When I started playing around with the Design Space Software, I could not find any information about making cookie stencils. I saw one post on the Silhouette School blog. I could only find a few YouTube videos about making stencils from vinyl, but they were not much help. The there are a few things that make cookie stencils unique. They aren’t sticky on the back to hold them to the surface of the cookie. Everything has to be attached to something or it falls out when the stencil is cut. That’s why you need a stencil frame(there is a post to show you how to design a stencil frame). I wasted a lot of stencil material learning how to keep everything attached! I don’t like making a trial cut on paper because parts of the paper stick to the mat or it tears as it comes off. I can’t always tell if it is going to cut correctly by doing it that way. Sometimes I make practice cuts on cardstock. It does work better than paper, but it can still be hard to tell if the stencil will be a success. I like to wait for Michaels to put out a coupon for the Dura-lar and Amazon to drop the price on Grafix .007in the 12×12 inch sheets. That way, I don’t feel so bad if I waste a few sheets. Stock up if you have a Michael’s coupon or they lower the price on Amazon. Trust me when I say you want to stock up on both of these materials. Hopefully, this blog will keep you from wasting as much as I did!
After I learned how to use the software for both cutting machines, I had to learn how to get the machines to cut through the thick material. I started out cutting the Dura-lar .005 clear and Dura-lar .005 matte which are both made by Grafix. After I successfully cut the .005 stencil material, I moved on to cutting the .007 thickness. It took more practice to find the correct settings on the thicker material, but I finally got it! I did learn that no matter the thickness of the stencil material, it is best to start out cutting with a new/newer blade and when it starts to get dull, replace it. Don’t try to cut your very first cookie stencil with a dull blade. You may think the problem is in the cut settings. More than likely, it is the blade. I can get a lot of stencils cut with one SILHOUETTE Premium Blade or one CRICUT German Carbide Premium Blade before I have to get a new one.
Cut Settings for Silhouette Cameo 3
Updated cut settings–I created a new custom setting for my 005 stencil material that works well for me. Try it. If it doesn’t work, check your blade to make sure it is sharp. If that doesn’t work, make adjustments to the depth of the blade accordingly. The 007 material will not cut on my Cameo. I have tried every blade and every setting possible. It was frustrating to keep trying so I gave up. Some people say their Cameo will cut it, but mine will not. It just does not have the cut pressure/force to slice through it. Give it a try on your Cameo though. I always tease and say that my Cameo was made on a late Friday afternoon.
Clear Dura-Lar .005 material thickness
**Matte finish Dura-Lar only needs 1 pass**
Grafix .007 material thickness
Cut Settings for Cricut
Cut settings are chosen by turning the dial on the top of the Cricut machine. The dots are called “half settings”. For the .007 stencil material that I use, I created a custom setting. Many thanks to Shirlyn Leong of Cookies Art by Shirlyn for sharing her cut settings for that material. We now have the perfect setting for the Cricut to cut this thicker material!
If you cut the .005 DuraLar on your Cricut, you can use the Smart Dial and set it to Cardstock if your blade is new or newer. As your blade dulls, you will need to turn the dial up a little at a time.
For the .007 Grafix, turn the dial to Custom.
When you are ready to cut, click Make It and follow the steps in the photos.
Click View All. Look at the bottom of the screen.
Click Material Settings.
Scroll to the bottom. Click Add New Material. Name your material Grafix .007. Click Save.
After entering the material name and saving, drag the green dot over to 350, turn Multi-Cut to 2x, Choose Fine Point Blade. Click Save. Scroll down to the bottom. Click Done.
Click View All again.
Click the toggle button and then click My Materials.
It will scroll you down to the “My Materials” section under the gray bar.
Click Grafix .007 to select it and then click Done. Now your Cricut machine is ready to cut your stencil.
These are the settings that work for my machines. If these setting don’t work for you, adjust the settings a bit until you find what does work. If you have questions, feel free to contact me.
Disclaimer: The Grafix .007 and Dura-lar(polyester) stencil materials are not FDA approved food safe at this time. Use at your own discretion. The Grafix Acetate is safe for food contact.
I’m so happy to have found your blog! When I try to send the stencil material back through on my Cameo for a second cut without unloading, it always starts underneath the first cut.
I am glad you found it too! Hmmm…Is your mat sticky enough to hold the stencil material down tight? Are you pressing start immediately after it’s finished with the first cut?
I use this grafix plastic for my cookie stencils no use my silhouette 3 ratchet blade on a setting of 3 with very few issues. If I increase the blade setting, will it cut through my mat or dull my blade faster?
Hello! If that blade and setting work for you, I wouldn’t change it. It could cut through your mat if you increase the blade setting. I have cut through many mats trying different blades and settings to find the settings that work for my machine. I think it is just trial and error. I try to buy the mats when they are on sale.
Hello! I’m excited by my stencil cutting results so far. How many 5.5×5.5 stencils of a 4 mil mylar 18×12 sheet would you say you get before needing to change out the blade? I’m trying my first attempts with an older blade and I saw above you said to get a fresh blade for this. I’m just wondering how long a new one will last me? Thanks!
Hi Mandy! I am excited for you! You didn’t mention which machine and blade are you using, but for any brand of blade try the blade you have and when it doesn’t cut cleanly through the material, check to make sure nothing is stuck on it or up inside of it preventing it from cutting. If that is not the case, try a new one. It is hard to say an exact number of stencils that you will get, but CricutGerman Carbide blades last a very long time. My Cameo blades get dull much faster. If you need help with designing, cut settings and lots of tips, join us in the club. There is a plethora of video tutorials and information there if you need it. https://thecolorfulcookie.com/club/
Have you tried to cute the grafix acetate .003?
Do you havesuggested cut settings for the circut for that material?
I have cut the 004 mil material. It has been awhile though. I would try cutting it on the cardstock setting and adjust up or down from there. You should only need one pass. Do a test cut. Insert a small square or circle in a corner and try cutting it first so you don’t waste a sheet of acetate. That is pretty thin material. Good luck!
Hi, I have the Cricut maker and want to cut Grafix .007. I followed your instructions (thanks so much) but it’s not all cutting and getting stuck to mat. which mat do you use? I’m using green. Maybe I should use blue?
Hi Lisa,
I use a purple mat. Make sure you try a new blade to see if yours is dull too.
How do you get the machine to cut the needed joined areas so that the pieces stay in to make it a stencil? New Cameo 3 user.
Hi Melissa! You have to create those in the software. They are called bridges. Join us in The colorful Cookie club and I can show you how to design any stencil you like! You will learn quickly! https://thecolorfulcookie.com/club/
Would you recommend a deep cut blade for the grafix? I’m struggling to get my brand new Cricut Maker to cut my stencils without issue. Thinking of heading out tomorrow for a deep cut blade to try with these same settings.
Hi Christina,
I don’t use the deep cut blade. Make sure that your blade holder is seated correctly in the carriage. Also, I have gotten bad blades before, so try changing your out with a new one and see what that does.
Hey lady! I’m using the Cameo 3 with Grafix .007. My first attempt was with a Premium blade manually turned the dial to 7 and then on my material setting I have 7, speed 2, force 33, pass 2. I sent it through twice and it didn’t cut through. I’m trying your recommendation of *pass 3 and sending it through twice. I hope that helps.
Hi Brittany,
My Cameo won’t cut the 007 well. Yours may not either and the blade may go dull more quickly. Try the 5 mil food safe material. You will really like it. It cuts very well on the Cameo 3. Here is my afl link. It is on the 4th row. It comes in two thicknesses. Make sure you select the 5 mil. https://amzn.to/2YVYdPa
No dice on that attempt. I’m going to move the blade to an 8. I’m a beginner and dont really have a clue to what I’m doing
I was afraid of that. You will probably cut through your mat.The Cameo 4 will be out soon and is going to cut with way more pressure than the Cameo 3. Go with the 5 mil material. It will be less frustrating for you :0)