A rotary cutting mat A craft knife Thin acetate Masking tape

Print your stencil design onto thick card stock. Make sure you it is the right size for your project. [4] X Research source

Masking tape works better than scotch tape. Painter’s tape also works well. [6] X Research source To make sure your image doesn’t move around while you are cutting, tape all the edges down to your cutting surface. [7] X Research source

Work from the middle out. The more you cut away from the image, the weaker your stencil will become. Take your time, and work carefully. You can make a stencil last a long time if you take care of it. [9] X Research source

T-shirt or some other fabric Foam roller Textile ink Wax paper Cardboard Masking tape

Tape the acetate stencil over the area you want to paint. Use masking tape to tape down all the edges. Make sure the stencil is secure. You don’t want it to move when you start rolling your paint on. [13] X Research source

Mix the paint on a plate or a shallow dish. Use just enough to cover your image. [15] X Research source

Once you make the first pass, you’ll find that the acetate sticks to the fabric. This will allow you to use a little more pressure on the next few passes. [18] X Research source Pay attention to the stencil. If there are a lot of pieces that are barely attached, take care not to disrupt them. [19] X Research source

Loosen the tape around the edges of your image. Starting from the top, gently pull the acetate away from the fabric. Take care not to ruin the image you painted, or damage the acetate screen. If you take care of your stencil, you can use it multiple times. [21] X Research source

Different inks will require different levels of heat to seal. Refer to the instructions on your ink for ironing details. [23] X Research source If you don’t have any wax paper, use a clean piece of cloth. [24] X Research source You can remove the cardboard once you’ve sealed the image. [25] X Research source

Try hand washing your shirt in colder water the first few times to make sure the image is set into the fabric. [27] X Research source When you wash, turn your shirt inside out to protect the print. [28] X Research source Avoid using any harsh chemicals when you wash your shirt. [29] X Research source

If you are in a rush, you can speed up the air drying process. Set your dryer to a low heat and remove your shirt from the dryer halfway through the cycle. Hang your shirt to let it finish drying. [31] X Research source