How to Stencil a Doormat with Cricut and Freezer Paper!
Yes you can make stencils for a door mat using a Cricut Machine!
This fun tutorial will teach you how to stencil a front porch rug or doormat using Cricut and freezer paper.
Nothing is quite as fun and inviting on your front porch than a custom doormat. I originally posted this in September of 2020, but decided it needed a little updating, enjoy the pumpkins!
This ambigram is clever, reading "come in" or "go away", depending on the side one is standing.
I was just going to put a "welcome" or a "hello" on the mat, but I asked my 12 year old son what he would like. He said he saw one online that was so cool because it could be read either direction.
So, I copied it. Just for him. He's so proud.
You can use any SVG files or cut rile and make your own diy doormat.
Supplies Needed for Stencil Doormat:
- Cricut Maker 3 Bundle (Cricut Explore Air or Cricut Joy can make Freezer Paper stencils too)
- Freezer Paper
- Light Grip 12x24 Cricut Cutting Mat
- Cricut EasyPress Mini Raspberry
- FolkArt Outdoor Paint (mine is Zinc) or any Outdoor Acrylic Paint
- Stencil Brush
- Straight Pins
- Coir Mat (this is the exact one I used, but this one looks good too)
- Free SVG File Image for this mat at the end of the post
You can also cut a vinyl stencil or freezer paper stencil with a craft knife or silhouette portrait machine too! This is one of my favorite projects!
Freezer paper is so inexpensive, this whole craft can be done for less than $15...and you can make 2 of the for $20, and three of them for $25. The freezer paper will last forever and the paint can do more than one rug.
Step 1: Making a Freezer Paper Stencil with the Cricut
Begin by cutting a piece of Freezer Paper to fit the 12x24 light grip Cricut mat, place it on the mat with the shiny side on the sticky mat.
Next step, upload image into Cricut Design Space and change the size so it cuts at 23.5 inches long. Then insert the mat and cut on the freezer paper setting.
Have the cutting machine cut out the freezer paper.
Step 2: Heat up the EasyPress Mini
First thing, plug in and heat up the Cricut Easy Press Mini to the hottest temperature. You can use any easypress heat press for this, but I find the smallest one gives me the most control.
Step 3: Weed the Stencil
Now carefully remove each letter cut out of the freezer paper and discard. We are just using the outside space for the stencil.
Be sure to keep all the little pieces that go inside loopy letters too to give the end results the best possible finish.
Peel out the entire design of the Cricut stencil, so just the outline remains. Anything you want to show up painted, you need to remove.
Tip: you can also use stencil vinyl and a piece of transfer tape or stencil film for this diy doormat.
This is how the stencil should look. Everything you want painted on the finished should be gone on the stencil...keeping the small pieces in the centers of letters.
Then carefully remove the freezer paper from the mat and place it on your doormat. Use the EasyPress mini to heat up the freezer paper and "tack" it onto the mat in places. (some people prefer using glue dots to hold down little pieces and corners)
Use just a little heat for just a bit of time. It will not "stick" completely. It just sort of holds in place.
The waxy surface of the freezer paper will melt and adhere to fabric easily.
If you use this technique on a shirt, it's very easy. Because this mat is so textured, it will not stay down perfectly.
Tack it in place and then pin the freezer paper to the mat with straight pins.
Then add in the small pieces of the letters. Press them and then pin them in place.
Step 4: Paint the Mat
Now it's time to paint! Use a stencil brush and the outdoor paint. (Black paint is my favorite option, but you can use any color).
The easiest way is to hold the stencil down with the non-dominant hand while painting, if it is pinned in place it won't shift while working.
Use a straight up and down motion so the paint doesn't push under the stencil but works it's way down into the natural fiber of the coir doormat.
Fill in all the space with paint, then go over the whole thing again with another couple coats of paint.
The second coat of paint will continue to cover the fibers of the mat and help the paint last longer in the weather.
The kind of paint you use will make a difference of how well it lasts--some people prefer to use outdoor spray paint but just be cautious about overspray and work outside in a well ventilated area and tape over all the doormat with painter's tape for best results.
After cleaning out the paintbrush, but before the paint is dry, remove the freezer paper from the doormat.
The best way to remove the freezer paper is remove the outside of the stencil materials first and then use a weeding tool to remove the little pieces.
Exterior paint is the way to go if the great looking doormat is going to be outdoors. It will help the paint last longer, although it will inevitably fade and chip away.
The door mat reveal is the fun part of the project!
If you aren't satisfied with the finished look, you can use a finer paint brush and go in with paint and "edit" or touch-up the text with a little bit of paint.
This is one of my favorite Cricut projects--such a fun way to make a personalized doormat!
If you are doing a couple colors and going for the layered look, pick another color and paint in a shadow.
Now you can make all the custom doormats you want. Start a small business, make them for gifts, or just to freshen up the patio.
I found a bunch of blank doormats at Walmart for 5 bucks a couple years ago, they are the perfect size doormat and make great gifts. (probably can find them at Home Depot too)
Next time, I'll try a more complex design for a stenciled doormat, even if it's a little extra work!
Place the doormat at the front door for the perfect welcome--or unwelcome sign.
The only question is, do you invite guests in...or tell them to go away!?
I didn't use a flex seal spray on the mat, but that could help the paint last longer and keep it's matte finish.
My Cricut Maker is my top crafting tool. I absolutely love it and would replace it if anything happened to it. Are you thinking about getting one? Read this post:
What to Know Before Buying a Cricut
That's it!
Making handmade or customized gifts for friends, family, neighbors and teachers is definitely my favorite projects.
It doesn't require a lot of research to pick a fun image from the Cricut library and transform it into a work of art.
Hope you are inspired by this post and are ready to stencil a doormat with Cricut and freezer paper for all the front porches in your life!
Like, Pin and Share--or Save for Later!
Here's the design file for this ambigram--right click to save off cut file or save to your phone!
Upload it into Cricut Design Space software program for the perfect doormat DIY.
Check out these fun Cricut Made Posts too:
Personalized Tumblers with Vinyl
Fabric Bunting
Infusible Ink Mugs
Iron-on Shirt
Acrylic Keychains
Foil Kit Holiday Cards
Print and Cut Stickers
Etch Glass
Leather Earrings
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