26 Pumpkin Carving Stencils for the Best Jack-o'-Lanterns on the Block (2024)

FAQs

Do you cut the black or white of a pumpkin stencil? ›

Tape stencil onto pumpkin. Trace stencil with a dull pencil or poke through paper with a thumbtack to transfer image. Make sure to trace shadow lines and inside shapes onto pumpkin as well. Remove stencil and mark which areas should be cut out (white), scratched (gray), or left alone (black).

If you are carving your pumpkin, take the stencil cut out and place loops of tape on its backside so that you can stick the stencil directly on the pumpkin. If you are painting instead, use the page with the stencil removed so that you can paint inside where the stencil once was and create the same shape.

Pin or tape your template/pattern to your pumpkin. Use an awl or pen to poke small holes along the black edge of the shape. Remove the paper and, using a knife, cut along the small holes you made. Drop a candle or light in your pumpkin and take a look in the dark!

It is recommended that you measure your pumpkin and select the appropriate size to print and use. Simply measure the pumpkin's height and subtract 1 to 2 inches of space from the top and the bottom. For example, if your pumpkin is 11 inches tall, then the 8-9 inch pumpkin carving stencil would be best.

It's best to use short, fast strokes for most of the pattern, letting the teeth do the cutting. In detailed sections, use single strokes, realigning the blade each time but never twisting it too much. Finally, always make sure that the blade goes all the way through the pumpkin, or you'll have to re-cut those lines.

Step 11: Clean and Ready to Go

I use an exacto knife to go over every line, then I start on the smallest things first. Remember, now you are going to be cutting out the black areas now that you have inverted the image. shade the gray areas. Leave the white areas alone.

Cut along your outlines with a serrated knife.

Push the knife straight into the pumpkin along the outline of your design. Use an up-and-down sawing or rocking motion to cut through the skin. Start by making rough cuts to remove large sections and go back to clean up the edges.

How do you use pumpkin tracing paper? ›

You can trace your pattern onto tracing paper. Then, transfer it onto the pumpkin using graphite paper. Place the graphite paper between the pattern and the pumpkin, with the graphite side facing the pumpkin. Tape the graphite paper and the pattern into position on the pumpkin.