As a matter of fact we have more options than ever before. Technology has not only given us more options in creating stencils, it has allowed us to use different techniques altogether.
This article will give you directions for creating wall words. For those of you unfamiliar with wall words, it is the equivalent to placing a verse that inspires or defines us on the wall.
There are any number of different methods to do this but for now we are going to focus on two of them.
Prep Work
This process is for either method of creating your wall words.
Materials Needed:
- Computer
- Printer
- Paper
- Scissors (optional)
If you don’t already have a verse in mind there are sites on the Internet that give motivational quotes. You can simply type “motivational quotes" in the search. Click here for one site that will get you started.
After you have chosen the saying you want, type the saying on your computer using a Word document. Once typed, try exploring different fonts. There is software available in the market place that offers some very unique fonts if you really want something different. It is perfectly fine to use what is on your computer though.
Once you have decided on a font you need to evaluate the size of the space you want to cover and the number of letters you will need. If you have a long quote, you will want your letters small. With a smaller quote, you have the ability to go larger.
Set up your page to print ‘landscape’. Enlarge your letters to the desired height. Print. Hold these up to the wall to get an idea if they will be too large or too small. It is really a judgment call. If you need to alter the font or size of the letters, print and hold them up to the wall again. Continue this process until you feel it is perfect. If you are having difficulty eyeing it, cut out the letters and tape them up to see what the end result will look like. It is a lot of extra time and work, but worth it to get it right.
Stenciling
With this method we are going to create a custom stencil. This method allows for the most limitless options. We can go as far as our imagination will allow.
Materials Needed:
- Clear acrylic sheets-one for each sheet of paper
- Exacto blade
- Old magazines
- Acrylic paint
- Stencil Brush
- Tape
- Pencil
- Level
Lay an acrylic sheet over top of each sheet of paper. Tape along the edges to secure them. Put your old magazines on your work surface to protect it. Using your Exacto, carefully cut out the letters. Save the little pieces you will need for the center pieces of A, B, D, O, P etc. Tape the acrylic sheets together to give you one line of verse. If you are going to have three lines of verse, decide where the split will be and tape each line. Then tape each line above or below the appropriate line of verse. Use your level and pencil to mark a horizontal line lightly on the wall. Lay your stencil even with the line and carefully daub the acrylic paint onto the stencil with your stencil brush. Be careful not to brush the paint, as it will go below the stencil.
Sticker method
Materials Needed:
- Cricket machine
- Contact paper
- Pencil
- Level
This method takes a lot less work. But you are limited by the cartridges you own and the sizes the machine is capable of cutting.
Type in the verse you have chosen. Set the desired height of the letters. Cut contact paper with the backing still on it to the size needed for the Cricket machine. Print. Continue until you have printed all of the letters.
Use your level and pencil to mark a horizontal line lightly on the wall. Peel the backing and place your letters on the wall.
Either method you choose, enjoy the process and just have fun.
