Simple logos and silhouettes work best. Use pictures you may use. Your picture stays on your device.
More options
About the stencil maker
Type a word or add a simple picture, and this tool makes a stencil you can really cut. It finds every part of the sheet that would fall out and holds it with a small bridge.
Download a vector SVG for a cutting machine, a PDF to print at real size, or a PNG. Everything runs in your browser.
Features
- Text or picture — type your words, or add a simple logo or silhouette and set the black and white level
- 10 heavy fonts — bold faces that are easy to cut, from block letters to a brush script
- Automatic bridges — every loose part is found and held with the fewest bridges, in the width you choose
- Connection check — the finished paths are drawn again and tested, so you know nothing falls out
- Bridges by hand — tap a hole to add one more bridge where you want it
- Real size — set the width in cm or inches; the PDF has a 2 cm and a 1 inch test bar
- Big stencils — a design larger than the paper is split over several A4 or Letter pages
- SVG, PDF and PNG — one click for each, always ready
How to use it
- Choose Text and type your words, or choose Picture and add your image
- Pick a font and a letter spacing, or move the black and white slider for a picture
- Set the sheet width in cm or inches
- Move the bridge width slider until the bridges look strong enough
- Look at the preview, and tap Add a bridge by hand if you want one more
- Download the SVG for a cutting machine, or the PDF to print and cut by hand
- Check the test bar on the print with a ruler before you cut
What a stencil is
A stencil is a thin sheet with holes in the shape of your design. Hold it against a surface and paint over it. The paint goes through the holes, and the sheet keeps the rest clean. People use stencils for signs, crates, walls, furniture, T-shirts and street numbers.
Why a stencil needs bridges
Some letters have a closed part in the middle. If you cut around the letter O, the round piece in the centre has nothing to hold it, so it falls out. The O then paints as a big blob.
The fix is a bridge: a thin strip of sheet that ties the loose piece to the rest. That is why stencil letters have small gaps.
| Character | Loose parts | Bridges needed |
|---|---|---|
| O, A, D, 0, 4, 6, 9 | 1 | 1 |
| B, 8 | 2 | 2 |
| C, E, L, T, 1, 7 | 0 | 0 |
The count can change with the font, so this tool looks at your real design. It chooses short bridges that touch both sides across their full width. For a big part, turn on Stronger to get two.
Materials and how to cut
| Material | Good for | How to cut |
|---|---|---|
| Thin card | One or a few uses | Craft knife |
| Clear plastic (Mylar) | Many uses, easy to wash | Machine or sharp knife |
| Adhesive vinyl | Very clean edges, one use | Cutting machine |
| Thick card or thin board | Big signs and spray paint | Strong knife |
By hand: print the PDF, glue the paper on your sheet, and cut along the lines with a sharp knife on a cutting mat. The outline option in More options saves ink.
With a machine: upload the SVG to Cricut Design Space or Silhouette Studio and cut. The free edition of Silhouette Studio may not open SVG files. If it does not, open the PNG there and use its trace tool.
Tips for a clean stencil
- Use thick letters. Thin strokes tear easily
- About 3 to 6 mm is a good bridge width for letters 5 cm high
- Leave a wide border, so spray paint does not land past the edge
- Fix the stencil flat with tape, and dab or spray light coats of paint
- After the paint dries, touch up the bridge gaps with a small brush
Frequently asked questions
Can I use it with a Cricut?
Yes. Download the SVG and upload it in Cricut Design Space. Check the size on the screen before you cut.
How do I print the stencil at the real size?
Choose Actual size or 100% in the print window, not Fit to page. Then measure the 2 cm or 1 inch bar on the paper with a ruler.
What if my stencil is bigger than the paper?
The PDF is split over several pages. Trim each page on its frame and tape it along the dashed line of the page before it.
What kind of picture works best?
A simple shape with strong contrast, like a black logo or silhouette on white. A photo has too many small parts to cut. Use pictures you may use.
Why does a font not show?
The fonts come from Google Fonts, so you need a connection. If a font does not load, or it has no letter for your language, a system font is used. The bridges still work.
Good to know
- The colours in the preview are only for looking. The files are always black on white
- Very small specks are removed, because they cannot be cut
- The first PDF needs a short download of a free library. The SVG and the PNG need nothing extra
Related tools
- Image to SVG — trace any picture into a vector file
- Black and White Image — prepare a picture before you make the stencil
- Poster Printer — print a big picture across many pages
- Printable Sign — make a sign to print on one page
- Online Ruler — measure on your screen when no ruler is near
