How To Stencil on Leather and Vinyl
Learn how to stencil on leather and vinyl (or artificial leather) with this easy DIY tutorial.
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Do you have a leather item and painting leather is something you want to consider to update it? First, you’ll need a leather product of your choice, here are some helpful tips, and let’s get started!
I found a super cute and inexpensive leather wallet at Walmart. I thought it was a little plain so I decided to add a dragonfly to it. Here is how I stenciled on leather and it works for vinyl too.
Here’s the super cute and inexpensive wallet I got from Walmart. It holds everything I need when I want to travel light. Here’s the link to my leather purse and it comes in a variety of colors.
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How To Stencil on Leather and Vinyl Video
Here are the detailed instructions:
I started by cleaning the leather surface with an rubbing alcohol prep pad or you can use isotropic alcohol. This is an important step so it removes any sticky residue, oils, dirt, etc. Once it was dry, I placed my adhesive stencil onto the leather. I used Folk Art adhesive Stencils, you don’t have to have a fancy leather stencil.
I made sure to press the stencil firmly to get a tight seal from the stencil onto the leather to prevent as much paint bleeding as possible. If you are using a regular nonadhesive stencil then I recommend using painter’s tape or stencil tape to hold the stencil in place.
I used Folk Art Treasure Gold Blue Quartz paint which is a beautiful metallic paint. Now for the paint application. I lightly dipped a clean brush into the paint, carefully removed as much paint as I could (to prevent bleeding of paint under the stencil), and lightly brushed the paint onto the stencil and leather.
While the paint was still wet, I removed the stencil. I washed the stencil with soapy water, and put it back onto the original package backing so I could use it again another time.
If you make a mistake, you can rinse or wipe it off your item with plain water, and then try again. This has to be done while the paint is still wet.
So how many layers of paint? Just one.
I let the stencil dry completely and love how it turned out. Follow your paint instructions for dry times. Some like to use a hair dryer to dry the paint more quickly. I like to follow the paint instructions for dry time and follow their drying process.
On the inside of the wallet I could have stenciled another spot on this pocket. I decided to add a breast cancer awareness ribbon sticker I got from Dollar Tree. It is in honor of my breast cancer journey.
What else can you stencil on?
- leather jacket
- leather shoes
- scrap leather
- piece of leather
- leather chair or leather furniture
What is the best paint or kind of paint can you use?
Most of these you can pick up at your local craft store.
- angelus paints or angelus leather paint, and angelus leather preparer
- acrylic leather paint
- undiluted acrylic paint
- leather dye
What kind of paintbrush is needed for the stencil?
It’s really a matter of preference, and here are some options
- foam pouncer or sponge brush
- paint brush
- stencil brush
- old toothbrush
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How To Stencil on leather and VINYL Video
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Chas this is a great way to take a plain item and design it to your style. Great idea. Love the dragonfly!
Thank you so much, I’m thrilled you like it. It was just so plain before and needed a little something.
I like to dress up plain things, too! Your wallet looks great and it is so nice crafting with you!
Liberty
Thank you Liberty, it was just a little too plain and needed a little love. Wonderful crafting with you.
Wow Chas, I would have never dreamed of doing something like this, how incredibly clever of you and it looks great!!
Thank you so much Jenna, I love it now. Just needed a little love.
What a clever way to personalize something and add your touch! The dragonfly stencil is so fun, too! It is a pleasure to join you for another hop! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Thank you Cecilia, I just love dragonflies. Wonderful crafting with you 🙂
I love this idea. It’s a great way to customize something and make it extra special and unique.
Thank you so much Kimberly, and you’re so right… can be personalized for everyone… even monograms would be fun.
I love how you personalized this and think a dragon is the perfect embodiment of your cancer journey: success, wisdom, fearlessness, strength, balance. You’ve come out of it a stronger person. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea!
Thank you so much Sara, I appreciate it. It’s been an incredible year with 2 hip surgeries and breast cancer… I am hoping for smooth sailing here on out.
What a cool way to dress up something plain! Never thought to use stencils on a leather purse! You come up with the best ideas, Chas! Thanks for the idea!
You are just so sweet Gail, thank you so much (you made my day!). Wonderful crafting with you 🙂
Hi Chas, this stenciled wallet would make a nice personalized gift for the holidays. Adding the pin inside must make you feel good about the progress you’ve made on your personal cancer journey!
Thank you for sharing that, and I will keep you in my prayers 🙂
Hugs
Rachelle
Thank you Rachelle, and what a great idea to do it for a gift. Yes, thanks for prayers. I had my 1 year MRI Mammogram today, and hoping it comes back okay.
Cute idea – and it really personalizes the wallet. Nice to hop with you again!
Shelley
Thank you so much Shelley, it was so much fun to make and now to use 🙂 Wonderful crafting with you.
That is such a creative way to personalize a plain bag. Thanks for sharing with us at Encouraging Hearts and Home. Pinned.
Thank you so much Joanne, I’m thrilled you like it. I’ll see you at the next one.
What a great idea to add the stencil to your wristlet! I love your choice and addition of the dragon too. Happy to be hopping with you again 🙂
Thank you so much Mary, I’m so glad you like the dragonfly too. Great crafting with you again as well.
What a difference a pretty and simple embellishment makes! Anyone could choose a design that’s special to them.
Thank you Sonja and I totally agree, it makes a great gift too.
Brilliant idea stenciling leather and vinyl. So cute, adorable and professional looking. Love the look. You have great ideas. Any quick and easy birthday ideas? I think these would be great men or woman. Ever do or make pet crafts? Thanks for the ideas. You should sell them.
Thank you Crystal so much for all the kind words. I do have some easy birthday ideas and you can find some of them here – https://chascrazycreations.com/diys/re-purpose-up-cycle/gift-ideas/ As for pet crafts, I’ll add it to the list. Anything you’re looking for?
Nothing in particular really maybe something for a man?
I have this one that might be helpful – https://chascrazycreations.com/easy-bottle-opener-for-indoors-or-outdoors/
Great project Chas. Very inventive and special. Always happy to be hopping with you.
Thank you so much Carol, I appreciate it. I enjoy hopping with you as well.
Chas, I love how you gave something ordinary your own personal touch and style. The dragonfly looks like it was made for that wallet. BTW – Your new profile picture is lovely! It was fun crafting with you again, my friend 🙂
Thank you so much Rebecca, and thanks for the kind words on my profile picture. I was fortunate recently to have Anne from Simply 2 Moms take some professional photos for me. Wonderful crafting with you too 🙂
What a fun project. I love how it turned out. So fun hopping with you.
Thank you so much Cynthia, and wonderful crafting with you friend.
Very pretty. Makes a great addition to what would have been a bit of a plain wallet!
Thank you Jo, I’m so glad you think so too. I just wanted to personalize it and give it a little more.
Such a pretty addition! Thank you for sharing with Creative Compulsions!
Michelle
mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you so much Michelle, it just needed a little extra love.
love it, so many possibilities! thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday and bringing your DIY style to the party!
Thank you Sarah, I did enjoy adding a little personalization to it and I think it could be a great gift idea too.
What a sweet and easy way to jazz up a plain item.
Thank you so much Julie, I’m so glad you like it too.
I love how you took something very basic and plain and made it a one of a kind item just for you. It turned out very pretty. As always, thank you for continuing to share with us each week at #HomeMattersParty
Thank you so much Donna, I’m so glad you like it too. See you at the next one friend.
I love how you dressed up your wallet Chas! And I’m really loving your choice of the dragonfly!
Thank you so much Kim and I’m thrilled you like the dragonfly too.
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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Thank you very much Marilyn, I’ll see you at the next one.