22 sec · NarratedTurn a Photo into a Stencil: Upload and Choose a Style
Learn how to upload a photo, choose a stencil style and preview the layers. Watch the short demo and follow the written steps.
Watch lesson and read the steps →Stencil tutorials
Learn how to make a stencil
Watch the complete narrated walkthrough, or pick a short lesson for the part you need. Every video has written steps you can follow while you create.
Play full tutorial · 3:58Start here · Studio · With narration
From photo to printed stencil
Follow a portrait from photo to print in the studio. Choose your layers, bridge the loose pieces, set the size and format, then download and print your stencil.
Watch and follow the stepsDirect Cricut cutting · Local preview
Go from stencil to cut without switching apps
Send one selected layer straight to your Cricut, with its size and placement checked first.
Local preview only. Not available on the public website yet.
On the public site, download a Cricut-compatible SVG with Pro, then import it into Cricut Design Space.
Choose your cutting fileHow the local preview works
The tested setup is a Cricut Explore 3 over Bluetooth, A4 plain paper on a 12 × 12 inch mat, and a Fine-Point Blade.
- Open Download, then Cut on Cricut. Choose one layer.
- Check the preview. Use Fit to paper if it extends past the cutting area.
- Check the connection, confirm your setup and send the layer.
- Follow the prompts to load the mat, press Go and unload the finished cut.
The local setup is required. Other materials and matless rolls are preview-only for now.
Short feature tutorials
Nine short lessons with narration, captions and highlights, all recorded in the studio. For the whole path in one sitting, start with the full walkthrough above.
22 sec · Narrated
22 sec · NarratedHow to Adjust Stencil Layers and Detail
Balance detail and easy cutting in each stencil layer. Follow the video and written steps to adjust the detail slider and compare your photo.
Watch lesson and read the steps →
21 sec · NarratedHow to Make a Stencil on Your Phone
Create a stencil in your phone browser. Choose a photo, adjust the layers, repair loose pieces and download a printable file.
Watch lesson and read the steps →
25 sec · NarratedHow to Bridge Stencil Islands and Fix Loose Pieces
Stop enclosed shapes falling out of your stencil. Learn what stencil islands are and how to repair them with bridges or touch-up layers.
Watch lesson and read the steps →
20 sec · NarratedHow to Draw Stencil Bridges by Hand
Place stencil bridges where they suit your artwork. Watch how to connect loose pieces to the sheet and use Undo to adjust the result.
Watch lesson and read the steps →
20 sec · NarratedHow to Edit a Stencil with Brush and Eraser Tools
Clean up a stencil with brush, eraser, selection and bridge tools. Follow a short editor demo with practical steps for removing unwanted detail.
Watch lesson and read the steps →
19 sec · NarratedHow to Preview Stencil Layers and Paint Order
See what each stencil sheet adds before you print. Preview the separate layers, check the base coat and plan the order of your paint passes.
Watch lesson and read the steps →
24 sec · NarratedHow to Print Large Stencils Across Multiple Pages
Make a wall-sized stencil from A4 or Letter sheets. Set the artwork width, check the page count and print at actual size for accurate alignment.
Watch lesson and read the steps →
25 sec · NarratedStencil Export Formats: PDF, PNG, SVG, DXF and Cricut
Choose the right stencil file for hand cutting or a machine. Compare PDF, PNG, SVG, DXF and Cricut exports and keep your layers aligned.
Watch lesson and read the steps →Questions people ask
How many layers should my stencil have?
Three is the sweet spot for a first stencil: it gives you shadow, midtone and highlight without much cutting. Portraits usually read well at four or five. Beyond six you are cutting for hours and the extra layers rarely show once the paint is on.
Why does my stencil have pieces that fall out?
Those are islands: shapes fully enclosed by a cut line, like the middle of a letter O or the gap inside a pair of glasses. With nothing holding them, they drop out when you cut. The maker highlights loose pieces in pink and offers automatic fixes. You can also draw bridges yourself to hold them to the surrounding sheet.
Can I use this with a Cricut, Silhouette or laser cutter?
Yes. Export as SVG or the Cricut file for a Cricut, Silhouette or other vinyl cutter, and as DXF for a laser cutter. Both are true vector files, so they cut at any size without going soft. For hand cutting with a craft knife, export a PDF instead.
What kind of photo works best?
High contrast with a clear outline. Portraits with side lighting, pets against a plain wall, logos and lettering all slice cleanly. Photos where the subject and the background are similar shades give the slicer edges it cannot separate, so crop in tight or pick a different shot.
Is Free Stencil Maker actually free?
Yes. You can start making a stencil without an account, adjust and repair the layers, and download up to three layers free. Tiled wall-sized printing and the vector formats for cutting machines are part of the paid plan.
How do I line up the layers when I spray?
Keep the alignment marks switched on when you export. Every layer prints the same small registration crosses in the same position, so you line the marks up on your surface before taping each sheet down. Spray bottom up, lightest colour first, and let each layer dry before the next.