Custom US Navy ball hat with stencil

[Gio80]

I'm thinking to customize my US Navy ball hat, with stencil. I know is not usual make stencil on this kind of hats, but could be cool.
In this thread I saw some amazing selfmade stencil on bags, hat ecc... https://www.vintageleatherjackets.o...tune-aviators-kit-bag-an-6505-1.21168/page-12

Below is the stencil I wish to print. What do you think about it?
Then two pics to undertand what's size is better. What's size do you prefere?

1/2" SIZE STENCIL

3/4" STENCIL

 

[Boyo]

1/2 inch for me, A fun project, Give it a go.. it should look fine..

 

[Gio80]

Looking for stenciled caps, I found out these two. What model of caps are these? US Navy or what else?
Never seen before.

 

[ausreenactor]

I agree. 1/2" text.

Are you using an airbrush? Or a paint pen?

 

[Gio80]

1/2" text doesn't look too tiny? On those two caps above it looks to be 3/4"...
I thought to delete the USN and print the service number only, I think will be more clean and ordered job.

I was thinking of using brush and water paint for fabrics...

If is there someone with stencil experience, any advice is welcome

 

[Cocker]

1/2" text doesn't look too tiny? On those two caps above it looks to be 3/4"...
I thought to delete the USN and print the service number only, I think will be more clean and ordered job.

I was thinking of using brush and water paint for fabrics...

View attachment 44396

If is there someone with stencil experience, any advice is welcome

Go for it, use fabric paints (for dark textile), and a large brush with a flat tip. Dip it in the paint, dry it on a towel so that there's only very little paint left on it, and brush away. You'll have to repeat it a couple time to get it to cover well, but it will look way much better than using too much paint (which will drip and sink UNDER your stencil, giving a sloppy appearance).

As for the size, I'd go with 1", but do what you like, it's up to you!

 

[ausreenactor]

1/2" text doesn't look too tiny? On those two caps above it looks to be 3/4"...
I thought to delete the USN and print the service number only, I think will be more clean and ordered job.

I was thinking of using brush and water paint for fabrics...

View attachment 44396

If is there someone with stencil experience, any advice is welcome

That's 'neat'. No leakage or bleeding.. Great work.

Where did you get your stencil cut?

 

[Gio80]

That's 'neat'. No leakage or bleeding.. Great work.

Where did you get your stencil cut?

It's hand cutted by myself

 

[ausreenactor]

Steady hand Sir. Great work!

 

[Cocker]

If I can give you a small tips, you can use heavy paper, it'll be a bit more pliable than cardboard and easier to apply on surfaces that are not flat while still having a nice clean cut.

 

[Gio80]

Steady hand Sir. Great work!

Thanks Ausreenactor

If I can give you a small tips, you can use heavy paper, it'll be a bit more pliable than cardboard and easier to apply on surfaces that are not flat while still having a nice clean cut.

Thanks Cocker, yes that is an heavy paper sheet not cardboard.
Day ago, I ordered a couple of stencil made with the original WWII era cutting machines, from a guy here that has those machines since 40's. They are quite cheap. I like the idea to stencil with the original one

Now I will do a test on an old hat with my stencil to get hand, then let's see what comes out when I'll receve the original stencil
By the way, I will post the test soon.

 

[ausreenactor]

Now I will do a test on an old hat with my stencil to get hand, then let's see what comes out when I'll receve the original stencil
By the way, I will post the test soon.

Try stenciling something with 'complex' curves. Like a neighbors wife?

 

[Gio80]

Try stenciling something with 'complex' curves. Like a neighbors wife?

There, I don't know if I could have a steady hand as well

Here some test I did...

Here, the stencil was not cut by me and the paper was a bit lighter

 

[ausreenactor]

Close enough for Govt. work! Looks the goods.

 

[Cocker]

Yep, I prefer this a lot than stencils that are too clean and well defined! Good job!

 

[Gio80]

Thanks, I hope to be ready to make it on the good one
Do you think better to put the number only or U.S.N. too?

 

[Gio80]

Done!
Using stencil cuted with original WWII era machines

Was not easy to keep it straight and steady and make it follows the line of cap...stencil came out a bit crooked.

 

[Thomas Koehle]

Looks good to me!

If it’s too perfect it ain’t realistic anyway

 

[ausreenactor]

Close enough for Government work!

Well done.

 

[Cocker]

Exactly! The perfect stencil is a bit shabby, too neat and it just doesn't work!