All About Stenciling

I heard that it's hard to cut it with an exacto knife? and you need to use some kinds of electrical tools to cut stencils? I want to cut some squares (of different sizes) on the stencils, and put them on gift wrap papers. I want to use the wrap papers as origami papers, but it's very slow if I have to measure "each" time. Yes, I need a template for cutting out squares from wrapping paper. So cardborad paper is much easier? What kind of cardboard paper, like the one the make 'box', or just big school poster sign cardboard paper. Yeah, I guess I am too perfectionist, I was thinking if cardboard would change shape, etc, and affect the accuratecy.

they have stencil cutting tools/machines you can get, but i think xacto blades are the best

Try a craft knife. That might work.

It wouldn't be hard at all to use an Xacto knife if you used a straight edge.

There are stencil cutting tools that are similar to woodburning tools..it's electrical and gets hot, which will cut easily through a plastic stencil blank. But if you are just cutting a few squares, using an exacto knife will probably work, if you are careful. If I am understanding you, you need a template for cutting out squares from wrapping paper, right? Would it work to just cut the size squares you need from a piece of cardboard and lay that on your wrap and trace around it? Seem easier than cutting a stencil, but maybe I'm not understanding your situation correctly.

today is ur lucky day cause i have the correct answer for u......a stencil cutter....it looks like a wood burner, but it's for stencils....it melts the plastic and it's like a hot knife to butter.....when u go to ur local craft store, it should be in or around the stencil aisles. or u can go to michaels arts and crafts and buy what's called a versa tool....it's about $30 but it does about 10 different things like wood burning, stencil cutter, saudering, etc....

Hi there... An important tip about stencil cutting is not lifting up your Exacto knife once you've started cutting. It makes for a sharper edge. Also, use a piece of glass as your cutting surface. This has really helped me and doesn't damage anything. One more thing...I recently purchased an Exacto knife with a swiveling blade. Wow...this tool is so excellent makes me want to buy stock in the company... Regards, Colleen

sounds like you need two different things... One stencil for printing the squares, and another as a template to cut out the squares. For the stencil, a burner is the quickest...however it's result is a rougher, more organic edge. Certainly not precise at all. Best result for the painting stencil is to cut carefully with an exacto blade. If done right, you'd only have to do it once. Now to cut the pieces out for 'origami' paper...two options...buy a paper cutter at sam's or walmart (I think it's 12 bucks at sams)...or use a rule and olfa cutter like quilters do when they bulk cut fabric, strips of whatever width, then cross cut for the exact size. Maybe a combination of the two...?