How to Make Your Own Stencils for Free

Make your own stencils for any project.

Stenciling can create professional-looking designs for walls, art work, handmade cards, and even your scrapbooks. Stencils are often expensive and depending on where you shop for craft supplies, the selection can be limited. Make your own stencils for free by recycling items from your household trash. It takes minutes to draw and cut out your own stencil to use on any of your arts, crafts or home decor projects.

Things You'll Need

• Empty cereal box
• Pencil
• Pattern, optional
• Craft knife/box cutter

Instructions

1. Find the seam on the cereal box, gently pull it open to detach the glue and open the box so it lays flat. Cut off the end flaps on each side and cut along each of the creased fold lines to make two large pieces of chipboard and two small pieces.

2. Use a pencil to draw your design on to the box. Create a pattern using items from around the house if you do not want to draw freehand. Trace glassware, magnets or small toys to make a pattern.

3. Place a piece of cardboard or a cutting mat beneath the cereal box before moving on to protect your work surface.

4. Cut out the shapes you drew or traced in step two using a craft knife or a box cutter.

5. Position the template on to virtually any flat surface and use paint, markers, crayons or colored pencils to create your own stenciled designs. Place a piece of tape on each corner of the stencil to hold it in place if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're planning a complex design with multiple colors, cut more than one stencil.

References

• Alpha Mom: Halloween Cereal Box Craft

Resources

• All About Stencils: Tips for Making Stencils for Long-Term Use