How to Use Team Motto Curb Painting Stencils for Bold, Professional Curb Art

If you’re looking to make a bold statement—whether for your school, team, HOA, or community event—the Team Motto Curb Painting Stencils from Stencil Ease are a smart choice. These laser-cut, reusable stencils are designed for curb faces, brick edging, paver borders and more, making it easy to apply crisp, professional-looking text. 

In this tutorial, we'll walk you through everything: from preparation and material selection, through applying the stencil, to cleanup and care tips so you get lasting, sharp results.

What You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather the following:

• A Team Curb Stencil or a Team Mascot Curb Stencil from Stencil Ease (choose your chosen motto size and style). 
• Paint appropriate for outdoor surfaces (curbs, concrete, asphalt) — e.g., traffic-marking paint or outdoor masonry/curb paint.
• Painter’s tape or low-tack masking tape (to hold stencil in place).
• Drop cloths or protective sheeting (to protect areas around the stencil from overspray or stray paint).
• Either a spray paint gun/wand or a roller/brush, depending on your paint type and surface.
• A cleaning kit (mild soap/water, a soft brush) and storage bag/box to keep the stencil reusable.
• Safety gear: gloves, mask (if using spray paint), protective eyewear.
• Chalk or a marker to mark positioning on the curb.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Choose & Prepare Your Surface

• Select your curb face, driveway edge, or paver border where the stencil will go. Make sure it is clean, dry, and free of loose debris or flaking paint.
• If the curb has old paint or markings, consider lightly sanding or using a wire brush to remove flaky bits so the stencil lays flat.
  
• Use temporary chalk to mark the desired placement of the stencil on the curb: for example, center the motto, ensure it’s level, consider traffic visibility.
• Align your stencil size with the space: We offer various sizes (e.g., 2″ letters x 19.5″ width, 3″ letters x 29″ width, 4″ letters x ~38.7″ width) for one of our "Team Mascot styles"; similar sizing logic applies for the motto stencils.
• Ensure the stencil will fit without too much overhang or awkward spacing.

2. Secure the Stencil

• Lay the stencil down over your marked area. Use painter’s tape around the edges to keep it firmly in place and prevent lifting or movement while painting.
  
• Double-check alignment: Is the text level? If you used chalk, remove any chalk marks that will interfere.
• If using spray paint, consider doing a quick light “test spray” a few inches away to check pattern and flow.

Pro Tip: 

If you anticipate overspray (spray paint) or drip (brush/roller) when using these stencils on a curb face, you may create a simple “spray box” around the stencil.  

3. Apply the Paint

• Use consistent application: whether spray or roller, keep the nozzle or roller relatively perpendicular to the surface.
• If using spray paint: hold the can or gun about 6-10 inches away (or per manufacturer recommendation), apply even coats, and avoid heavy build-up near stencil edges (which can cause bleeding).
• If using a roller/brush: apply a moderate amount of paint; too heavy can seep under the stencil edges. Use a stippling motion if using a brush/roller to reduce bleed. We call this a "dry brush/roller method"
• Apply 1-2 light coats rather than one thick coat — this gives cleaner edges and better durability.
• Let the first coat dry. Then assess whether a second coat is needed for full opacity.
• Once you’ve finished painting, remove the stencil while the paint is still tacky (not fully cured) so you avoid the possibility of lifting or peeling of paint edges.

4. Inspect & Touch-Up

• Stand back and view from a normal vantage (as someone driving or walking by). Check for any uneven letters, drips, or paint bleed under the stencil edges.
• If there are minor mistakes (small bleed spots or thin spots), use a small artist brush with matching paint to clean up edges.
• Let the paint cure fully before subjecting the curb to traffic, mowing, or weather exposure.

5. Clean & Store the Stencil

• Immediately after use (once you’ve removed the stencil), clean any wet paint residues before they fully cure. A soft brush and mild soap + water (or recommended solvent for your paint type) should work, depending on paint.
• Rinse, dry thoroughly, then store flat or rolled (as allowed by the stencil material) to keep the stencil from warping.
• Stencil Ease stencils are made from durable, reusable industrial‐grade material designed for repeated use. 
• Store in a protected location (not under heavy items) so the edges remain crisp for future use.

✅ Pro Tips & Best Practices

• For best results choose a day with mild weather: avoid very windy conditions (which can blow stencil edges), rain, or extreme temperature swings.
• If spraying outdoors, consider wind direction and potential overspray onto nearby property (houses, cars, landscaping).
• Use contrasting paint colors to your curb background so the motto stands out (for example, white or team color text on dark curb, or team color on plain concrete).
• Consider adding a clear topcoat to protect against weather, UV fade, and wear from traffic or mowing.
• If the curb is heavily soiled or has moss/algae, consider pressure-washing prior to stencil painting to improve adhesion and longevity.
• For long runs of curbs (e.g., around a neighborhood or campus), mark spacing guidelines so each stencil instance aligns consistently (height above roadway, distance from corner, etc).
• Label your stencil with the motto or date of use so you and others know what it is—especially if you store multiple stencils.

Use These For:

• High Schools and Colleges: Paint the school motto on curb faces of parking lots , campus driveways and Curb Stops.
• Neighborhood Associations AND HOAs: Mark entrances and curbs with community names and mottos for curb appeal.
  
• Tailgating Parking Spaces: Mark Curb Stops at your favorite pre-game tailgating parking space!

Using the Team Motto Curb Painting Stencils from Stencil Ease is a great way to add visible, professional-quality branding or spirit messages to curbs, driveways, and paved surfaces. With a little preparation, the right materials, and some care during application and cleanup, you’ll achieve crisp lettering that stands out and lasts.

Whether it’s for your school motto, community slogan, or team rally cry — this is a project that can make a big visual impact.