Painting - template advice

I need to devise a relatively efficient/effective method of constructing a simple template with which I can paint eagle footprints along a concrete sidewalk as well as a paved asphalt bike path for quite a considerable distance, 500 yards maybe. I was thinking if I maybe I built a four-foot long frame out of 2 x 2s, about a foot wide or so, with some kind of relatively heavy flexible rubber type material or maybe linoleum or something for the cut-out of the footprints though which I would spray the paint through to make the prints. Any comments/advice/suggestions on materials/methods to do this and have it work out well would be appreciated. The eagle footprints would be approximately 4-5 times bigger than actual eagle footprints.

Stencils are what's usually used for this type of application.

I would think that a 2x frame would be more of a hindrance than help. I'd consider cutting it out of something like poster board. You might want several so you can trade off when the first set gets covered with wet paint. That way you won't transfer any paint off of the stencil. Once dry you should be able to reuse it.

Stencils are what's usually used for this type of application. I would think that a 2x frame would be more of a hindrance than help. I'd consider cutting it out of something like poster board. You might want several so you can trade off when the first set gets covered with wet paint. That way you won't transfer any paint off of the stencil. Once dry you should be able to reuse it.

Thanks marksr, stencil not template is the word I couldn't think of before. You're right, the frame idea probably wouldn't be of help. I do have several large 4 x 8 foot sheets of durable type poster board (it's the sort of plastic type corrugated material about 1/4" thick, I don't know what it's actually called) that I could use to cut to an appropriate size and create the stencils. The reason I was thinking of using a material like linoleum (or sheet vinyl flooring maybe) was because it might be easier to cut through with something like an exacto knife to make the nice neat bird-foot prints. Not sure how with the poster board what tool/method I'd use to make the stencil cut-outs. Maybe a Dremel or Roto-zip with just the right cutting attachment?

Your on your own when it comes to cutting out the stencils :D:eek::D

Whatever material you use, you'll want it to be something that will lay fairly close to the concrete so you won't get overspray under it:wall: