Neon Leopard Print Wood Coasters

Every 90s kid will love a handmade set of Lisa Frank-inspired Neon Leopard Print Wood Coasters!

I'm a 90s kid that owned and LOVED every kind of Lisa Frank merch I could get my hands on! I've always loved everything about the aesthetic - the combination of adorable characters surrounded by bright neon colors and animal prints. To bring some more color into my home, I decided to make a set of coasters inspired by that Lisa Frank magic. Thanks to Ikonart, these Neon Leopard Print Wood Coasters are so easy to make and turned out better than I could have ever imagined. If you want to make a set for yourself, I'm sharing the tutorial and FREE design just for you!

New to making reusable stencils? Here's how to Get Started with Ikonart!

To make your own set of Neon Leopard Print Wood Coasters, you will need these supplies:

• Leopard Print Design (for personal use only)
• Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit
• Unfinished Wood Coasters
• Sandpaper
• Paint Brush
• Neon Acrylic Paint
• Acrylic Paint - black, white
• Chalk Paint Powder
• Squeegee
• Detail Brush (optional)

Coaster Sealant/Topcoat:

• Amazing Clear Cast Resin
• Measuring/Mixing Cup
• Stirring Stick
• Disposable Gloves
• Iridescent Glitter

*Save 15% on Ikonart supplies when you shop with code AFM15

Printables and cut files from Artsy-Fartsy Mama are for personal use only. You may use these files for personal projects, but you may not sell them. If you'd like to share this project digitally, share a link to this post/website only. Do not share a direct link to the file.

To make a stencil, you need to start with a printed design. Download the Leopard Print Design (for personal use only) and print the design as dark as possible on either inkjet or laser Ikonart Printer Film.

The next step in the process is exposing the stencil film. Set up the exposure stand with UV LED Light by following the directions included in the kit. Ikonart Stencil Film is light sensitive, so be careful to keep it out of sunlight and bright lights before exposure. Cut a piece of the film slightly larger than the design print.

Lay the piece of film down on the base of the stand with the textured side facing up, and then place the printed design on top of the stencil film.

Lastly, place the clear exposure sheet (found in the stencil film pack) on top and press it down well to seal the design tight against the stencil film. Any air pockets between the two will mess up your stencil exposure. Turn the exposure light on and expose the film for 35 seconds.

The final step in the stencil-making process is to washout, or rinse the stencil. Clip the exposed stencil film to the Ikonart clipboard with the shiny side (carrier sheet) touching the clipboard. Use the kitchen sink or shower sprayer to rinse the stencil film with warm water until the design shows through and becomes completely clear. The washout process shouldn't take more than 3-5 minutes.

Gently blot the excess water from the stencil, and hang or lay the stencil flat to dry for about 45 minutes. When the stencil is dry, you shouldn't see any water spots or discoloration. Once the stencil is completely dried, place the it back on the exposure stand and expose it again for at least 2 minutes without the clear cover sheet. This extra exposure time will increase the durability of the stencil so you can get as much use out of it as possible. On the clear backing of your stencil, write the word "BACK" with a permanent marker.

Use sandpaper to make the wood coasters as smooth as possible. Next, paint the coaster set with a coat of white acrylic paint. This is just a base coat to help the neon paints really pop, so you don't really need more than one coat. Let this coat of paint dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Next, use a paint brush to create stripes of neon acrylic paints in rainbow order on the coasters. For best results, blend the edges of each of the colors. Let the first paint coat dry completely, and paint another layer of stripes to really make the colors vibrant. The neon yellow can be a really light shade when dried, so you may need to add more of this color.

Be ABSOLUTELY SURE that the paint is completely dry before moving on to the next step!!

Because acrylic paint has a thinner consistency, you can have trouble with bleeds on stencil projects. Chalk paint is thicker than regular acrylic paint, so this helps to create crisp lines when stenciling. To thicken your acrylic paints (any brand or type), I recommend mixing in a little bit of chalk paint powder.

Just add a little bit of powder to the paint and stir it together with a craft stick. Add a little more powder at a time, if necessary, until you get the consistency you want.

*If you're not sure what to use on your project, Ikonart has a list of paint and ink selections to help you out!

Peel the carrier sheet away from the stencil and set it aside (don't throw it away). Carefully rub the stencil down and apply pressure to help it stick to the surface and to get rid of any air bubbles.

Use a squeegee, sponge, or even your fingertip to apply acrylic paint over the stencil. If you're using a sponge or a fingertip, dab the sponge/finger in the paint, and then gently tap over the stencil. Don't rub or add too much pressure. If using the squeegee, add a little line of paint at the top edge of the coaster and gently pull the squeegee down to the bottom edge. Scrape away the excess paint and put it back onto the paint tray.

Chalk paint is thicker, but it also dries a lot quicker than regular acrylic paint. After covering the coaster with paint, immediately - but slowly - lift the stencil up at one corner to reveal that paint below. If you see any spots that you may have missed while peeling the stencil away, carefully lay it back down and add a little more paint over the area.

If everything looks good as you get to the end, remove the stencil completely.

Another thing I absolutely love about using Ikonart stencils is that they are totally reusable! As long as you didn't have any bleeds on the previous coaster, you can immediately move along to cover the next stencil without having to wash your stencil out.

Center the stencil over the next coaster, and repeat the paint application process using a squeegee, sponge, or fingertip. Slowly peel the stencil away from the coaster, starting at one corner and re-applying paint as necessary.

Repeat this process over and over until all of your coasters have been stenciled. Once the set is complete, wash out your stencil (using the instructions below).

Washing Stencils:

For best results, wash stencils while the paint is still wet. To wash your stencil so that it can be used again and again, first get the clipboard wet so your stencil doesn't stick to it. Place the stencil on the clipboard with the textured side up, and lightly rub the stencil under cold running water to remove all the paint.

Do not rub or scrub the adhesive side of the stencil, and NEVER use anything other than water to wash the stencils. To prevent the stencil from breaking down, don't ever leave the stencils to soak.

Remove the stencil from the clipboard and lay it down with the adhesive side up. While the stencil is still wet, place the carrier sheet onto the stencil so that the word “BACK” is readable. Hang or lay the stencil flat to dry completely. 

If you notice a missed spot after removing the stencil, DO NOT put the stencil back on! Grab a small detail paint brush. If it's a missed spot of the stencil design, use the detail brush to carefully go over the area with the same paint used on the stencil. If you have an area that has bled, you can use a craft knife to carefully scrape the excess paint away while it's still wet, or use the brush to paint over the bleed with the background color.

Make sure the painted leopard print is dry, and then carefully paint around the edges of the coasters with black acrylic paint. I think this extra step just gives the coasters a finished and professional look.

To keep your coasters protected, I highly recommend sealing the coasters before use. You can spray the coasters with a few coats of clear sealant, or get creative by covering the tops with a layer of sparkling resin for some extra Lisa Frank style!

Working with resin is actually very easy, especially if you are adding a simple topcoat to a project! If you're new to resin, definitely check out Resin 101: Getting Started with Resin.

SAFETY FIRST: Before getting started, wear disposable gloves, protect your workspace, and be sure to work in a well-ventilated area!

Prepare 30ml of Amazing Clear Cast resin according to package directions. Pour in equal parts of resin and hardener to a clean mixing cup. Slowly stir the resin together with a stir stick for two minutes. If the resin looks cloudy or has any streaks running through it, you need to keep stirring it until it becomes clear. 

Add some white iridescent glitter to the resin and stir the mixture until evenly incorporated. Give the resin a few minutes to "rest" and allow the bubbles to rise to the top.

Use the stir stick to add some resin to the top of the coaster. Gently bring the resin near the edges of the coaster. To prevent the resin from spilling over the sides, you need to carefully bring the resin to *just* the edge. If you see any drips going down the side, wipe it away immediately.

If you tilt your head or angle yourself to see the light reflecting on the surface of the resin, you will be able to see any "bald spots" or areas that aren't covered in the resin. Use the stir stick to fill in any of these areas.

Add resin to the coaster until entire top is covered, but do NOT overfill. Too much resin will eventually spill over the edges. Let the resin sit for a few minutes, then spritz with 91% alcohol to remove any air bubbles.

Repeat this process for the rest of the coaster set. Leave the resin to cure in an undisturbed, well ventilated area for 12-24 hours (depending on humidity, it could be longer).

Aren't these Neon Leopard Print Wood Coasters SO fun?! My Lisa Frank-loving, 90s kid heart is just so happy! The coasters are so simple to make, and will definitely be a statement piece of decor. I'd love to hear what you think about this project, or if you want to know more about reusable stencils. If you've made your own stenciled projects, I would love to see your creations! Share them on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest! #AFMCrafts

Don't forget to Pin, Like, and Share!