Snowflake Window Stencils: How to Spray a Frosty Window

To spray a frosty window, clean the glass, hold a snowflake stencil flat against it, then dust artificial snow spray on from about 30cm away in three light passes. Peel the stencil off while it's still wet and you get a sharp white snowflake that wipes off with a dry cloth when Christmas is over.

One good stencil will do a whole window, then the next one, then next year's.

What you need

• A snowflake stencil (mylar is best if you want to reuse it, paper works for a few goes)
• A can of artificial snow spray (the window decoration kind, sold for exactly this)
• Glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth
• Low-tack masking tape or repositionable stencil spray adhesive
• Paper or old newspaper to mask the window frame
• Kitchen roll for the clean-up

You don't need white paint, and I'd steer clear of it. Paint is harder to get off glass and can stain frames and seals. Snow spray is designed to come off.

Getting the right snowflake stencil

Snowflakes are about the hardest shape there is for a stencil, which surprises people. All those little holes inside the arms are islands (bits of stencil completely surrounded by a cut). Cut them out without thinking and the middle of your snowflake drops out, leaving a white blob instead of a crystal.

Each island needs a bridge: a thin strip that holds it to the rest of the stencil. Good snowflake stencils hide the bridges inside the pattern so they look like part of the design.

You've got two easy routes:

1. Print one. Grab a ready-made design from the free Christmas stencils collection, print it and cut it out.
2. Make your own. Draw a snowflake (or fold and cut a paper one the old way), photograph it, and upload it to the Christmas stencil maker. It bridges the islands for you, and you can draw extra bridges by hand anywhere a point looks fragile. The bridging tutorial shows how.

Snow spray is one colour, so a single-layer stencil is all you need. That's well within a free download.

What size?

For a standard window pane, a snowflake between 15cm and 30cm across looks right. Print a few sizes and mix them up; a big one in a corner with two smaller ones drifting off it looks more natural than a neat row.

How to spray a snowflake on a window

1. Clean the glass. Spray glass cleaner, wipe, then buff dry. Any grease or dust stops the stencil sitting flat and gives you fuzzy edges.
2. Mask the frame. Tape paper around the edges of the pane. Snow spray drifts further than you expect.
3. Fix the stencil. Either tape all four edges down or give the back a very light mist of repositionable spray adhesive, wait a minute for it to go tacky, then press it on. The adhesive is better for snowflakes because it holds down the thin arms in the middle, not just the edges. There's more on that in stencil spray adhesive.
4. Press down every arm. Run your fingers over the whole stencil, especially the fine points. Anywhere it lifts, snow creeps under.
5. Shake the can. Give it a good shake for the time it says on the can. Snow spray that isn't mixed comes out wet and splotchy.
6. Do a test spray. Spray once onto a bit of paper first to check it's coming out as a fine mist, not a spit.
7. Hold the can about 30cm from the glass. Any closer and the spray goes on wet, pools and creeps under the edges.
8. Dust on three light passes. Sweep across the stencil in short, steady strokes, keeping the can moving. Let it settle for a moment, then do a second pass, then a third. Three thin coats build up a bright, even white without flooding the edges. One heavy coat gives you drips and a blurry outline.
9. Peel it off straight away. Lift from one corner, slowly, straight up and away from the glass. Don't slide it or you'll smear the edge.
10. Let it dry before you touch it or move on to the next pane.

Getting a frosted, fading look

For that frost-on-the-corners look, hold the can a bit further back and spray only the bottom corners of the pane, letting the mist fade out towards the middle. Then put your snowflake stencils over the top of that.

Inside or outside?

Spray the inside of the glass. It's out of the rain and condensation, and you're not up a ladder in December.

One thing to watch: anything you spray on the inside reads backwards from the street. Snowflakes are symmetrical so it doesn't matter, but if you add words like "Let it snow", flip the stencil over (or mirror it before printing) so it reads correctly from outside.

How to clean snow spray off a window

1. Wipe the bulk off with dry kitchen roll. Most of it comes away as dust.
2. Spray glass cleaner and wipe again for the haze.
3. For any stubborn bits, use a plastic scraper or the edge of an old bank card. Never a metal blade on glass you care about.

Check the can before you start, as some brands say not to use on hot glass or in direct sun, and some say how long they're designed to stay up. Open a window while you spray, as you would with any aerosol.

Looking after the stencil

If you want the stencil for next year, wipe the snow off it with a damp cloth while it's fresh, let it dry and store it flat between two sheets of card. Mylar lasts for years like this. A paper stencil will get soggy after a few sprays, so if you've got more than a couple of windows to do, it's worth making a reusable stencil instead.

Common mistakes

• Spraying too close. It's the number one reason for runs and fuzzy edges. 30cm.
• One heavy coat. Three light passes, always.
• Only taping the edges. The middle of a snowflake lifts. Use repositionable adhesive or press each arm down.
• Leaving the stencil on until it's dry. Snow spray can bridge the gap between stencil and glass and tear when you lift. Peel while wet.
• No bridges. The centre drops out and you get a white circle.

FAQ

Does snow spray damage windows?

Snow spray made for windows is designed to wipe off glass. It's the frames, seals and painted surfaces nearby you need to protect, so mask those off and check the can's instructions first.

Can I use a paper snowflake as a stencil?

Yes, a folded and cut paper snowflake works for a few sprays. Stick it down with repositionable adhesive so the thin points stay flat. It won't last as long as mylar.

What's the best material for a reusable window stencil?

Mylar. It wipes clean, doesn't go soggy and stores flat for next year. Thin, flexible mylar also sits flatter on glass than card does.

How long does window snow spray last?

It varies by brand, and indoors away from condensation it usually lasts the season. Check the can for the maker's guidance.

Want your own snowflake rather than a printable? Draw or photograph one, upload it to Free Stencil Maker, and you'll have a bridged, printable snowflake stencil in a few minutes.