Cutting Out Stencils for Decorative Painting!

Cutting out stencils is the extra step of a cut-and-paint stencil design (see some examples below).

Cut-and-paint stencils require you to actually cut out the openings (islands) where paint is applied. However, for the extra work, they provide some great advantages.

Below are a few examples of what you can find in stencil designs that can be down-loadable. These are all part of collections in book format that you can find further down on this page. I hope you will be able to see that by cutting out stencils of your own you gain a great deal of flexibility.

A cut-and-paint stencil design is usually printed on paper and so it can be reduced or enlarged to fit almost any project size. This is a big deal. If you like a Plastic Pre-Cut Stencil and it comes in two sizes -small at 2’ and large at 4’- and the area you have for an image is 1’ then the plastic stencil will not work for you. Take a cut-and-paint design to a copy machine and re-size it to whatever your project area requires. Flexibility is great!

Also, cutting out stencils can be mush less expensive. You are not paying for the manufacture, warehousing and shipping of a product. If you can find downloadable stencil designs you can have your stencil immediately and no delay to your project. This also applies to the many Free Stencils that you can find on this web site.

These instructions are assuming that you are cutting out stencils that are printed on paper or cardboard. For instructions on how to preserve your paper stencil so that it can be used again and again please go to Stencil Making Design Tips for Long-Term Use.

Don't miss the video near the bottom of this page for some great hints and tips.

OK! I know you're like me and you want to know it all now. So, one quick tip to preserve your paper stencil is to put a clear cover over it before I cut it out. I like to use clear shelf liner. It's cheap, easy to spread and large enough to cover a page in one swoop!

Well on to the one disadvantage (it's not that bad): Cutting Out Stencils! If your paper stencils are in a book, I would recommend making a copy of each stencil overlay for the project you have chosen. By using the copies, your book and originals are preserved for future use. Don’t forget that you can reduce or enlarge the size to fit the area you want to place the picture when you make copies.

Using a craft-knife cut out the objects on the stencil. Make sure your blade is sharp at all times. Dull blades may cause the paper stencil to tear. The goal is to cut along each line only once with a firm, smooth motion. With your free hand, hold the stencil firmly and rotate the stencil so that you are always cutting at a comfortable angle. When cutting past a thin bridge area carefully use a firm finger to hold down the paper. Always keep your fingers well away from where you are cutting. If you are working with a multi-layer stencil don’t forget to cut out the registration holes in each of the four corners, which will be used for the alignment of the stencil overlays (for more about working with Multi-Layer Stencils go to Stencil Patterns).

In our effort to bring to you a complete solution for all of your stenciling needs, we now have a catalog for you to browse a large variety of printable stencils (these are great for putting all the cutting out stencils tips that you just learned into good use). You'll receive your stencil right after purchase through your e-mail (no waiting on the mail man to deliver them) So, check out our Stencils Catalog for your next project.

As promised here are the books with the stencil samples from above. Each book will come to you as a downloadable pdf file in your e-mail. Just check your e-mail after purchase for the link to connect to your file and print or save. It's that easy!

All designs can be adjusted to fit your project size. Instructions are included. Pages are 8.5” x 11”.

If you'd rather get your Stencil Books in Print, just click the blue button below each book.

Fleur de lis: Book of Stencils

This collection includes 22 designs. Ten are easy single overlay (this makes quick work of cutting out stencils). Six have 2 overlays and six have 3 overlays.

This purchase is of a PDF file which has 63 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

Angels: A Book of Stencils

This collection includes 4 designs- Angel in Thought, Young Angel, Angel with Trumpet and Guardian Angel. These designs are all multi-layer and are a little more work when cutting out stencils for them but are well worth it because they provide great detail.

This purchase is of a PDF file with 32 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs

This book contains 4 cute Red-Eyed Tree Frogs for you to paint in your next project. Bring a little of the rain forest to your home. There are 37 pages in this pdf file which includes the stencils of all 4 frogs (each has 5 overlays) and complete instructions.

This purchase is of a PDF file with 36 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

Oriental Designs: A Book of Stencils

This collection includes 16 designs- Chinese Dragon, Bamboo, Oriental Figure with Coolie Hat, Ying Yang Koi, Bonsai Tree and 3 Cranes plus 10 Chinese Symbols (Eternity, Friendship, Happiness, Harmony, Long Life, Peace, Prosperity, Tranquility, Truth and Dragon.

This purchase is of a PDF file with 40 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

On the Farm

With these stencils you can create the perfect barn yard setting for your little one. This collection includes 9 designs- a Cow, a Chicken, a Pig, a Sheep, a Lamb, a Horse, Fence, a Barn and a Tractor.

This purchase is of a PDF file with 40 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

For a Princess

This collection includes 7 designs- Royal Carriage, Knight in Shining Armor, Castle, Dragon, Sceptre, Tiara and Pillow plus the word "Princess."

This purchase is of a PDF file with 40 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

The Secret Garden

Create your own private garden retreat. This collection includes 12 designs-fountain, bleeding heart, iris, bee, butterfly, foxglove, grasshopper, hummingbird, trumpet flower, morning glory, stone wall and stone path.

This purchase is of a PDF file with 51 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

Christmas: A Book of Stencils

This collection includes 9 designs. They are Santa Claus, a Reindeer, a Christmas Tree (with options for decorations), a Candle with Holly Accents, Bells with a Bow, a Gingerbread Boy and Girl, and a String of Lights.

This purchase is of a PDF file which has 42 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

Zoo Babies: Stencils for a Nursery

This collection includes 7 designs- an Elephant, a Giraffe, a Hippo, a Lion, a Monkey, a Tiger and a Zebra.

This purchase is of a PDF file with 40 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

Wine & Spirits: A Book of Stencils

This collection includes 4 designs- a Wine Glass, a Chianti Bottle, a Wine Bottle and a Bunch of Grapes with Leaves.

This purchase is of a PDF file with 31 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

At the Seashore

Aaaahhhh...the lazy days of summer at the beach. This collection includes 6 designs- a Fish, a Crab, a Seagull, a Conch Shell, a Scallop Shell and a Seahorse.

This purchase is of a PDF file with 32 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

Stencil designs used as examples on this web site are courtesy of Designs From Penny.

Now that you are ready to give cutting out stencils a try, you will need a good cutting or craft knife. I like to use an X-acto knife but you may prefer the OLFA knife with a snap off blade refil system (you'll always have a sharp blade when you need one). Well, here are a couple of the places that I turn to when I need these and other arts and crafts supplies.

Mister Art.com carries both the X-acto and OLFA options mentioned above for cutting out stencils. To get right to these options do a search on "craft knives." But don't miss out on some of the other items they have to offer. They feature a department dedicated to stenciling.

Dick Blick Art Materials is a supplier of fine art supplies, but they have a good supply of stencil making materials. They too carry the X-acto #1 knife with the #11 blades (my choice for cutting out stencils). Check them out!

Of course, if you are seeking more information on stenciling or any other crafting subject, Amazon.com

is the place to go. Here are a few samples of what they have to offer on stenciling.

Well, I am sure that once you get the hang of cutting out stencils you will find the many advantages well worth the extra work.

Happy Stenciling!

Penny

P.S. Would you like to build a web site like this one and turn a passion into a business? Well, if I did it, you can too. Don't think that you have to be a web designer and know all about computer codes and complicated html stuff. I didn't. With Solo Build It! it's easy and they have the tools in place to help you build pages and teach you how to create a successful web site. Want more information? Just click on Powered by Solo Build It!  and watch a cool video that will explain everything. I know you'll get excited like I did.

Wait, wait! Here's that great video on the Basic Stenciling Techniques that I promised you. Enjoy!