A variety of organizations use stencil sets for graphic purposes. Businesses use stencils for marking parking lots and machinery. Schools use stencils to mark playgrounds and other outdoor games' areas. Seamstresses and tailors find it easier to measure and mark fabric with stencils and designers use stencils for creating custom greeting cards, posters and invitations.

Stencil sets pricing and costs can vary greatly according to size and the material from which companies make them. While a standard l inch cardboard number set can run as low as $2, a 6 inch brass set can cost over $90. A basketball court marking stencil kit can range from under $10 to almost $200. Custom stencils may be more costly, but allow for greater creativity. Today's custom laser kits have many advantages over the traditional board method, including durability, which translates into long-term financial savings. When making a stencil kit purchase, consider the following:

1. Purchase a reusable stencil kit in order to duplicate work cheaply.

2. Order a customized kit for greater flexibility and recognition.

3. Look for a kit that includes other supplies such as paints, pens or stencil markers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate stencil sets for industrial use

There are two kinds of stencils, those used for industrial work and those used for decorative purposes. Businesses of all sizes have used stencil kits markings for products, signs, shipping crates, floors and a host of other areas. Purchasing stencil kits and performing the work yourself can save you money.

I recommend: Caleba's offers laser-cut stencils for camouflaging boats during hunting season. These durable stencils range from $20 to $70. You can get standard numbers and letters from Aubuchon Hardware ranging from about $4 to a little over $8. Custom stencil kits allow you to break away from the norm. Request a quote from Custom Cut Stencil Company.

Locate designer stencil kits

More and more companies and individuals are relying on stencils for decorative work. Stenciling is a great way to add patterns to a poster, a t-shirt or even a wall. Even the best professional designers have used stencils for pattern reproduction.

I recommend: Widget Supplies has a number of stencil sets for less than $10. DoItYourself.com has letter and number stencil set ranging from about $2 for 1 inch lettering to a little over $7 for 6 inches. They also carry a handicap parking space stencil for less than $20. Get really creative with an Ecstasy Crafts Ornare Kit from HSN Interactive. This kit, including embossing stickers and piercing tool, will cost you less than $40.

Locate stencil kits for school needs

Many people use pre-cut stencil kits for a number of field and playground needs. School and athletic organizations use these stencils to create definitive boundaries in their play space.

I recommend: Peaceful Playgrounds has a variety of stencil packages for playground activities for less than $200. At dazadi.com, you can find a basketball court marking stencil set for less than $200. Football America carries a 40-ounce vinyl construction field stencil kit for less than $500.

Stencils sets are used to make uniform markings of numbers and symbols. Stencils are made from a variety of materials, including cardboard, metal and plastic. In general stencils are made to be used repeatedly, making them well worth the investment.

Businesses use stencils for marking parking lots, machinery, playgrounds and glass. Stencils are also used in paper crafting and painting. Standard stencil sets are less expensive and more readily found than specialty sets used for handcrafting. As you search for stencil sets to fill your business needs, consider the following:

1. Find basic stencil sets for standard symbols

2. Purchase playground stencil sets from specialized retailers

3. Buy specialized stencil sets from craft supply vendors

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate stencil sets provider that retails standard stencils

Standard stencil sets can be found from a variety of sources. Standard stencils include alphabet, numbers, safety symbols and arrows. These stencils are made for repeated use and will last for a long time. Whether painting addresses on a curb or marking machinery with serial numbers, these sets make labeling easier.

I recommend: Emedco carries several sets of stencil sets including letters, arrows and handicapped symbols. Their letter and number stencil sets come in sizes from 1/2 inch to 6 inches in height. Aubuchon Hardware sells reusable stencil alphabet and number stencil sets at a very reasonable price. Their kits come in 1- to 6-inch options.

Find stencil sets for marking playgrounds

Playground marking stencil sets are a great solution for day cares, camps and schools. These stencil sets are giant. Playground stencil sets roll out and are marked with chalks, then painted. A stencil sets list of supplies is included in each package.

I recommend: Peaceful Playgrounds is a stencil sets provider that specializes in large stencils for outdoor use. They carry stencil sets for intellectual, physical and fun outdoor games. Stencil Ease is another stencil sets provider that sells stencils for playground use. They have stencils for giant clocks, the United States, hop scotch and more.

Purchase stencil sets for specialty projects

Stencil sets for glass etching are different from other stencils in that they are used only once. Glass etching stencils are applied to the glass item and the etching is done on the stencil. Stencils for paper crafts are much the same as standard stencils, but come in a much larger variety and may not be as durable.

I recommend: A.C. Moore has a collection of stencil sets for glass etching. Their Rub and Etch stencils come in a variety of themes such as alphabets, floral and animals. Wilde-Ideas is another retailer that carries glass etching stencil sets. They also carry glass etching kits and creams. Complete instructions come with the stencil sets information pamphlets in each package. The Scrapbooking Warehouse is a paper craft specialty store that carries a large variety of stencil sets. They carry several brands of stencils, including Fiskars and Westrim.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Specify the type of stencil you are looking for when browsing through a stencil sets directory. Giving specifics for a theme and size will reduce your list of choices.

Learning about different stencil sets types and styles can open up a plethora of possibilities for fast and easy yet professional imprinting. Decide on the desired image to stencil, then decide which style of stencil to use in order to create the desired image. Stencils come in one of the following styles:

1. silhouette stencil sets -- the stencils are the exact shape of the desired design

2. reverse silhouette stencil sets -- the stencils have the shape of the design cut out of them

3. outline stencil sets -- the stencils are cut to allow for the outline of the desired shape to be revealed

4. reverse outline stencil sets -- the stencils are the outline of the shape that is left unaffected while the surrounding area is painted

5. indirect outline stencil sets - the stencils use a series of dots or lines or other alternative patterns to create an indirect representation of the desired image

These sets can come as prepackaged themes or you can choose to have a set custom made. They can also come as a one-time use stencil often made from paper or as a reusable tool from a more durable material. Sets are created as groupings of related designs. Stencil sets can be used in creative or office settings or for outdoor applications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look into stencil sets for office decor

Stencils are available for a variety of interior uses. To make a statement or add modern flare to decor, stencils can be used on furniture, walls, floors and ceilings. Use words or phrases as an alternative to labels or as a design element on a wall. Stencils are an inexpensive way to add graphic design features to an office interior.

I recommend: ABC Alphabet Stencils has alphabet stencil sets in several font choices. Themed stencil sets from Plaid Enterprises allow for freedom of expression within the creative boundaries of a set of related designs.

Explore stencil sets for use in creative professions

There are many reasons that stencils can be used for by creative professionals. Choice of stencil can enhance artistic style. Use different stencil types for designing clothing, makeup templates and even for precision tattoo application.

I recommend: For make-up artists, a video on using an eyeliner stencil is available on You Tube. At Tribal Ink, find stencils for tattoos. May of these have adhesive backs to discourage slipping during application.

Use stencil sets for a variety of outdoor applications

Signs, either mass produced or custom created, are one of the places outdoors where evidence of stencil use can be seen. Special markings on buildings and in parking lots are created the same every time with a stencil. Since logos must be the same every time they are represented, a stencil is a great option for such an application.

I recommend: Peaceful Playgrounds makes marking of playground games and sporting activities fast and consistent. Drill Spot has arrow and letter stencil sets for creating signs.

Stencils can help even the least artistic person to create something that's beautiful, such as when using glass etching stencils. Alternatively, stencils can be completely functional, as in the use of industrial stencils. Whatever their purpose, it's a good idea to learn some of the key terms associated with stencils before making a purchase. Knowing that you need roll-out stencils or single-use stencils, for example, will help you to narrow down your search, making it easier to find what you need.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Silhouette stencils

A silhouette stencil has the entire shape cut out. When you fill in the stencil, you would typically use a solid color, creating a silhouette.

I recommend: View examples of silhouette stencils for both people and animals at the Crafter's Corner.

Roll-out stencils

There are times when you need a very large stencil, such as when you need to make the markings in a school playground. Roll-out stencils help you to do this. The large stencil is on several pieces of paper that have been rolled up. To lay it out, you simply hold down the end and roll it open. These are numbered so that you can fit many pieces together.

I recommend: View a video of a roll-out stencil at Peaceful Playgrounds.

Glass-etching stencils

Glass etching stencils come as an adhesive with the design outline imprinted for easy tearing. To etch glass, you stick the whole stencil on the glass, then remove the design. You can then use sand blasting or a special etching cream to etch the glass.

I recommend: See samples of glass etching stencils at A.C. Moore.

Laser-cut stencils

Laser-cut stencils are stencils that have been cut with a laser. This ensures a smoother finish that's ideal for a professional look.

I recommend: Stencils Online is a company that specializes in laser-cut stencils.

Industrial stencils

Industrial stencils, or highway stencils, are large and typically used in road projects. They include arrows, stop signs, handicap signs and bicycle signs. Because they are made from metal, you can use them over and over.

I recommend: StencilEase.com offers a number of industrial stencls.

Single use stencils

Single use stencils are stencils that can only be used one time. Typically, they are for a set of words or a design that needs proper alignment. The sheet will stick to the surface and you simply fill in the empty spots.

I recommend: See single use alphabet stencils from Woodland Manufacturing.