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hey, greg,

The green soap has some alcohol in it and if the mix is too high it will destroy your stencil, I actually use green soap to remove a stencil if the placement is off., usually a good mix is 1/50 ratio.if you prefer green soap.
but I don't use green soap, I find that it interferes with my black grey work. instead I use a DIAL GOLD Anti-Microbial Liquid Soap. I put enough to just fill the base of my bottle and I use distilled water instead of tap water. if im in a jam and out of distilled water ill use bottled water.
but as for keeping the stencil on, the stencil stuff works best for me too. I rub it in like a lotion and there is a sweet spot when the stencil stuff is kind of tacky, thats when ill place the stencil on, the trick is to let the stencil sit for a while before taking it off, ill then take a towel and give one press over the stencil to remove the surface excess. also if I have a big piece im very careful to work around the stencil and work my way to the center, or ill work my way up from the bottom left to the top right (because im left handed). also I always keep a thin coat of A&D on the area all the time, and wipe lightly, this helps keep the excess ink on the surface of the A&D and not so much on your stencil if you get what I mean. ill also try to avoid giving a "complete wipe" unless I have too. anyway bro, that how I lay it down. hope it helps. take care


stephen stacey

Thanks a million man.

That's all really good advice. I'm going to go grab some Dial Gold, and give that a try. I usually use A&D as a skin lubricant but I think I may be a little to aggressive with my wiping. I mean, maybe too much of a full wipe. Damn my bad habits...

In any case, I'm going to give your suggestions a go and thanks for taking the time to respond in such detail.

Cheers,
Greg

Just as a side note, I have absolutely no idea why I said I usually use A&D as a skin lubricant. I ALWAYS use A&D as a skin lubricant. It's getting late, and I've got the day off tomorrow (so I've enjoyed a few Canadian beers) so my brain is not firing on all cylinders.

In any case, thanks again!

no prob man. just make sure you use a DIAL GOLD Anti-Microbial Liquid Soap, not the regular kind. the regular kind has some purfume added to the soap, you want to avoid that.

take care bro


stephen stacey

one more thing greg.

I use Spirit thermal transfer paper. but I never use the thermofax for my stencils. except maybe for script. I actually use the printed page of reference photoas my stencil, and place that directly on top of the transfer paper. I use a hard 4h pencil and press firmly when I manually trace over my photo. this gives a more accurate tracing for your stencil rather than usung a lightbox with tracing paper and photocopying and then using the thermofax. it just saves time. and the printed paper holds the stencil well for multiple applications......take care.



stephen stacey

Thanks again Stephen.

All great ideas, and good food for thought. I'm going to grab some DIAL GOLD anti-microbial today and put your other methods to use on the next piece I do.

Looking forward to it too!

Cheers mate,
Greg

i do the same thing with the printed paper. make the stencil by drawing directly on the printed image. im convinced it applys better to the skin. theres been a couple times i couldnt get a picture of a portrait after the tattoo because there was so much stencil left over.. i also let big things dry for at least 20-30 min before we start. might be overkill, but i always start the tattoo confident that it is completely dry!

i'm just proud Greg drinks Canadian beer...
8) cheers brotha

you guys should take a look at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g823zGd7bEE
this guy is awesome, i've tried this stuff and it works big time. stop paying out good money for stuff you can make yourself, take care, bye bye

Thanks for the heads up on the video. That shit does rock!!!

Has anyone ever heard of the saying "dont bite the hand that feeds you"? I just want to put it out there, that I would like to ask you all, how much is all the information and tips that mike devries give us, worth to everyone? one thing is for sure, I would happily pay for this free information and feedback from him.
my point is, the last couple of post kinda bothered me a little, in that you have decided to advertise on mikes forum that there is a way to make your own stencil stuff. considering that mike is part owner of stencil stuff,and you come to his forum for tips and advise. don't you think this would feel like a slap in the face? just a thought.?
For me, im happy to pay the cost for stencil stuff, .....(1). the product is absolutely amazing,.... (2). it supports mike and allows him to continue to push the limits of his tattooing and give "us" free feedback. (3). buying mikes products is my way of saying thanks, and hopefully Ive helped put another plate of food on his dinner table.
artist have been trying to come up with a better formula for making stencils last longer for years. and alot of them swear by their own mixture. good for them. I happy thing are working out for them.


stephen stacey

hand made stencils hold alot better the have a more solid line than thermofax

Check out Kryptonite Tattoo Stencil Solution! Green Gold!

Nicely said superman. I use stencil stuff and found it works really well. Theres lots of things in the tattoo world that you can make yourself. But why do through all the bother of trial and Error when you can just buy something that is well priced for the ammount you get and has gone through all the testing to make it an excelent product.

The only problem i have with it is removing it if i've placed it wrong ;-)

When i first used it i had the problem of putting to0 much on as didn't think such a small amount would work. (then got smudging) Still do it sometimes but thats my own problems.

I'm not sure offense would be taken to that as everyone is entitled to their own opinions of what works better for them, and the forums are here for sharing our knowledge. That being said, I've tried a lot of different stencil products, some of them self-made from various sources (the mix nikko hurtado mentions in his dvd for example) and I've found stencil stuff to be the hands down best. Not to mention that its far more convenient to click "add to cart" and know that I'm getting something consistent than to buy a bunch of stuff to mix myself.

I dont mind, since we have come out with Stencil Stuff, of course others are jumping on the band wagon. Its just the nature of business. But I do want to point out that most of these guys are still using speed stick. Some say it is not good for you! Especially to be tattooed into your skin. Google it there are mixed reviews on it. But some say speed stick can cause Alzheimer's. Take the chance? Not me!

Heard a lot about aluminum possibly being in some speedstick brands too. Not that I'd want to have that in my clients skin anyway, but from what I understand it could possibly have a bad reaction to some of the pigments used in our inks too when mixed in the skin like that.

ive been using aleeda action stick deodorant for a couple of years now and swear by them they are the best! even after a 5 hour sessions the stencil is still there. cost only $3 and can be consumed for almost a year. anyone who thinks its unhygenic using a deodorant is dumb..
http://www.4sgm.com/is-bin/intershop.static/WFS/4sgm-Storefront-Site/-/en_US/images/product_new/M/54782_M.jpg

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Hey wayco2x

Although it may not matter to you, and all your concerned about is the "cost of $3" and "how well it works". your missing one very important factor. Is it safe for the client. there are a lot of deodorants out their that have damaging and have carcinogenic (Cancerous) effect on people as well as allergies, short and long term. and since I'm someone who enjoys knowing the details of pretty much how everything works. I felt that I would share some information with you.
1. besides aluminum, in a very high percentage of deodorants there are three main ingredients. 1 is Trichlorocarbanilde, Titanium Dioxide and BHT.
If you are interested,Trichlorocarbanilde is classified as a possible carcinogen. and if you would like to look up some details on this chemical perhaps read the MSDS on it , you will find that there is no acceptable exposure limit for a carcinogen. Also This compound is classified as a possible mutagen. There is no acceptable exposure limit for a mutagen. As for Titanium Dioxide some details will show that this substance may be toxic to lungs, upper respiratory tract. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage. ect. and as for BHD aka, Butylated Hydroxy Toluene. This substance does not have data on the effects of humans but you may find it interesting that the effects on mice were. BHT - Investigated as a mutagen, reproductive effector, and tumorigen. That means Tumors, in case you were wondering.
Now here is the kicker and the point that I would like to get to and hopefully finally put to and end this debate on deodorants. I'm sure the FDA will pass any kind of limited effects and exceptable exposure limits on these product as long as they can make some money. They have been making money off the backs of millions of dead people for years, so why would they give a fuck now....also try and explain to my why the lymphoma cancer rates have soared since the the invention of deodorants and other body spays. do a search and tell me that it must be a coincidence.....
anyway.
My main point is why take a chance on the health and well being of clients because people are too fuc#ing cheap to buy a product that has been tested to be safe. If you work out the numbers how much money are you really saving. and if saving pennys is more important then I think you are definitely in this business for the wrong reason...
Another point I would like to mention is the importance of respecting this industry and the artist that try and bring things to the industry to make it better for us. If you can't support the people and artist that you look up to for advise, and would rather detour others from using a proven product to save a few bucks. Then please continue on the way that you are. I'm happy that your methods are working for you...

I probably should have started this response with "please don't take any offense to this post", but you get the idea...... ;)




Take care.


Stephen Stacey

I have found stencil stuff to work best for me as the directions on the label reads. I let dry for 10-15mins while I finish setting up. Though I do not use green soap on my stencils- I will use straight water and dab rather than wipe. I also let the stencil sit for apprx. 5mins before removing the paper. I too stencil right from the copied reference and have found for me that I like to hand draw all my stencils. To me it familiarizes my memory with the tattoo I am about to do. I have used speed stick solutions in the past and yes the stick, but after hearing possible side effects I no longer use them as I would like to see me customers keep coming back years from now.