Paint Stencil Generator: Reusable Letter, Label and Icon Stencils
Reusable paint stencils for signs, crates and crafts: your words in any font, packing labels or an icon, with adjustable bridges that keep letter centres attached.
- Exports
- SVG, DXF, PDF
- Works with
- LightBurn, xTool Creative Space, Glowforge, LaserGRBL
- Materials
- Mylar, cardstock, thin plywood, acrylic
What it makes
The Stencils studio turns words or an icon into a reusable paint stencil. Type the words, one row per line, choose a font and the sheet size, and the studio adds bridges so every letter stays in one piece.
Ready-made starting points
| Stencil | Good for |
|---|---|
| Text stencil | Signs, walls, furniture, crates |
| Packing label | FRAGILE, THIS SIDE UP and shipping marks on boxes and crates |
| Icon stencil | Stars, hearts and shapes for crafts and decor |
How to use it
- Type your words, one row per line, or pick an icon.
- Choose the font, letter height and sheet size.
- Set the bridge width. Wider bridges are stronger; thinner ones are less visible in the paint.
- Export and cut, then paint with a dabbing brush or light coats of spray.
Tip: use stencil-friendly materials only. Avoid PVC and vinyl, which give off harmful fumes when lasered.
Why stencils need bridges
Any letter with a closed inner shape would lose that shape when cut: the middle of an O simply falls out. A bridge is a thin strip that ties the inner piece to the rest of the stencil. The letters that need one are A, B, D, O, P, Q and R in capitals, a, b, d, e, g, o, p and q in lower case, and the digits 0, 4, 6, 8 and 9 (in most fonts). Stencil fonts are designed with these gaps already built in, which is why they look the way they do.
Choosing a stencil material
| Material | Best for |
|---|---|
| Polyester (Mylar) film, about 0.1 to 0.25 mm | Reusable, flexible stencils that wash clean and bend round curves |
| Cardstock or chipboard | One-off or short runs; cheap and quick to cut |
| Thin plywood or MDF | Rigid stencils for crates and pallets that get rough use |
For crisp edges, hold the stencil flat with a light repositionable spray adhesive, then paint in several light coats instead of one heavy one, so paint doesn’t creep under the edges. Cutting cardboard or paper? The cardboard and paper guide covers avoiding scorch marks and fire. For lettering engraved straight into a sign instead, try the name sign generator or the business sign generator.
Questions
What is a stencil bridge?
Letters such as O, A, B and R have a middle that would fall out when cut. A bridge is a thin strip that keeps the middle attached. You can set how wide the bridges are.
What can I make?
Text stencils for signs and walls, packing labels such as FRAGILE or THIS SIDE UP for crates, and icon stencils such as a star or a heart.
What material is best for a stencil?
Mylar lasts the longest and can be washed. Cardstock is fine for a few uses. Thin plywood or acrylic make sturdy stencils for spray paint.
Can I set the sheet size?
Yes. Set the sheet width and height, and the letters fit inside it.
Can I use any font?
Pick any of the app's fonts. Bold fonts with thick strokes make the cleanest stencils.
xTool, LightBurn, Glowforge are trademarks of their respective owners. Laser Generator Studio is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.