How to paint book stencil edges using vinyl stencils
On this page you’ll find the instructions to how to use our stencils for book edge painting.
It’s advised to start with a simple stencil to understand how the painting process works.
Video instructions
Written instructions
01 - Supplies Needed
- Book
- Stencil
- 2 boards to press (wood or cardboard)
- Clamps for fixing (2 or 4)
- Manual sander (very fine grain)
- Microfiber cloth
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Paper sheets
02 - Prepping the book
The first step is prepping the book. Using the manual sander we smooth the pages of the fore edge: this is a very important step because it avoids ink bleeding. To sand the pages it’s advised to press the book with the wood boards and clamps so that the dust won’t go inside the pages.
During the sanding process we use a microfibre cloth to remove the excess dust from the pages. Once the sanding is finished we can use a vacuum cleaner to remove all excess dust so that it won’t interfere with the painting. It’s better to make sure the pages are completely even before moving on to the next step. To do that we must check if it’s even to the touch or if there are any dents in the pages.
03 - Protecting the covers and pressing
In order to prevent the book covers from being accidentally painted we can wrap them using sheets of paper (or another material).
We then press the book again, positioning it between the the wooden boards and securing it with the clamps. It’s necessary to check if the book is positioned correctely through the book spine, so that the stencil isn’t positioned upside down.
04 - Stencil Application
The stencil comes with a clear transfer tape to help positioning the stencil onto the book. When removing this tape the stencil will come off the backing paper and can be placed on the fore edge. After placing we need to press the stencil well so that it will adhere to the pages before removing the transfer tape. The transfer tape should be removed slowly, making sure that the stencil remains on the pages. If the stencil lifts from the book, just lower the tape, press again and remove the tape.
05 - Painting the edges
To apply the paint it’s better to use small amounts of paint each time and using a stippling technique to avoid ink bleeding. After the paint dries we can add new layers.
06 - Removing the stencil
The stencil should only be removed after the paint is completely dry. To remove stencils that are in the middle of the book we should open the pages carefully to loosen the stencil and remove it. If the stencil has small details it’s better to use tweezers to help remove them.
07 - Separating the pages
Lastly all it’s needed is to separate the book pages. To do this we open multiple sections and flipping them until they’re loose. It’s easier to separate them by starting from the corners. To separate individual pages we can create a small space between two pages and separate them from there. It’s a time consuming process, but necessary to avoid ripping the pages.
08 - Other cases
In case the stencil is bigger than the fore edge we need to adjust the position during the application. In hardcover books it’s better to open the covers and press only the pages to avoid ink bleeding through the gap between the stencil and the cover.
For paperback books it’s better to press using wooden boards instead of cardboard, so that the the pages are evenly pressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the types of stencils available:
– Regular stencils: the background of the fore edge remains white and the details are painted
– Reverse stencils: the background is painted and the details remain white
– Individual stencils: separated stencils that can be combined with other designs
Yes, there are individual stencils that can be combined with other designs.
Yes, it’s possible to adjust the size of a stencil, however sizes need to be approved, since not all designs work well in small sizes. To request a different size please send us a message through Etsy, social media or an email to hello@saramalva.com
It’s not recommended reusing the stencils because once they’re placed onto the pages they loose adhesiveness and on a second application may cause ink bleeding.
From our experience, acrylic paint has the best results with stencil application, however results may vary depending on the paint brand and the type of paper used in the book.
If there are no visible dents on the pages and they’re smooth to the touch.