How Do You Use and Care for Stencil Butter?

3 techniques to get you started - Part one of our two part Stencil Butter Series

I first came across Stencil Butter years ago, browsing a store with no real plan in mind. What stopped me was the color, vibrant, with a shimmer that caught my eye from across the aisle. Naturally, I had to know what it was used for and now I carry it in the store.

I have stuck with it ever since. This is a premium, shimmery paste that holds its shape beautifully when used with a stencil, and the clean, crisp results it gives feel almost magical every time. The pigment is top notch, the shimmer is unmatched, and every color in the line works together effortlessly. Honestly, it reminds me of body butter, luxurious, creamy, a little indulgent to work with. 

Other ways to use foil?  Read here.

Before we get into technique, let's cover care and storage, because a little know-how here goes a long way.

Store Stencil Butter in an airtight container between uses. One trick that helps, cover the opening with plastic wrap before you screw the cap back on, that extra layer keeps air out and keeps your product workable for the long haul. One thing to avoid, exposing it to colder climates. It can usually survive one cold exposure, but I do not recommend making a habit of it.

Clean your tools right away. Wipe Stencil Butter off stencils, brushes, and palette knives immediately after use, a dry cloth or a wet wipe does the job. If you cannot clean up right away, cover your stencil with a wet wipe, and wrap a wet wipe around your brush too, that keeps things workable until you get back to them. Dried Stencil Butter on a brush can permanently damage the bristles, so this step matters more than it seems.

If a stencil does dry with product on it, do not panic. Soak it in warm water with a little Murphy's Oil Soap, then gently wipe it clean and dry it off. Stencil Butter is acrylic paint at its core, and the oil soap helps break that down.

Now, onto technique. TCW has a great video covering the absolute basics, it is worth watching alongside this post. Here are three ways to start.

Grab our free quick reference for all 6 tips.

Stencil with a Palette Knife. Load a small amount of Stencil Butter onto a palette knife and spread it across the stencil in one smooth pass. This gives a raised, textured finish with visible knife lines, great for a bold, dimensional background.

Stencil with a Scraper. Spread Stencil Butter(s) across a stencil using a scraper tool for a flatter, more controlled finish with less texture than a palette knife. This gives a smoother, more subtle result, well suited for a background that should not overpower the rest of your design.

Bubbling with Heat. Apply heat to wet Stencil Butter with a heat tool to create bubbling texture as it warms. Keep the heat moving and use care not to overheat or scorch the paper, a light, even pass is all it takes to build texture.

Pro tip: Stenciling takes practice. With your very first project, try the product as it is and be patient while applying it through a stencil. It takes some adjustment to learn how much pressure gives you a nice, even layer without overworking the image by going back over that first pass again and again. Give yourself room to experiment before you judge the results.

In all my years with this product, I have pushed it in directions I have genuinely never seen anyone else try, applying it to a stamp, a BetterPress plate, piping it like icing when mixed with Light and Fluffy medium, even applying it to acetate. Every one of those started as pure curiosity, just wanting to see what the product could do.

These days, I reach for Stencil Butter most in my journaling. It is not something I use constantly in card making, mostly because of the dry time and, if I am honest, I am not a huge fan of cleaning stencils. But a journal project is something I keep for myself, which means I get to love on this product over and over every time I flip through a finished tag. I also made a canvas for my wall using it that I absolutely adore.

If you have never tried Stencil Butter, I hope this is the nudge you needed. Watch the TCW video for the basics, then come back and try one of these three techniques for yourself. I would love to see what you make.

This is part one of a series on Stencil Butter techniques, click here for the second post of the series and more fun techniques to use with Stencil Butter to enhance your projects. 

Stencil Butter FAQ's

Q: How do you store Stencil Butter so it doesn't dry out?
A: Keep it in an airtight container between uses. Covering the opening with plastic wrap before screwing the cap back on adds an extra layer of protection and helps it stay workable longer. Avoid exposing it to cold temperatures, it can usually survive one cold exposure, but repeated exposure isn't recommended.

Q: How do you clean Stencil Butter off stencils and brushes?
A: Wipe it off immediately after use with a dry cloth or wet wipe. If you can't clean up right away, cover your stencil with a wet wipe and wrap a wet wipe around your brush to keep it workable until you can. Dried Stencil Butter on a brush can permanently damage the bristles.

Q: What if Stencil Butter dries onto a stencil?
A: Soak the stencil in warm water with a little Murphy's Oil Soap, then gently wipe it clean and dry. Since Stencil Butter is acrylic paint at its core, the oil soap helps break down the dried residue.

Q: What's the best way to apply Stencil Butter for a beginner?
A: Start simple and be patient. It takes some practice to learn how much pressure gives an even layer without overworking the design by going over the same area repeatedly. A palette knife or scraper are both great starting tools for control.