Stencil Fonts: Free Picks and How to Cut Stencils
Quick answer: Stencil fonts have small gaps called bridges that hold the inner parts of letters together when cut out. Good free picks are Stardos Stencil, Allerta Stencil, Big Shoulders Stencil and Saira Stencil One. Print large, cut with a sharp craft knife and spray in light coats.
Stencil lettering is everywhere, from army crates to Banksy walls to coffee shop chalkboards. The trick that makes it work is simple once you see it.
What makes a stencil font different
Cut an O out of card and the middle falls out. Stencil fonts solve this with bridges: thin gaps that keep the centre connected. That's why stencil letters look "broken" in the same places.
Free stencil fonts worth using
| Font | Best for |
|---|---|
| Stardos Stencil | Military and vintage crates |
| Allerta Stencil | Clean signs and labels |
| Big Shoulders Stencil | Tall industrial lettering |
| Saira Stencil One | Sporty, techy designs |
| Emblema One | Retro posters |
How to cut a stencil
- Make your text in the stencil generator with a black fill, the Paper background and spray and drips at 0%.
- Download the SVG and print it at the final size.
- Glue or tape it onto card, acetate or stencil film.
- Cut out the black parts with a sharp craft knife, leaving the bridges.
- Spray in light, even coats from about 20 cm away to avoid bleeding.
Using a cutting machine
Cricut and Silhouette machines import SVGs directly. Import the file, convert text to outlines if asked, and cut from vinyl or stencil film.