"Cheap-Ass" Cabinet Stencil Idea

D_Harris

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I have an idea that I thought I'd throw out here.

It would involve making several small stencils for the outlines of Ms. Pac-man cabinet artwork, which is relatively simple.

The yellow and pink colors would be done by hand once the outlines are in place, but the dimension of the four stencils for those black outlines (which would cover the front and sides) would at the largest be as follows:

A) 36" x 24"
B) 24" x 18"
C) 24" x 12"
D) 24" x 12"

Determining and applying registration points would be easy, and a straight edge and steady hand would cover the rest.

The idea would be to create quick and dirty black outlines on the cabinet using the stencils, and then hand paint the rest like one would fill in a picture in a coloring book. (Not concerned too much about slightly overlapping the "thick" black lines).

Once finished, one would once again apply black outline stencils to clean it up. In fact, it would be better if the first stencil used thin lines as opposed to the finishing stencil which would duplicate the original thickness.

I was thinking that since the largest stencil would be only 3 x 2 feet(and that could actually be cut in half), really cheap vinyl or heavy paper can be used, (No real need for weeding, application tape, or mask). All that is needed is a plotter/cutter to cut out the stencils, which I imagine would be the most "expensive" part.

I know it may be considered a lot of work, but the key idea here is doing it cheaply.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 
I dont understand either of these theads :confused:

other than everyone is looking for a cheaper or DIY solution.

and I dont understand the app of this one at all.
material wise your using the same amount you would doing it in just one piece.
but when you have something like a MsPac that turns into needing 3 pieces per side
plus 3 for the front a total of 9 pieces with overlaps in the material no matter what you use will give you bumps and bleeds to no end.

The only way-IMO to save on stencils is to have them done by someone who knows what theyre doing and offer them unweeded and premasked.
this can cut that current cost almost in half especially with something like a MsPac

just my 25cents
 
Here is "Cheap-Ass" idea #2.

Have slides made from the art files and then use an overhead projector or art projector to position the art on the side of the cabinet, using this as a guide to paint entirely by hand. :D

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 
Here is "Cheap-Ass" idea #2.

Have slides made from the art files and then use an overhead projector or art projector to position the art on the side of the cabinet, using this as a guide to paint entirely by hand. :D

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

The effect you get painting by hand and the effect you get using stencils are very different. I think this is one of those things where someone could strive to save money, but in the long run dump a ton of time in it, have terrible results, and wonder why they didn't spend the money.
 
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