Cutstencil

Cutstencil, or cut stencil, refers to a stencil created by removing material from a sheet to form openings through which paint, ink, or other media can be applied. The uncut areas act as a mask to transfer a design onto a substrate when applied.

Common materials for cutstencils include Mylar or PET sheets, acetate, vinyl, and sturdy paper or cardboard. They can be cut by hand with a sharp hobby knife for simple designs, or produced by computer-assisted tools such as a plotter or laser cutter for precise results. Cut patterns may be negative (holes through the stencil) or positive (bridges left to support the design). Laser-cut stencils can achieve fine detail but require careful setup to avoid scorching; adhesive-backed options help prevent paint bleed while securing the stencil to the surface. Reusability depends on the material and on how aggressively it is used with paint or ink.

Cutstencils are used in street art, sign painting, screen printing, crafts, and decorative finishes. They enable quick replication of a design across multiple surfaces and can be reused several times if the material holds up. After use, some stencils are cleaned and stored for future projects, while others are disposed of.

Design considerations for cutstencils include line thickness, bridge size to maintain structural integrity, and potential bleed at edges. Thin elements may require reinforcement or adjustment to avoid tearing during application. Cutstencil methods have a long history in stencil-based art and are commonly integrated with digital design workflows to produce masks for applying paint and ink.