FAQs
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We aim to dispatch orders to anywhere in the world within 1-2 working days.
Delivery times will vary depending upon your location and Shipping option selected:
UK
- UK FREE - Get it in 2-5 working days
- UK STANDARD - Get it in 1-3 working days
- UK STANDARD RECORDED - Get it in 1-3 working days after dispatch. Signature required.
- Overseas Tracked Shipping – Europe - Approx. 3-5 working days. Plus our dispatch time.
- Overseas Tracked Shipping - Rest of the World - Approx 5-7 working days. Plus our dispatch time.
We ship Worldwide:-
- UK FREE Shipping - £0.00
- UK STANDARD Shipping - £3.95
- UK STANDARD RECORDED Shipping - £4.98 (Signature required)
- Overseas Tracked Shipping - Europe - £12.00
- Overseas Tracked Shipping - Rest of the World - £15.00
I'm not sure if my payment went through ok, what shall I do?
Just contact us and we will be able to confirm if payment has been received for your order. If you think you have paid twice in error let us know and we will be able to confirm if this is the case. If an error has occurred we will refund your account immediately.
Do you send overseas and what are the charges?
Yes we ship worldwide. Please see our shipping rates above.
Will I pay tax on my order?
All of our website prices include UK sales tax (VAT).
If your order is being dispatched to a destination outside of the UK the applicable sales tax (VAT) will be removed from your order. However, depending upon the value of your order and the country in which you live, you may be charged local taxes, custom duties and handling fees upon delivery.
How do I cancel my order?
Just contact us and let us know if you wish to cancel an order. Phone (UK) 01453 731233 or Email orders@thestencilstudio.com
If your order has not yet been dispatched we can offer you a full refund including P&P costs.
If your order has already been dispatched we cannot cancel your order but we can offer you a refund if you return the goods to us. See our Returns Policy.
I gave you the wrong address what should I do?
Contact us as soon as you realise the mistake. If the order has not yet been dispatched we can amend the delivery address details. However, if the order has already been dispatched it is your responsibility to obtain the order from the wrong address. Very often people return the item to sender if they are no longer known at that address. If the postal service has returned your order to us we can forward it onto you at the correct address, but we will charge you additional P&P to resend it.
We accept all major credit and debit cards online or over the phone. You can also pay online using PayPal.
Where is my order, how can I track it?
If you feel that your order is taking a long time to arrive contact us and we will do our best to help you.
UK
Yes, we welcome feedback and love to hear from our customers. We appreciate any feedback both good and bad, so that we can apply changes, if necessary, and improve our customer service. We would also love to see any photos of your stencil projects to share and inspire others. Just email us at orders@thestencilstudio.com Or Tag us on Social Media @TheStencilStudio
What is your returns policy?
- If your order was sent using UK Free, UK Standard or UK Standard Recorded services it is not possible to track your order. (A signature will be required for Recorded deliveries
- If your order was sent using Overseas Tracked Service you can track the progress of your order at http://www.royalmail.com/trackdetails just use your tracking ID that we would have emailed to you when your order was dispatched. (A signature may be required upon delivery).
Yes, we welcome feedback and love to hear from our customers. We appreciate any feedback both good and bad, so that we can apply changes, if necessary, and improve our customer service. We would also love to see any photos of your stencil projects to share and inspire others. Just email us at orders@thestencilstudio.com Or Tag us on Social Media @TheStencilStudio
What is your returns policy?
If you are not entirely delighted with your order and would like to cancel, simply return goods to us within 14 working days from receipt for a full refund including P&P (up to the value of our standard P&P charge). We will accept returns as long as goods are sent back to us in perfect saleable condition. Please let us know via email or phone if you are returning goods to us so that we can process your refund efficiently.
Custom Stencils are cut to order and so we cannot offer a refund unless faulty.
If the postal service has returned your order to us due to non receipt we will charge you additional P&P to resend it, please ensure your delivery details are correct at time of ordering.
Who pays the return postage cost?
You, the customer, will be responsible for return postage costs. We recommend you obtain a proof of postage as we cannot take responsibility for goods lost or damaged in transit so relevant insurance should be taken to cover their value.
Damaged or faulty goods will be exchanged or refunded, please contact us as soon as possible to register the problem and we will advise you how to proceed. We will cover the cost of any items that need to be returned to us. (We will request photographic evidence of goods damaged in the post to help us claim compensation from Royal Mail).
Where do I send my return?
Our return address is:
The Stencil Studio Ltd
Unit 11 Canal Iron Works
Hope Mill Lane
London Road
Brimscombe
Stroud
GL5 2SH
Brimscombe
Stroud
GL5 2SH
Before returning any items please contact us to let us know. Either email us at orders@thestencilstudio.com or phone (UK) 01453 731233.
When will I get my refund?
We will process your refund as quickly as possible once returned items have been received. Refunds are usually processed within a few days of goods being received.
How do I get in touch with you?
You can get in touch with us via:
Custom stencil enquiries - info@thestencilstudio.com
Order queries – orders@thestencilstudio.com
All other enquiries – info@thestencilstudio.com
Phone:
(UK) 01453 731233
What are your terms and conditions?
Click here to see our full Terms and Conditions.
Do you supply wholesale?
Yes we do. Click here for more information - Wholesale info
Questions about our stencils:
What is a Stencil?
A stencil is a simple tool, essentially a piece of flat material with holes cut from it. Simply lay the stencil in place and paint through the holes.
If you were to cut a circle from the middle of a piece of card it would drop out. This circle is a template. The card now has a circle cut from it, this is the stencil. It can be used loads of times to reproduce the circle design onto your chosen surface. Our stencils are laser cut and are suitable for use with any type of paint.
How do I use a stencil?
Stencilling is as easy as 123. For more detailed instructions see our "How to" Pages.
What else do I need?
Paint – Any thick paint will do, just use the correct paint for the surface you are working on.
Stencil brush or roller – use a flat ended stencil brush for best results. For large areas use a dense foam roller.
Low tack Stencil tape or repositionable spray adhesive for holding the stencil in place whilst you paint.
What are the stencils made from?
All of our stencils are laser cut from 190 micron Mylar. Mylar is a thin polyester material similar to acetate but much stronger. Mylar is very flexible and can be used for stencilling on slightly curved as well as flat surfaces. The fact that Mylar is thin allows for excellent close contact with the surface you are stencilling. It is semi-transparent which makes it ideal for stencilling because you can see through it for accurate re-positioning. Mylar stencils are reusable, washable and can be used with any type of paint. Mylar is not sticky in any way.
Other Mylar thicknesses are available if required. To give you an idea of the thickness of the Mylar:
- 125 micron Mylar is thin and flexible like a piece of paper. Recommended for Body Art Stencils. Our Blank Mylar sheets are 125 micron Mylar, suitable for hand cutting with a knife or hot stencil cutting tool.
- 190 micron Mylar is slightly thicker. A good way to describe its thickness is like really good quality paper. The thin-ness of the material allows for a really good contact with the surface you are painting. 190 micron Mylar is perfect for most stencilling projects and is our standard thickness Mylar. (Food Safe)
- 250 micron Mylar is like the thickness of a thick piece of paper. If you plan on using the stencil loads of times and want something a bit thicker, this thickness is the best option. (Food Safe)
- 350 micron Mylar is similar to the thickness of a piece of card. Suitable for clean Graffiti and Coffee Stencils. This thickness of Mylar is not rigid, it is still flexible enough to bend around a curved surface if required. (Food Safe)
What size are your stencils?
See product information for the actual size of the stencil design. The stencil will always be cut from a slightly larger sheet to allow for a border.
See product information for the actual size of the stencil design. The stencil will always be cut from a slightly larger sheet to allow for a border.
We use the standard paper sizes A5 / A4 etc as a general guide.
Using standard paper sizes should give you a general understanding to the scale / size of our stencils. We also offer Stencil MiNiS.
Stencil MiNiS - The Stencil sheet is 20.7cm x 8cm. The design will be slightly smaller to allow for a border. These Stencil MiNiS come as a packaged product so make an excellent gift.
Custom Stencils: See our Custom Stencils FAQ Page. Custom stencils can be made to any size. The only constrain is the size of our laser bed which is 100cm x 60cm. So the largest a design can be is 90cm x 50cm to allow for a border. If you require the design to be bigger than this, your design would just need to be cut on several sheets - no problem.
Can I have a stencil in a different size?
Yes, just contact us – orders@thestencilstudio.com.
Can you make a stencil just for me?
Yes. We offer a custom stencil cutting service. See our Custom Stencils Page for more information. We can cut your own stencil designs, logos, wording and letters, just let us know what you require.
Are your stencils sticky?
No. Our stencils are not sticking in any way. You will need to fix the stencil in place using stencil tape, low tack masking tape or spray mount adhesive.
What's the difference between a stencil and a sticker?
People often confuse stencils with stickers, we think stencils are better than stickers (obviously!), here's why..
Stickers are usually produced in a single colour - stencils can be painted any colour you like to match your room scheme or even painted a kaleidascope of colours - you decide.
Stickers come with lengthy and complicated application instructions, get it wrong and you'll have wasted your sticker. Stencilling is simple to do, if you change your mind simply wipe away wet paint or paint over dry paint and start again.
Stickers, by their very nature, will start to peel off the wall after time, not good in a child's room and potentially unsafe in a nursery. Paint a stencil, with the appropriate paint for the surface you are working on, and the job's a good 'un, as they say in the Cotswolds. On suitable surfaces you can even give your work a coat of varnish, just to protect it further.
Stickers can be applied to most flat and smooth surfaces whereas stencils can be painted onto absolutely any surface including wood, glass, metal, fabric and floors. Just use the best paint for the job, fabric paint can be heat-set to make your stencilled masterpiece completely washable.
If you're not yet convinced then maybe weigh up the costs of buying stickers for a whole room scheme and compare with the cost of just one reusable stencil, there is only one solution as far as we're concerned.
And finally, the most amazing bonus of all, your stencilled room will be completely unique.
What are stencil bridges?
Stencil bridges are the bits of Mylar left in place which hold the design together. For example the letter P has a hole in the centre. If we follow the outer line of the letter then the whole of the P shape will fall out. We want the centre of the P to remain in place so we leave a bit of Mylar in place to hold it, these connecting pieces are the bridges. Bridges are necessary and may even add design interest to the stencil.
How do I use a multi-layer stencil?
Single layer stencils will give great results and are very easy to use. Simply position, paint and repeat. Multi-layer stencils are just as easy but just take a bit longer to do because you will need to wait for the paint to dry between each layer to avoid smudging.
With a little extra time and effort it’s amazing how a simple design can be transformed into something very impressive and you don’t need to be an artist to get great results.
Simply position layer one, make tiny marks through the repositioning holes with chalk or a pencil, paint the design then remove the stencil. Wait for the paint to dry before carefully aligning the repositioning holes of the next layer over the chalk/pencil marks, paint and repeat as required. Chalk/pencil marks can be wiped away afterwards.
See our "How to" page for more information.
Can I use your stencils on things that I make to sell?
Yes you can, we grant permission for customers to use our stencils on items to resell on a one-off or very small scale basis. For multi-use, commercial use and large scale manufacture please seek prior permission in writing. Contact us at info@thestencilstudio.com. In all instances please give credit to The Stencil Studio Ltd for the stencil design.
How should I clean and store my stencils?
This will depend on what type of paint you have used:-
- Water based paints - clean the stencil with warm soapy water.
- Oil based paints - clean the stencil with turps or white spirit.
Stencils should be stored clean, dry and flat, never folded.
How many stencils do I need?
Our stencils are washable and reusable so in most cases you will only require one stencil. A stencil can be used literally hundreds of times. Just keep it clean and store it flat or rolled loosely in a tube.
There are occasions when having more than one stencil will make things quicker and easier for you:
- Lots of people working on the same project – have a stencil each.
- Using lots of different colours – have a stencil per colour so you don’t need to clean between each colour use.
- Large area to cover (Feature wall) – position a number of stencils in place at the same time to help speed up the project.
You can use Stencil Tape, low tack masking tape or spray mount adhesive to hold your stencil in place. Once you have finished painting your stencil remove it straight away. Never leave a stencil in place whilst the paint dries as you'll run the risk of allowing the stencil to dry to the wall, pulling paint from the wall when you remove it!
What is spray mount adhesive and where can I get it from?
Spray mount is an aerosol adhesive. It is a type of glue that doesn't stick things together permanently. It is similar to the type of glue that you find on the back of a "post it" note, allowing you to reposition your stencil again and again. Spray mount adhesive can be bought from most craft shops, stationers and DIY stores.
Sorry but we cannot sell spray mount adhesive on our website as there are restrictions on sending aerosol cans through the post.
Why does paint sometimes bleed beneath the stencil?
We have listed a few causes of why paint bleeds beneath a stencil:
- Overloading your brush with too much paint. Solution - blot the brush before starting to paint.
- Using paint that is too watery. Solution - use thicker paint or drain excess water from the paint before use.
- The stencil is not firmly in place. Solution - use more tape to hold the stencil in place.
- If the surface is very uneven and bumpy. Solution - use a more simple or larger stencil design.
What type of surfaces can I stencil?
Stencils can be used to create images or text on a wide variety of surfaces, such as walls, furniture, fabric, people's faces, t-shirts, wood, glass, canvas, metal and more. As long as you use the appropriate paint you can stencil almost anything.
What type of paint can I use with my stencil?
Our stencils can be used with any type of paint including spray paint. You just need to select the right type of paint for the surface you are painting.
Top tip: DIY tester pots are ideal for smaller projects.
Where can I buy Stencil Brushes?
The Stencil Studio stock 6 sizes of wooden handled stencil brushes. Our stencil brushes are traditionally hand made in the UK using top quality bristles.
How do I clean my stencil brushes?
This depends on what type of paint you have used:-
- Water based paints - clean with water.
- Oil based paints - clean with white spirit.
Yes. Use fabric paint and following the paint manufactures instructions.
How do I stencil a t-shirt?
Use fabric paint and a stencil brush to stencil T-shirts. Just follow the paint manufacturers instructions.
For further top tips and guidance see our "How to" page for a step by step instructions.
Can I use stencils for body art?
Yes. Make sure that you use body art specialist paint available from fancy dress shops or online.
Are your stencils safe to use with food products?
Yes. Our Mylar is food safe so you can stencil food such as cakes etc, just remember to use edible paints! However please note that our 125 micron Mylar sheets that you buy to cut your own stencil designs are not food safe.
Can't see your questions? Simply email us - info@thestencilstudio.com