Storing your stencils?

R

R.C.Reichert

Joined
Jul 26, 2008
Messages
1,006
Where and how is the best place to store your etching stencils after you're done using them so they don't dry up like hard, curly little leaves. I got stencils from TUS Tech. Great stencils BTW.
 
R.C.Reichert said:
Where and how is the best place to store your etching stencils after you're done using them so they don't dry up like hard, curly little leaves. I got stencils from TUS Tech. Great stencils BTW.
Click to expand...

I wash mine with mild soap and water then put in a small zip lock bag inside a tupperware container. So far so good for the last year.
 
Anything that doesn't let light through. The company I bought mine from said to just wash with warm water, pat dry, and store in a envelope once dry.
 
I use a phone book after washing and patting dry. They are always nice and flat the next time I use them.
 
I wash them and put them back in the envelope they came in.
 
I just peel them off the knife, rinse them in water and stick them back on my etcher. :eek: But I'm also the guy that pulls every drill bit I have out and puts it down wherever is handy at the moment until I can't find any more drills, so maybe don't do what I do.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I kinda like the phonebook idea actually. It deals with the light exposure and the curling up issues at the same time.
 
I always just leave them laying on the top of my etcher. I also seem to kill stencils way faster than everyone else, so this is more a how not to do it.
Not that I'll be using them much longer....
 
Here is a secret how to make them last a very, very long time.

Shhhh... dont tell anyone

After using your stencil, wash it off with windex and soap and water.

Then place in a small tupperware container filled with water and windex.

Seal up with the lid and they will be fresh and flexible for the next use.

Take it out, dry off with paper towel and you are good to go.

The enchant can dry out and crack the stencil, if not completely cleaned.

So clean them the best you can, then place them in a water and windex solution will be sure to neutralize any acid that may still be lurking and the stencil will never dry and crack from storage
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top