I have been collecting quite a few smaller stencils over the last year or so (6×6 or smaller) and I was just throwing them into an Iris container to store them. That wasn’t working for two reasons.
- I need to see what I have or I won’t use it
- I spray the back of my stencils with stencil adhesive and they were sticking to each other
So I’ve come up with a great solution (for me) to store my small stencils and I thought I’d share it with you. I used products I already had around my craft room to make it. The only thing I had to buy was the storage container and that was only around $10.00. As you can see from the photos, I have plenty of room to grow, and there is even room in the back two compartments for lots of extra storage!
This is my new stencil storage solution:
Today I’m going to share how to create one for yourself. This is what you will need to create my stencil storage system for yourself:
A container to hold your stencils. My biggest (of the small) stencils is about 6×6 so my container is the InterDesign Linus Pantry Organizer Binz, Divided, Large. It measures 7 x 11 x 3.5 and I’ll show you what I store in the back two compartments in just a bit.
An alternative container if you do not want the extra storage spaces in back is the InterDesign Linus Stacking Organizer Bin, Large. The measurements are 7.5 x 7.25 x 6.25.
Cardstock – I used Bazzill Card Shoppe because I had alot of extra 12×12 sheets to use up but I recommend using Georgia Pacific’s 110lb cardstock (which you can get at Walmart for less than $6.00 for 150 sheets.) I linked this product to Amazon in case you want to buy it online but it’s much cheaper at Walmart.
A Laminator & Laminating Pockets – This is the one I used: Purple Cows Hot and Cold Laminator and laminating pockets. 
Stencil Spray – I use Tulip brand Stencil Spray Adhesive (removable) but you can use any removable adhesive spray. 
Label Maker – I use the Brother P-Touch – but you can use any label maker.
Instructions: To create your stencil storage sheets, use the following steps:
- Cut sheets of cardstock to fit your stencils: I chose to cut mine into two sizes. The majority of my stencils fit on to a 7.5″ tall x 6.5″ wide sheet of cardstock. (I cut mine to 6″ but you should cut them to 6.5 so you have a little wiggle room). However, my Tim Holtz and one of my Studio Calico stencils were tall and thin and so I cut cardstock to fit them at approximately 8″ tall x 5″ wide.
- Laminate the Cardstock: Place the cut pieces of cardstock into the laminating pockets and run them through your laminator and then trim the extra laminator pocket material from your cardstock sheets.
- Label Cardstock Sheets: Using your label maker, create a label for each of your laminated cardstock storage sheets. I put the initials of the manufacturer and then the stencil name. For example: SSS – Chevron
- Adhere Your Stencils: After you have sprayed the back of your stencils with stencil spray, stick the stencils onto the newly laminated sheets of cardstock and place them in your stencil container.
This is what one of each of the laminated cardstock sheets looks like once they are completed and the stencils have been adhered:
Voila! Your stencil storage is complete and you can now flip through and see each one! If you want to get fancy you can use colored cardstock (you may be able to see the stencils better on colored cardstock but I didn’t think of that until AFTER I made mine!
As you can see, my Dylusions paints fit perfectly in the back two compartments of my new stencil container. You can also fit jars of mixed media mediums such as texture paste, modeling paste, gesso, etc.! The possibilities are endless!
Video Tutorial
Here is a short video showing how I made my new Stencil Storage. To watch in HD click here.
Products Used in this Project Include:
Great share, will have to do this. I have all my stencils stuck on a ahelf so its a big dig each time. Much better idea. Thanks
Thanks for these ideas! I just got the Royal (something or other) laminator. My stencils, all sizes, are also accumulating in a flat bin. I already use the Binz for dies and stamps, so why not the stencils too! again, thanks for sharing your ideas. And I agree, using the color card stock might let me see the stencil design easier!
TY! Great idea. I never thought of laminating card-stock and have been trying to figure out how to cut down these plastic folders.
It’s much less expensive than buying folders too!