How to Make Stencils with Dollar Tree Chopping Mats

This post may contain affiliate links, sponsored content and products received at no cost.

6:00 AM

How to Make Stencils with Dollar Tree Cutting Boards! Make the perfect paint stencils using cutting boards from Dollar Tree. I love making my own reusable stencils, but stencil material can get pricy--Dollar Tree crafts are the BEST! I love finding things at the dollar store that I can use for something entirely different than its intended purpose.

How to Make Stencils with Dollar Tree Chopping Mats!

Make the perfect paint stencils using chopping mats from Dollar Tree.

I love making my own reusable stencils, but stencil material can get pricy--Dollar Tree crafts are the BEST!

I love finding things at the dollar store that I can use for something entirely different than its intended purpose.

Supplies Needed for DIY Stencils:

Set of 2 Flexible Chopping Mats from Dollar Tree (you can buy these online if you buy 4 packages)
Cricut Maker
Deep Point Blade + Housing
Strong Grip Mat
Painters Tape
Plaid Craft Paint
Plaid Stencil Paint Brush

Step 1: Set Up

Begin by selecting a stencil image in Cricut Design Space.

I just typed in "stencil" and picked one of the first few pictures I found.

Then set one chopping mat on the strong grip Cricut mat.

Then tape around the 3 edges with painters tape.

The cutting board/chopping mat hangs off the base of the mat a bit, so no need to tape that edge.

Step 2: Deep Point Blade

Switch out the fine point blade from your Cricut Machine and replace it with the deep point blade.

It's in a black housing, so it's easy to tell apart.

You can see the angle of the blade is much sharper, so it's going to cut a bit deeper.

No need to use the knife blade though.

Step 2: Deep Point Blade Switch out the fine point blade from your Cricut Machine and replace it with the deep point blade. It's in a black housing, so it's easy to tell apart. You can see the angle of the blade is much sharper, so it's going to cut a bit deeper. No need to use the knife blade though.

The blade tools are so easy to change out of the machine.

Just pull the tab to open, slip in the deep point blade and then click the tab back in place.

Step 3: Cut Stencil

Select "stencil film 0.4mm" as the cutting surface.

Slide the image over on the mat a little bit, so it cuts on a larger surface rather than smooshing it into the top corner.

This will make using the stencil with paint easier.

Click "make it" and then click the start button on the machine.

Do not remove the mat when it is done cutting.

Step 3: Cut Stencil Select "stencil film 0.4mm" as the cutting surface. Slide the image over on the mat a little bit, so it cuts on a larger surface rather than smooshing it into the top corner. This will make using the stencil with paint easier. Click "make it" and then click the start button on the machine. Do not remove the mat when it is done cutting.

When it's done with one pass, it's not cut all the way through.

DO NOT REMOVE THE MAT!

Instead, just click the "start" or "go" button again.

This will cut the same image in the exact same place.

If you remove the mat, there's a chance it won't line back up properly.

When it's done with one pass, it's not cut all the way through. DO NOT REMOVE THE MAT! Instead, just click the "start" or "go" button again. This will cut the same image in the exact same place. If you remove the mat, there's a chance it won't line back up properly.

Once it cuts a second pass, DO NOT REMOVE THE MAT!

But carefully use the hook tool and see if the plastic chopping mat has cut all the way through.

In this case, after 2 passes, it has not.

So click the "go" button again and let it cut again.

Once it cuts a second pass, DO NOT REMOVE THE MAT! But carefully use the hook tool and see if the plastic chopping mat has cut all the way through. In this case, after 2 passes, it has not. So click the "go" button again and let it cut again.

This chopping mat cutting board needed 4 passes to cut all the way through.

Just keep checking in between passes, so you don't cut through your Cricut Mat.

Then peel the newly cut stencil from the mat.

Unpeel the tape and discard it.

This chopping mat cutting board needed 4 passes to cut all the way through. Just keep checking in between passes, so you don't cut through your Cricut Mat. Then peel the newly cut stencil from the mat. Unpeel the tape and discard it.

Sometimes a piece or two will stay stuck in the stencil.

It's not necessary to run another pass with the machine, but just use a hobby knife and gently loosen the areas that are stuck.

It's typically just a corner or curve that didn't quite cut through, so it's a simple fix.

Sometimes a piece or two will stay stuck in the stencil. It's not necessary to run another pass with the machine, but just use a hobby knife and gently loosen the areas that are stuck. It's typically just a corner or curve that didn't quite cut through, so it's a simple fix.

Awesome, right!?

I love making my own reusable stencils--you can share them, use them at events so everyone gets beautiful results, stencil paint walls or furniture, etc. (Check out this furniture stencil and stain project)

I've used them on tote bags (Tropical Tote Bags Summer Camp Craft), shirts, front door mats and even cake!

Yes, check out this post on making a cake stencil.

Awesome, right!? I love making my own reusable stencils--you can share them, use them at events so everyone gets beautiful results, stencil paint walls or furniture, etc. (Check out this furniture stencil and stain project) I've used them on tote bags (Tropical Tote Bags Summer Camp Craft), shirts, front door mats and even cake! Yes, check out this post on making a cake stencil.

Step 4: Use the Stencil

Now let's use the stencil.

Get out your favorite Plaid FolkArt paints and a stencil brush.

Stencil brushes are stiff and stick straight out, making it perfect for daubing on a stencil so the paint doesn't go under the stencil.

Just daub the paint on the stencil in an "up and down" movement, don't push or pull--as this can push paint under the plastic stencil.

Repeat for the green paint.

Work carefully where the pink and green are close together, so they don't mix together.

I'm just practicing this out on cardboard, but it turned out absolutely beautiful!

It's so fun to make your own stencils and you can get at least 2 big stencils or a bunch of smaller ones with one package of flexible chopping mats from Dollar Tree--super cost effective!