I'm trying to make a stencil by hand at the moment. Since I want a little custom artwork on my AR build, but don't feel like getting a zombie lower, I've designed a stencil I want, but it's proving very hard to make. I wasn't sure if anyone here had suggestions, or some device to make such a stencil.

Very easy. You will need stencil paper and an x-acto knife. Find what ever you want to stencil or draw your own and trace it out on the stencil paper. The hard part will be cutting it, You need to leave certain parts intact. Keep the knife stationary, and pull the stencil paper to cut it, throw on old magazine under it since your doing a small one. You get much cleaner cuts. When painting the stencil, use foam and lightly dab very small amounts of paint on at a time.

 

Here is one i made. Sadly, i was only able to get two prints from the stencil before weak parts in the paper started to break, the wet paint started to weaken the stencil paper since it's only laminated on one side. FYI i am no artist, and this was actually the second stencil i ever made in my life. Once you get down where to cut, the rest is just time consuming, it took me over 3 hours just to cut it out.

 

This is the design I'm doing.

 

http://strix.org.uk/stencil/show/1335584031-118418567613493726.ser

 

I made it, shrunk it down, but the size is the hard part. I'm trying to cut out the black parts of it, but it's only about 1.5" by 2", so it's really tiny, and I'm using a box cutter, since I don't have an exacto knife. I could always touch it up with paint, but I'm not sure if I'd be able to freehand it that well.

Only tip I can offer is change the blade often... I used a manila folder for this. I'm not the stencil artist, I traced it from a printout.

 

You have to use an x-acto knife, there really isn't a substitute if your trying to go that small. You need a very thin pointed blade. They cost *$3 so def. save yourself the headache.

Yeah, planning on putting that design on the lower, and maybe the Prussian flag on the stock. I can paint that one on. I still have to find a somewhat durable paint, but I don't need something like an enamel. In the event I actually want to take this stuff off, I want it easy to do so.

 

Figure It's worth saving the money on an actual zombie lower, plus it makes it more custom haha.

Also, when cutting make sure in areas that are weak you use lots of pressure to support the paper from tearing. After a few tries with a good blade you will be able to make that. Do you want to keep the triangle? i would suggest outlining the triangle in sections. And please don't cut out the bio hazard(written), lol. You may want to try different teqniques in cutting it out too do certain parts first or last work from the inside out, you need to do what ever works best for each cut, whether its dragging the knife, or pulling the paper. if you pull the paper when there is little paper supporting your cut it will tear the paper, having a sharp blade is what helps here.

Send Ur photo to a vinyl guy, he can make it in vinyl. Place the complete sticker on the area where u want to paint. Remove vinyl in the areas u want paint. Paint... Let dry 24 hours then remove vinyl.... Tada lol. It's a trick when doing graphics on cars. If u need help pm me IDE be more them happy to help you.

If you don't want to pay a vinyl guy, you can just buy some frisket film and do the same.