Self-Adhesive Stencils that Actually Stick (Tested on Glass, Wood and Metal)

The success (or failure) of any sandblasting project hinges on the adhesive qualities of the stencil. It’s all about finding the Goldilocks quantity and quality of adhesive; too much tack and you’ll pay for extra time picking bits of rubber off after the project is completed, while too little adhesive will see your stencil slip and slide all over the place, ruining the design altogether. Of course, the tricky part is knowing how much adhesive you’ll need, and that is all dependent on the substrate you’re sandblasting.

How Substrate Materials Affect Stencil Grip

Each sandblasting project requires an individual approach; indeed there’s a reason why sandblasting is as much about the artistic and aesthetic thought process as it is about the science of abrasion and adhesion. The substrate material that you’re blasting will dictate the type of self-adhesive stencil that you need:

Glass

The smooth and low-friction nature of glass surfaces clearly requires a higher level of adhesive. Cheap stencils with poor quality adhesive will slip and slide easily the minute that you turn on the sandblaster or even lift off the glass entirely. You’ll need a high quality stencil that has an aggressive adhesive that is also easy to clean given how easily glass shows dirt and imperfections.

Wood

There is greater variability in wood substrates, so you have to have a clear idea of the exact material you’re working with. For example, an unfinished pine board will be porous and soft, so you’ll need a light layer of adhesive to avoid pulling layers of the wood with you after the project is completed. On the other hand, harder woods like mahogany, oak and cherry will need a tight seal so you can avoid abrasive bleed-through into the grain.

Metal

Again, the exact type of metal surface your project requires will dictate the type of self-adhesive stencil you’ll need. Smooth or polished metal will act like glass, while brushed or rusted metal behaves just like textured wood. You’ll need to talk to U-Blast’s team of sandblasting stencil experts about the exact nature of your project  and your intended outcomes.

U-Blast’s Self-Adhesive Stencils

Getting the right self-adhesive stencil for your project is clearly the key to success, but it can be tricky to navigate through the myriad options of different stencil rolls and liners that are available to you. U-Blast’s team of sandblasting stencil experts have in-depth knowledge of all of our available products and can help match you with the right product for each project that you bring to us. All of U-Blast’s stencils come with self-adhesive, but some of our most popular stencil lines include:

• 721 Series – when your project involves rough surfaces such as raw hardwood or unfinished stone, our 721 liner is the only self-adhesive stencil you’ll need. It provides a high level of adhesion without the need for filler, meaning you’ll get a clean and tight grip every time. It’s a single liner stencil with a clear mylar backing, and is compatible with friction fed, slot feed and tractor fed machines. It’s the go to stencil when you’re doing deep blasting as it’s designed to be extra thick giving it great strength and durability. 

• 732 Series – for smoother surfaces like glass or polished stone, you need our 732 Series, which is a versatile single liner stencil. It’s designed to have a combination of aggressive adhesion with incredible flexibility, with the ability to perfectly fold around corners without ripping or slipping. The 732 Series is also designed to be used with a wide variety of sandblasting media including glass bead, shot peen and plastic media meaning that it should be your go to for all glass projects. 

• 723 Series – if you need something that is more all purpose, then our 723 Series is the right product for you. It’s also great for use on metal projects as it will provide a high tack adhesive for both smooth and uneven surfaces. It’s a particular favorite for our clients working in the aerospace industry, as the combination of relative thinness and higher flexibility gives you the scope to work in more complex spaces. Like most of our stencils, it works with most friction feed, slot feed, and tractor feed machines meaning you’ll be able to get to work straight away. 

Talk with the Experts

These are just some of the self-adhesive stencils lines that U-Blast offers. We have further stencil liner rolls that have varying levels of adhesion, thickness and flexibility so you’ll be able to find exactly what you need. Talk to our team of sandblasting experts to get hold of the right self-adhesive stencils that actually stick.