Where to get a single Stencil Made??? Suggestions..

S

Shane Csepp

Joined
Oct 21, 2019
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I am making a knife for someone that requested their initials in the knife. I currently get my makers mark stencil from TUS Tech, however I don't really want to pay for the stencil there when it will likely be a single use type for this. Does anyone have a place they go for etching stencils like this? I have a digital file of the proposed stencil already.
 
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I used my wife’s cricut machine for a single use stencil. Worked amazing well. Lot of people have them even see them at thrift stores occasionally. Maybe a friend or friends wife might have one?
 
This won't help you immediate situation but I make my own (UV) but will be soon converting to nail polish and a cheap laser. For under $200 you can apparently get very precise and detailed etches.

I get a lot of requests for custom etching.
 
scott kozub said:
This won't help you immediate situation but I make my own (UV) but will be soon converting to nail polish and a cheap laser. For under $200 you can apparently get very precise and detailed etches.

I get a lot of requests for custom etching.
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I'm setting up to etch now, but the cost of an electro. Chemical etcher seems to be about the same as a laser anyway. The only thing that makes me a bit nervous is eye protection around those Chinese unprotected lasers. 1 stray beam all it takes to lose vision.
 
Nick-D said:
I'm setting up to etch now, but the cost of an electro. Chemical etcher seems to be about the same as a laser anyway. The only thing that makes me a bit nervous is eye protection around those Chinese unprotected lasers. 1 stray beam all it takes to lose vision.
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you still need the electro chem etcher. The laser just creates the stencil that you can then etch
 
Interesting! The vinyl is sturdy enough to not lift from the heat of the etch? I’d love to see results using a Cricut stencil.
Thom Moss said:
I used my wife’s cricut machine for a single use stencil. Worked amazing well. Lot of people have them even see them at thrift stores occasionally. Maybe a friend or friends wife might have one?
Click to expand...
 
Not sure if he's still making them but google Ernie Grospitch he did mine a while back. Easy to work with gave great feedback on what would come out well and what won't. I've used a single stencil from him on a few knives and held up well. But you'll still need to make or buy an etching machine.
 
Shane Csepp said:
I am making a knife for someone that requested their initials in the knife. I currently get my makers mark stencil from TUS Tech, however I don't really want to pay for the stencil there when it will likely be a single use type for this. Does anyone have a place they go for etching stencils like this? I have a digital file of the proposed stencil already.
Click to expand...

I was able to get single use vinyl stencils from someone on Etsy. I just did a search and found someone really good. I had my own artwork as well, and it was quite a bit cheaper than than the first time order with others. That's all I use for makers mark and personalization. I use a 12v battery charger and can then put FeCl in the etch to darken it. One day maybe I'll get a personalizer+.

The store name is KristiStickySigns
 
I bought a Silouhette Cameo vinyl cutter just for this. Well worth it. Look for DIY Easycrafts on YouTube. He has a ton of tutorials.
 
Thanks for the suggestions! I'll look into the etsy store. The vinyl holds up to the heat from etching?

I have an etching machine that I already use for my makers mark, Just don't want to pay the first time artwork fees for a stencil that I will only use once.
 
I had this same issue that you had. I made a knife for wedding present from the couple’s good friend.
I use TUS for my mark. I let the customer know that they would have to pay for the one time stencil. TUS did the stencil and the price was added on to the knife. You’re already using TUS and you’re familiar with how to etch with their stencil.
The one stencil was a little bit cheaper than normal and I’m glad I went that route.
 
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