How does a stencil transfer ink onto paper?

In stenciling, ink or paint is transferred to a surface by passing it through open areas of a stencil—typically cut from paper, metal, or other thin materials—while the remaining areas block the medium from reaching the surface.12

The specific method of transfer depends on the technique:

• Basic Stenciling: Paint is applied through the cutout areas by rubbing, rolling, or spraying it onto the surface.2
• Screenprinting (Silk Screen): A more sophisticated process where a stencil is fixed to a fine mesh screen. Liquid ink is forced through the open mesh areas onto the paper using a rubber blade called a squeegee.12
• Intaglio Combination: Stencils can be placed over an inked intaglio plate, allowing specific colors to be rolled onto the plate's surface through the stencil openings before the final print is made.3

In all cases, the stencil acts as a physical barrier, ensuring that ink only reaches the paper through the intended design areas.12