Key takeaways
- Natural rubber stencil film (0.9–1.1 mm) absorbs abrasive impact and resists deep, aggressive blasting on granite and monuments; PVC stencil film (0.5–1.0 mm) is thinner, cheaper and suited to shallow etching on glass, marble and ceramic.
- Single-line, double-line and three-layer constructions differ in liner count and Mylar/PET backing; three-layer film with PET backing holds dimension during plotter cutting and weeding of fine detail.
- Choose 0.5 mm for glass frosting and light etching, 0.9–1.0 mm for general stone lettering, and 1.1 mm for deep-cut monument work with coarse abrasive at high pressure.
- Standard widths are 0.305 m (12 in) and 0.61 m (24 in); MOQ is one roll for stock items, 100 rolls for custom thickness or private label.
- Both rubber and PVC stencil films can be plotter-cut or hand-cut; rubber weeds more easily on large lettering, PVC gives cleaner edges on small text and fine linework.
Natural rubber sandblast stencil film is the right choice for deep, aggressive blasting into granite, monuments and thick stone, because rubber absorbs abrasive impact and holds up under high pressure. PVC stencil film is thinner, lower in cost and better for shallow etching on glass, marble, ceramic and softer stone where fine detail matters more than blast depth. Thickness, backing construction and how the stencil will be cut then decide which grade to order.
How sandblast stencil film works
A sandblast stencil is a self-adhesive mask. You cut the design into the film, apply it to stone or glass, and blast abrasive (aluminium oxide, garnet or silicon carbide) at the surface. Where the film is present, the abrasive bounces off; where it has been weeded away, the abrasive erodes the substrate to create lettering, borders and artwork.
The film has to do three things: stick firmly enough that abrasive cannot get under the edge, resist the abrasive long enough for the cut to reach the required depth, and come off cleanly afterwards. Rubber and PVC each achieve this differently. The full Sandblast Stencil Film range from Shanghai Mars Industrial covers both materials in single-line, double-line and three-layer constructions.
Natural rubber stencil film
Natural rubber stencil is the traditional monument-trade material. Its elasticity is the key property: when a particle of abrasive hits the surface, the rubber deforms and rebounds instead of being chipped away. This gives it a much longer blast life than a rigid plastic of the same thickness.
Characteristics:
- Thickness: 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm and 1.1 mm are the common stock gauges for stone work.
- Blast resistance: High. Suitable for coarse abrasive (30–46 grit) at 4–7 bar (60–100 psi) and for deep cuts of 6 mm (1/4 in) or more into granite.
- Cutting: Cuts on a plotter with a 60-degree blade at high force. Hand-cuts easily with a stencil knife. Weeds cleanly on large letters because the rubber holds together as a strip.
- Adhesive: High-tack pressure-sensitive adhesive formulated for polished and honed stone, with a service window of days rather than months.
- Removal: Peels off in large pieces; residue cleans with a solvent wipe.
- Limitations: Higher cost per square metre than PVC; heavier rolls; fine detail below about 5 mm can be difficult to weed because the rubber stretches.
PVC stencil film
PVC stencil film is a plasticised vinyl with a blast-resistant surface. It is more rigid than rubber, so it cuts more precisely and weeds fine detail without stretching, but under heavy abrasive it wears through faster.
Characteristics:
- Thickness: 0.5 mm, 0.9 mm and 1.0 mm.
- Blast resistance: Moderate. Ideal for fine abrasive (80–180 grit) at 2–4 bar (30–60 psi) and for shallow etching, frosting and light carving of 1–3 mm.
- Cutting: Cuts cleanly on any drag-knife plotter; 0.5 mm cuts with only modestly increased force. Edges stay crisp on small text and serifs.
- Adhesive: Pressure-sensitive acrylic formulated for glass, ceramic and polished marble.
- Removal: Clean peel from glass and polished surfaces.
- Limitations: Can chip or tear through at high pressure with coarse grit; less forgiving of blast-angle mistakes.
Rubber vs PVC: comparison table
| Property | Natural rubber stencil | PVC stencil |
|---|---|---|
| Stock thickness | 0.9 / 1.0 / 1.1 mm | 0.5 / 0.9 / 1.0 mm |
| Blast resistance | High (coarse grit, high pressure) | Moderate (fine grit, lower pressure) |
| Typical blast depth | 3–10 mm (deep carving) | 0.5–3 mm (etching, frosting) |
| Best substrates | Granite, hard stone, monuments | Glass, marble, ceramic, wood, softer stone |
| Detail capability | Good above 5 mm letter height | Very good, including fine linework |
| Plotter cutting | Needs high force, 60° blade | Cuts easily, 45–60° blade |
| Hand cutting | Very good | Good |
| Weeding | Easy on large areas | Easy on fine detail |
| Relative cost | Higher | Lower |
| Roll weight | Heavier | Lighter |
Single-line, double-line and three-layer constructions
Beyond the material, stencil film is supplied in different layer constructions. The names refer to how many liners and backing layers are included.
- Single-line (single-liner): Blast film with adhesive and one release liner. Simplest and cheapest. Suited to hand-cut work and large, simple shapes, since there is no stabilising backing and the film can stretch slightly during weeding.
- Double-line (double-liner): Blast film sandwiched between a release liner on the adhesive side and a protective liner on the face. The face liner keeps the surface clean and helps with registration when applying multi-part designs.
- Three-layer with Mylar/PET backing: Blast film, adhesive, and a polyester (Mylar) film bonded to the liner. The PET backing gives dimensional stability during plotter cutting, so long lines and fine text stay exactly where the plotter put them. This is the construction to specify for computer-cut monument lettering and any design with small characters. The backing is removed during application, after the stencil has been positioned.
For most monument shops running a plotter, three-layer rubber film in 1.0 mm is the default. For glass and ceramic studios, three-layer or double-line PVC in 0.5 mm covers most work.
Choosing thickness by application
| Application | Recommended film | Thickness | Abrasive and pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass frosting, logos on glassware | PVC | 0.5 mm | 120–180 grit, 2–3 bar |
| Shallow lettering on marble or limestone | PVC or rubber | 0.5–0.9 mm | 80–120 grit, 3–4 bar |
| Standard lettering on granite headstones | Rubber | 0.9–1.0 mm | 46–60 grit, 4–6 bar |
| Deep V-cut or raised lettering on monuments | Rubber | 1.1 mm | 30–46 grit, 5–7 bar |
| Large architectural panels, long blast times | Rubber | 1.0–1.1 mm | 46 grit, 5–6 bar |
| Wood and ceramic tile carving | PVC | 0.5–0.9 mm | 80–120 grit, 3–4 bar |
Go one step thicker if the operator is less experienced or the blast will take longer than usual; a stencil that wears through halfway through a job costs far more than the extra film.
Widths, ordering and related materials
Standard widths are 0.305 m (12 in) and 0.61 m (24 in), matched to common monument-trade plotters. Roll lengths vary by thickness; ask for the current specification sheet.
- MOQ: 1 roll for stock thickness and width; 100 rolls for custom thickness, custom width or private-label packaging.
- Lead time: 7–10 days stock, 15–25 days custom.
- Terms: FOB Shanghai/Ningbo, CIF, CFR, EXW or DDP; T/T, L/C, Western Union and Trade Assurance.
- Testing: Rolls are produced under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 with SGS test reports available; details are on the quality page.
- Samples: Free A4 samples of each material and thickness are available so you can blast-test on your own stone and equipment.
The same product line includes PE surface protective film and masking tape jumbo rolls, which monument and glass shops use to protect polished areas outside the stencil and to mask edges on large panels.
Common mistakes
- Using PVC for deep granite work to save money, then having the film blow through before depth is reached.
- Using 1.1 mm rubber for small text on glass, where the film stretches and the fine detail distorts.
- Ordering single-line film for plotter-cut lettering; without a PET backing the cut file and the stencil drift apart.
- Storing rubber film in a hot workshop, which hardens the adhesive and causes edge lift under blast.
- Skipping the sample stage when changing thickness or supplier; abrasive, pressure and nozzle distance all interact with the film.
Next step
If you are unsure which construction or thickness matches your abrasive setup, send a short description of your substrate, blast depth and cutting equipment through the contact page. You will receive free A4 samples of the recommended rubber and PVC grades along with a quotation for your preferred width and Incoterm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for sandblasting granite, rubber or PVC stencil film?
Natural rubber stencil film is the standard choice for granite and deep monument lettering because it absorbs the impact of coarse abrasive at high pressure without cutting through. PVC works for shallow lettering on granite but wears faster under aggressive blasting.
What thickness of sandblast stencil should I use for glass?
0.5 mm PVC or rubber stencil film is sufficient for surface frosting and light etching on glass. Thicker film is only needed if you are carving deep into thick glass or blasting at high pressure.
What does three-layer sandblast stencil film mean?
Three-layer stencil film consists of the rubber or PVC blast layer, an adhesive coating and a Mylar (PET) backing that keeps the film dimensionally stable during plotter cutting and weeding. The backing is removed as the stencil is applied to the stone or glass.
Can sandblast stencil film be cut on a vinyl plotter?
Yes. Both rubber and PVC stencil films in 0.5–1.1 mm cut on standard drag-knife plotters with a 60-degree blade and increased cutting force. PVC and thinner films require less force; 1.1 mm rubber may need two passes on some machines.
How long can sandblast stencil film be stored?
Store rolls at 15–25 °C away from direct sunlight and use within about 12 months. Natural rubber film in particular should be kept cool and dry to prevent hardening of the adhesive.
What is the minimum order and lead time for sandblast stencil film?
Stock thicknesses and widths ship from one roll in 7–10 days. Custom thickness, width or private-label packaging starts at 100 rolls with a 15–25 day lead time.
