Upload your photo
Any JPG, PNG or WebP works, including a phone photo. High contrast and a clear subject give the cleanest cut lines.
Stencil Maker
Turn any photo into a clean, cut-ready stencil in seconds. Upload an image, tune the lines, download a printable stencil — free, no signup to try, no watermark.
JPG, PNG, WEBPUP TO 10MB
FREE TO USEFIRST DOWNLOAD · NO SIGNUPNO CARD EVER
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LAYER 1DARKEST -
LAYER 2MIDTONE -
LAYER 3LIGHTEST -
COMPOSITETHE RESULT
3 LAYERS. CUT, ALIGN, SPRAY.
NO PIC? TRY THESE
3 FREE DOWNLOAD LAYERS•NO WATERMARK•NO SIGNUP TO TRY
How to Make a Stencil From a Photo
Three steps, about a minute — nothing to install.
Read the walkthrough steps
- Open the portrait example. Compare Bold, 3 Layers, Local Contrast and Line Art on the same image.
- Select Local Contrast. Adjust Detail to keep useful shapes; Smoothing reduces small noise.
- Review the highlighted loose pieces. Add bridges, fill them or move them to a separate touch-up pass.
- Continue to print settings. Switch units, enter width or height and inspect the row-and-column page preview.
- Fit to one sheet for a Free PNG/PDF, or keep the larger size with Pro or a single-stencil unlock. Print PDF at 100% and check the paper proof.
Tune the cut lines
Drag the threshold until the shapes read clean. Anything that would fall out when you cut is highlighted — bridge it, or move it to a touch-up layer.
Download and print
Choose a print width in cm, mm or inches. Check the page preview, then get your first Free PNG or PDF without signup. Larger tiled prints need Pro or a single-stencil unlock.
FROM PHOTO TO CUTOUT
Photo to Stencil Generator
The converter drops the greys from your image and leaves a two-tone template you can actually cut. In a print mask, black marks the cutouts and white is the material you keep. Fine detail needs connected pieces.
Use the stencil generator with a face, a logo, a pet or your own artwork. Create a custom stencil and refine each layer.
TURN A PHOTO INTO A STENCIL →
ONE PHOTO. THREE LAYERS. YOUR NEXT PROJECT.TRY THE ACTUAL WORKFLOW
One Image. Different Ways to Find the Lines.
These previews come from this editor. Open the source, compare the methods and adjust the result for your material.
A layered portrait
Keep broad shadows and midtones. Start with 3 Layers, then check each paint pass for loose pieces.
TRY THIS PORTRAIT →
Detail in uneven light
Local Contrast uses nearby pixels instead of one brightness cutoff. It can recover details, but textured backgrounds may need cleanup.
TRY LOCAL CONTRAST →
An outline drawing
Line Art traces edges instead of filling shadows. Adjust Detail and Smoothing; bridge enclosed areas before cutting.
TRY LINE ART →
Your words, your sign
Choose a stencil font, write multiple lines and adjust spacing. Download a small sign or open it in the editor for text layers and tiled printing.
MAKE A TEXT STENCIL →Portrait: Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Gardner, 1863; public-domain scan via Wikimedia Commons. These are software examples, not customer projects or a claim that a physical cut has been tested. Follow the walkthrough →
EXPLORE BY STYLE
BROWSE THE GALLERY
So, What Are You Making?
Choose your next project. We handle the layers, bridges and print files.
Tattoo Stencils
Design your next ink
Wall Art
Spray, paint or vinyl
Cricut & Vinyl
Files for your cutter
Street Art
Build your next paint layer
Screen Printing
Custom tees & prints
Laser Cutting
DXF & SVG for laser
3D Printing
SVG outlines for stencil plates
DIY Crafts
Signs, pumpkins & more
BUILT FOR REAL STENCILS
Everything You Need to Cut Clean
Keep the details that matter. From moving loose pieces to their own layer to printing wall-sized.
STANDOUT FEATURE
Skip bridging entirely
Want to keep fine details without adding bridges? Choose Keep It Perfect to move a layer’s loose pieces into a separate touch-up layer. Apply that detail pass separately, using registration marks to line it up. Check any remaining loose pieces on the new layer before cutting.
TRY TOUCH-UP LAYERSExport to your machine
Pro adds pre-aligned Cricut SVG, SVG for vinyl cutters and DXF for laser cutters or CNC. Check dimensions and material settings in your cutting software.
Try cutter exports →Multi-layer stencils
Separate your photo into tonal or colour layers. Cut each sheet, align the registration marks and paint one colour at a time. Projects support up to 24 layers.
Try multi-layer stencils →Print wall-sized
Pro tiles a larger stencil across A4 or Letter sheets with registration marks. Match the pages, tape them together and cut at the size your project needs.
Try full-size printing →Smart bridging tools
See the loose pieces before you cut. Connect them with automatic bridges, move them to a touch-up layer or fill them in for a bolder result.
Try the bridge tools →Familiar keyboard shortcuts
Undo, redo, save and switch tools from the keyboard. Brush, erase, draw bridges or pan around your work in the advanced editor.
Try the keyboard tools →Pattern fills
Try hatch, crosshatch or dot patterns on a layer. Adjust the spacing and angle, preview the result and check for loose pieces before cutting.
Try pattern fills →Text layers
Add words to your design, choose a font and set their size and position. Text becomes its own editable cut layer, with bridge tools for enclosed letters.
Add a text layer →Works on mobile
Upload a phone photo, choose a style and edit the stencil in your mobile browser. No app to install; continue to the print settings when you’re ready.
Open the editor →Editing is free. A free account downloads PNG and PDF with up to 3 layers.
What You Get for Free
Editing is free with no account: layers, island detection, bridges, touch-up layers and the full editor on mobile. Your first PNG or PDF download on this browser needs no signup, with up to 3 layers and one page per layer. Create a free account to save projects or download again. No watermark.
Pro adds every layer in your download, SVG, DXF, one-click Cricut export and full-size multi-page printing. $10/month, $90/year, or $99 once. See the plans page for available paid upgrades. Manage your purchases in account settings.
All editing tools are included. Projects currently support up to 24 layers.
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
Special prices on all paid plans. Subscription discounts apply to your first payment; renewals return to the regular price.
Free
$0 forever
Start creating. No card needed.
- ✓ Create and edit stencil layers
- ✓ Save up to 100 projects
- ✓ PDF & PNG, up to 3 layers
- ✓ Print on a home printer
- ✓ Island detection & bridge tools
Pro Monthly
$7.99 / month
First month. Then $10/month until canceled.
- ✓ Every layer in your download
- ✓ Cricut, SVG & DXF exports
- ✓ Multi-page printing
- ✓ Save up to 1000 projects
- ✓ All editing tools
Pro Yearly
$71.99 / year
First year. Then $90/year until canceled.
- ✓ Everything in Pro Monthly
- ✓ A full year of Pro access
- ✓ All layers & vector exports
- ✓ Full-size multi-page printing
- ✓ Save up to 1000 projects
Lifetime
$79.99 once
One payment. No renewals.
- ✓ Everything in Pro
- ✓ Vector files for your cutter
- ✓ Wall-sized stencil layouts
- ✓ No subscription renewal
JUST NEED ONE STENCIL? SPECIAL OFFER
OPEN YOUR STENCIL →$9.00 $6.99 one payment · no subscription
Unlock up to 24 layers, SVG, DXF, Cricut and multi-page PDF for one saved stencil. Sign in free to find it again across devices.
Offer applies to new purchases during the event. Monthly and yearly renewals return to $10/month and $90/year. Existing subscriptions are unchanged. Applicable tax is shown at checkout. Refund and cancellation policy.
FROM SCREEN TO WORKBENCH
Export for Cricut, Laser Cutting & Screen Printing
Cricut & vinyl
Pro gives you a single SVG with every layer pre-aligned. Open it in Design Space and check the dimensions before cutting.
CRICUT STENCIL MAKER →Laser cutters & CNC
Export DXF with closed paths at real-world scale on Pro. Inspect the imported paths and set up your material in your cutting software.
LASER CUTTING STENCIL MAKER →Screen printing
Export PDF separations, one per colour layer, with registration marks to line them up. Free accounts download up to 3 layers.
SCREEN PRINTING STENCIL MAKER →Wall-sized stencils
Pro tiles larger stencils across A4 or Letter sheets with registration marks. Align the sheets, tape, cut and paint.
PDF STENCIL MAKER →FIND THE LINES THAT MATTER
Tattoo Stencils
Set a single layer, push the threshold for bold lines, export a PDF and print with compatible thermal transfer paper and equipment. Check the printed scale and line quality before transferring.
PRINTABLE TATTOO TRANSFER TEMPLATES →
START WITH A PATTERN
Free Printable Stencil Templates
Choose from 678 printable designs: 111 pumpkin carving designs, Christmas shapes, flowers, animals and more, plus 38 letter and number templates. Download a printable PDF or PNG without an account, or customize it in the editor.
BROWSE FREE STENCIL TEMPLATES →Getting ready for Halloween? Find Halloween stencils or make a pumpkin stencil from your photo.
Planning Christmas cards or winter windows? Choose Christmas stencils, angels, Christmas trees or complete Advent countdown layouts.
PUMPKIN CARVING STENCILS →SUPPORT
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this stencil maker really free?
Editing is free with no account: layers, island detection, bridges, touch-up layers and the full editor on mobile. Your first PNG or PDF download on this browser needs no signup, with up to 3 layers and one page per layer. Create a free account to save projects or download again. No watermark.
Do I need to sign up to use it?
No — you can build a whole stencil without an account. Your first PNG or PDF download on this browser needs no signup. Create a free account to save projects or download again. No card is required.
Can I make a stencil from a picture on my phone?
Yes, the full editor runs in a mobile browser. No app to install. You can upload a picture from your phone, adjust the layers and print your result.
What file formats can I download?
PNG and print-ready PDF on the free plan. Pro adds SVG, DXF and one-click Cricut export. Free downloads have no watermark.
Can I use it for Cricut, laser cutting or screen printing?
Yes. Use aligned SVG for Cricut, SVG or DXF for compatible laser software, and PDF or PNG separations for screen printing. Vector exports require Pro. Check size and material settings in your machine software.
Can I make a tattoo stencil?
Yes. Refine a single layer, download a PDF and use compatible thermal transfer paper and printing equipment. Check scale and line quality first. Try the tattoo stencil maker.
Can I sell what I make with it?
Free and Pro users may use stencils made from their own artwork, or artwork they are authorized to use, for personal and commercial projects, including client work and physical products. You retain any rights you hold in your original artwork. StencilMaker.app does not grant rights to third-party images, characters, trademarks or other protected content. You are responsible for obtaining the permissions needed for your use. Using the editor does not grant permission to resell or redistribute the StencilMaker.app service or branding. Demo images and library templates are governed by their stated source or license; a preview is not a blanket commercial license. Read the commercial-use terms.
Still have questions? Contact support →
Make Your First Stencil Free
Upload a photo and make your first stencil in about a minute.
Editing needs no account. Get your first PNG or PDF without signup. Create a free account to save or download again.