decal FAQ

Stency stencils are precision-cut from 125-micron Mylar (polyester) film. Mylar is the industry standard for professional stencilling because it is tough, dimensionally stable, and resistant to water, acrylics, oil-based paints, and most solvents. Unlike cheaper stencil materials, it does not stretch or warp when wet, and it holds its shape through hundreds of uses without distorting your design.

With proper care, a Stency stencil will last 50–100 uses or more. The key is cleaning it promptly after each session before paint cures fully, and storing it flat rather than rolled. Many of our customers use the same stencil for months of regular production runs. The limiting factor is usually the finest detail in the cut — very thin bridges may eventually fatigue with heavy use, but the main field of the design will outlast them easily.

Stency stencils start from 10 cm on the shortest side and go up to 60 cm on the longest side as a single piece. For larger applications — wall murals, floor graphics, large-format signage — we can produce stencils as a set of interlocking or overlapping panels. Email us with your design dimensions and we will advise the best panel configuration.

Yes, to a point. Our cutting equipment can resolve detail down to approximately 1 mm, which is finer than most other stencil services. The critical factor is bridges — the thin connections of film that keep isolated elements (like the centre of a letter "O") attached to the rest of the stencil. Bridges must be at least 1.5 mm wide to survive repeated use without tearing. For small text, we recommend using fonts at 6 pt or above, and bold or semi-bold weight rather than thin cuts. If you are unsure whether your design is cuttable, upload it and we will check before confirming your order.

Yes — spray paint is one of the most common use cases for Stency. Mylar is fully compatible with aerosol spray paint, brush-on acrylics, fabric paint, oil-based paint, chalk paint, and most screen-printing inks. The film does not absorb paint, which means clean-up is quick and edges stay crisp even after many applications. For spray work, hold the can 15–20 cm from the surface and use short bursts to avoid paint bleeding under the edges.

The sooner you clean it after use, the easier it is. For wet acrylic or water-based paint, wipe with a damp cloth or rinse under warm water immediately. For dried acrylic, soak in warm soapy water for a few minutes and then wipe clean — do not scrub hard or you may damage fine details. For oil-based paint or enamel, use white spirit or isopropyl alcohol on a cloth. Rinse with clean water afterwards and leave flat to dry fully before storing. Do not fold or roll a wet stencil — store it flat between sessions.