Custom Lettering - FAQ's

There are pros and cons for each type of custom lettering stencil. The one-time use takes a bit longer (more steps), the cost is cheaper and the final result is very professional. On the other hand, the reusable custom lettering stencils are a little easier because there are less steps, costs slightly more but you can use them over and over, and the letters look slightly less professional due to the bridges (spaces) between letter parts. (See the "God" example.) Please see the illustrated instructions for both one-time use and re-usable custom stencils.

What material are your custom lettering stencils made from?

We have two materials we use for our custom lettering stencils. One material called clay coated polyethylene is used for the one-time use custom lettering stencils, is 8.5 mil in thickness, very flexible and durable, and has a very low-tack repositional adhesive on the back which will not harm your walls. It is white, not clear. The material we use for our reuseable custom lettering stencils is clear, 4 mils thick, also very flexible, and with care, is fairly durable.

If I would like my custom phrase to be in French or another language, can you make this for me?

Yes, we can. As long as you spell out the phrase and let us know where the accent marks belong, that's all we need.

What is the best way to clean stencils?

How you clean a stencil, depends largely upon what type of paint you are using and what material the stencil is made from. If you are using acrylic paint and typical mylar stencils (plastic), try dabbing or wiping gently with a baby wipe, soaking in warm sudsy water, or nail polish remover (acetone type). Some professionals have suggested an overnight soak in Simple Green found at your hardware store or Wal-Mart. If you are still having difficulty, try rubbing alcohol. If you are using stencil cremes, simply take a paper towel or other soft cloth and gently wipe the stencil clean. Baby wipes also work great. An overnight soaking in Simple Green might help as well. One of the best ways to keep your stencil cleaning easy, is to never allow the stencil to sit for long period covered with dried stencil paint. As soon as you begin to see a little build up around the edges, or before you pack the stencil away, give the stencil a thorough but gentle cleaning.

Which is better for a beginner? The one-time use or the re-usable?

The same stenciling techniques are used on both. So, the question is not which is better for a beginner, but which is better for my project. What you need to ask yourself is "Will I need to repeat or re-use the stencil?" If the answer is no, then we strongly suggest the one-time use stencils. They are cheaper and yield professional results. If you are planning to repeat the word or phrase, then you'll need the re-usable. Note: We include practice stencils with every custom lettering stencil order, so you can practice before going to your wall.

I'm afraid to order the one-time use because I'm concerned I might make a mistake.

We include practice stencils with all of our custom lettering stencil orders (both one-time use and the re-usable), so you'll be able to practice before going to your wall. After using the practice stencil, you'll see how easy it truly is. If you have any questions whatsoever, just give us a call at 317-598-0029. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

On your pricing page, I am supposed to select either the phrase length or the letter height? Which do I choose?

The answer to this question depends on your project space. If you have a specific space in which the lettering needs to fill, you'll need to select 'Phrase Length'. For example, if the width of your wall (from right to left)is 120 inches, then you would subtract 8 inches (4 inches of space on either side) from 120 inches, leaving you 112". Enter 112" in the 'Phrase Length' field on our pricing page. The letter height is automatically determined. If you are not limited by space (meaning, you do not have to fit a phrase in a specific amount of space) then you are free to choose whatever letter height you wish. For example, if you would like to stencil the phrase, "Now I lay me down to sleep" and you have a 12 foot wide wall on which to put it on, then the letter height is up to you. In this case, select the "Letter Height" field on our pricing page and enter any height, decimals are accepted.

I have a quote that I'm planning to stencil on my family room wall. I don't want to choose a letter height that is screaming, and yet I don't want others to have trouble reading it. How do I arrive at the right letter height?

We suggest that you either print out from your computer, or draw by hand, letters in the height you are considering. Cut them out, tape them up on your wall, and leave them there for about a day or so. Usually, you can tell instantly if the letters are too small or too large. As a general rule of thumb, if your ceilings are 8 feet and under, 2-4 inches for capital lettes work well. If your ceilings are greater than 8 feet, 4-7 inch capital letters work well. If you are stenciling in a child's room, you can afford to go larger. Personal preference plays a part in this as well.

I would like to place a phrase in an arched entryway? Can I get my phrase in an arched pattern?

Yes, we certainly can do this. Simply return to the top of our pricing page. If you would like arched text, different size fonts, multiple fonts, etc. click on the special pricing form link and email the details to us. We will then provide you with a price quote.

How easy is this to apply? I am a novice when it comes to stenciling

We understand your concern and assure you that our methods are simple. We will include easy step by step instructions with your stencil order. Please see our section entitled "How To" to ease your fears. If you have any questions, please don?t hesitate to email us.

How expensive are your custom lettering stencils?

Price is determined by font and size. If you use our instant price form, you can find out the price before you even order. You are not obligated to purchase when using the instant pricing option. If the price is acceptable and you wish to order, simply click on the Purchase button that is provided near the bottom of the form to complete the ordering process.

How long will it take to receive my custom lettering stencil?

Allow 5-7 days from the moment you order until the day it arrives. If your custom lettering stencil is more complex (use our special request form) it will take longer. How much longer, depends on the complexity of your lettering project.

Can I re-use the custom lettering stencil?

Sorry, but custom lettering stencils are designed for one-time use only. If you wanted to re-use the stencil, this would require repositioning letter centers, which is very difficult. However, if you would like a re-usable stencil, we can help you. We have the materials and capabilities to produce lettering stencils that you can use over and over just like our other home decorating stencils. List this in the box entitled "special nature of your request" on the special request form.

What if I botch the stenciling?

Careful planning and positioning will alleviate most errors. However, if you find you've made a mistake, you can simply paint over the problem area. If you cannot salvage your stencil, we can re-cut the portion of your stencil containing the error. This is at no charge to you. But we do ask that you pay the shipping cost. If the entire stencil cannot be salvaged, we do offer a 50% discount on additional copies.

I have a project that requires fairly small lettering? Is there a limit on letter size?

Yes, our machine cut up to approximately 24 inches in height, while the lower limit is determined by the font style. Simpy stated, there are some fonts that are not conducive to crisp designs once they fall under an inch. Therefore, the lower limit for most of our fonts is 1 inch. To find out the exact limit, enter your phrase into our pricing page and if your chosen size is beyond the limits of the font chosen, the resulting pricing and graphic will show you the smallest possible size for your font.

The Price Calculation Page provides me with one exact dimention and one approximate dimension for my stencil. What if I need both dimentions to be exact?

No problem. Simply let us know on the special order form and we will be happy to provide you with exact dimensions.

I would prefer to order an entire alphabet stencil to create an infinite number of designs. Can I do this?

Absolutely! However, we recommend that you use our re-usable stencils instead of the one-time custom lettering stencils. It will be less expensive for you in the long run. Keep in mind when you use our custom lettering stencils, you do not have to fuss with the spacing between the letters. This part can be time consuming and frustrating when using an alphabet to construct the simplest of words or phrases.

How can I know the exact dimensions of the phrase, both height and width before I place an order?

After you enter your phrase, select a font, and choose a letter height or width on our pricing form the form will display a graphic that accurately shows the final height, width and letter spacing for your phrase.

How do I decide what letter height to use for my custom lettering phrase?

We recommend that you draw by hand or print out from your computer, a letter in the height you are considering. Place it on your wall and see if the letter height is too large or too small. One can usually tell very quickly whether or not the letters are too small or "screaming".

What size lettering is best when planning to stencil a phrase or quote for a wall in my home?

A good range is 2-4" tall for capital letters for a phrase that is going in a room with 8 foot ceilings. If you have taller ceilings, you can afford to go a bit taller, 3-6". What letter size is best is partly a personal preference issue, as well as the type of project itself. For example, if your phrase is going in a child's room, it is much more playful and acceptable to use larger lettering (say 3-8" tall). In an adult bedroom, most clients use a range of 2-4". To arrive at a letter height that will most likely be a success for your project, draw by hand or print out from your computer, a letter in the height you are considering. Tape it up on your wall and decide whether it should be larger or smaller.

How do I decide what color the lettering should be on my wall?

If you are wanting the lettering to be more on the subtle side, choose a color that is 2-3 shades darker than your base wall color. If you are wanting the lettering to be more noticable, with more "pop", then simply use a color that is much darker than your base wall color. Also, if you have a base wall color that is dark, it will be difficult to stencil a light color on top. You will most likely need at least 2 applications of paint. On the other hand, if your wall color is light, you will have no trouble stenciling a darker color on top. One application is all that is typically needed.

Can I use spray paint on your reuseable stencils?

Yes. Just make sure to use light, sweeping coats of paint, so as not to overload the stencil, which would cause the paint to run under the stencil openings. To clean the stencil afterward, simply soak it in acetone and let dry.

Is there a way I can see what my word or phrase looks like before I purchase?

Yes. After you enter your text, and select a font and text size, selecting the "calculate price" button will reveal a blue graphic that displays your text to scale. We will be happy to provide you with a proof by email or postal service. There is no charge for an email proof and a $10.00 charge for a printed proof.

Will the adhesive on the back of the custom lettering stencil pull the paint off my wall?

No, it will not. Our custom lettering stencils contain a low tack adhesive. It is extremely gentle and will not damage the wall or other substrates.

  Contact us at
  Wall to Wall Stencils Inc.
  PO Box 358
  Fishers, IN 46038-0358
  (317)598-0029
  service @ walltowallstencils.com

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