How to achieve CRISP lines using vinyl stencils

(Want to skip the reading portion and go right to the video tutorial? Just click here) 


Several times over the years I've changed the way I stencil while making my wood signs for my Etsy shop. I am always searching for new techniques and tools for making the job cleaner and easier. 

What didn't work:
There are tons of posts on the internet where people are using Modpodge but that didn't work well for me. 

What does work? 
This excerpt found on Suganbeecrafts.com is the key. Here is what she says,
"Next up, the SEAL LAYER – THIS is the secret trick to those crisp lines.  I use this trick all. the. time. when working with wood signs, so I wanted to try it out with a canvas.  And it worked!!  You paint the base layer that is under your stencil (in my case, the white) OVER your stencil.  The idea is that all stencils will bleed a little, but this way what bleeds will match the background.  Then it will seal the crack.  So the next layer, which will be color, won’t go under the stencil.

Let that dry.  Then go ahead with your main color.  Let dry.  I did 2 coats."