Explore Guides
Sign In

Sign In with Facebook or Twitter

Or use your email address

Create an Account Forgot Password?
Like
Liked
How to Make a Personalised T-Shirt With a Stencil
Start the Guide ›

A guide detailing my simple method of creating cool unique t-shirts with a stencil and spray paint.

by P Man
402 Likes
6.3k Views
Step 1 of 24
First find the image you want to put onto the shirt. I found this on google, but you could draw yours or use photoshop to edit an image into a stencil.

First find the image you want to put onto the shirt. I found this on google, but you could draw yours or use photoshop to edit an image into a stencil.

Step 2 of 24

You'll need your image to be plain black and white and also make sure it's the right size for your shirt. Multi-layered stencils are possible but we won't be covering them in this guide.

Step 3 of 24
I'm going to cut my stencil into this piece of plastic. I'm just using a laminator sheet but any transparent plastic sheet will do.

I'm going to cut my stencil into this piece of plastic. I'm just using a laminator sheet but any transparent plastic sheet will do.

Step 4 of 24

The plastic isn't strictly necessary but it's unlikely that paper will withstand the high pressure spray paint. It's also going to allow you to cut more detailed stencils without it breaking.

Step 5 of 24
Tape the plastic sheet to your design so they stay together. I find masking/ painters tape is best because it doesn't leave any residue.

Tape the plastic sheet to your design so they stay together. I find masking/ painters tape is best because it doesn't leave any residue.

Step 6 of 24
Now it's time to cut. You basically want to cut out all the black pieces. Mine is going to be pretty straightforward but it depends on the design you choose.

Now it's time to cut. You basically want to cut out all the black pieces. Mine is going to be pretty straightforward but it depends on the design you choose.

Step 7 of 24
You have to make sure all the white is in one piece. If a white area is surrounded by black you will need to cut a small connector piece into the black so it all stays together.

You have to make sure all the white is in one piece. If a white area is surrounded by black you will need to cut a small connector piece into the black so it all stays together.

Step 8 of 24
Halfway done.

Halfway done.

Step 9 of 24
My hand started getting cramped up so I decided to take a coffee break. This isn't necessary but highly recommended.

My hand started getting cramped up so I decided to take a coffee break. This isn't necessary but highly recommended.

Step 10 of 24
The stencil is all done now so we just have a few things to do before we spray it.

The stencil is all done now so we just have a few things to do before we spray it.

Step 11 of 24
Take your shirt and put some old cardboard inside. This will stop the paint soaking through to the other side. I just used a piece I cut from an old box. Tuck any excess fabric underneath.

Take your shirt and put some old cardboard inside. This will stop the paint soaking through to the other side. I just used a piece I cut from an old box. Tuck any excess fabric underneath.

Step 12 of 24
Get an area ready to spray. I'm using this wallpapering table in my garage, but you could do it outside too. Lay down some newspaper and make sure you move anything that could get painty.

Get an area ready to spray. I'm using this wallpapering table in my garage, but you could do it outside too. Lay down some newspaper and make sure you move anything that could get painty.

Step 13 of 24
Now spray the REVERSE SIDE of your stencil all over with the spray glue then place it right way up onto your shirt in the position you want it to be.

Now spray the REVERSE SIDE of your stencil all over with the spray glue then place it right way up onto your shirt in the position you want it to be.

Step 14 of 24
Go over the stencil with you fingers and make sure it's all stuck down. Be extra sure that any small pieces won't come up when you spray it and mess up your design.

Go over the stencil with you fingers and make sure it's all stuck down. Be extra sure that any small pieces won't come up when you spray it and mess up your design.

Step 15 of 24
Tape newspaper around the edge of the stencil so there's no exposed t-shirt that might get overspray on it.

Tape newspaper around the edge of the stencil so there's no exposed t-shirt that might get overspray on it.

Step 16 of 24
Now spray your shirt. Hold the can about 4-5 inches away, use long strokes and make sure you get around all the stencil. Don't worry if it doesn't look too bold yet, we're going to do a second coat.

Now spray your shirt. Hold the can about 4-5 inches away, use long strokes and make sure you get around all the stencil. Don't worry if it doesn't look too bold yet, we're going to do a second coat.

Step 17 of 24
Leave your shirt to dry. Be careful not to move the stencil at all, you'll have a hard time trying to put it back in the exact same place (this is part of why we used the spray glue).

Leave your shirt to dry. Be careful not to move the stencil at all, you'll have a hard time trying to put it back in the exact same place (this is part of why we used the spray glue).

Step 18 of 24
The paint is dry now, so go ahead and spray it again just like you did before. Let it dry again after.

The paint is dry now, so go ahead and spray it again just like you did before. Let it dry again after.

Step 19 of 24
The paint is all dry now so you can go ahead and remove the stencil and newspaper. Don't worry too much if there are some smudges or  a little overspray, that should come off with a wash.

The paint is all dry now so you can go ahead and remove the stencil and newspaper. Don't worry too much if there are some smudges or a little overspray, that should come off with a wash.

Step 20 of 24
I like to add this little logo on the back here as a kind of signature. This is obviously optional but I do a lot of shirts for friends so I like to put this on so my shirts can be identified.

I like to add this little logo on the back here as a kind of signature. This is obviously optional but I do a lot of shirts for friends so I like to put this on so my shirts can be identified.

Step 21 of 24

You could wear your shirt right away but this next step will help to set the design so you can wear it again and again without it fading.

Step 22 of 24
Cover the design with a towel.

Cover the design with a towel.

Step 23 of 24
Now hold a DRY iron (no steam) over it for a while and rub it around a bit. You probably want to do this for 2-3 minutes.

Now hold a DRY iron (no steam) over it for a while and rub it around a bit. You probably want to do this for 2-3 minutes.

Step 24 of 24

There you go! You can now wear your shirt wherever you go, happy in the knowledge that there's none other like it. I hope this guide was interesting and maybe now you can go and make your own shirt!

You're Done!
Start over

This guide was made by:
P Man
UK
Follow
Following

Explore more great guides:

Style
Identify Fake Ray Ban Wayfarers

How to Identify Fake Ray Ban Wayfarers

by P Man

795
32
128k
Arts & Crafts
Create Labeled Terracotta Pots

How to Create Labeled Terracotta Pots

by Blake Brown

590
26
6.3k
Arts & Crafts
Create a Father's Day Gift With Your Baby

How to Create a Father's Day Gift With Your Baby

by Joy Milligan

227
14
2.5k
Arts & Crafts
Make a Fabric Covered Bracelet

How to Make a Fabric Covered Bracelet

by Jo-Ann Stores

68
3
788
Style
Cut Wide Leg Jeans Into Bermuda Shorts, and Style!

How to Cut Wide Leg Jeans Into Bermuda Shorts, and Style!

by Josie Jackson

61
8
1.4k
Style
Make an Easy Middle Knot Dress!

How to Make an Easy Middle Knot Dress!

by Mook Attakanwong

53
9
1.2k
Tweet
Share:
Angelo Allison

This is an awesome guide. I have been trying to think of ways to make my shirts unique and this solved my problem. Keep up the good work.

Angelo Allison 2 months ago

Ck K

Nice one.. Thanks

Ck K 6 months ago

Carly Hough

Hey, I was just wondering how you found your stencil. Do you have a website or two where I can find some?

Carly Hough 10 months ago

Ashley Marlene

Nice guide! I'm going to go make a shirt now:)

Ashley Marlene 11 months ago

Romeo Mmk

Is Montana or Ironlak also good or not ?

Romeo Mmk last year

Lu Shien Lee

So you can put this in the wash with other clothes?

Lu Shien Lee last year

Kaitlin Heather

Christmas presents, check.

Kaitlin Heather last year

Load More

The design you want to create

Some kind of transparent plastic sheet

Cutting board

X-Acto blade or similar craft knife

Masking tape

A t-shirt

Cardboard

Newspaper

Spray glue

Fabric spray paint (you could just use regular spray paint

An iron

A towel

  • Download
  • Explore Guides
  • Blog
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy

©2013 Heavy Bits, Inc. | All guides ©2013 their respective authors

Sign In

Or use your email address

Create an Account Forgot Password?

Create a New Account

Join Snapguide and share what you know. Already have an account? Sign in here.

Why be old fashioned?
It's easier to sign in with:





By submitting this form you agree to Snapguide's
Terms of Service & Privacy Policy