Problem Making Stencil

iNeuron · 3 Feb 2014

So I've always had this small issue, but recently something weird happened.

What I do when making a stencil, is have 3 layers of papers. The blue carbon shit, then the stencil paper and finally the original design on top. Whenever I start to overdraw the lines on the original piece, I have to push really really hard to get even the faintest lines to show on stencil paper. So I constantly press and go over lines like 2-3 times, sometimes accidentally breaking the paper even, just to get the design on the stencil paper.

Last time I tried to make a stencil of a small script, it didn't come through at all and it was really confusing. What I'm asking is if anyone can give any tips on how to transfer the design onto stencil paper better or if Im doing something wrong.

Right now Im just considering skipping the stencil paper and drawing the design on the other side of the original tattoo, but that thicker paper could not be applied to every location very easily , which could be problematic.

Strapped · 3 Feb 2014

Why not transfer on the back of the original drawing???? put your drawing on the carbon paper (the side where the white stencil paper is) and trace it like that?

maggot · 3 Feb 2014

hi janis the method you are doing does require a lot of pressure i use this method when using a thin tracing paper for a better fit, doing it straight on to the back of printing paper does work well or you could trace the image first.by the way you are using hectograph paper not normal carbon or thermal

iNeuron · 3 Feb 2014

Strapped said:
Why not transfer on the back of the original drawing???? put your drawing on the carbon paper (the side where the white stencil paper is) and trace it like that?

Because regular paper is thicker than stencil paper and if I need to apply at some spots, for example the knee, it would be a lot better with stencil paper than regular paper.

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maggot said:
hi janis the method you are doing does require a lot of pressure i use this method when using a thin tracing paper for a better fit, doing it straight on to the back of printing paper does work well or you could trace the image first.by the way you are using hectograph paper not normal carbon or thermal

Thanks for the clarification, I was too lazy to google the correct terms

toetoe62 · 3 Feb 2014

iNeuron said:
Because regular paper is thicker than stencil paper and if I need to apply at some spots, for example the knee, it would be a lot better with stencil paper than regular paper.

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Thanks for the clarification, I was too lazy to google the correct terms

you can print direct on to tracing paper and then trace around the design with your hectograph under the tracing paper.

iNeuron · 3 Feb 2014

toetoe62 said:
you can print direct on to tracing paper and then trace around the design with your hectograph under the tracing paper.

That's an interesting thought.. gonna have to test it. Thanks

Patrick · 3 Feb 2014

I usually staple my drawing on top of the thin tracing paper and just trace over the design with a ball point pen and it comes out ok, I don't have to press too hard. I use Spirit paper which can also be used in a thermal copier I just remove the brown protective paper leaving the yellow backing paper, the carbon paper and the tracing paper. I just tried it on some cheaper paper and it is still ok but not as good as Original Spirit paper. Or try as mentioned above by tracing the picture onto thin tracing paper and then use the normal carbon paper for hand drawn stencils.

hYSobe · 5 Feb 2014

why don't you guys just print the image/design off you want to tattoo, place it over the stencil paper (whatever you're using) and go over the lines like most artists do? so much more simple

maggot · 6 Feb 2014

hYSobe said:
why don't you guys just print the image/design off you want to tattoo, place it over the stencil paper (whatever you're using) and go over the lines like most artists do? so much more simple

because in some circumstances its easier to align and place the tattoo when its on tracing paper also thin tracing paper wraps around skin better

Problem Making Stencil

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