About

Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
25 mins

Printmaking
Stencil-printed cork mats make a retro classic into a graphic must-have. For an extra twist use a metallic paint as a contrast. Perfect for jazzing up your table.

Posted by GMC Group Published See GMC Group's 304 projects » © 2024 Claire Culley & Amy Phipps / GMC Publications · Reproduced with permission. · Printmaking by Claire Culley and Amy Phipps, published by GMC (£12.99, available from www.thegmcgroup.com)
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  • How to make a placemat. Chevron Place Mats - Step 1
    Step 1

    Start by cutting your masking tape into 17 strips of 2 3⁄4in (7cm) long.

  • How to make a placemat. Chevron Place Mats - Step 2
    Step 2

    Now use the tape measure to find the centre of your cork place mat. Mark the place with a small pencil dot.

  • How to make a placemat. Chevron Place Mats - Step 3
    Step 3

    Stick your first piece of masking tape to the cork mat, using the dot you made as a marker for the top left-hand corner of the masking tape. Using your tape measure, mark a vertical line down the masking tape as shown.

  • How to make a placemat. Chevron Place Mats - Step 4
    Step 4

    Now stick the next piece of masking tape over the top of the first, creating an upside down V shape. The line you have just drawn acts as a guideline to ensure it is being stuck down evenly.

  • How to make a placemat. Chevron Place Mats - Step 5
    Step 5

    Repeat this process across the middle of the mat to create a zigzag effect.

  • How to make a placemat. Chevron Place Mats - Step 6
    Step 6

    Leaving a gap that is the same distance as the width of the tape, start your next line of masking tape zigzags in the same way.

  • How to make a placemat. Chevron Place Mats - Step 7
    Step 7

    Now do the same at the top of the mat, leaving you with an even coverage of zigzags.

  • How to make a placemat. Chevron Place Mats - Step 8
    Step 8

    You are now ready to paint. Blob out a little paint onto an old plate or palette.

  • How to make a placemat. Chevron Place Mats - Step 9
    Step 9

    Take your stencil brush and dab it into the paint. Holding the brush vertically to the mat, dab the paint onto the exposed cork areas.

  • How to make a placemat. Chevron Place Mats - Step 10
    Step 10

    Keep going across the whole middle section. Then do the same for the bottom and top, taking care to paint an even coverage.

  • How to make a placemat. Chevron Place Mats - Step 11
    Step 11

    You may find you need to add an extra coat depending on how water-based your paint is, so leave it to dry and assess the situation after an hour or so. Once you are happy with how it looks and the paint is dry, slowly peel off the masking tape.

  • How to make a placemat. Chevron Place Mats - Step 12
    Step 12

    Repeat this process on the rest of your cork mats until you have as many as you need.

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