DIY filing cabinet label stencils...Free download!

(+ how to get permanent marker off a smooth surface)

...and a little bonus surprise at the bottom of the post!!

OK...So you all know how my loft into work space makeover turned out (If you are new here, click on the link to see this amazing transformation)... I was inspired by these images of inspirational work spaces, and I especially fell in love with the filing cabinet in the top image...

So in true nostalgiecat spirit, I decided to use this old IKEA filing cabinet we already had, and give it a little makeover:

OK, so its not a gorgeous vintage filing cabinet, but inspired by the one I fell in love with, I decided to replace my husbands scribbled labels with some Army-type stenciled ones...

First problem was: How to get rid off the permanent marker pen!

Using a regular pencil eraser/rubber , I rubbed off most of the marker pen...This is not done in a hurry: have patience: It will take some time, and elbow grease!! The same goes for the next step:

Using some toothpaste, rub the remaining marker pen stain with a cloth/some tissue...

Persevere: It will all come out this way eventually!!

There are other methods of removing permanent marker pen off smooth surfaces (You can find some here ) but I've tried them all, and this was the way that seemed to work best!!

 Anyway...Once I'd cleaned off the old permanent marker on the filing cabinet, I designed these stencils to replace my husbands handwritten labels:

As you can see, I've added a couple of extra labels, that I thought could be of use to you all!

You can download the flipped label designs here and here!

The design needs to be flipped to create the stencils.

To create the stencils, you will need:

Printer

Some sticky back plastic

Scissors

A scalpel

Some tape

A cutting mat

Spray paint

Cut some sticky back plastic to A4 size, and print out the templates on the papered back of the sticky back plastic! (You can of course adjust the size of the lettering on your computer)

Cut out each individual label, tape it down to your cutting mat, glossy side up...

Use the scalpel to carefully cut out the black letters...

REMEMBER its the surrounding sticky back plastic that you'll want to keep!!

TIP: Cut along the longer lines first, and always cut towards your last cut, the smaller cuts can be made by just pressing the scalpel down into the design...this way you minimize the risk of messing up and tearing the surrounding sticky back plastic!

When you have cut out the design, peel off the paper backing on the sticky back plastic, and carefully place it onto the surface....Smooth down, taking care that there are no gaps between the SBP and the surface...

Mask off any surrounding areas if needed then gently spray paint the stencil!

Several lighter dustings of spray-paint will work best!

NB! ALWAYS use spray-paint in a well ventilated area/outside!

When the paint has dried, peel off the SBP , to reveal your new stenciled labels:

It looks a lot better now, don't you think??

It may not be a statement piece, but as they say: The devil is in the detail!!

And it makes for essential storage for Mr's paperwork!

FINALLY....

Here's a little bonus free download for you all:

Click HERE to download the pattern for the stencil I used to make my "I WILL SURVIVE" plant pot/basket, pictured below, and follow the same steps as above!!

Enjoy!

 I am having a little DIY-project break next week, whilst I am planning my living room makeover...but don't worry I have several projects  and useful tips to share with you all...as well as some interesting design news!!

xxx June