1. Start with the right image
High contrast, clear edges, plain background. Line drawings and flash you own work best. Busy photos need more cleanup. Only use images you have the right to use — no celebrity photos or copyrighted characters.
2. Convert to black lines
Raise contrast, then pick a threshold: everything darker becomes a line, everything lighter disappears. Lower the threshold for fewer, bolder lines.
3. Remove noise
Specks and background texture transfer too. Use automatic speck removal, then erase anything left by hand. Shading usually does not belong in a stencil — the artist adds it freehand.
4. Set the real size
Decide the width with your artist (or measure the placement). Set it in centimetres; the height follows the design shape.
5. Print at 100% and check
- Choose "Actual size" / 100% in the print dialog — never "Fit to page".
- Measure the 1 cm check square with a ruler.
- Use thermal stencil paper or inkjet stencil paper for transfer.
Try it now
The preview runs in your browser and is watermarked SAMPLE. Clean, real-size PDF export is part of a paid plan.
See it on your skin before the consult
Try a design on your own photo, calibrated in cm, then print the stencil at exactly that size.
Start for free →