One of the best parts of having an Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit is that it is not limited to one “type” of craft project. Our Ikonart community is constantly testing new surfaces, new techniques, and new creative directions. The result is a growing list of ideas that make you stop and think, “Wait… could I stencil that?”
Below are 13 unique and unusual Ikonart stencil projects pulled straight from our Ikonart Crafters Group on Facebook. Each one includes a quick story and a few practical takeaways if you want to try one of these fun crafts.
1) Stenciled Logo on a Horse
Yes, you can stencil your logo on a horse! For this commercial shoot, Shelley helped create a two-layer stencil design that a makeup artist applied using a horse-friendly paint (like tempera or chalk paint). The biggest lesson was to do a quick practice run first to check paint consistency, since paint that is too runny can bleed on curved or textured surfaces. They ended up thickening their tempura paint a little bit with cornstarch and it turned out amazing.
2) Custom Layered Wallpaper
If you love dramatic walls, Ikonart can help you create a truly custom wallpaper look without ordering specialty paper. Jami (Firefly Faux) uses interior house paint (like Sherwin Williams) and builds multi-layer designs with serious detail. This project used four layers: base color, secondary color, black outlines, and pine needles. Her biggest tip is full contact and a perfectly flat stencil, because outlines will look splotchy if the stencil lifts even slightly. She also makes multiple stencil sets so she can rinse after each use and let each stencil fully dry before using it again.
3) Shrinky Dinks
If you have ever wondered whether Ikonart can work on Shrinky Dinks, the answer is yes. Fawn tested it using a Shrinky Dinks kit from Amazon and Speedball acrylic ink, and it held up perfectly through the shrinking process. This is a fun way to make tiny charms, keychains, or jewelry pieces with crisp detail. It is also a great kid-friendly craft, especially if you prep several designs ahead of time.
4) Ford Tractor Restoration
Vintage restoration meets stencil magic in the best way for this Ford tractor restoration project. When a friend ordered a low-quality decal for an old Ford tractor and wasn't happy with the look, Fawn used Ikonart to make a silkscreen stencil instead. Her friend stencilled the vintage text and logos directly on the tractor instead of using a decal and the finished result looked authentic, like it belonged on the machine from day one. If you are restoring signs, equipment, or classic vehicles, stenciling can be a great way to match the original style without relying on a sticker that might peel.
5) Stencils for Custom Nail Art
Ikonart stencils can go small and hold very find details, and nail art is proof. Lara created this detailed design originally sized for clay earrings, then tried it on her fingernails and loved the result. She used gold acrylic paint over nail polish, let it dry, and finished with a clear nail polish top coat. With careful placement and a light touch, you can get boutique-style nails that look truly custom because they are. Search the Facebook group for "fingernails" to see more examples.
6) Unique Felt Hats
Felt hats are the perfect blank canvas for bold designs. Lee saw someone else try stencils on hats and decided to give it a shot on a felt hat she originally planned to customize with pyrography. Stenciling gave a strong, graphic look that really popped on the texture. Felt can be tricky, so controlled paint application matters, but the payoff is a hat that looks like it came from a specialty maker.
7) Custom Wedding Cake
This is one of those projects that proves Ikonart can show up for big moments. Jody used Ikonart stencils to help create her son’s wedding cake while traveling and decorating in an Airbnb. The concept came from her son, the artwork was digitized by her daughter-in-law, and Jody executed the final stenciling and decorating. She admits she would do a few things differently next time and that she sees every tiny flaw, but the bride and groom loved it. That is the win. Product Tip: brush your stencils with Ikonart Stencil Glaze to make them safe for food contact.
8) Balloons for Any Occasion
Balloons are not the first surface most people think of, but this test was a success. Claire wanted to see if Ikonart would work to make custom balloons, so we filmed it, and the stencil came off without popping the balloon. For paint, she mixed DecoArt Multi-Surface with Coco’s Chalky Powder and applied it gently with a makeup sponge. One key tip from the test is to use the blue stencil film for balloons when possible, since it is less sticky and easier on delicate surfaces.
9) Personalized Purse or Handbag
Customization on textured leather can feel intimidating, but Diana jumped in and made a personalized purse for her 8-year-old granddaughter as her first Ikonart project. She watched videos, designed her graphics, made a few revisions, and then created her stencil with great success. She trimmed the artwork into multiple smaller pieces so each part fit the purse and tag perfectly. Her best move was pressing the stencil down firmly for a tight seal, then using a fine brush to dab paint into letters before removing the stencil.
10) Slippers and Shoes
Shoes or slippers are such a fun way to turn a custom design into something wearable. Debbie stenciled custom slippers with her granddaughter’s softball logo, which is a simple idea that instantly feels personal. Lindsay took it even further with neon, Lisa-Frank-inspired leopard print sneakers. She could have hand-painted everything, but she used her Ikonart kit to save time and keep the shapes consistent. If you love statement pieces, stenciled shoes or slippers are a great place to start.
11) Turn a Photo Into a Stencil
Ikonart is not limited to stock vector art. Fawn created these Daxasauras Rex shirts by photoshopping her nephew’s head onto a dinosaur body, then screen printed shirts for the whole family to surprise him on his birthday. It was funny, personal, and memorable, which is exactly what makes it such a great idea. If you have a favorite photo, an inside joke, or a family meme, you can turn it into a stencil and make it wearable.
12) Graduation Cap
A grad cap is basically a blank canvas for your next chapter. Claire used Ikonart to customize her graduation cap so she could celebrate graduation and promote her business, Clair.ity Art, at the same time. It is a smart way to stand out in photos, and it gives your cap a purpose beyond the ceremony. This is also a meaningful gift idea if you are making one for a graduate.
13) Custom Snowboards
This one is for the makers who build products from scratch. Mikey Franco of Franco Snow Shapes uses Ikonart stencils to add logos and designs to his custom-made snowboards. A clean logo and consistent placement can instantly elevate a handmade product, especially if you sell what you make. If you have ever wanted your work to look more polished and branded, this is a powerful example.
Other Ways To Use Ikonart Stencils
These thirteen examples are unique and interesting ways to use Ikonart, but if you're not ready to branch out into the weird and unexpected, the Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit can also be used for more traditional crafts like wood signs, custom tshirts, chalkboard art, canvases and etched glass. Check out one of these blog posts for more project ideas using Ikonart stencils, or head to the Ikonart Photo Gallery for even more crafty inspiration.
- 31 Project Ideas to Make With Ikonart Stencils
- 10 Kid-Friendly Crafts to Make with Ikonart
- 12 Months of Ikonart with Artsy-Fartsy Mama
- 20 Mother's Day Gifts to Make with Ikonart
- 25 Ikonart Crafts You Can Sell to Make Money
Ready to try one of these?
If you have been using Ikonart for the “usual” projects, pick one idea from this list that feels just slightly outside your comfort zone. That is often where the best creative breakthroughs happen. And if you have done something unusual with your stencils, share it in the Facebook group. Your idea might be the next one we all want to try.