How to Make Graffiti Stencil

How to Make Graffiti Stencil
Written By
Laura Gee
Laura Gee
Published: Sep 18, 2009
Updated: Feb 23, 2021
2 minute read

Making a graffiti stencil is a great way to quickly deploy bold, graphic images. Like other graffiti techniques, graffiti stencils are generally used with spray paint. It's relatively easy to get started with graffiti stencils regardless of your level of artistic skill. Besides spraying walls, you can use your stencils to create custom clothing, patches, posters and mixed media art.

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Craft Knife
  • Light Cardboard
  • Heavy Cardboard Or Cutting Mat
  • Pencil
  • Adrián González de la Peña/Demand Media

    Start with a generously sized piece of lightweight cardboard. This project is a great way to reuse old record covers or cereal boxes, for example.

    Adrián González de la Peña/Demand Media

    Draw the general outline of the image you would like to stencil on the blank side of the cardboard. Alternatively, glue a photocopied or printed image you would like to stencil onto the cardboard instead.

    Adrián González de la Peña/Demand Media

    Use pencil lines to break the image up into individual pieces that can be cut out without destroying the image. For example, if you want to stencil the letter "o", you can't just cut around the outer circle, or you'll lose the inner circle. You need to break your "o" (or whatever the shape is) into two or more smaller pieces that can be removed individually, leaving thin strips in between to hold the rest of the image in place.

    Adrián González de la Peña/Demand Media

    Place the cardboard on the heavier cardboard or cutting mat to protect your work surface, then use the craft knife to carefully cut out and remove the pieces you drew and create your graffiti stencil.

    Laura Gee

    Laura Gee has a B.A. in history and anthropology, but now spends more time blogging and producing web content. She has worked and/or trained as an illustrator, crafter, caterer, yoga teacher, child-care provider and massage therapist, and…

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