Creating Stencils with Subtract Operations

Stencils are cutout designs used for painting, etching, or applying designs to surfaces. The Subtract operation is perfect for creating the cutout areas in your stencil design.

Draw a rectangle or shape that will be your stencil base. This should be slightly larger than your design area. This base will hold the stencil together.

Create the shapes, letters, or designs you want to cut out. These can be text (converted to paths), shapes, or custom drawn paths. Position them where you want the cutouts.

If using text, right-click and select 'Convert to Path'. Stencils need solid shapes, not editable text. Make sure all design elements are paths or shapes.

Select the stencil base first (the rectangle), then hold Shift and select all the design elements you want to cut out. The order matters: base first, then cutouts.

Right-click on the selected items and choose 'Subtract'. The design elements will be cut out from the base, creating your stencil. The result is a single path with holes.

For letters like O, A, or B, you may need bridges to hold the center pieces. Draw small rectangles connecting the outer frame to inner cutouts, then use Union to add them.

Export your stencil as SVG. The cutout design is now ready to use for stenciling, painting, or other applications.

• Stencils work best with simple, bold designs • Add bridges for letters with enclosed spaces (O, A, B, etc.) • Test your design on paper first before using expensive materials • Keep bridges thin but strong enough to hold the design together • Consider the material thickness when designing bridge sizes