DIY Stenciled Floral Tray with Ikonart Stencil Kit

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Learn how to make a DIY Stenciled Floral Tray with Ikonart. Personalize a store-bought tray from the Target Dollar Spot with your favorite floral design using the Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit. Y'all know that I love to hand letter, doodle, and draw, so I have included the free printable floral file that is perfect for a tray, card, or framed artwork. And with the Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit, making these personalized gifts is quick and easy. My sister-in-law's birthday is coming up soon and this tray would make the perfect gift to grace the top of her dresser.

Quick & Easy Stenciled Floral Tray with Ikonart

This post, Easy Stenciled Floral Tray with Ikonart, contains affiliate links. Using links to these sites means I will earn a percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you.

Here's what you need to make a Stenciled Tray:

• Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit
• Wooden Tray – Found at the Target Dollar Spot
• Titanium White Americana Acrylic Craft Paint by DecoArt
• Printer – Laser or Inkjet
• MONO Twin Permanent Marker
• Scissors – I love my Fiskars!
• FREE PRINTABLE FLORAL ART download below ⇓

Here's how to create a Floral Tray with Free Artwork:

STEP ONE

To begin the DIY Stenciled Floral Tray, gather all supplies. Head over to this post, DIY Stenciled Journal for all the beginner information about Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit and setting it up. Size the design to fit your final project, and print it out on either Inkjet Printer Film or Laser Printer Film depending upon which type of printer you have. Be sure to flip or mirror the image when dealing with words and follow all of the directions for the best results. The kit does come with a sample print if you want to see how the designs look when printed, and to make a stencil with it. Download my Free Floral Printable file below ⇓

Next up is exposure. Set up the Ikonart exposure stand with UV LED Light by following the directions included in the kit. Ikonart Stencil Film is light sensitive, so be careful to keep it out of the sunlight and bright interior lights before exposing it. Cut a piece of the blue exposure film the same size as your design.

Lay the piece of blue exposure film down on the base of the stand with the textured side facing up. Place the printed design on top of the film, making sure it's right-side-up, making sure that you can read any words in your design.

Place a clear exposure sheet from the stencil film pack on top and press to seal the design securely against the stencil film. Turn on the exposure light and expose the film for 35 seconds with inkjet printer film, or 30 seconds with laser printer film.

STEP TWO

Next, the exposed stencil needs to be washed out or rinsed. After exposing the film, the design will not yet be visible. You can soak the stencil for up to one minute in warm water to speed up the rinsing process.

Clip the exposed stencil film to the Ikonart clipboard with the shiny side, or carrier sheet, touching the clipboard. Use the sprayer of your kitchen sink faucet to rinse the stencil film with warm water to reveal your design. Spray the stencil film evenly until the design shows through and becomes completely clear. The rinsing process should take about 3 minutes.

Hang the washed-out stencil to dry. My friend Lindsay taught me this trick, stick the wet stencil on the shiny carrier sheet on your sliding glass door to dry. NOTE: Make sure that the carrier sheet is on the back of the stencil film or it will permanently stick to the glass.

STEP THREE

The last step is to post-expose, and it is important, so don't skip it! Once the stencil is completely dry, place the stencil film back on the exposure stand with the textured side up and post-expose for at least 2 minutes. The clear cover sheet is not needed. Note: Post-exposure increases the durability of the stencils and is very important. Use a MONOTwin Permanent Marker and write “back” on the carrier sheet (shiny side) on the back of the stencil for storage.

STEP FOUR

The original floral artwork that I drew, did not create a very good stencil. There were parts of the design that never washed out during the rinse step. So I inked in the design with the bullet tip of the MONO Twin permanent black marker directly onto the Laser Printer Film, and then exposed a new piece of Stencil Film, rinsed the design, and let it dry. You can see the difference a nice thick line makes when creating Ikonart Custom Stencils.

STEP FIVE

Now it is time to CREATE with your new Ikonart Custom Stencil. Peel the carrier sheet away from the stencil and set it aside, but don't throw it away. Carefully rub the stencil down and apply pressure to help it stick to the surface and get rid of any air bubbles. Add a little bit of water-based paint, ink, or paste to the top or side of the stencil. Be careful not to go near the edges. If you feel like you need a little more room, you can place some painter's tape around the edges.

Cover all the open mesh areas of your stencil using the included Ikonart squeegee, a brush, or even your finger. Again, be careful not to scrape the paint off of the stencil edges.

To complete the DIY Stenciled Floral Tray, carefully remove the stencil film to reveal the design on your project surface. If you had bleeding under the stencil, don't panic. It's totally normal, and it happens to everyone! Keep in mind that any time you are learning something new, you will likely make mistakes. It will take a few tries to figure out how much pressure and paint to use with the stencils, and that's okay. 

To clean the stencil, get the Ikonart clipboard wet so your stencil does not stick to it. Place the stencil on the clipboard with the textured side up, and lightly rub the stencil under running water to remove all the paint. Do not rub or scrub the adhesive side of the stencil, and NEVER use anything other than water to wash the stencils. To prevent the stencil from breaking down, don't ever leave the stencils to soak.

Remove the stencil from the clipboard and lay it down with the adhesive side up. While the stencil is still wet, place the carrier sheet onto the stencil so that the word “BACK” is readable. Hang or lay the stencil flat to dry completely.

Stencils MUST be dry before using, or you could ruin your stencil and/or project surface. Repeat the stenciling process (and washing) again until you are satisfied with the project.

DIY Stenciled Floral Tray with Ikonart

I cannot wait to create more personalized screen-printed home decor, clothing, gifts, and more with my Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit. The possibilities are ENDLESS! Visit the Ikonart website and find everything you need to create custom, reusable stencils using any artwork you want. Get started with the Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit and Textile Add-on Bundle, or shop the line of adhesive Stencil Films, high-quality Printer Films, Inks & Pastes, or Stencil Making Accessories. If you want to test out Ikonart but you aren't ready to commit to the full Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit, then this is the kit for you. The Ikonart Try-Me Kit includes everything you need to make a double-sided wood sign, complete with three (3) imaged Ikonart Stencils, Four (4) colors of ink, the wooden sign, embellishments, and all the tools needed. Customize it any way you would like. NOTE: This Ikonart Try-Me Kit is a limited edition and is only available while supplies last. 

Creating customized decor for the home is awesome because it allows colors, ideas, and messages to be added that fit the style and personality of those who live there. Laura from Me and My INKlings, loves things to be bright, cheerful, and filled with possibility. This adorable Hello Fall Cutting Board Sign is made with a customized stencil and is perfect for autumn and Halloween!

Lindsay from Artsy Fartsy Mama loves combining multiple techniques in her crafting projects, so she experimented to see if it would work with polymer clay. I am blown away by how stunning these Stenciled Animal Print Earrings turned out!! The process is easier than you'd think, and I hope you visit Lindsay's blog for all of the details.

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Too busy to make this Stenciled Floral Tray with Free Printable right now? Pin it for later!  I'd love for you to pin this project to your favorite craft board on Pinterest and then it’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready.

Thanks for stopping by!