Stenciling on textiles – step-by-step guide

Would you like to design fabrics or clothing using your own stencil design and link it to the configurator? Here you’ll learn how to achieve a beautiful result from the first fabric check to the finished motif – creative, simple, and long-lasting.

Your path to a custom stencil design on fabric

1. Is your fabric ready for a new design?

Choose a smooth, finely woven cotton fabric or a blend with up to 20 % synthetic fibers. Avoid heavily textured or coated fabrics – paint usually doesn’t adhere evenly, and your design won’t stand out as well.

2. Wash & prepare the fabric

Before you start, wash the textile without fabric softener. This removes finishes and residues that could repel the paint. Let the fabric dry and iron it flat – any crease will show in the final design.

3. Protect what should stay clean

Place cardboard or foil inside the garment or underneath the fabric to prevent paint from bleeding through to the back. Position your custom stencil where you want the design to appear.

4. Secure the stencil properly – for crisp edges

Fix the stencil in place using spray adhesive or suitable tape (such as painter’s tape). This keeps everything in position while dabbing. Smooth the fabric once more and press the edges of the stencil down firmly.

5. Apply the paint – how to get a clean result

Use an opaque, water-based fabric paint (for example Marabu Textil Plus). Dab the paint onto the stencil design using a stencil brush, sponge, or roller. Less is more: tap off excess paint on paper beforehand to prevent bleeding under the edges. For stronger colors, apply a second layer after the first has dried.

6. Remove the stencil & admire the result

Carefully peel off the stencil while the paint is still slightly damp. This helps achieve especially crisp edges. Now patience is key: let the design dry for at least 6 hours.

7. Fix the paint – for long-lasting results

Once everything is dry, set the paint using an iron (3-5 minutes with a cloth on top, cotton setting, no steam) or, for larger pieces, in the oven (8 minutes at 150° C). After that, your design can withstand washes up to 40° C.

8. Care tip for lasting durability

Wash and iron your custom-designed textile inside out and continue to avoid fabric softener. Clean the stencil, brush, and roller immediately after stenciling with lukewarm water so you can reuse them again and again.

Feel free to experiment – with colors, different brush types, or fine details. That’s how the most beautiful and personal one-of-a-kind pieces are created.