Skip to content
FREE SHIPPING on ALL STENCIL ORDERS -- CALL US AT (800) 334-1776
FREE SHIPPING on ALL STENCIL ORDERS -- CALL US AT (800) 334-1776
When is Stenciling with Ink a Better Choice Than Stenciling with Paint?
Randy James

Randy James

Hi I am Randy your advisor for all things stencils and paint. With 25 years of being in the paint industry and 10 years in stencil i have worked with painters. line stripers, architects, artists and paint shop managers,... painting just about everything. I love a challenge and helping people get the result that they want.

When is Stenciling with Ink a Better Choice Than Stenciling with Paint?

When is stenciling with ink a better choice than stenciling with paint?

Ink Rollers and Ink Pads
Ink RollerPeel away the stencilCrisp lines

The stencil inks featured on our website work great on wood, metal, cardboard, paper, and most plastics.

Traditional inks don’t work well with stencils because they are designed to be absorbed, which leads to stencil bleeding.

Stenciling ink is designed to be permanent, and to stick to most porous and non-porous surfaces.

Repositionable Spray AdhesivePosition stencilOneShot Ink RollerStencilingPeelingComplete

 Try our Repositionable Spray Adhesive to keep your stencils flat against the surface to eliminate underspray.

Opening the paint canStirring the paintPouring the paint

Paint works well for occasional stenciling, but ink is better for repeated use.

There are no paint cans to open or stir, and no cleanup is required.

Both setup and cleanup are much quicker with ink stenciling versus stenciling with paint.

Much less buildup on stencil with inkMasking for spray paintSpray paint

Paint quickly builds up on the stencils, which are time consuming to clean.

Ink is much thinner yet covers quickly and fully and takes less time to dry than paint.

No masking is required, unlike with spray paint.

Place the stencilRoll the inkNext

Ink stenciling can easily be done in the middle of a busy warehouse - no need to worry about ventilation, masking, or open paint cans.

Stencil inks are perfect for labeling packaging and shipping containers.

They can be used to add logos, standard shipping symbols, and even addresses.

Marsh Stencil BrushInk is dispensed directly from handleQuick and easy!

Ink is more cost effective – an ounce of ink covers more surface than an equal amount of paint, and much less is wasted during setup and cleanup.

They can also be used to mark warehouse locations, wine crates, whiskey barrels, and wooden products of all types.

We at Stencil Ease offer three different stencil ink systems depending on your volume of use.

Low volume system

The low volume system includes a simple ink roller, ink pad, and ink.

Rolmark Stencil InkLoading the padLoad the roller

This the least expensive, however, reloading the ink roller can add time for repeated use.

The medium volume system includes the OneShot ink roller with plastic ink cartridge.

Medium volume system

There is no danger of spilling ink, as the cartridge comes pre-loaded.

OneShot Ink RollerMagnetic stencilsMultiple light coatsMove letter for repeatsSecond ERoll awayRemove stencilsPerfect!Out of ink?Unscrew empty cartridgeTake new cartridgeScrew onto roller


Replacing these cartridges, however, can be expensive over time so this might not be the best choice for high volume jobs.

The high volume system includes the Marsh fountain roller, the handle of which is entirely made of metal.

High volume system
Ink refill bottleUnscrew cap on handleFill with ink then replace capRoll on inkPeel away adhesive-backed stencilDone

The handle never needs replacing and is refillable with Marsh stencil ink.

Storage container for rollerPlace roller insideReplace lid

Once finished stenciling, simply cover the roller with the included plastic cover and next time you'll be ready to go in a snap!

Marsh Spray Stencil InkPull stencilDone in a snap

Marsh Stencil Ink is also available in a spray.

Black or redMultiple colorsOur ink selection

There are some disadvantages to ink.

Unlike with paint, ink colors are limited.

Also, purchasing multiple rollers is recommended due to the time and effort required to clean them before switching to a different color.



For more information, visit StencilEase.com today.

Previous article Tournament Bracket Stencil by Stencil Ease
Next article Introducing the amazing Gyro-Cut Pro!

Leave a comment

Comments must be approved before appearing

* Required fields