Which Process Works Best for Me?
This is some what of a preference. I am a big fan of the vinyl cutter stencil process for what I do, but it depends on things specific that you desire.
The first two are good for those with no budget at all and occasionally etch glass for fun.
The second two are great for those that need precisely cut patterns and can automate most of the stencil production. I believe the vinyl cutter method is better for those that produce a lot of stencils with different patterns because the stencil material is much cheaper. While the Photo resist is much better for extremely fine pattern details and for producing a lot of multiple stencils with the same design.
- Tracing Paper Method– Very simple and inexpensive. More hands on.
- Print On Stencil Method– Fairly inexpensive & simple. Less hands on than tracing method.
- Vinyl / Machine Cutter– Some what expensive for startup costs and more technical. Low on-going costs. Automatic cutting and less hands on. Great for large stencils and cuts fairly intricate patterns. Fairly good for producing bulk stencils.
- Photoresist Method– Somewhat expensive for start up costs and ongoing costs. Great for very fine intricate patterns and needed for photo etchings. Good for producing bulk stencils.