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    Home » Crafts

    How to Use Freezer Paper to Create Custom Stencils

    Updated: Jan 8, 2021 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 9 Comments

    Have you ever had a great idea for a design for a t-shirt or tote bag but didn’t know how to GET the design onto the t-shirt or tote bag?  Let me tell you that there is a very simple way to transfer your design onto your item, use Freezer Paper!

    freezer paper stencil on table with green paint

    Yep, good old Freezer Paper, the stuff that your Grandma used to use to wrap meat back in the day… Turns out that the shiny side of the stuff sticks to things when it’s ironed, and the paper front makes it a breeze to cut into custom shapes.

    Table of Contents
    • How to Create a Freezer Paper Stencil
    • How to Use the Stencil
    • Freezer Paper Stencil Project Ideas

    I love to use Iron-On Vinyl for a lot of craft projects but notice at times it’s not the best medium to use for my project. Sometimes (especially with t-shirts) I want a more “hand-painted” look and freezer paper allows me to do that.

    How to Create a Freezer Paper Stencil

    What to give it a try? Here’s what you’ll need.

    Supplies Needed:

    – Freezer Paper
    – Fabric Paint, Acrylic Paint with Fabric Medium, or Fabric Spray Paint
    – Foam Brush
    – A plain T-Shirt or Tote Bag
    – Cutting Instrument (see options below)

    Option 1 to make your Stencil: a Cricut Machine

    Review of the new Cricut Maker Machine and answers to some of your frequently asked questions about the new cricut machine


    To cut your design on your freezer paper you have a few options. You can purchase one of the many “e” cutting machines on the market now. These things really are “magic”. They hook up to your computer (or in the Cricut’s case, your iPad or Tablet) and cut out what you design electronically. If you’ve been a long time reader then you know how much I love my Cricut machine.  To see all of the Cricut posts on this site you can CLICK HERE.

    Option 2 to Make your Stencil: Craft Knife

    If you don’t have a Cricut machine, you can still make your own freezer paper stencils. Freezer paper is VERY easy to cut with a sharp Craft knife (like the TrueControl Knife pictured above). I prefer the ones with a comfort grip. Use it with a cutting mat for best results.  If you are cutting out your design with a knife, you can run the freezer paper through your printer (paper side up) and cut it out. Or if your design is not on your computer (maybe something you drew) you can trace onto the paper side of the freezer paper and then cut out your design. It may seem intimidating at first to cut out your stencil this way, but a friend of mine has created freezer paper stencils this way for years and swears by it!

    How to Use the Stencil

    Step One: Iron

    DIY "Lake Hair Don't Care" Stenciled Summer Tote bag with free svg file download by Melissa of polkadotchair.com


    After you have cut out your design, iron the freezer paper onto the top of your fabric, shiny side down. The heat of the iron will melt into your fabric (but still peel off easily later, test a swatch first if you’re worried about it).

    Next, take the second piece of freezer paper and iron it to the back side of your fabric. This will help prevent too much paint from soaking into your fabric.

    Cricut EasyPress on ironing board

    If you have a Cricut EasyPress it would be great for this step as well.

    Step Two: Paint

    DIY Custom Printed Fabric Infinity Scarf Tutorial on polkadotchair.com


    Using fabric paint and a foam brush dab the paint onto the fabric lightly. Don’t use too much paint. Wait for the paint to dry and check to see if a second coat is necessary.  Allow the paint to dry completely. If you can’t find Fabric paint in a color that you like you can add Fabric Medium to any acrylic paint. You can also use fabric spray paint as well.

    DIY "Lake Hair Don't Care" Stenciled Summer Tote bag with free svg file download by Melissa of polkadotchair.com

    I’ve tried this a few times and think it’s a great option.

    Party Ideas for a Disney Villain Themed Crafternoon with links to free printable Disney Side party supplies

    Step Three: Finishing

    After your paint is dry, remove the freezer paper.

    DIY "Lake Hair Don't Care" Stenciled Summer Tote bag with free svg file download by Melissa of polkadotchair.com

    Use a dry iron to set the paint.  That’s it you’re done!  If you used good quality fabric paint you should be able to wash and dry your item as usual.

    Freezer Paper Stencil Project Ideas

    Party Ideas for a Disney Villain Themed Crafternoon with links to free printable Disney Side party supplies

    I love to use freezer paper to make t-shirts for Holiday or Birthday Parties. A few years ago I traced a silhouette of Maleficent to make t-shirts for a Disney Villians party we were hosting.

    How to monogram your converse!

    My daughter and I have even used it to add monograms to the tongues of her Converse Tennis Shoes.

    You can use the same technique to make tote bags, canvas gift bags, onesies and more!  The possibilities are endless!

    More Freezer Paper Stencil Projects to Try:

    Lake Hair Don’t Care Tote Bag

    Halloween T-Shirts

    Stenciled Fabric Infinity Scarf

    Valentine’s Day T-Shirts

    DIY Monogrammed Converse

    You Are my Sunshine Burlap Pillow Sleeve

    Monogrammed Leather Zip Bags

    Burlap Table Runner 

    DIY Disney Cruise T-Shirts

    How to make a freezer paper stencil

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christina Harden says

      April 04, 2019 at 7:41 am

      Please add me to your email list and send me ALL your ideas— I love them!

      Reply
    2. Brigette says

      April 05, 2019 at 11:07 pm

      Love this, thank you!
      Now I know exactly what to do.
      Question:
      Ironing after paint dries….
      Do I cover the paint with the paper so it doesn’t get on the iron?
      And, can I find the fabric medium in the paint section of my craft store?
      One last Q,
      How much acrylic paint to medium?
      Blessings!

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        April 06, 2019 at 10:10 pm

        On the bottle of fabric medium it tells you what the ratio of paint to medium is. It’s usually 1 to 1. You can get it at the craft store where acrylic paint is sold. If you’re worried about paint transfer you can use a bit of parchment paper before you iron.

        Reply
    3. Lavonne McClain says

      April 06, 2019 at 10:19 pm

      I have been looking for ways to engage my granddaughter in art projects. This seems to be good for that purpose. She draws, I sew and quilt so, I will propose she take one of her drawings and we can transfer it to a shirt or bag.

      Reply
    4. Mart says

      April 08, 2019 at 8:33 am

      Love the idea of stencils done with freezer paper. I’ll definitely be doing this.

      Reply
    5. Elizabeth says

      April 08, 2019 at 12:01 pm

      Really looking forward to trying stencils. Can you show a picture of the paint you use. Acrylic Paint with Fabric Medium,does it say that in the bottle of fabric paint? is it something different you buy to add to the fabric paint? Have been wanting to do this for quite some time.

      Reply
    6. Sierra says

      November 29, 2019 at 12:09 pm

      Hi,
      I,m planning on making wood signs with my mom as a christmas craft this year. Could the freezer paper method be used on wood?
      If not do you have any recommendations?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        December 02, 2019 at 4:20 pm

        Yes, I’ve done it before. Just make sure your paint is fully dry first.

        Reply
    7. debbi says

      January 07, 2022 at 6:21 pm

      are you going to be doing the calendar again this year. i really enjoyed it and it did help keep me on track and finishing projects.

      Reply

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