Paint a Stencil
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Bold, graphic stencils bedeck the hallways of the Ace Hotel.
Posted by ReadyMade
by Keith Mulvihill
New York City-based graffiti and graphic artist team Mint & Serf were hired by the Ace Hotel to render their street art sensibilities and graphic design know-how to the rooms and hallways of the hotel. Below, how you can do it at home.
Skill Level
Easy
Active Time
Weekend
Cost
$
- Latex paint (2 different colors)
- Paint primer
- Vinyl sheets with low-tack adhesive backing (look for Frisket film in 12- or 24-inch-long rolls)
Materials
- X-Acto knife
- Hair dryer
- Paintbrushes (multiple sizes)
- Markers
- Stencil letters or light box
Tools
Prime the wall and let dry overnight.
Paint the wall with your main background color. While it dries overnight, decide what word or phrase you want to stencil (if you haven’t already).
Make your word stencils by tracing thin, store-bought card-stock letters or by using a light box to trace the letters from a photocopy. The latter option has the advantage of allowing you to choose a particular font you like. Keep in mind that thick, blockier fonts are easier to cut out by hand and that you can adjust the size of the words by enlarging on a photocopier. Either way, using the thinnest line you can muster, trace the letters with a marker on the low-tack adhesive film.
Carefully cut out letters with X-Acto knife.
Peel off the backing and apply the film to the wall. (Note: If the wall is cold or you are not getting good adhesion, use a hair dryer on low heat to warm the film.) Lightly press the surface with your flat hand. Run your fingertip around the letter edges to make sure there isn’t a gap between the stencil and the wall.
Use the second paint color to fill in the letters. Let dry overnight.
Carefully peel off film. (You may need to warm the adhesive with a hair dryer if it’s sticking.)
Using a narrow paintbrush, carefully touch-up edges or any other areas that need it.
