The Best Material for Making Stencils on a Cricut

Making your own stencils is one of the easiest ways to make your own crafts. Figuring out the best stencil material for Cricut can be a long process. I’ve done all the work for you so that you can have perfect projects every time!

So today we’re going to talk about different ways to make a stencil with your Cricut. We’re going to compare stencil vinyl with removable vinyl, as well as permanent vinyl to see which of those three is the best material for making stencils.

Best Stencil Material For Cricut Comparison Video

Want to watch this entire comparison on video instead of reading about it? You can do that below!

Can’t watch the video or missed some of the information? I am also covering everything you need to know below.

Best Stencil Materials For Cricut

There are three different options when it comes to making a stencil with your Cricut.

• Stencil vinyl is made specifically to make stencils with your Cricut machine, and it’s self-adhesive.
• Removable adhesive vinyl has a sticky backing and should peel back easily from your project.
• Permanent adhesive vinyl is also sticky, but it will create a stronger bond with any surface you add it to.

Don’t love these materials? We are testing these three today, but you can also see the posts on other types of stencil material using these links:

• Freezer paper
• Stencil film

Which one is the best material for making stencils? First, let’s do a comparison between the three, and then we’ll make a simple farmhouse project.

We’re going to test all three of these on a piece of wood painted with chalk paint. I’m going to paint a piece of wood white, and then stencil with all three of these in a dark blue over the top so we can see any bleeding. I’m going to cut the same stencil from all three materials to get a fair comparison and then use them along with the same board. Our comparison between these will be how much bleed we have. For this test, the gold vinyl is the permanent vinyl, the patterned is the removable vinyl, and the blue is the stencil vinyl.

Want the cut file for the stencil shown? In Cricut Design Space it’s #MABC8E86

How To Cut Cricut Stencil Vinyl

Stencil vinyl goes face up on the mat, and then add it to the Cricut machine with the fine point blade installed. I’m using my Cricut Maker with “stencil vinyl” picked from the material list. However, the Cricut Explore or the Cricut Joy will work with this project.

How To Cut Vinyl To Make A Stencil

Place the vinyl (both removable and permanent are the same) on your Cricut mat face up. Choose “vinyl” from the material list and cut using the fine point blade. Then we can remove this material from the machine. Again, any of the Cricut machines will work with this vinyl.

How To Weed A Cricut Stencil

Since these vinyl designs will be used as stencils, we are going to remove everything around the outside edge, and then we will remove each of the inside pieces.

Stencil vinyl is a little bit different. I’m going to go ahead and weed it in the same way, but you can also try to just pick it up and not weed away all this excess. I always feel better weeding away all this excess, and then I have something to put it back on. The stencil vinyl is supposed to be reusable, whereas removable or permanent vinyl isn’t. But when you go to take it off, it’s going to stretch and distort, and sometimes it might tear a little, which would make it not be able to be reused. That’s one of the reasons I actually weed all of them, and I just use a weeding tool and pick up the middles.

Applying Your Stencil to Wood

After the vinyl stencil designs have been weeded, we’ll apply them to our board and start our paint test. The wooden board I am using is slightly rough in texture. I wanted that slight roughness because that’s the main problem I have with stenciling. The board was painted and then allowed to dry overnight. I do recommend allowing your paint to cure before you do any stenciling project. It will help make sure that your stencil does not peel up your base coat of paint.

Peel the vinyl from the backing paper. If you want to make the process easier, you can apply transfer tape over the top of the vinyl. For the stencil vinyl, I usually just peel it back. The stencil vinyl has less stretch and won’t tear as easily as regular vinyl.

Apply the vinyl stencil where you want the design to go. Once it is applied, use something like the scraper tool to start pressing it down. You want to burnish it down really, really well, and get it really stuck. I like to use a pretty large scraping tool for this. You can use a smaller one and just go over more times and in multiple directions. Take note of any bubbles that might appear and just kind of work those out.

Using Transfer Tape

You can also try using transfer tape to add your stencils to the wood. If you’re using the transfer tape, you just peel back the backing, put it on your design, and press it down well. I like to flip it over, peel that backing paper away, and then apply it to the board.

Then just slowly peel back your transfer tape, making sure that your stencil stays on the wood. Once you have the transfer tape removed, burnish really well in all directions, looking for any bubbles.

How To Stencil On Wood

There are a few tips to keep in mind when stenciling on rough wood.

• Use a stencil brush. I like to use a pouncer brush.
• Do really light coats of paint. Three light coats are better than one heavy coat!
• Make sure your stencil is sealed around the edges. Take the time to burnish the edges down. If there is a gap, the paint will seep through.
• Paint your first coat in the same color as your board (or decoupage if your board is raw or stained) and allow it to dry. Then you can continue with the color you want for your design. Anything that bled would be the color of your board, and that would block any bleeding that’s your design color.
• Always paint with the stencil brush in an up-and-down motion. If you use a side-to-side motion, you risk forcing the paint under the stencil.
• Remove the stencil when the paint has dried for a few minutes. You don’t want it so wet that the paint gets all over your hands when you remove the stencil. Keeping a rag close by so you can wipe your hands off as you peel up.
• Remove the stencil by peeling it up from one edge and peeling it across.

Best Stencil Material for Cricut Results

Let’s take a super close look at the results so that we can see which vinyl performed the best and is the best material for making stencils.

Stencil Vinyl

One of the benefits of stencil vinyl is it supposed to be reusable. When I was removing the stencil vinyl, it ripped multiple times, which made it not reusable for additional projects. You can see a little bleed in a few small areas, but it is really fairly clean. Overall, I’m impressed!

Removable Vinyl Stencil

Again, the removable vinyl tore as I was pulling the stencil off. The removable vinyl overall looks pretty good. There is a little more bleed than the stencil vinyl. But, it is still a super good choice! The benefit to me for the removable vinyl is that you might have some in your stash that you don’t like the color of anymore, so it’s kind of like it is a free stencil.

Permanent Vinyl Stencil

The permanent vinyl really stuck down, which is kind of a problem when you’re trying to remove it. It leaves some adhesive residue because the adhesive is so strong. You would almost have to have a whole different method of removing the adhesive, especially on something white. The stencil itself is really clean, but I would not use the permanent, at least on wood, as I wouldn’t want to have to remove that adhesive residue. So for me, the permanent vinyl is out.

DIY Stenciled Wood Tags

So now that you’ve seen that my favorite material for making stencils on a Cricut is stencil vinyl, let’s make a cute project! Confused about cutting wood with your Cricut Maker? You can see more tips and tricks here.

Supplies Needed To Make Wood Tag

• Cricut Maker
• Knife blade
• 6 x 12 basswood from Cricut 4 sheets (one package)
• Stencil vinyl
• Transfer tape
• Chalk Paint white and brownish-gray
• Cut file for tags and stencils
• Wood glue
• Burlap ribbon
• Hot glue and glue gun

Step 1: Cut Basswood

Cut basswood on the Cricut Maker. You’ll need four tags in total, cut with the knife blade. Put them together in two sets with glue and paint one side. Let the paint and glue dry overnight so that they will be dry for stenciling.

Step 2: Cut Stencil & Weed Design

Cut your stencil design using stencil vinyl. Weed away all of the excess.

Step 3: Add Transfer Tape To Stencil

Add transfer tape, if needed, to the top of your design and burnish well. Peel back and ensure your vinyl is on the transfer tape. Place the stencils on the wooden tags and burnish well. Peel back the transfer tape. Press the stencils down really well so that there is minimal seepage underneath the stencil.

Step 4: Repeat Step 3 With Your Other Design

Repeat this same procedure with the other design. I actually didn’t even use transfer tape with this version.

Step 5: Add Paint To Your Stencil

I’m applying a light coat using a dry brush technique for a rustic look. Get as much paint off of your brush as possible. Start to the side and work your way towards the stencil. Some of the first layer of paint will show through the white, and that’s the look we want. This gives a rustic, worn look to the paint without any sanding or anything like that. I like to gently brush over the top once the paint is in place to remove any brush strokes.

Step 6: Continue Painting & Remove Stencil

Continue the same paint method over the entire surface. Then remove the stencil and reveal the finished piece.

Step 7: Repeat Step 6 With Your Other Design

Repeat the same method for the plaid tag.

Step 8: Allow Both Tags To Dry

Allow both tags to dry completely. This should not take long, as the white coat of paint is really thin.

Step 9: Choose Your Ribbon

You can finish it off however you would like. I’m going to add a little burlap ribbon, but you could definitely add some color to this portion if you would like.

Step 10: Tie Tags Together

Stack your tags together and place the bottom one at a 45-degree angle. Glue them together where they are touching using hot glue. Then make a tie from the burlap ribbon. This one is ready to hang on your door!

Final Thoughts On Best Stencil Material For Cricut

Now that you know you can make your own adhesive stencils with your Cricut, there are so many projects that you can make. I have given you one to get started, but you can really let your imagination run wild with this one.

Plus, if you have ever wondered how to get those tags to paint for your front door, why not just make them with your Cricut Maker and the knife blade? Of course, if you don’t have the Maker, you can purchase the wood tags and cut the stencils with any of the Cricut machines.

What is the best material for making stencils on a Cricut? I think stencil vinyl is the clear winner here, but if you have some removable vinyl on hand, it will do in a pinch. Happy creating!

FAQs About The Best Stencil Material For Cricut

If you have questions about the best stencil material for Cricut, I have answers for you! Please leave your question for me in the comments if you don’t see it already answered below!

Where Can I Purchase The Stencil Designs Used For This Best Stencil Material For Cricut Project?

You can get the stencil designs for this project by clicking here.

Could You Use The Transfer Tape To Remove The Stencil After Painting?

I wouldn’t risk ruining your paint.

Are You Placing The Permanent And Removal Vinyl Face Up Or Face Down, And Also Do You Have To Mirror Your Images?

Just cut face up and no mirror.

Are There Differences That You’ve Seen With Cricut Stencil Film Vs Cricut Stencil Vinyl?

No differences that I noticed. I just used the new stuff here!

What Color Is The Grey/Brown That You Used In This Best Stencil Material For Cricut Project?

I think it is Parisian Grey from FolkArt.

Would You Suggest That I Stick With Those Brushes For A Stencil Project, Or May I Modify It To A Spray Paint?

Either one would work!

5 More Cricut Stencil Crafts

Did you love learning about the best stencil material for Cricut, and are looking for more Cricut stencil crafts? Then check out the projects below!

• How to Make a Large Stencil with Cricut
• How to Burn Designs Into Wood: The EASY Way with Stencils!
• Stenciled DIY Decorative Pillows
• How to Spray Book Edges Using a Stencil
• Painting a Stool with a Custom Stencil