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In this week’s demo, I created one-of-a-kind stencils using a simple hot glue gun, then used those stencils to create beautifully layered collage papers. Glue gun stencils are not only fun to make, but they’re also incredibly versatile and endlessly reusable in your collage practice.
The joy of glue gun stencils is that no two are ever alike. Each one carries your unique mark and a bit of your creative spark. And unlike store-bought stencils, no two are the same, they’re imperfect, a little unpredictable, and that’s what makes them magical.
How I Made the Stencil
I started by freehand drawing interlocking triangles with my glue gun directly onto a plastic cutting board. Make sure your shapes touch or overlap so your stencil is one cohesive piece. After it cooled (about 15 minutes), I carefully peeled it off (reinforcing a few thinner areas as needed with more glue from the gun) and voilà! My stencil was made.
Let the Collage Paper Experiments Begin
From there, I tried several approaches to layering paint with my new stencil. I used:
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A sponge to dab paint through the stencil onto a painted base
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A brayer to roll paint directly onto the flat side of the stencil, then pressed it onto paper like a stamp
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Water to loosen and blend the painted areas, giving the whole thing a more organic, fluid feel
What surprised me the most was how well this worked even on “failed” collage papers. That pile of duds got a second life and turned into some of my favorite textures. One paper I didn’t like at all ended up being a perfect “quiet” background to balance a bolder collage paper next to.
A Few Lessons Learned
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Thicker glue lines = sturdier stencils. Thin lines tend to break during removal.
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Imperfect is perfect. The stencils don’t need to be neat. Wonky shapes and glue strings only add character.
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Don’t give up too soon. A paper that looks “meh” today might become your favorite tomorrow with just one more layer.
This simple glue gun technique has opened up so many new possibilities in my collage work. I’ve already made three stencils and I can’t wait to make more.
If you’d like to see the full demo and try it for yourself, you can watch the video above. Let your glue gun be your guide, and may your layers surprise you!
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The Supplies to Create These Papers:
Any types of papers, including copy, drawing, and Rice
Self healing cutting board https://amzn.to/4n9MAjg
Nova Acrylic Paint or any other soft body brand paint like Liquetex Basics
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Are you interested in learning more about how to incorporate your collage papers into your art?
Check out my Collage Workshops!
