When Is A Stencil Not A Stencil?

Today’s burning question… when is a stencil not a stencil?

And the answer… when it’s a print plate!

We love stencils for many reasons, but one of the most important ones is because of their versatility; their ability to do so many things, easily. Using stencils as a print plate is a natural extension of what we do already. How many times have you heard me say in a video that I was going to print what was left on the surface of the stencil I was working with?

That simple statement led me to try using stencils intentionally as print plates rather than as a byproduct of another process. The next thing I knew I was inking and printing, brayering paint on and printing, and dabbing and dotting and printing some more, creating all kinds of interesting imagery. Just as with the more “traditional” techniques, you’ll find printing with stencils easy and enjoyable. Push out the walls of that box, and step outside of it and play. I promise you’ll have fun!