How to Make a Sunflower Stencil with a Glue Gun

I just taught myself how to make a sunflower stencil with a glue gun. I learned a few things along the way and love the result.

These sunflower stencil napkins are perfect for our family dinner party later this week! It’s easy and fun, and you can make any shape. Follow these steps to learn how to make a stencil with a glue gun.

Recently, we hosted a dinner for some friends in our backyard. I chose a sunflower theme and thought it would be fun to use my favorite stenciled napkins. Today, I am sharing how to make a sunflower stencil with a glue gun.

Who knew you could make a stencil with a glue gun?

Aren’t these wonderful?

I love how these came out! The best news is that the napkins—20% linen and 80% cotton—cost about $2 each.

Making a stencil with a glue gun is not hard to do. You need to do just a few things to make it work.

First, don’t try to make a perfect stencil. As you can see from my stencil, it is far from ideal, but I love it that way!

What You Need to Make a Stencil With a Glue Gun

Parchment paper (I always get the brand with lines on it. It’s much easier to work with!).

Paper or plastic plates

Hot glue gun (not the mini tip) and lots of glue sticks

Ruler

Acrylic paint

Brayer

Cloth napkins. You can also try these, these, and these.

Making the Sunflower Stencil

Initially, I thought I wanted a pattern for my stencils, but I ended up making up the design. If you want to use a pattern, print any design and place it under the parchment paper as a guide.

I did use the pattern to create the outside edge of the design. 

Before you start, it is essential to know that the bottom edge of your stencil will be the side you apply the paint to and use as a stencil. That is because the glue will be flat. (Don’t worry if the stencil looks lumpy on the top as you add glue.) Technically, this means the stencil will print right side up, so you don’t have to worry about anything printing backward. 

I started making the sunflower stencil by just “painting”  with the glue gun. Your design needs to connect to the outside edge, and all your glue lines need to connect, so think about that when choosing your design.

Once I had glued the flowers, I went back and thickened any of the glue lines that were too thin. I did this by adding more glue to the thin lines.

The last thing I did was create an outline around the outside of my design. 

This is what my sunflower stencil looked like as I added the glue. Once dry, use a pair of tweezers to remove the super-thin extra glue strings. You can also use a hairdryer to melt the very thin glue strands quickly.

The outside edges of my stencil were not straight. That was easy to fix; I cut off the uneven edge with scissors. 

Here is what the bottom side of your stencil will look like. Notice how flat it is!

Using the Sunflower Stencil

I have an essential tip that you need to do before you start stenciling. 

To prevent paint from getting everywhere, set up an area where you can place your napkins flat and not remove them until they dry. Trust me, if you don’t do this, you will have paint all over your napkins!  (I learned the hard way.)

I used our ping pong table at the beach house!

Also, I didn’t iron them because I wanted to use the fold lines as a guide to keeping my stencil straight.

Next, mix up your paint. I wanted to use two colors and mixed them on two plates. Use a different paintbrush for each color.

Next, decide where you want your stencil design to go on your napkin. I chose the bottom edge.

Next, apply the paint to the FLAT side of your stencil. I painted part of the stencil orange and other parts yellow.

Carefully lay the stencil down on the napkin. Roll the brayer over the stencil a few times to adhere the paint to the napkin. 

If you made a thin stencil, keep the brayer flat. Paint will be on it (as will the top of the stencil!).

Please don’t move the napkins until they are dry. You will have paint on your hands. A few extra paint marks don’t matter, but I love how well this system worked.

Seal the Paint by Ironing

Technically, I didn’t use fabric paint. Feel free to use it if you want. But as long as you iron the paint (after it is dry), it should survive many launderings. 

How do I know this? An entire section of my wardrobe has clothes stained with acrylic paint from my abstract artist painting days many years ago!

I love these napkins and promise to make more this summer and share them here.

I love how these stenciled napkins looked on my table.

Gorgeous Neutral Kitchen Decor

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