STENCILS

There are several types of stencils. We will begin by explaining the different types. I have seen many tattooists at work, but I have yet to see one that does not use a stencil or guidelines of some sort. Your freehand will come into play when you start doing shading and coloring. The way I would recommend if possible., would be by using a thermal fax machine. This machine will print out the transfer by using a special sheet calle thermacopy. With your copy machine, run off a copy of the desired design. Use line design only, use no shading or color in your transfer, since this will clutter your patter on the skin which in turn will make it hard to see the lines. Having the thermal fax copy sheet in hand remove the protective brown paper and discard, then place copy of desired design face up under a carbon sheet. When ran through the thermal fax, through heat and light the copy of the design is transferred to the top sheet.

Another method of stenciling is with the hectograph pencil. Using a high grade of tracing paper, trace out the desired design to be transferred. The hectograph ink and pen are done pretty much the same way as the pencil.

Then we have acetate stencils. Acetate stencils are a clear plastic and have one good advantage, the clear plastic makes it easy to flip designs. To use the acetate you need a stencil cutter. Place the designs under the acetate and trace with the cutter, being careful not to go completely through the other side. If you want the reverse angle, then just flip it over and repeat tracing the lines with the stencil cutter. After you have cut the lines the acetate needs to be deburred. To do this, take a small piece of acetate and rub back and forth in a fanning motion across the cut edge. To use the acetate stencil you will need black stencil powder. Using carbolated Vaseline put a thin coat on the area where you are going to put the design. With the cut stencils powder on the acetate and rub the powder into the grooves with your finger. Wipe off any excess powder making sure the powder is only in the grooves. Remember to use just enough Vaseline to shine the skin, too much will blur the transfer. Apply the acetate to the area, hold firmly and very still, with the other hand take your fore finger and massage over the design. After you have done this, remove the acetate with a quick pealing motion.

With the thermal fax and hectograph stencils, rub the area with the deodorant stick. Apply the paper stencil, press with the palm, and then rub with your finger. Remove these stencils slowly. Allow time for the deodorant to dry. With what ever method you have decided to use, the only way to get good at it is practice.