How to Make Cutout Stencils

If you love and want to stencil but cannot find a design-ready stencil in a craft store or online, don't despair. Turn to art books, wallpaper books, greeting cards or even wrapping paper for inspiration and take comfort in knowing that you can make your own cutout stencil from poster board (sometimes also referred to as stencil card). Making your own cutout stencil adds just one more step to the joyful art of painting with stencils -- and leaving your own distinctive mark on anything from walls and furniture to decorative accessories.

Rubberized cutting board
Poster board
Artwork
Tracing paper
Masking tape
Craft knife

Instructions

- 1
  Place the cutting board on a sturdy surface.
- 2
  Place the artwork on the cutting board. Then place the tracing paper on top of the artwork.
- 3
  Secure all edges with masking tape. Trace the design and all of its details with a soft pencil.
- 4
  Flip over the tracing paper and tape it to the poster board, leaving room around the edges. Trace over the pencil lines onto the poster board.
- 5
  Lift the imprint slowly to see if your pencil lines are distinct enough to see and cut. If not, return the tracing paper to the board and retrace the imprint. If so, use a sharpened craft knife to score the lines to create the stencil. Slowly cut through the lines with the craft knife, taking corners cautiously. Rotate the cutting board rather than attempting to make awkward cutting maneuvers with your hand.

How to Use a Design Ready Stencil

What Kind of Printing Is the Printing Press?

Stamping & Stenciling