A Cricut machine is a big investment. It is an amazing machine!
You can make so many different projects. It can be overwhelming.
Where do you start?
And how do you know what to buy and what to save money on?
We get it and are here to help.
Stencil making is a popular craft with Cricut Makers.
How do you know what is the BEST stencil material to buy?
Can you make the different Cricut stencil projects with the same stencil material?
We will break it all down for you in this post.
We don’t want you to waste any time or money with Cricut stencil materials.
So when you’re ready to use your machine to create stencils, we have your back.
Let’s find the BEST stencil materials!
The post contains affiliate links which means if you make a purchase from a link in this post, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
WHAT IS A STENCIL?
A stencil is a thin sheet typically made of plastic, vinyl, or paper. A stencil has a design cut into it so you can transfer the design onto a material of your choice.
You can use your Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Design Space to create a stencil!
When your stencil is complete, your Cricut maker will cut out your design into your stencil material.
To use a stencil, simply lay the stencil over your material. Make sure the stencil has fully adhered to your surface so it doesn’t shift during application. Paint, trace, or draw over the stencil to transfer the design to your material.
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FEATURES -
Cricut Brand
12” x 48”
1 roll
Compatible with Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore Air 2 electronic cutting machines.
Clear stencil vinyl will adhere to wood, canvas, plastic, paper, and more.
The adhesive back will prevent the stencil from shifting or bleeding while transferring the stencil on your project. This is important if you are using paint.
TIP - Use regular transfer tape not NOT strong grip transfer tape!
FEATURES
Includes 10- 6mil 12” x 12” sheets
Blank
6 mil or 0.006 inches thick
Easy to cut
Each sheet is semi-transparent
This stencil material is washable and reusable.
Not adhesive backed
Use with a deep-cut blade on a Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air 2.
Use the posterboard setting inside Cricut Design Space when cutting.
Not recommended for cuts that are intricate or have small details
Highly recommended for cookie stencils or other baking or tracing projects!
Features:
4 mil/ 0.1 mm
Mylar Stencil Sheets
Each sheet is 12” x 12”
Clear
Remove Film on the sheets BEFORE cutting!
Cut with Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air 2
Use a fine point blade with the 4mil sheets.
Non-adhesive
The only difference between EG and the Jinsey is the thickness. The 4 mil can tear easily but it is easy to cut with a fine point blade.
FEATURES
1 Roll
50 feet
12.125” x 50’ roll
Adhesive Backing
Cuts on the vinyl setting within Cricut Design Space
Great for wood projects!
Little to no bleeding when using paint
50 feet of material goes a long way. This is a great deal for the money.
Little to no residue left behind
Leaves crisp lines
FEATURES-
12” roll
The roll comes in 2 lengths: 20ft and 6ft
Clear
Material: Acrylic
Great for paint projects.
Acrylic adhesive will leave no residue
Great for applicated on wood, artboard, drywall, watercolor paper, or canvas
Transparent
FEATURES -
Color: White
Material: Vinyl
5” x 5” x 0.5” (L x W x H)
Removeable
Sticky backing
This vinyl should peel back from your project once you have completed your stencil application
It is prone to tearing so weed carefully and move the vinyl gently.
Some bleeding may occur especially with paint. When using paint, use many light coats!
TIP! You can use vinyl leftover from other vinyl projects! This is a great way to save money and not have to buy more materials for your machine!
Cut using a fine point blade and a green mat like cutting vinyl for other projects!
FEATURES -
Material: Vinyl
Color: Black
12” x 4ft, 15ft, or 30ft length
Adhesive backing
Creates a stronger bond with any surface (much stronger than removable vinyl!)
It is prone to tearing especially when weeding. Use the proper tools to weed and transport the vinyl carefully to your stencil project.
Permanent vinyl can ve hard to remove from certain materials.
Permanent vinyl is prone to leaving behind an adhesive residue on some materials, especially wood.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STENCILS
Stencils are made for different projects and ideas. Think about what type of project you want to make with your Cricut Maker. Choose the type of stencil material based on the project you want to create.
One particular type of stencil material does not meet every stencil project need.
Here are some different stencil projects you can make. Of course, there are MANY ways to use a stencil. Here are just a few!
Cookies or Cakes- Yes, you can make stencils for cookies or cake decorating. If you want to go cheap, you could use wax paper to make the stencil. However, wax paper will curl so beware! Simply create your design in Cricut Design Space, with letters, words, or pictures! Cut out the design on the stencil material of your choice. Plastic stencils are the popular choice for cookies and cakes.
Pumpkin Stencil. Pumpkin stencils are another fun way to use stencils with a Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore. Simply cut a pumpkin face of your choice with removable vinyl or paper. Use transfer tape to apply the vinyl to the pumpkin. Using pumpkin carving tools, cut the pumpkin along the lines of the stencil!
Wooden Sign or Art Stencil. This is another great stencil option. If you have a design you want to paint onto a wood board or canvas you can use a stencil or paint or trace the design onto the project. You will need to use a stencil that has an adhesive back so the stencil doesn’t shift while painting or tracing. Quotes with illustrations, pictures, and monograms are great stencil projects.
Doormat Stencil. DIY doormats are increasingly popular. This type of stencil project is a great way to make projects with a Cricut to sell for extra cash! Etsy and Creative Market is FULL of SVG designs already made for doormat stencils. Simply purchase and upload into Cricut Desing Space. We recommend using an adhesive-backed stencil for this project.
Flooring or Art Decor Stencil. If you want to update an old floor with faux-looking tile or update a wall in your house with a faux wallpaper look, a stencil is a great option! To do this you will need to make sure the stencil material you purchase is washable, reusable, and does not have an adhesive backing! You can purchase faux-looking floor SVG files on Etsy or fun wall decor as well!
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3 BENEFITS OF USING A STENCIL
There are many great reasons to purchase stencil material and make a stencil for your Cricut projects.
Save Time. The biggest benefit of using a stencil is to save time! You can save yourself so much time and money by creating a stencil. If you don’t have a lot of graphic design or art experience, why not support other artists and purchase an SVG stencil file? SVG files are not expensive and will save you a lot of time. You simply upload the file and tell your Cricut Maker to cut the stencil! It is really that easy!
Professional. A great stencil is an amazing way to make a professional-looking project. Especially if you need to replicate multiple projects at one time, a stencil is a quick way to make each individual project look the same. Set up a little assembly line with your stencil and go!
Make Extra Cash. Sell your stencil projects on Etsy, Facebook, or in your community. If you purchased an SVG or other cut file, be sure to read the listening agreements with the file. Make sure the file you purchase has commercial licensing. If you created the stencil yourself, then you don’t have to worry!
Learn something new. Creating and using stencils is a great way to teach yourself something new with your Cricut machine. With each stencil, you create you can push yourself to learn to use your machine in a new way. I love how versatile the Cricut Maker is. I am still learning about what this machine can do.
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IS A CRICUT STENCIL RESUEABLE?
Unfortunately, no. A stencil made with Cricut stencil vinyl is not reusable. You cannot wash or reuse this stencil.
When using Cricut stencil vinyl it is important to know that this option is one-time use. If you are looking for a stencil to use again and again your best bet is a mylar stencil.
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5 THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A GOOD STENCIL MATERIAL
Is the material self-adhesive? Does the stencil material you are looking at have an adhesive back? Most stencil materials come with one adhesive side so you can stick the stencil on your project. If you are using a medium like cookies you may not want an adhesive backing so check before you buy. Also, when it comes to self-adhesive stencils also check to see if the stencil material is transparent or translucent.
Is the material compatible with the medium you want to transfer a stencil onto? Take your time and scroll through the product description and pictures. Does the seller give you ideas on how the materials can be used? I like to scan pictures of reviews of the product so I can see if anyone has used the stencil in a project similar to the one I have in mind. If their products match what you want to create, GREAT! Not every stencil material is perfect for every project so do a little research before you buy.
Is the material easy to cut with a Cricut? Sellers will sometimes list what you can cut the stencil material with. BE sure to read the description carefully. I have included cutting information within our product descriptions above if available. The last thing you want to do is buy a product that does not cut quickly on your Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air 2.
Is the stencil reusable? If you are looking for a stencil to use over and over again, stick with a mylar stencil. However, if you only need to use the stencil once, Cricut Stencil Vinyl is a great option. Not all stencil materials are washable and reusable.
Will this stencil material work with the project you have in mind? Finally, make sure the file you are purchasing will work with the project you had in mind to make. If you are following a tutorial, cut file, or pattern often times the seller or blogger will point you toward the appropriate stencil material. If not, scroll through our reviews above and pick the best fit for the project you have in mind.
SVG Stencil Project Ideas for Cricut Stencil Materials
Want to create fun and easy stencil projects with a Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air 2?
Here are some fun projects:
Check out some other really FUN tile and home decor SVG templates HERE
6 different Rose Stencil SVG cut files for birthdays, parties, and so much more!
Think about what project you want to create before you purchase stencil materials. Browse Pinterest for some inspiration. Read through our review of the stencil materials. Make sure the product you purchase will meet the need of the DIY project you have in mind!