How To Upload a Custom Design and Make a Stencil with Cricut
Hello, friends! I'm back to talk about another craft I made for my DIY Greenhouse. This time, I'm going to tell you all about the beautiful stencil I made to decorate the bathtub I'm using as a raised planter. I had a very specific idea for the logo (if you saw my DIY wooden sign project you will recognize it), so I knew that using Cricut would be the best way to execute my plan. Today, I'm giving you a step-by-step guide for how I created this beautiful bathtub stencil. Come along for the ride and see how I did it!
Let's get crafty with Cricut
Custom stencils are such a great way to personalize many of your home improvement projects! And with Cricut, you can make them yourself. This means you can use your own stencil fonts and images and have your DIY stencils come out exactly as you want.
I wanted to put the name of my greenhouse, "Vincenzo's Garden", right on the clawfoot tub so it would be the first thing you see when you step inside the front doorway. Obviously, this would not be something I could buy! So, I took out my Cricut Maker machine and got to work. It's pretty amazing what the Maker can do! It can cut over 300 different materials including fabrics, paper, leather, and even wood. All I needed to cut for my stencil was stencil film, so I knew this machine could definitely handle what I had in mind. I also love that the Maker does not require a cutting mat. This makes cutting the stencil a bit less complicated.
You do not HAVE to use a Maker. Depending on the size of your stencil, even a Cricut Joy could do the trick! I like my Maker because I've made so many other Cricut projects with it before and I know it really well. Use the machine that is right for you.
How to make a stencil from an image on Cricut?
Let's get right into my Cricut tutorial! The first thing I needed to do was take the logo I had created in Canva and upload it to my Cricut Design Space software (free with the purchase of your machine!) as a new project. I saved it as an SVG file, which makes it easy to scale up and down without distorting the image.
The next step was to slice and dice the logo so the machine would only cut the lines I needed for the stencil (negative space is what you are looking at with a stencil project). When the Maker had finished its cutting process, I used my weeding tool to remove the parts of the stencil I didn't need.
What material do I use to make a stencil with Cricut?
When it comes to making stencils with your Cricut, you've got some options! The material you choose really depends on your project style, your budget, your own personal skill level, and what you have on hand.
Stencil film: This is my personal favourite and what I used for my greenhouse bathtub. It's great for making a reusable stencil and is very easy to work with.
Stencil vinyl: Another great choice for Cricut users. It's sticky on one side, making it super easy to apply to your project surface without worrying about it moving around. Plus, it peels off cleanly when you’re done.
Mylar stencil sheets: If you’re looking for something reusable, Mylar is fantastic. It’s a durable plastic that can withstand multiple uses, and it’s easy to clean. (Just make sure to get the right thickness - 7mm Mylar is a great all-around choice.)
Adhesive vinyl: Regular vinyl is similar to stencil vinyl but slightly less durable for repeated use. It’s perfect for one-off projects and it sticks well to most surfaces.
Cardstock: For a quick, budget-friendly option, cardstock works well. It's not as durable as vinyl or Mylar, but it’s great for a simple, one-time use basic stencil. Just be gentle when applying paint or ink to avoid tearing.
What is the difference between Cricut stencil vinyl and stencil film?
If you want to create truly professional stencils that avoid bleeding and bubbling, it is best to stick to Cricut products. I would go even farther and say your choice should really be between the two products that are specifically designed for stencils: stencil vinyl and stencil film. In the past, I've stuck to stencil vinyl and this was the first time I tried the film. Here's a little breakdown to help you decide which is the best material for your project: Cricut stencil vinyl or stencil film.
Cricut stencil vinyl
Adhesive backing: Cricut stencil vinyl comes with a built-in adhesive backing that makes it easy to apply to various surfaces. This adhesive keeps the stencil in place and reduces the risk of paint bleeding or smudging.
Removable and repositionable: Stencil vinyl is designed so you can move it around (within reason) before applying paint without leaving a sticky residue. It's great for single use or for projects where you need to make slight adjustments.
Easy to use: Because of the sticky backing, you can apply vinyl stencils directly to your project surface.
Cricut stencil film
Flexible and durable: Stencil film is more flexible than stencil vinyl. This flexibility makes it easier to work with, especially on non-flat surfaces or for intricate designs.
Matte finish: Stencil film typically has a matte finish, which helps reduce glare and makes it easier to see your design as you work.
No grid lines: This feature provides a clear view of the design so that it's simpler to position accurately.
Reusable: Unlike stencil vinyl, stencil film can be reused multiple times.
What is the best Cricut stencil material? Can you use Cricut vinyl as a stencil?
Each of these materials works great with your Cricut machine, so pick the one that best suits your project and stencil design. I personally was very happy with my choice of Cricut stencil film for this project and I would highly recommend it if you are planning something similar. But, Cricut stencil vinyl can be a good choice too. Plain old Cricut vinyl can also be used in a pinch. Just remember that the farther away you get from the actual stencil material, the more chances you will have of something going wrong. As with any DIY, the easiest way to ensure proper results is to use the right products!
What do you need to make a stencil with Cricut?
Here are the materials and equipment I used for my Cricut project! Obviously, the materials you choose will be different than mine, either because of stencil material choices or paint colour preferences. This is what worked for me, and you can adjust your lists accordingly.
Materials:
Background paint (Secluded Woods by Behr Marquee)
Stencil paint (Liquitex Basics acrylic paint in gold)
Painter's tape
Equipment:
Weeding tool
Small paint roller
Small paint brush
Craft paint brush
Painting on the stencil
Once I had my stencil film cut and weeded, it was time to apply it to the bathtub.
The first thing I did before painting the actual stencil on was paint the tub itself and give the whole thing a fresh new coat of green. I did this because it is best to cover the stencil with a coat of paint that is the same colour as the background first. The only way to ensure an exact match with my old tub was a new coat of paint. I used Secluded Woods by Behr Marquee because it can cover metal.
Then, it was time to do the actual stenciling! It was actually a really simple process and only took a few easy steps:
Once the base layer of paint on the tub was dry, I taped my stencil to the tub using painter's tape.
Then, I rolled a coat of Secluded Woods over top of it. (Let this layer of wet paint dry before you move on.)
Next, I painted on the Liquitex Basics acrylic paint for the top layer of the stencil in a gorgeous gold colour. I used a brush for this layer to avoid getting too much paint on the stencil (you don't want it to bleed).
When it was dry, I removed the stencil and did some touch-ups with a small craft paintbrush. It looked so, so beautiful.
And that's it! That's how I created a gorgeous stencil to customize what was already a beautiful clawfoot tub and make it my very own. I love the contrast between the green and gold paint, and it makes me smile every time I look at it.
Happy stenciling everyone! I would love to see what you create for yourself using the tips and tricks I've talked about here. Tag me @diydanie or leave a pic in the comments!
