How To Cut A Stencil By Hand
No Cutting Machine Needed!
Doing things the traditional way.
There’s something deeply satisfying about cutting a stencil by hand. The slow rhythm of the blade, the sound of the paper giving way, and the precision of each curve make it a beautiful, mindful process. Even though I have a cutting machine in the studio, I still reach for my craft knife often — and in this post, I’ll show you exactly why.
Why Cut Stencils by Hand?
Hand-cutting stencils isn’t about being old-fashioned — it’s about creative control. When you work by hand, you get to respond to the design as you go. You can adjust shapes, test ideas quickly, and allow new forms to emerge naturally.
Benefits of hand-cutting stencils:
No expensive machines or software required.
It’s portable — all you need is a knife, cutting mat, and paper.
Perfect for small test pieces, one-off designs, and quick experiments.
Helps you slow down and re-experience the joy of making something by hand, perfect when you want some headspace, to simply create without having to make too many decisions.
Only simple tools required for hand cutting your own stencils.
Be warned: hand cutting stencils can become addictive! (I’m living proof!)
