What you'll need
- Your printed and cut stencil (or downloaded SVG scaled up at a print shop)
- Low-tack spray adhesive (essential for preventing bleeding)
- Stencil brush or dense foam roller
- Low-sheen emulsion or chalk paint in your chosen colour
- Spirit level and pencil for alignment
- Masking tape and drop cloth
Step-by-step wall stencilling
1. Prepare the wall. The wall should be clean, dry and painted in your base colour. A smooth, matt or low-sheen finish works best — gloss makes it harder for paint to adhere cleanly.
2. Mark your guidelines. Use a spirit level and pencil to mark a light horizontal line across the wall. This is your baseline for keeping the stencil level. For repeating patterns, also snap a chalk line to keep rows straight.
3. Apply spray adhesive. Lightly coat the back of the stencil with low-tack spray adhesive and press it firmly to the wall, smoothing out all edges. This single step makes the biggest difference to preventing paint bleed.
4. Apply paint with a dry brush. Dip your stencil brush or foam roller into paint, then tap or roll off most of it onto paper. You want the brush almost dry. Apply to the stencil with a gentle dabbing motion — never sweep. Build up 2–3 thin coats rather than one thick one.
5. Peel while damp. Remove the stencil while the paint is still slightly wet for the cleanest edges. Peel slowly and steadily at a low angle.
6. Reposition and repeat. Use registration marks — small notches cut into the stencil corners — to align each repeat accurately.
Best wall stencils
Frequently asked questions
What is the best paint for wall stencilling?
Low-sheen emulsion or chalk paint gives the best results. Chalk paint is particularly forgiving for beginners as it dries quickly and can be recoated fast. Avoid gloss paint as it tends to bleed under stencil edges.
How do I stop paint bleeding under a stencil on a wall?
The three key things: 1) Use low-tack spray adhesive on the stencil back to hold every edge flat. 2) Use almost no paint on the brush — tap off most of it before applying. 3) Use a dabbing motion, never sweeping strokes.
How large should a wall stencil be?
For a feature wall centrepiece, aim for 40–60cm diameter. For a repeating pattern, 20–30cm repeats work well for most room sizes. Our SVG files scale to any size — take to a print shop for large output.
Can I stencil over wallpaper?
Yes, but only over smooth, firmly adhered wallpaper. Apply a base coat of emulsion first to give the paint something to bond to. Avoid textured wallpaper as the surface will show through the stencil.