The right stencil material for wall and floor marking depends on the design, surface and how often it will be used. A thinner material will follow curved or uneven surfaces more easily, while thicker polypropylene provides greater rigidity for larger markings and repeated use.
Our polyester film is supplied on a 1,200 mm-wide roll, allowing us to cut stencils in a wide range of lengths. Flexible and durable, depending on the thickness selected, it is suitable for both simple designs and detailed stencil work. Its milky finish also makes positioning easier. Polyester film is particularly well suited to wall stencilling, although it can also be an effective option for certain floor-marking and industrial applications.
125 micron
Our thinnest option, ideal for detailed stencil work and surfaces that are slightly curved or uneven. Its lightweight, flexible construction allows it to sit closely and flush against the surface, helping to achieve clean, sharp results. It is best suited to light or occasional use.
250 micron
A versatile general-purpose thickness offering a good balance between flexibility and durability. It works well for wall graphics, decorative designs, logos and repeat applications.
350 micron
Stronger and more substantial while still remaining flexible. This is a good choice for larger designs or stencils that will be used many times.
Our 800-micron polypropylene is supplied to us in 1200 × 800 mm sheets, while our 2 mm and 3 mm polypropylene is supplied in larger 2400 × 1200 mm sheets.
Polypropylene is generally more rigid than polyester film, making it particularly useful for floor, road and industrial markings.
This year, Ardbeg returned to us for another stencil made to the same design, allowing the original wall logo to be refreshed. The stencil was installed by Russell Aitken Decorators, a Glasgow-based decorating company with more than 25 years’ experience across commercial and domestic projects.
800 micron
A flexible material suited to floor markings and repeated use. Its thicker composition provides good support around lettering and stencil bridges.
2 mm polypropylene
A strong, rigid material commonly used for road, ground, warehouse and industrial marking. It is suitable for larger lettering, symbols and logos that need to be applied repeatedly.
3 mm polypropylene
Our most substantial stencil material, designed for demanding applications and frequent reuse. It is particularly useful for road markings, warehouses, factories and aviation hangars, where a rigid stencil is easier to position and retain.
The thickest material is not automatically the right one. Fine designs and curved surfaces often benefit from a thinner, more flexible stencil, while large floor markings usually require something stronger and more rigid.
Our self-adhesive vinyl is supplied to us on a 1200 mm-wide roll and is designed for single-use applications. It is sometimes referred to as paint mask.
The vinyl sticks directly to the surface, helping to hold the design in position and reduce paint bleeding around the edges. It is particularly useful for detailed artwork, lettering and designs containing small internal sections that would otherwise require stencil bridges.
Self-adhesive stencils work best on clean, smooth surfaces and are supplied with transfer paper to help position the complete design. Once the paint has been applied, the vinyl is carefully peeled away to reveal the finished image.
Unlike our polyester and polypropylene stencils, self-adhesive vinyl is intended for one application and cannot be reused.
Polyester film and polypropylene are both recyclable materials. Our stencils are designed to be reused wherever possible, but once they reach the end of their working life, they can be passed to an appropriate plastics recycling provider.
For the best results, keep the stencil reasonably clean and separate it from other waste. Your local recycling centre or commercial waste provider can advise on the most suitable collection route.
As a bespoke cutting service, we are not limited to the stencil materials listed above. We can cut a wide range of other non-metal materials, including card, plywood, MDF and acrylic, depending on the design and intended application.
We do not routinely hold every material in stock, but we can order a suitable sheet specifically for your project. If you already have a particular material in mind, please get in touch and we will advise whether it is suitable for laser cutting and stencil use.
Tell us what you are marking, the surface, finished size and how often the stencil will be used. We can then recommend the most suitable material for the job.
