Adhering Stencils for Sandcarving: Tape-Hinge Method

When dealing with flat pieces of glass or other substrates, applying the stencil is relatively easy, especially when the glass is rectangular or square. The method we most often use is the tape-hinge method. We place the stencil onto the surface of the flat glass in exactly the desired position. We then tape some blue masking tape across a short side of the stencil. It is important to crease the tape along the edge of the stencil to make sure that there is no slack in the tape, which could cause it to shift when you lift off the stencil along the taped edge and turn it over like a page in a book.

Once you do that, you are looking at the backside of the stencil, which allows you to remove the backing paper (silicone release paper) all at once, exposing the adhesive side. Be careful not to let the stencil drop onto the glass as it may adhere in the wrong place. Keep a tight hold on the stencil with one hand while using a squeegee to apply it to the glass. Once you peel off the cover sheet and tape off any exposed glass, you are ready to blast.