Frequently Asked Questions

We accept JPG, PNG, PDF, AI, PSD and SVG, as well as a clear photograph of a design. Vector files such as AI, PDF and SVG give the cleanest result because they scale without loss of edge quality, but we work from raster files and photos routinely. Send whatever you have and we will tell you if it needs work.

No. If your design is not stencil-ready we will prepare it for you. Minor adjustments are made free of charge; more substantial preparation carries a small fee, quoted before we start. You can also send your design to us for review before you purchase.

In most cases, yes. Logos with enclosed shapes such as the centre of an O, A or 8 need bridges added so those sections stay attached to the surrounding sheet. We add bridges as part of design preparation, positioning them to preserve the character of the artwork. Very fine detail and thin strokes may need to be thickened slightly to survive repeated use.

Yes. Every order receives a digital proof for approval before anything is cut. Proofs are typically issued within one to two business days of ordering. Nothing goes to the laser until you approve it, and if you are not satisfied with the proof we will refund you in full.

Yes. Our Custom Text Stencil Designer lets you enter your text, switch between stencil fonts and preview the result with live pricing. It suits lettering, numbering and simple signage. For logos, artwork or multi-layer work, order a custom stencil and upload your file instead.

No. Most products can be ordered as a single item. Bulk discounts apply to larger runs and recurring orders, and we can kit or pack stencils with extras for trade and wholesale customers.

7.5mil Mylar is 0.19mm thick. It is flexible, conforms well to curved surfaces and holds fine detail, which makes it the better choice for coffee stencils, cake work and intricate artwork. 14mil Mylar is 0.35mm thick, roughly twice the strength, and is the standard recommendation for repeated commercial use, spray painting and site work. Both are translucent for easy positioning and clean with solvent or warm water.

Mylar is our default and covers most applications. We also cut polypropylene, which is lightweight, flexible and cost-effective; MDF, which is rigid and suited to large flat stencils; plywood, a durable natural timber option; and adhesive vinyl, which is single-use and gives the crispest possible edge on an irregular surface. Tell us the surface, the paint system and how many times you expect to use the stencil, and we will recommend a material.

It depends on the material, because Mylar comes on rolls and everything else comes in sheets.

• Mylar (7.5mil and 14mil): up to 1400mm wide and continuous in length. Our Mylar comes on 1400mm by 120m rolls, our laser bed takes the full 1400mm width, and the machine has a pass-through for continuous cutting — so the length of a single piece is limited by what you can handle on site and ship, not by our equipment.
• Polypropylene: 2200mm by 1240mm sheets. A hard ceiling, since it is supplied in fixed sheets rather than rolls.
• MDF, plywood and vinyl: sheet sizes vary by material — ask and we will confirm before you order.

Designs beyond the limit for a given material are tiled across multiple registered sheets, with the registration marks cut in so the panels align when laid out.

1.8mm. Bridges are the small connecting pieces that keep the centre of an O, A or 8 attached to the rest of the stencil. Below about 1.8mm they do not survive handling, cleaning and repeated use — they tear, and the centre drops out. If your artwork has enclosed shapes with less than that available, we thicken the bridge during design preparation and show you exactly where it sits on your proof.

Standard stencils run from A7 through A4 and A3 to A0. For anything beyond that, enter your own measurements through our large custom stencil product, or contact us for a free quote.

Stencils include a 50mm overspray border as standard. This keeps paint off the surrounding surface when spraying and gives you something to hold or tape down. Wider borders can be specified if you are working with a spray gun or at distance.

The laser is rarely the limiting factor — the material is. What determines whether a design works is the width of material remaining between cuts: our minimum bridge width is 1.8mm, and thin strokes or small enclosed shapes below that will not survive handling and cleaning. During design preparation we identify any feature that will not hold up in use and adjust it, flagging the change on your proof. If you are unsure, send the artwork and we will tell you before you order.

A 14mil Mylar stencil used and cleaned properly will last through dozens to hundreds of applications. Life is determined less by the material than by handling: paint build-up around the cut edges, creasing, and aggressive scraping are what end a stencil. See How Long Do Mylar Stencils Last? for the detail.

Clean while the paint is still wet wherever possible. Lay the stencil flat and wipe with a soft cloth, using warm soapy water for water-based paint or a suitable solvent for enamels and aerosols. Do not scrape dried paint off the cut edges, as this rounds them and softens the line. Store flat, not rolled or folded.

Hold the stencil flat against the surface, use light passes rather than one heavy coat, and spray perpendicular to the surface rather than at an angle. Most bleed is caused by the stencil lifting or by too much paint on the first pass. Our guide on the best material for spray painting stencils covers technique in more depth.

Proofs are issued within one to two business days of ordering. Once you approve the proof, stencils are cut, packed and dispatched within two business days. Priority cutting and express shipping are available if you have a deadline; tell us the date you need it by when you order.

Shipping is free Australia-wide on orders of $99 or more. Below that, rates are calculated at checkout by destination and parcel size. Every order ships with tracking.

Yes. We ship worldwide. International orders are quoted at checkout and any import duties or taxes are the responsibility of the recipient.

Yes. All orders ship tracked, and you can view order status at any time through your account portal.

Laser cutting in acrylic, timber and specialised materials for signage, prototypes and displays. Laser engraving on drinkware, awards, plaques, corporate gifts and keepsakes. UV laser engraving for cold marking on heat-sensitive materials, coated and anodised metals, glass and leather, plus serial numbers and QR codes. Engraved electrical labels, traffolyte tags and safety signage for electricians and contractors. Custom flash and self-inking stamps. We also 3D print keychains and name tags.

Yes. We supply trades, contractors, event organisers, hospitality venues and government organisations, including repeat and scheduled supply. Email info@tinkable.com.au with your requirements and volumes for pricing.

Yes, and quotes are free. Email info@tinkable.com.au or use the contact page with your size, material, quantity and artwork files. We will return a mock-up or written quote for approval, and nothing proceeds until you confirm.

Tinkable operates from a workshop at 5 Othello Ct, Eatons Hill QLD 4037, in north Brisbane. Every stencil, cut part and engraved item is produced in-house rather than outsourced or imported, and we ship Australia-wide and internationally. Phone 0418 873 436 or email info@tinkable.com.au. We are open Monday to Thursday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday, 9:00am to 1:00pm AEST. Closed weekends. We are a workshop rather than a retail shopfront, so trade collections are welcome by arrangement — please contact us first so we can have your order ready.

Tinkable is an Australian owned and operated family business, trading since February 2023, run by Katharine and built on 10.5 years of Australian Defence Force service. You deal directly with the people cutting your work. More about us.

Contact us and we will make it right through a return, remake or full refund. Because every order is proofed and approved before cutting, most issues are resolved at the proof stage. Full terms are in our refund policy.