicated, lol, but if it looks good and centered, it probably is pretty close.  I especially do this on projects that are personal projects or floral stencils like the one pictured below.  Flowers seem to be forgiving if they’re not centered just right, so I usually just try to make them look good and don’t worry too much if it’s off centered by a half inch or so.

The second way I center a stencil is to get my handy dandy tape measure out and measure both vertically and horizontally from the very far edges of the stencil, whether that be a letter or a graphic, to the edge of the project piece.

For instance when centering this stencil I would measure from the letter that is the highest on the top row, which is the T in Thou, to the frame.

Then I would measure from the letter that is the lowest on the bottom row, which is the f in of, to make sure the same amount of space is between the edge of the canvas/frame and the bottom most and top most part of the stencil.

Then I would measure from the left and right ends to make sure the space is the same on each side from the furthest part of the stencil, which in this case would be the furthest part of each flower.   Once I’ve measured and the stencil is in place, I measure one more time just to make sure everything is centered horizontally and vertically, and then the stencil is taped down to ensure it won’t move.

I probably use the first method about half the time and the second method the other half.  It more depends on the project and the design and whether it’ll look bad if it’s off centered, like a sign.  Floral designs are usually a bit more forgiving than a word design.  I almost always measure if the stenciled project is not a personal project.

I know this probably isn’t the most technical way to center a stencil, but it’s the way I’ve found to be effective and easy.  I hope this helps you next time you are stenciling a project.

 

Pin for Later! How to Center a Stencil Before Applying

 

 

A little about the stencil and printable designs on Repurposing Junkie:

I started using stencils on furniture in 2015.  I had given a white table a makeover, and painted it orange to be an accent table in the living room.  Even with the bright color, the table was missing something.  I applied a stencil that I had bought at one of my favorite craft stores to the table to give it that something extra and sure enough it really made the table stand out. 

After seeing the transformation the table took by adding the stenciled flowers, I was hooked on stenciling.  I loved how adding just a bit of detail made the piece stand out and took it to a whole new level.  Adding this detail and seeing the results was all I needed to be convinced that stenciling was the way to go, and thus began my love for all things stencil. 

I love how a stencil design can add detail and beauty to furniture,wall art, clothes, mugs and other accessories, walls, floors and so many other things.  It’s fantastic how easy it is to make something beautiful become exquisite and eye catching just by adding a stencil overlay. 

After stenciling for a while, I started designing my own stencils in 2016 to cut on my awesome Cricut Explore.  It took some time and learning but it was so rewarding being able to cut my own custom designs right in my home.  

I went on to write some tutorials on cutting stencils using the Cricut machine:

–How to Make a JPEG File into a Cut File in Cricut Design Space

–How to Make Stencils Using Show-Offs Stencil Blanks and Cricut Design Space

–How to Make Extra Large Stencil Oversize Stencils in Cricut Design Space Using the Meeting and Overlapping Methods

–How to Keep the Middle of Letters from Falling Out When Making Stencils in Cricut Design Space

–How to Make a Wood Sign Using Stencils and Cricut Design Space

–How to Make Adhesive Stencils Using Peel and Stick Clear Laminate and Cricut Design Space

I also wrote a few tutorials on designing your own stencils and the tools needed to create and make stencils using the Cricut:

–How to Design Stencils in BeFunky to Cut in Cricut Desing Space

–Fantastic Stencil Fonts for Making Stencils

–Supply List for Making Stencils with a Cricut

Creating Stencil and Printable Designs: 

After getting comfortable with cutting stencils on the Cricut and learning how to create my own stencil designs, I began offering stencil cut files for free on my blog and in my Etsy shop.  I have since closed up my Etsy shop and opened a new shop, that offers a variety of cut files that can be made into stencils. 

In my shop, I offer wall stencil cut files, and border stencil cut files, both of which are great for wall and furniture embellishments.  I also have a lot of monogram/alphabet stencil cut files for personalization projects.  Plus lots more stencil cut file designs to check out in my shop, and plenty more to come. 

I design all the stencil cut files and printables that I offer on my blog, and in my shop, using my own hand drawn elements, or fonts that can be found on my resource page, or a combination of both.

I have found a passion for design and strive to create unique and fun designs that can be used in a variety of settings, such as home decor, furniture, wall art, fashion design, accessory items, and so much more.  My eye has always been drawn to the details, patterns, and embellishments in such things as home decor and clothing, so it’s a real joy for me to become part of the design process of such things.

Stencils are a great and easy way to add that something special to a piece whether it’s repurposed furniture or wall art or a brand new canvas or wall. 

I share on my blog how I’ve transformed several repurposed pieces using stencils:

You can check out the stenciled projects here. I usually add stencils to furniture and wall art pieces.  Some of my favorite stencil projects include refinishing a curbside table, upcycling a piece of canvas wall art, and making an extra large stenciled wall art piece, just to name a few of my favorite stencil projects. 

I also have some repurposing projects that I hope are fun and inspiring.  I love taking old “junk” and turning it into something completely different:

You can check out the repurposing projects here. I have several projects using ceiling fan parts, spindles, old frames, plaques, and furniture.  Some of my favorite repurposing projects are the ceiling fan blades to airplane repurpose, the angels made from hinges and spindle parts, and transforming a kitchen table using stencils, and these are just a few of my favorite repurposing projects.

I hope you spend some time on my blog, checking out the Cricut tutorials, DIY projects, and SVG Cut Files and Printable designs that I offer for FREE as a bonus to email subscribers. 

If you’re interested in signing up to my blog email list, you can do so using the form below.  I only send out one email a week and that is to let email subscribers know that I’ve added new designs to the cut file and printable resource libraries, and also to notify them when I have a new blog post or a special deal I’m running in my shop.

I sincerely hope you enjoy the projects, tutorials, stencil cut files and printables offered on my blog, in my Resource Library. If you have any questions concerning the tutorials, stencil cut files, printables an/or projects found on my blog, you can contact me here. 

Thanks so much for visiting my blog.  I hope you take your time and look around, and I hope you find the blog posts, projects, tutorials, stencil cut files and printables resources to be useful and helpful in your DIY projects.