Stop The Bleeding. One Simple Step Can Save Your Craft.

Here is an all too common situation.  You compile all of the necessary components for your new and exciting stenciling project.  Perhaps you even took the time to design and make your own stencil.  You find the perfect medium for the application; perhaps it's even a vintage family piece of furniture.  Regardless of the specifics, stenciling requires a lot of preparation.  And if you leave out this ONE step, the completed piece will likely disappoint you.

Here's how to stencil like a pro.

Uh Oh! Paint bled through the edges of the stencil

STEP 1: APPLY YOUR STENCIL

For the purpose of this demo, I wanted to create comparative pieces.  The top one will include the "extra step" whereas the bottom one will not.  The stencils were created using scrap pieces of vinyl and then cut out using a Cricut machine.  This could also be done using a store-bought plastic or cardstock stencils.   

Be sure to place extra tape around the stencils.  I always do this now ever since I learned the hard way after ruining 5 glasses (in a row) with etching cream. 
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But that's a story for another post.
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STEP 2: THE STEP.

Drum roll pleasssseeee.   It's MOD PODGE !

Yup. Mod Podge is the extra step.  There are a lot of different varieties that can be used for various projects, but I just used the basic matte finish version (shown above).  You can find it at your favorite craft store or online.  It's important to note that I don't get paid to advertise them, I just really love their product.

The Mod Podge was applied to the top stencil and allowed to dry slightly [to a tacky-ish consistency] before another coat was applied.  It was allowed to dry completely.
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You could stop reading now, but then you'd miss the finished product.
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STEP 3: Paint and blah, blah, blah

Now, you just stencil as you normally would.  As you can see from the bottom stencil, it's a good thing that masking tape was laid around the stencil.  

Take note of the top stencil, the Mod Podge was allowed to dry and has a slight sheen to it.  This can actually help you to identify if your coverage is lacking on any portion of the stencil.  With the Mod Podge being dry, the top stencil was painted in the same fashion as the top one.
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At this point, I left the Wanna Craft Lab and went to a neighbor's party.
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STEP 4: THE BIG REVEAL

WIth Mod Podge

Without Mod Podge

The party was pretty good even though it down-poured all night.  I digress.  I got back put the kids to bed and carefully peeled off the masking tape and stencil.  

"Voila !", as the French (as well as magicians) say.  The photo on the left clearly came out better than the one on the right.  Note, the same amount of paint was applied to both stencils.

Are you convinced that the Mod Podge method is now the only method?  Comment below.