Stencil® is a groundbreaking architectural lighting system by Axis that redefines creative freedom in modern lighting design. As a modular solution, Stencil offers direct and indirect illumination with unmatched flexibility to develop both linear and nonlinear layouts. It thrives in diverse environments such as open-plan offices, public spaces, and high-concept architectural settings, allowing designers to transform ceilings into expressive, illuminated canvases.
At the heart of the system is Stencil’s uniquely slim 1-inch aperture—the slimmest in Axis' lineup—crafted for minimalism without sacrificing performance. This streamlined profile allows seamless integration into spaces where sleek aesthetics are essential. Complementing the Stencil family are Spatial SoftZone, a three-dimensional acoustic lighting fixture, and StencilFlex, a cost-effective, line-voltage platform for layered lighting anywhere in a space. Most Stencil luminaires feature an integral mini driver, reducing the need for additional power drops and simplifying both specification and installation.
Stencil Pendant is a cost-effective solution for creating graphic forms and lighting patterns using Hubs—specially engineered connectors that unify mechanical, electrical, and suspension functions. These Hubs are also key to design flexibility, enabling easy branching and offering a single captive, spring-loaded screw mechanism for straightforward installation. Stencil Surface brings the same modular aesthetic to drywall and concrete ceilings, with a concealed mounting system that provides grid-free versatility.
For acoustic and visual comfort, Stencil SoftZone Pendant incorporates sound-absorbing material into its lighting platform, enabling designers to craft horizontal acoustic lighting elements that enhance both lighting quality and spatial acoustics. An advanced feature of the system is the patented Mini SurroundLite® optic, an Axis innovation that delivers broad 3D light distribution. This technology balances brightness, maintains spatial uniformity when alternating between direct and indirect light, and enables designers to use fewer, more widely spaced Stencil segments without compromising visual harmony.
Each Stencil segment is a building block, available in lengths from 2 to 8 feet (in 1-foot increments) with both lit and blank segments. Segments exceeding 8 feet are assembled on site using Inline Hubs and Joiners. Lit modules can output up to 600 lm/ft (direct) or 1000 lm/ft (indirect), and new options include direct batwing distributions. The system also supports a variety of accents and beam angles—such as 20° and 36°—with full adjustability (359° rotation and 90° tilt), dimming to 5%, and flexible spacing to meet project requirements. Accent modules can be positioned anywhere along a lighting segment and are compatible with indirect lighting segments and powered blank modules.
Construction quality is central to Stencil’s performance. Housings are crafted from extruded aluminum, with die-cast aluminum end caps, joiners, and interior brackets. Lenses and reflectors are extruded acrylic, while the suspension uses 1 mm aircraft cable with quick-connect cable grips. The fixture’s aluminum construction doubles as an effective heat sink, supporting thermal performance and LED longevity of over 50,000 hours with 85% lumen maintenance at 25°C.
Stencil’s light guide system is another signature innovation. Made from high-precision PMMA, the light guide delivers uniform light distribution across both vertical and horizontal planes. A patented molecular optics system and in-plane mixing ensure superior color uniformity and eliminate unwanted LED hotspots, creating a smooth, diffuse lighting experience.
Available with minimum CRI options of 80 or 90 and CCT choices of 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, or 4000K, Stencil ensures consistent color within a 3-step MacAdam ellipse. Powering options include integral 0–10V dimming drivers (standard), compatibility with Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems such as Molex, IGOR, and SmartEngine, as well as emergency battery packs and input voltage support ranging from 120V to 347V. All luminaires are UL and CSA certified, rated for damp locations, and engineered for long-lasting performance with up to 101 lm/W efficacy.
In essence, Stencil by Axis is not just a lighting system—it’s a toolset for architects and designers to sculpt space, control light, reduce noise, and express visual identity through forms that range from the linear to the abstract. It’s where thin form, high performance, and infinite modularity converge.
https://www.axislighting.com/products/stencil-pendant
