How to Paint Inspirations on a Headboard

Identify the words or phrases you want to stencil onto your headboard. If you are not sure what you want to write, purchase alphabet stencils with lower and upper case letters so that you can write any words or saying you want. Only you know what is inspirational to you. You may want to put one word such as "believe" or "hope" or "simplify," or you may want a phrase such as "Live well, laugh often, love much." If you have a large headboard, you could even write a section of a favorite poem or book. You can purchase stencils with sayings online or have your own saying custom-made.

Measure the space on the headboard you want to paint words onto with a measuring tape.

Cut a piece of bristol board to these exact same dimensions; this will serve as a practice board. You may need to use more than one piece of bristol board if you have a large headboard and wish to do a lot of writing on it.

Practice writing out the words or phrase on the bristol board with a stencil and a pen. You need to determine the spacing of the letters or words to ensure that the design will be even and centered on the headboard.

Create tiny marks on the headboard where you wish certain letters or words to begin, based on your design, so that you will be able to space out your letters or words appropriately. If your stencil has all the words you want to use in one stencil, then you only need to be concerned with where to place the words on the headboard.

Paint your headboard with a coat of flat paint if it has been previously painted with semi-gloss or glossy paint as stencil paint will adhere better to a surface that has been coated with flat paint. Allow the paint to dry fully.

Position your stencil on your headboard and secure it with small pieces of masking or painter's tape placed at its corners.

Dip the end of your paintbrush into a small jar of stencil paint. Stencil brushes may be flat-tipped or domed with bristles which taper near the ends; you can use either kind.

Use a circular motion on a paper towel to remove excess paint. Stenciling is considered a "dry brushing" technique. You are using too much paint on your brush if you are not producing clearly defined edges or if paint is seeping behind your stencil.

Paint over the openings in the stencil. You can tap or dab the brush onto the headboard, a process called "stippling," or you can use a "swirling" technique, which consists of circular brushstrokes made in the stencil openings. Stippling will produce even color tones but less color depth than swirling. Experiment with applying different amounts of pressure with the brush on a piece of paper beforehand to determine which look you prefer for your stenciling design.

Remove the stencil from the headboard and wash your brushes and stencils with warm water and soap once all of your letters and words have been painted onto the headboard.