Looking for that perfect t-shirt with the perfect design? This page is full of ideas to make DIY stencils out of freezer paper, contact paper, plastic sheets, or vinyl cut with a cutting machine to create stenciled designs on t-shirts.
Sometimes finding the t-shirt you want is not so easy. If it is found, it is usually the wrong size or ridiculously expensive.
Luckily, it is easy to make custom t-shirts at home using stencils. All that is needed is some sort of base material for the stencil, a laundered t-shirt, fabric paint, and paintbrushes.
Regarding base materials for stenciling on t-shirts, freezer paper stencils or stencils made with a cutting machine such as Cricut or Silhouette are best for fabric. With this method, print or draw the design on freezer paper with the shiny side down.
Cut out the design and iron the stencil to the fabric. Once painted, peel the freezer paper stencil off for crisp lines.
Plastic sheet or Mylar stencils are reusable. To use this method, find a sheet of thin, plastic material. Transparent binder dividers work well for this. Cut out the design carefully with a sharp knife.
The fabric is then painted and the stencil washed and reused for multiple shirts.
Vinyl cutter stencils are made with a Cricut or Silhouette machine. With these machines, intricate designs can be cut. The vinyl stencil is stuck to the fabric, the fabric painted, and the stencil carefully removed for a beautiful stenciled t-shirt.
Some examples of designs found below include firework stencils to make t-shirts to celebrate the 4th of July. This is an inexpensive way to have matching family t-shirts for the holiday.
An interesting article below shows how to use spray paint to stencil on a t-shirt. A risky but fun activity is using bleach to make unique t-shirts, and there are several articles on that topic.
T-shirts aren’t the only fabric items that can be stenciled. There is an article that goes into detail about other DIY fabric stenciling ideas on bags and totes, sweatshirts, and other types of clothing.
Use these stenciled t-shirts and other t-shirts to create a t-shirt quilt to hold on to all of the memories that have been made.
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It's easy to make your own custom t-shirt using one of the methods - Contact Paper Method, Freezer Paper Method or Plastic Sheets Method.
WikiHow
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This DIY 4th of July Shirt project is not only quick and easy to make but also a fun way to express your patriotic spirit. With just some spray paint and stencil, you can create it in no time.
Cupcake and Cutlery
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With this tutorial, learn how to use stencils to make a custom t-shirt. This method can also be used to customize bags, sweatshirt and other apparel.
Stencil Stop
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A bleached stencil method is an easy way to customize a shirt yourself.
Stencil Stop
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In this fun post, Chaotically Yours will guide you through the exciting process of bleaching a shirt to create your very own unique patterns and designs.
Chaotically Yours
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Learn how to create your own design on a t-shirt using a freezer paper stencil.
Minor DIY
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This tutorial provides you all the steps and shows you exactly what are the best supplies to use for stenciling t-shirts.
Bluesky At Home
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This post describes the step-by-step process of stenciling t-shirts with spray paint. Also, a lot of stencils are free to download.
My Silly Squirts
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This tutorial will teach you how to make your own one-of-a-kind stenciled T-shirts, sweatshirts and other clothing using an image-editing program.
Rookie
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This DIY T-shirt painting process made from freezer paper creates the perfect silhouette for little fingerprints to fill with color! Use the free stencil templates to make these fun painted shirts. Great craft for kids!!!
Kitchen Table Classroom
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Follow these simple instructions to create stenciled t-shirts for the entire family using t-shirts, Sharpies, and a few other household supplies.
Craft Bits
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Here is an easy shirt tutorial with freezer paper stencil and fabric markers.
Creative Ramblings
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Learn how to make a DIY Firework t-shirt with Plush fabric paint and a firework stencil and this tutorial.
Heather Handmade
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On this blog, discover how to easily create a stencil with freezer paper and use it to paint a shirt.
Pretty Providence
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Discover how to create a humorous DIY boating shirt using freezer paper stenciling, making it an ideal gift for Father's Day or your favorite dad! This tutorial is straightforward and includes a free downloadable template compatible with Cricut or Silhouette machines. Alternatively, you can use an X-Acto knife for the project.
Bre Pea
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This Ghost Face Halloween t-shirt is a simple craft for kids. An adult uses freezer paper and a craft knife to make stencils. Then, the child uses fabric paint to fill in the stencil.
Artsy Momma
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Super Simple! Super Easy! Follow these instructions to make a Halloween t-shirt using the super simple freezer paper stencil technique.
Alice & Lois
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Craft a quick Father's Day gift using this tutorial on making a stencil with freezer paper, stenciling on a T-shirt, and finish with handprints.
Craft Passion
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For this stencil t-shirt project, henna sticker stencils were used along with fabric paint and a few art supplies to create a stenciled design on a t-shirt.
A Crafty Arab
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All you need is T-shirts, a stencil and ink pads, and some cardboard and this tutorial to stencil a T-shirt.
Creative Whimsy
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Wee Folk Art offers two Jack-o-Lantern stencils which can be used to stencil a t-shirt or other clothing item for Halloween. Includes complete instructions for the project.
Wee Folk Art
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Get the free leaf print stencil pattern and then use it to stencil a variety of t-shirts.
Freshly Found
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Make a cool t-shirt using a leopard print stencil design and bleach stencil technique.
Ideal Stencils
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with this tutorial, you'll create your own original mushroom artwork and stencil it onto a t-shirt. This is an excellent project for anyone.
Lettuce Crafts
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Get ready for summer with this DIY Patriotic T-Shirt hand painted using a freezer paper stencil.
Spot of Tea Designs
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If you're seeking a fun and colorful DIY T-shirt project to create with your children, this is the perfect activity for you.
Hispana Global
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This scribble t-shirt idea is the perfect activity for kids. It only needs three supplies - a t-shirt, fabric markers and painter's tape.
Eclectic Momsense
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Here are the instructions for creating stunning stenciled T-shirts featuring silhouettes. Use contact paper and fabric paint to stencil your own T-shirts. Heat set the fabric paint with an iron.
Jewels At Home
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In this step-by-step tutorial, learn how to use Textile Opaque paint to transform a plain or old t-shirt into a customized, creative masterpiece.
Royal Talens
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For a quick t-shirt makeover, use these free stencil patterns, fabric paint and these instructions.
Aunt Annie
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This is a simple stencil design. Learn how to make an arrow t-shirt with stencil and fabric paint.
Shannon Sews
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This tutorial will explain how to customize t-shirts and clothing with stencils made with Cricut Maker.
By jnifrwebb in Craft at Instructables
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This post explains how to use spray paint to stencil a t-shirt. You can apply this technique to any fabric item, including tote bags, sweatshirts, etc.
Club Crafted
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Print and cut out the free pattern sheet for the stencil and then creat a bright, fun and very simple sunflower print t-shirt in less than an hour.
Freshly Found
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This tutorial is a two-part-er. First, learn how to use a freezer paper stencil to create the super hero icon on the shirt and then how to make the cape.
I'm Feelin' Crafty
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Don't have any freezer paper on hand! No worries!
This tutorial shows how to make a t-shirt stencil using plastic bags.
Lettuce Craft
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Make some simple DIY Valentine t-shirts for your kids by upcycling adult t-shirts using some freezer paper stencils to add the graphic.
Heather Handmade
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