How to paint your wood sign project without bleeding under the stencil

1. Prepare the wood surface: Ensure that the wood surface is clean, smooth, and free of dust or debris. Sanding the wood lightly can help create a smooth surface for painting. Wipe away any dust after sanding.

2. Position and secure the stencil: Place the stencil on the wood surface and make sure there are no gaps around the letters and designs. If you find any, push them down with your fingers or gently with a plastic card. 

3. Use a dry brush technique: Load a the white sponge with a small amount of paint and then offload the excess paint onto a paper towel or cloth. The brush should be almost dry to the touch. This dry brush technique minimizes the amount of paint that could potentially bleed under the stencil.

4. Apply paint with a gentle tapping motion: Lightly tap or hop  the paint onto the stencil openings using an up-and-down motion. Avoid brushing the paint as it can increase the likelihood of paint bleeding. Apply multiple light coats if necessary, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.

5. Peel off the stencil carefully: Remove the stencil while the paint is still slightly wet. This prevents the paint from drying and sticking to the stencil, which could result in a jagged edge when removing the stencil.

6. Touch up any imperfections: If you notice any areas where the paint has bled under the stencil, you can carefully touch up those areas with the  small brush and matching paint color. Use a steady hand and a light touch to avoid making the touch-up obvious.

7. Allow the paint to dry: Let the paint dry completely before handling the wood surface. Follow the recommended drying time for the type of paint you used.