Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
If I asked this Q already (being a junior senior, I dont remember what I had for breakfast yesterday) just pat me on the head and point me at that thread but...
I am trying shop for stencils and I am getting very confused by terms that I dont know if they are inter-changable or actually mean something different.
I see stencil, template, art screen (color box), masking and mascil. Sometimes there is more than one in the name.
ie: Mascil and stencil are both in the name of an item, so now I am wondering if mascil has to do with the structure of it-like is it those hyper thin, flexible kinds vs hard plastic?
Is the difference whether it is the postive vs the negative image?
Masks mean something specific to me so I am very confused by that.
So I came here to look for a definitions list, and searched tutorials, basics, techniques, tools...and all I found was thread on what acronyms mean.
Do we have a definitions list here that says a template is X and aka as Y and Z, embossing paste is X, etc.? I'd be surprised if there isnt one-I must just be missing it. :confused::confused:
You got me really curious on this, Wavejumper. Since I'm headed out to Tuesday Morning and a few other craft stores, I really had to know the answer. ;)
Mascils is a Clearsnaps product, advertised as "a stencil/mask combination that allows you to use a variety of mediums, while keeping the design." I watched a video and didn't see any difference between them and regular stencils. I like the on in your link!
I found the below definitions on Get it Scrapped
"Stencil: A stencil is a thin sheet of cardboard, metal, or other material from which figures or letters have been cut out. Rub, brush,or press a coloring and/or texture medium like ink, mist, or paint over the sheet so it passes through the perforations and onto the surface.
Thus, you are making a positive image�unless you use one of Dina Wakley�s favorite approaches of flipping a used stencil to rub that excess ink off on a new project.
Mask: A mask is a cover or shield used to protect the surface beneath it from the mediums being applied. Spray or brush or paint over the mask, then remove it to reveal an untouched area surrounded by color and texture. Thus, you are making an image in negative space."
I found some links to mixed media definitions, they were focused on supplies like gesso and gel mediums. Sounds like an opportunity for some collaboration to create a resource page on mixed media!!
Yes...some of the stencils are getting reeeally thin! I have more trouble using a paste with those and it's less dimension. That little hair of a difference actually shows.
Thank you Carla. I looked on YT for mascils and got nothing.
That is my understanding of a mask. Why Clearsnaps is using that on the product name I dont know unless they call a stencil a mask in other countries?
So, we are saying that a stencil, a template, a mascil and the art screen are all the same thing, just different names. Masking is something else.
So, we are saying that a stencil, a template, a mascil and the art screen are all the same thing, just different names. Masking is something else.
From the descriptions, stencil, mascil and art screen are the same thing. Amazing how each company thinks they need a specialized name!
A template is a pattern. The below definition from Merriam-Webster fits crafting the best.
"A shape or pattern that is cut out of a hard material (such as metal or plastic) and used to make the same shape and pattern in other pieces of material
computers : a computer document that has the basic format of something (such as a business letter, chart, graph, etc.) and that can be used many different times
: something that is used as an example of how to do, make, or achieve something"
You've got me thinking about the all the different tools used for paper crafting and how confusing it can be. Also, how easy it is to over buy when you don't understand what you're buying!! I've listed some resource pages below. I've found bits and pieces, no comprehensive list with definitions. The question is, what equipment, tools and supplies should be included?
I think Clearsnap is just being "cutesy" with the words mask and stencil, combining the 2 words into 1 and coming up with mascil.
Clearly Clearsnap does not know what a mask is.
Colorbox (which is owned by Clearsnap) artscreens are "Craft stencils for paper crafts, home d�cor and more!" This is their definition which I copied from their site.
So clearly it was not enough for the Clearsnap to change the name of a stencil to mascil; they changed the name Colorbox uses from stencil to artscreen.
Clearly, Clearsnap wants the public to think they are buying something new and different.
Clearly, they must think we are idiots.
Clearly, we are not.
Do I make myself clear?
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
Last edited by uncbballfan; 04-05-2016 at 11:32 PM..
Reason: new info
That was my understanding of what a template is before I came to cardmaking...it was inter-changeable with "pattern" for say, sewing or woodworking. Or the document application-I have certainly created enough of those- and before computers! Used to also call them Masters.
But obviously the card industry is using it like "stencil". Not to be confused with say templates for envelope liners though! (sigh) :rolleyes:
I esp like that first list-lots of words I dont know-but none of them has either stencil or mask! lol The second list-I didnt know there are bag making boards to make your own gift bag though I am not very surprised.
So I am not wrong-we dont have such a list here that I am just not finding. I am not faulting SCS, just making sure I didnt miss it. My computer skills are not top notch.
LOL Linda...it's true. Mfgs can try to coin "new" words or change the meaning of words, to suit them and their product! I call it the Sneetches Syndrome, Variation One. If we call something a new name, we can sell a bunch of them before people figure it out. (Two being I HAVE to have something to be someone) Thank you Madison Ave advertisers. :rolleyes:
Boy I love SCS.....no fooling this bunch! That rocks!
I think Clearsnap is just being "cutesy" with the words mask and stencil, combining the 2 words into 1 and coming up with mascil.
Clearly Clearsnap does not know what a mask is.
Colorbox (which is owned by Clearsnap) artscreens are "Craft stencils for paper crafts, home d�cor and more!" This is their definition which I copied from their site.
So clearly it was not enough for the Clearsnap to change the name of a stencil to mascil; they changed the name Colorbox uses from stencil to artscreen.
Clearly, Clearsnap wants the public to think they are buying something new and different.
Clearly, they must think we are idiots.
Clearly, we are not.
Do I make myself clear?
I think you may well be right about Clearsnap 'making up' the word, as I just Googled mascil, and its' actually an acronym - Mascil- Mathematics and Science for Life which has absolutely nothing to do with stencils, lol.
I saw that too, Shaz, and thought, oh no, I'm gonna have to put my math and science skills to work making cards?? I haven't studied those subjects for - ahem - many years now.
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
Mascils (do you think we pronounce the c? ;) ) are by Clear Scraps (not Clearsnap) - they're just stencils with a cutesy name for branding... same deal with Clearsnap's Art Screens - just branding, though I wouldn't think there would be any issue with using the term "stencil"...
To me the difference between a stencil and a mask is the outline... stencils have a solid outside and an opening or openings in the center. Masks have a shaped outline, and are solid inside.
We don't have any kind of crafty glossary - I wouldn't even know where to begin!
The art screens I've used are Heidi Swapp brand. They are similar to stencils but have a silk screen layer behind the stencil image that you are pressing the ink through. You use them just as you would a stencil. I think the main difference is the finer details you can get because of the backing. Heres a link to a video about them. https://www.mycraftchannel.com/shows/heidi-swapp-s-create-to-remember/season-14/introducing-art-screens
Definition list?
