Quick Tip Tuesday: How I Store My Masks & Stencils
This week’s question comes from my follower Helle, who asked how I store all my masks and stencils. I’ve seen some good organizational systems out there — namely binders and hanging systems— but mine is more of a real-life artist’s solution. It works, it’s fairly easy to maintain, and it keeps everything close at hand when I’m printing.
I use a piece of furniture with several shallow drawers, and the top few drawers are dedicated entirely to stencils and masks. The first couple of drawers hold my Plant Set masks and stencils (duplicates and all), and the next drawers have simple folders that keep the rest roughly grouped by category. It isn’t glamorous, but it’s functional and fast, which is what I need when I’m in the middle of a creative streak.
One important tip before you watch:
Whatever storage method you use, make sure your masks and stencils are completely dry before putting them away. If they’re even slightly damp, they’ll stick together — and if they’re cardstock, they may tear when you pull them apart. (Ask me how I know!)
I recorded a quick video to walk you through the drawers and show you exactly how I keep everything organized. Enjoy the peek behind the scenes!
If you’re on the hunt for fresh stencil designs to add to your collection, you can browse mine in my Etsy shop. (Also available as digital files.)
Happy printing, and I’ll see you in two weeks!
A stencil is the sheet with a shape cut out of it (like a rectangle with a tree-shaped hole).
When you print, the paper touches the paint through the opening, so the shape prints.
A mask is the cut-out piece itself (the tree shape).
It blocks the paint underneath, so when you print, the shape stays the color of whatever was already there.
Stencil = the shape prints
Mask = the shape is protected
'Hope this helps!
I have a similar set up of a small set of drawers with different stencils in them. Most of mine are Mylar stencils and I do try to make sure they are dry before putting away. I categorize - sort of - by type and size.
Lol keep on printing!
Dee