If you’ve ever wondered if you can use the SHOW-OFFS Stencil Blanks with your Cricut Machine, the answer is yes! I’ll walk you through the process of How to Make Stencils Using SHOW-OFFS Stencil Blanks and Cricut Design Space.
*A couple of people have wrote about an interest in making cookie stencils using these Show-Offs Stencil Blanks and I have replied that I did not know if they would work for making cookie stencils. I have recently been in contact with Hobby Lobby customer service and they have confirmed that these SHOW-OFFS Stencil Blanks ARE NOT INTENDED FOR FOOD USE. * Please make sure to find a FOOD SAFE MYLAR on any stencils that are intended to come in contact with food or drink.
Supplies List:
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The Process:
I personally like making my stencils using SHOW-OFFS Stencil Blanks that can be purchased at Hobby Lobby. I prefer to use the 6″x18″, 9″x18″, and 12″x18″. I don’t use the 8″x10″ SHOW-OFFS stencil blanks because they are a lot thicker.
The stencil blanks have a layer of film covering that needs to be peeled off before cutting. To start the peel, I just look for one of the corners that looks like it’s starting to peel, which then just takes seconds to get the film off. If none of the corners are lifted and ready peel then I use my fingernails to start the peel, and this can sometimes take several minutes to get the layer of film off.
The stencil blank then needs to be pressed onto the Cricut mat. The glossy side of the stencil blanks faces upward, while the matte side faces downward on the mat. (The glossy side will be the side from which the layer of film is removed.) I use the 12″x24″ mat that has to be purchased separately from the Cricut machine.
Once the stencil blank is pressed onto the mat, it is ready to be loaded into the Cricut machine. I usually make sure the stencil blank is on as smoothly and without air bubbles as possible.
I turn the material dial to custom on the Cricut machine.
—-Important Information Regarding Settings for Stencil Cutting—-
When I first got my Cricut machine I had to figure out what settings I needed to change my machine to, so that it would cut through the SHOW-OFFS stencil blanks. To find the Manage Custom Materials tab, click on the menu button on the home page.
Then click on Manage Custom Materials.
A window will pop up where the different materials can be changed.
I chose to change the Stencil Film 0.4mm settings so that I could easily remember this is the setting I use to cut stencils; I changed the Stencil Film 0.4mm to a cut pressure of 350 and for the machine to cut the material 2x.
I make sure the custom materials is set on Stencil-0.4mm in Cricut Design Space.
*Update* Another option is to create a specific custom setting as shown below. First Click “Add New Material” and name it Show-Offs Stencil Blanks or whatever you choose to name it. Then click “Save”.
Next set the Show-Offs Stencil Blanks setting to cut at a pressure of 350 at 2x. Then click “Save”. If you choose to use the Custom Material option just make sure to select the Show-Offs Stencil Blanks setting when loading the mat and getting ready to cut the stencil blanks.
Cricut Design Space guides users when to load the mat and when to hit the cut button.
The blinking light on the machine also indicates when to hit the load button and when to hit the cut button. I have used both the German carbide blade that comes with the Cricut machine and the Regular blade that can be bought in stores, and both work great when cutting these stencil blanks.
After the stencil has been cut, and Cricut Design Space gives instructions to unload the mat, it is time to take the stencil off the mat. Turn the mat over so that the stencil faces down on a flat surface, preferably a clean table. Then bend the Cricut mat up, so that the mat pulls slowly away from the stencil. Once the stencil is free from the mat, a beautiful stencil is waiting to be used.
I would love to hear if this tutorial on, How to Make Stencils Using SHOW-OFFS Stencil Blanks and Cricut Design Space helps you, or if you have any questions.
Thanks so much for sharing How to Make Stencils Using SHOW-OFFS Stencil Blanks and Cricut Design Space !!
Keri your cricut machine truly is a wonderful toy to play with and what amazing stencils you make with it girl!
It is really fun to make things using the Cricut! Thank you Katrin!
I’ve wanted a Cricut forever Keri and even more so after seeing all the free printables you’ve shared. I’m definitely saving this tutorial for when I finally get one. Thanks so much, all the steps are beautifully laid out, it should make it so much easier.
You will have so much fun with a Cricut Michelle! I’m glad it’ll make things easier. 🙂
Great tutorial Keri! I’ve wanted one of these machines for some time to make signs. I’ve pinned this post for later. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Tuula! I appreciate you pinning it. 🙂
Keri I don’t have a fancy machine, or any machine for that matter. But I’m glad you do my friend. Your creations are so pretty and so unique.
Thanks so much Mary! 🙂
So glad I found your post – learned a lot, I have been working on making stencils with my new Cricut and did not know that stencil blanks were made, now I have to find out where I can get them in Canada.
Joy
Hi Joy, I’m glad this tutorial is helpful. I wonder if Hobby Lobby ships to Canada? I think Wal Mart also has stencil blanks, but I’ve only used the stencil blanks from Hobby Lobby.
Hi Joy, I just wanted to write another reply to your comment because I just realized you could probably get stencil blanks shipped to you from an Etsy shop or Amazon. They may not be the SHOW-OFFS mentioned here, but they’re more likely to ship outside the U.S. than some other stores. Sorry I didn’t realize that some of the stores I mentioned didn’t ship outside the U.S. Anyway, I hope this helps! 🙂
So glad to find this post! I have been fighting with these stencil blanks for a couple of days. How did you get the film off? You make sound so simple, yet it has been anything but simple for me. I would appreciate any input you can give me. Thank you!
Oh Sondra, I’m sorry I’m just now seeing this comment. I just look for one of the corners that looks like it’s starting to peel or if there’s not one then I use my fingernails to start the peel. I’ll update the tutorial with this information.
I finally got it!! Just kept flicking the corner with my thumb nail! Thank you so much for the tutorial! Hopefully, all will go well now! Thanks again!
Sondra, I’m glad you finally got it! 🙂 You did just what I have to do sometimes. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Do I need to use a deep cut blade or will a regular blade work? Thanks so much for your tutorial!!
Hi Suzy, no you shouldn’t need the deep cut blade. I’ve used both the German carbide blade that comes with the Cricut machine, as well as the regular blades that can be bought in the stores, and both work great.
Than you I was looking for a better way than just using the vinyl. This will help with my glass blasting (etching except using a sandblaster) and keep my costs low for this new found hobby of mine!
I’m glad this was helpful. Enjoy your new found hobby; it sound fun!
Hi, I’ve tried your method with Stencil 0.4mm and 5 passes and still doesn’t cut thorough? Its a brand new machine with a new knife – any ideas why its not working? I’m using the same brand stencil as well… thanks for any help.
Hi, try changing your settings to a higher cut pressure. Each machine is different so you may have to test what works for yours. I have mine set to cut twice at a pressure of 350. To change your machine settings, click on the green icon in the upper left corner. Scroll down until you see Manage Custom Materials, and from there you can change the settings. Hope this helps.
Hello, the settings also didn’t work for me. I went to a .50 or .55mm cut & it came out perfect!! Thanks for your post. From here on I will be purchasing these materials and making my own personalized stencils for painting everything!! Currently working on a gift for a friend that just retired from the best shipping company in the world. She worked there for 28 years & her family is throwing a surprise party for her to celebrate her retirement this weekend.
Hi Julie, I’m glad the .50 or .55 mm worked for you. In order for the stencil 0.4mm setting to cut through the Show-Offs Stencil Blanks, I had to change the stencil 0.4mm settings under the “Manage Custom Materials” tab to cut 2x at a pressure of 350 as mentioned in the tutorial. I hope this helps. 🙂 That’s awesome that you are working on a gift for your friend. I’m sure she’ll love it!! Congratulations on her retirement!!
Thank you so much for this tutorial. Helped me out a great deal.
Oh good! I’m so glad! 🙂
Keri,
Thank you for the tutorial. Is it reusable and what do you recommend to hold the stencil while painting?
Thank you
Hi Teresa, the show-offs stencils are reusable. Masking or painter’s tape works well to hold down the stencil when painting. Hope this helps!
I would LOVE to be able to use a re-usable stencil, BUT I have yet to figure out how to keep words intact. For letters such as “O”, how do you keep the middle part of the O on a plastic stencil? With vinyl, you can transfer it and keep the middle part, but with a stencil I lose it. Is there a way around that?
Hi Sara,
With stencils letters like “a,d,g,o,p,b,e,q” that have the closure in their form, you’ll have to either manually edit the font/design you are cutting to make some sort of line or opening in the closure so that the stencil can connect to the rest of the stencil. For script fonts this can be time consuming but for print fonts it usually just takes a few extra minutes to cut into the closed areas so that it connects with the rest of the stencil. You can make the cut in Cricut Design Space after you upload your design or you can use another software such as BeFunky.com, Photoshop, or Pic Monkey to cut the opening.
Honestly the easiest way to make a stencil using a font is just to choose a stencil font because the openings are already “cut” for making stencils. My personal favorite is the Tingler Duo, which is a combo script and print package, that can be purchased on Creative Market. You can search for other stencil fonts there as well. I hope this helps!
Just remember when you have a closure of any kind whether it’s on a letter or graphic it has to be connected to the rest of the stencil in order for it to stay with the stencil. I hope this makes sense. 🙂 If you have any questions or want me to clarify any points, don’t hesitate to ask.
can you use the cricut create to make stencils?
I don’t know about the Cricut Create making stencils. It would probably be best to contact Cricut directly to receive the best answer to that question.
Hi,
I love your tutorials. I am just wondering why you choose to use the stencils vs contact paper or vinyl. Is it cheaper? Easier to handle? Also, I am assuming if you don’t have the stencils that this same process would work with other materials like vinyl.
Thanks,
Sharon
Thank you Sharon! I choose to use the SHOW-OFFS stencil blanks because they’re easy to work with, reusable and they’re not adhesive. Also the SHOW-OFFS Stencil Blanks are only $3-$4 a pack and they have 3 sheets per pack, so it’s pretty inexpensive in my opinion, plus if the 40% off coupon is used it’s a little cheaper. 😉 I’ve never worked with vinyl or contact paper so I’m not sure what the process would be for cutting these materials. There are other mylar stencil blanks out there but, again I’m not sure on the process for those because the thickness may differ and so the cut pressure and how many times it’s cut would most likely differ as well. I hope this helps. 🙂
THANK YOU!!!! You walked me through my first cricut use and stencil use!!!! It would have failed first time. Your tutorial walked me through one stop shop and came out perfect!!! I CANNOT thank you enough for this PERFECT tutorial!!!!
Yay!! I’m so glad to hear that Michelle!! 🙂 Have fun making stencils!
Can the stencils be used for cookie decorating/airbrush machine?
Hi Trisha, I’m not sure if these particular SHOW-OFFS Stencil Blanks can be used for cookie decorating or airbrush machines. I’m sorry I couldn’t provide better information than that.
I am making signs with sayings that need to be made several times and am wondering how easy it is to paint using the stencils vs vinyl. I have trouble with leakage around the edges using the vinyl and wonder how much of a problem it is using the stencils. Any suggestions?
Hi Molly, sorry I’m just now seeing your comment. In my personal opinion I think it’s easy to paint using stencils. I’ve never used vinyl so I can’t answer that part. If you’re stenciling using paint and the stencils just make sure to use a small amount of paint on your brush and that should solve the leakage. If you’re interested in more details on stenciling you can check out my post on How to Stencil and I go into more details on less is more in regards to paint and stencils. https://repurposingjunkie.com/2016/09/06/paint-is-like-salt-15-steps-and-tips-for-awesome-stenciling/
I am using the same show offs but when I set it at .004 it will not cut all the through it. What am I doing wrong it just scores the plastic not through it. Thank you Ed. could you please Email me back.
Hi Ed, the stencil 0.4mm setting has to be changed in the custom material settings to cut 2x and at a pressure of 350 as stated in the tutorial in order for the cut to go through the stencils. I hope this helps! 🙂
I have followed your instructions to the letter and It still will not cut all the way through the ShowOff blanks. What am I doing wrong?? Please help
Hi Craig, have you changed the custom material settings? You’ll have to test out what works best for your machine and the stencils, but I have set my Stencil Film 0.4mm material setting to cut at a pressure of 350 and 2x and it works like a charm every time. I hope this helps! 🙂
Hi. I have set my machine to cut 2x. But when it pulls the mat back in for the second cut. It doesn’t line up with the original cut. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Karen, I’m not sure I’ve never had that happen before. If you’ve set the “Manage Custom Settings” to cut the stencil blanks twice, and it’s not cutting right/lining up then I would recommend contacting Cricut about that problem.
Hi, i’m from Argentina, and i get a cricut explore air 2, lol , i think maybe i’m de only one with it in my country. So my question is, can i cut x ray film? lol, is much cheaper than buy any thing lol . Wich custome do you suggest me ?
Thank you, God Bless you 🙂
Hi Erika, I’m glad you got a Cricut Explore Air 2. I’m sure you will have lots of fun crafting and creating with it. I’m not sure about the x-ray film. I would suggest that you contact Cricut directly to ask them what they suggest. I hope this helps. 🙂
HI! I want to make my own designs and turn them into stencils for decorating cookies. I think I can do it if I follow your tutorial. Which Cricut machine would I need to invest in? (I don’t have one yet.)
Hi Cindy,
I’m just now seeing your comment. I apologize for the late reply. I recently wrote to Hobby Lobby to find out if these Show-Offs Stencil Blanks are food safe and they replied that These Show-Offs Stencil Blanks are NOT INTENDED FOR FOOD USE. I would recommend finding a FOOD SAFE MYLAR before proceeding with making stencils for decorating cookies.
I have a Cricut Explore One and it works great for cutting stencils, however I have my eye on the Cricut Explore Air 2 because it’s supposed to cut faster and also because it’s wireless.