Wow effect guaranteed

Anyone who studies the product corrugated board a little, can hardly get out of the amazement. This material is really amazingly versatile! It can be used not only as a packaging material (here the market share in Germany is a staggering 65 percent), but also as a creative material for handicrafts, design and design.

We'll show you how to make your own cardboard stencil for spraying and what else you can "do" with this inconspicuous packaging material.

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Basics: What are cardboard stencils?

Cardboard stencils are all types of stencils that are based on the material cardboard. To make cardboard stencils, you basically only need a cardboard box and a cutting tool.

After you have shaped the stencil into the desired form, you can use it as a template for applying various shapes, contours, logos, patterns or symbols to a smooth surface. You can either cut out or punch out the desired motif.

Then you simply place the negative form of the pattern on the surface and paint or spray the free area. And you're done. By using a cardboard stencil, you ensure that the motif always looks the same every time you apply it.

This cannot be easily achieved with other forms of design such as painting or spraying without a stencil. But not only the time savings and the high precision speak for the use of cardboard stencils: The results that can be achieved with them look simply cool and in some cases even breathtakingly beautiful.

Stencils made of cardboard offer you the advantage of not having to paint a motif several times.

The application: What do I use my cardboard stencil for?

The range of applications of cardboard stencils is amazingly wide. It includes both a purely functional and an artistic area. For example, cardboard stencils can be used for attaching warning notices or markings in shipping (functional use).

If you enjoy creative designs, you can use your cardboard stencil to apply an artistic motif to a surface. There are no limits to your imagination (artistic use). Cardboard stencils are also popular with musicians, political activists and freelancers.

These often resort to stencils to publicize a band logo, a political message or a company logo. But be careful: not in all places, places and places the attachment of symbols and messages is desired!

Cardboard stencils are a cost-effective alternative to metal stencils

As a cost-effective alternative to expensive stencils made of metal, cardboard stencils have been increasingly used in industry, trade and professional crafts for some time. This applies in particular to the following applications:

• The motif should be applied only a few times (single use to a maximum of ten times).
• Water-based paints are not used for application (cardboard is not suitable for this purpose, as it quickly renders the stencil unusable).

With a wink you could say: Cardboard stencils are a product from the category "Why complicated, if it is also easy? Because compared to other forms of artistic expression and design, spraying or coloring a stencil is actually child's play.

You don't have to be a skilled craftsman or have a steady hand or even a talent for drawing. The only thing that is demanding is the production of the stencil itself. Precision, skill and (depending on the stencil) artistic talent are very important here.

What other materials are there?

Instead of a stencil made of cardboard, you can also use another material, depending on the application. However, you should keep in mind that most alternative materials have some disadvantages compared to corrugated cardboard.

Stencils made of clay cardboard, for example, are significantly less robust and less stable than stencils made of corrugated cardboard. The same applies to stencils made of paper, which also tend to form waves during use and thus become unusable. Stencils made of PVC film are also a frequently chosen alternative.

Advantage: They are washable. Disadvantage: Due to their thinness, they require a high degree of precision and skill to apply. The situation is similar with adhesive foils: although they are well suited, they are also demanding to handle. We have already discussed metal stencils - another alternative - above. These are heavier and more expensive.

That's why corrugated board is the right material for your stencils

Environmentally friendly and recyclable like paper, but many times more stable - corrugated board is an exciting material. In addition to its recyclability, the ease of handling, low weight and individual customizability speak for the use of this versatile packaging and craft material.

Especially when it comes to making stencils that you only want to use once, corrugated board has a clear advantage over other materials. Moreover, only a minimum of energy is consumed in the production of corrugated board. As a result, the pulp product has a good carbon footprint. And since recycled paper and old cardboard are mostly used as raw materials, no trees have to be felled for new corrugated board.

How to create your own cardboard template step by step

To make a stencil out of cardboard, you don't need any previous experience or a ton of tools. Usually a cutter knife is sufficient for cutting out the motif. A small pair of scissors is also helpful. In addition, you should not forget the following tools:

• Get a sturdy cutting mat to hold the corrugated cardboard securely in place before cutting out the design.
• If the subject you want to apply is a complex image with many curves, you should get a pair of silhouette scissors.
• For the transfer of the motif, it is best to use a pencil or a thin marker (depending on the motif).
• Ideally, you use a metal ruler to draw straight lines.
• Double-sided tape will help you fix the stencil to the object (not a must, but useful depending on the object).

The production itself takes place in three steps: First, draw the selected motif on the corrugated cardboard with a pencil. Be careful with hollow spaces in the motif. Here you must draw in bars, otherwise the template would no longer consist of a coherent piece.

Then cut out the outline of the motif with a cutter knife. The cardboard lies on the cutting surface for this purpose. Finally, spray the stencil on the object with paint. Be sure to shake the spray can well and do not get closer than 15 cm to the object while spraying. After drying, you're done!

Creative unique items from corrugated cardboard: decorated boxes with artistic motifs

With its high robustness and characteristic texture, corrugated cardboard is made for creative design of simple to complex works of art at home.

With a little craftsmanship, artistic skill and additional materials, you can make colorful gift boxes, Easter baskets or school bags out of corrugated cardboard. Depending on your mood, you can use either special craft corrugated card board or conventional corrugated cardboard packaging.

Stamps for T-shirts and textiles: corrugated board is amazingly versatile

You think corrugated board is brittle, boring and archaic? Far from it: The universally applicable material offers you a wide range of creative ideas. Decorating cardboard with stamps, for example, is very popular.

But corrugated board is not only suitable as a base or object to be decorated. The material can also be used as a stamp or printing block. The corrugated structure of cor rugated cardboard can be used to create interesting and exciting printed images - for example on T-shirts and other textiles. To make fabric stamps from corrugated cardboard, you will need, among other things, gray cardboard, corrugated card board and an industrial stapler.

Christmas balls from corrugated cardboard make yourself - easy as pie

There are no limits to creativity when creating stencils from cardboard.

Granted: It's still a while until next Christmas. But as we all know, you can never start preparing early enough. So here are a few tips for Christmas crafts with children.

In addition to cardboard, you'll need a watercolor box, paintbrush, hole punch, cord, paper scraps, glue stick, sprinkles, glitter if you like, wool scraps, pencil, scissors, and a painting mat.

The cut-out balls can be sprinkled with glitter, wrapped with wool, glued with textile scraps and, of course, painted colorfully. For hanging on the tree, it's best to use small cardboard loops (glued on) and commercially available strings or cords.

Decorative cardboard Christmas baubles are a colorful, eco-friendly alternative to the usual, often uncharitable Christmas decorations from the store.

Conclusion: Give free rein to your creativity with corrugated board

The creative potential of corrugated cardboard is really amazing. Even the youngest can do something with this simple material. Among other things, it can be used to make fun flowers, figures and 3D objects. The same applies to its use as a stencil.

In addition to the options listed above, it is even possible to transfer photo motifs. Especially when using faces as a motif, the final result is exciting and iconic. All you need is an image editing program to erase the background of portrait photos.

Then you make a black and white photo from the color motif in the program, which you then print out in the last step and use as a template for your stencil.

Otherwise, let your creativity run wild and use the good old corrugated cardboard as a starting material for the realization of your artistic ideas!

FAQ

1. What creative ideas can be implemented with corrugated board?

   Corrugated cardboard is an extremely practical craft material and can be used creatively in a variety of ways. The options range from making simple corrugated cardboard figures for children to Christmas tree decorations to decorating cardboard with stamps or using it as a spray stencil. You can find detailed instructions for most of the possibilities mentioned on the Internet.

2. How do I create a stencil from cardboard?

   The creation is done in three steps and takes no more than 20 minutes. After you have drawn the motif with a pencil, cut it out with a box cutter. The cardboard should be placed on a secure surface.

3. What are the advantages of corrugated board as a craft and packaging material?

   Corrugated board is light on the one hand, but still strong and resilient on the other. In addition, it can be used in many ways and is environmentally friendly.

Cover image: stock.adobe.com © Ирина Старикова #523814295
Image 1: stock.adobe.com © sweetok #39812637
Image 2: stock.adobe.com © Cute Design #539558686