Stenciled Canvas and Frames Using StencilPro

Materials and Supplies
• One (1)    - sheet of InkJet or LaserJet Transparency Film
• One (1)    - 8.5" x 11" sheet of StencilPro Standard resolution
• One (1)    - can of 3M Spray Mount Artist's Adhesive
• One (1)    - 2" Pure Bristle brush
• Three (3) - tubes of Lixuitex Basics Cadmium Red acrylic paint. Available at your local art store.
• One (1)    - 4 oz jar of Versatex Screen Printing ink, Silver Lace
• One (1)    - bottle of white Gesso (if canvas is not primed). Available at your local art store.
• Six (6)      - Flush Mounting Canvas sets. Available at your local art store.
• Three (3) - 24" x 36" Canvases. Available at your local art store.
• Three (3) - 10" x 12" Picture Frames with Mat
• Three (3) - Picture Spot Lights. Available at your local art store or IKEA.
• One (1)     - Elecrical Extension Cord or Power Strip
• One (1)     - Measuring Tape
• One (1)     - Hammer
• One (1)     - Power Drill
• Three (3) - 10" x 12" Pictures
• One (1)     - Redwood or Pinewood Standard Fence Board (1" thick)
• Wood Primer
• Cable Tacks
• Molly Bolts and Screws - For canvas and picture frame installation.
• Artwork   - To be printed as backgound on the canvas.
                      Must be black and white only. Computer printout will do.
• Exposure Frame -key to keeping your artwork tightly pressed agaist the drawing.

Optional Equipment:
• One (1)     - 10.5" x 13.5" Plastic Canvas - to support the StencilPro stencil during rinsing and cleaning.
• One (1)     - Dark room specialty box for safely storing and developing (washing out) your stencils.

Print Artwork on InkJet or LaserJet Transparency

Circuit Bridge InkJet and LaserJet transparency is water proof. It is specially designed for screen printing application and coated for maximum density, image quality, and longevity.

Note: it is very important to only use true black and white artwork to produce quality stencils. If using mutiple colors, convert each color representation to black and white.

Create a Stencil by Exposing StencilPro and Artwork, Sandwiched Together, to Light Using Contact Frame

Keeping stencil tightly pressed againsts the drawing during the entire exposure is key to creating crisp high quality stencils. Follow instructions enclosed with your Starter Kit or Exposure frame.

Prime Canvas for Painting

Using a wide brush, apply gesso directly to canvas in even strokes from top to bottom.

Using Liquitex Basics Cadmium Red Acrylic Paint and Wide Strokes, Paint on the Background Color

Move back and forth, left to right and back again as you paint on a big canvas; don't sit in one spot and stretch to outer edges of the canvas. If you do, the lines will tend to curve down at the ends with the way you move your arm.

Print Design on Canvas Using Versatex Silver Lace Screen Printing Ink and Your Developed StencilPro Stencil

To hold StencilPro stencil in place, lightly spray a 3M Spray Mount Artist's Adhesivefrom a distance of at least 12". Spray mount bonds lightweight StencilPro instantly, yet allows the stencil to be lifted and repositioned when needed.

Use circular brush movements to allow better ink penetration - Silver Lace ink contains metallic particles (it makes the color nice and shiny on our canvas); which could sometimes be a bit of a challenge to pass through the smallest detail openings in your StencilPro screen.

Continue Stenciling Top to Bottom Making Sure the Printed Designs Align One on Top of the Other for a Nice Continuous Backgound

Make sure the canvas is secured in place when applying the ink. Since canvas surface is nice and stretchy, pushing too hard on the brush will cause the surface to flex; thus, smudging the print.

Screen Print All Three Canvases

Screen print all three canvases with your design and allow for at least 48 hours of drying time before proceeding with the rest of the steps.

Use Flush Mounting for Canvas Art to Mount Canvases on the Wall, As Well As Picture Frames on the Canvases

Flush mounting is great for keeping canvas and picture frames tight against the surface. It also allows for easy picture replacement in our frames. The one we used incorporates removable bubble level; which makes it easy to align canvas on the wall.

Measure and Mark the Center of the Back Frame on the Canvas and Flush Mount for Proper Alignment

Attach Flush Mount Bracket to the Back of the Canvas

Install Flush Mount for Canvas and Anchors for Molly Bolts to Hold the Wood Board on Which Picture Frames Will Hang

Mark the position and attach the other part of interlocking Flush Mount bracket to the wall.

Mark the positions for the molly bolt anchors on the wall. Measure so that the canvas mount aligns with the center between the marks. This is where the picture frame will later attach to the wall through canvas and board.

Using a power drill, drill a pilot hole in the marked spot big enough for the screw. If stud found, use the screw. If no stud found, drill a larger whole to put in Molly bolt.

Using Power Drill and Molly Bolts or Screws, Attach 1" X 8" Primed Wood Board

We have used standard 1" thick redwood fence board; which we cut into 8" pieces and primed with wood primer prior to use.

Measure and Mount Picture Light on the Wall Directly Above Where the Canvas Will Hang

Follow picture light manufacturer's instructions to mount it on the wall.

Use cable tacks to guide and attach picture light's cable on the wall.

If desired, paint bottom of the electrical cord with paint matching the wall color.

Hang Canvas by Interlocking Brackets of the Flush Mount on the Wall and on the Back Frame of the Canvas

Measure and Attach Flush Mount Bracket to the Wood Board Through the Canvas

Attach Matching Flush Bracket to the Back of the Picture Frame, Making Sure It Is Centered

Insert Artwork or Picture Into the Picture Frame. Hang Picture Frame on Canvas by Interlocking Brackets of the Flush Mount on the Back of the Frame and Wood/canvas

Proceed with the rest of the canvases and picture frames. For convenience, plug all three picture lights into power strip.

Note: it is critical that you measure and check alignment at every step to make sure that lights, canvases, and picture frames are level.

Congratulations!

You have successfully completed the Stenciled Canvas and Frames Wall Decor with StencilPro Project!