Different Types of Stencils for Crafting (Layering, Background, Mask & More)

Different Types of Stencils for Crafting (And What Each One Is Best For)

Craft stencils are one of those supplies that make you feel like a wizard: place stencil, add color, lift stencil… and suddenly your project looks designed on purpose.

But if you’ve ever shopped for stencils and felt overwhelmed by the options (layering, coloring, mask, background, builder, letter…), this guide is your calm, beginner-friendly breakdown.

Below you’ll learn the main types of stencils used in paper crafting, what each type is best for, and a few easy ideas you can try right away.

✨ Quick Answer: Best Stencils for Beginners

If you’re starting from zero and want the most useful stencil types first, this is the least-overwhelming path:

• 1 background stencil (fast card backgrounds)
• 1 layering stencil set (pretty florals with no drawing skills)
• 1 alphabet/letter stencil (titles, sentiments, monograms)

That combo covers most cards, journal spreads, and scrapbook pages — without buying “all the things.”

1) Layering Stencils

Layering stencils come in 2+ layers that stack to build depth and shading (think petals, shadows, highlights). They’re perfect when you want a finished, detailed look without complicated coloring.

Best for

• Realistic florals, leaves, and motifs
• Quick focal points that look hand-colored
• Repeating patterns for instant “designer” backgrounds

Beginner tip

Use light pressure and build color slowly. If your first layer is a bit imperfect, later layers usually “hide” it beautifully.

2) Coloring Stencils

Coloring stencils are designed to help you add color to specific shapes or images cleanly and quickly. Some coordinate with stamps (so you stamp outlines, then stencil in the color), but they can also work on their own depending on the design.

Best for

• Adding color to stamped images without markers
• Clean shading on petals, leaves, and small details
• Fast coloring that’s still crisp and controlled

3) Background Stencils

Background stencils usually cover a large area (often a full 6x6 pattern) so you can create a full card background in minutes.

Best for

• Quick card fronts and scrapbook base layers
• Texture and pattern without extra bulk
• Ink blending, sprays, paste, or tone-on-tone looks

Cozy shortcut

Stencil just the top third (or a corner) of your panel, then add a focal + sentiment. Instant clean-and-simple layout.

4) Mask Stencils

Mask stencils help you “hide” an area while you ink, stamp, or spray over it — so layers look like they sit behind one another.

Best for

• Creating overlapping stamped scenes
• Spotlight effects and clean focal areas
• Layering without messy fussy-cut masks

5) Builder & Scene-Building Stencils

Builder stencils help you construct patterns (like tiles, stripes, sweater prints) and scene stencils help you create landscapes (mountains, skies, city scenes) quickly.

Best for

• Masculine, geometric, and modern cards
• Fast “complete scenes” with minimal supplies
• Cards that look complicated but are actually simple

6) Letter & Alphabet Stencils

Letter stencils let you add words, titles, names, and monograms — without stamps or freehand lettering.

Best for

• Scrapbook titles and journal headings
• Monogram cards (birthdays, weddings, baby)
• Bold sentiments when you don’t have the right stamp

7) Border Stencils

Border stencils add decorative edges around panels, envelopes, tags, and journals.

Best for

• Framing focal images or sentiments
• Making envelopes and inserts match your card
• Quick “finished” look with almost no effort

🎨 Different Ways to Use Stencils in Crafting

Stencils aren’t just for ink blending. Here are a few popular ways to use them:

• Ink blending: soft, smooth color (most beginner-friendly)
• Ink sprays: quick, artsy backgrounds (a little messy, very fun)
• Embossing paste: raised texture and dimension
• Heat embossing: shiny stencil patterns with embossing powder
• Tracing with pens/markers: crisp lines and doodle-style fills

💡 Easy Stencil Ideas for Beginners

• Vellum overlay: stencil on vellum, layer over patterned paper for a soft look
• Monochrome background: one ink family + one background stencil = instant elegance
• DIY bookmark: stencil a mandala or tile pattern, add a punched tassel hole
• Monogram card: big letter + simple stenciled background + tiny sentiment
• Window card focal: stencil with paste, then cut a window and add a sweet message inside
• Partial stenciling: stencil only a corner and leave lots of white space

✅ Quick Tips for Clean, Crisp Stenciling

• Secure your stencil with low-tack tape so it can’t shift.
• Offload ink on scrap paper first (prevents harsh blobs).
• Use light pressure and build slowly.
• Clean right away if you used paste or sprays (future-you will thank you).

📚 Related WondersArtist Guides

• All You Need to Know About Stencils (Beginner-Friendly Guide)
• A Beginner’s Guide to Stencil Art
• How to Clean and Store Stencils

🎁 Free Clipart Sampler

If you’d like cozy, high-resolution artwork to practice backgrounds and layering with, a free sampler is waiting for you.

Sign up below and the sampler will arrive gently in your inbox, ready for cards, tags, journals, and pretty stencil layers 💌

💎 All Access Membership

All Access Membership gives you an entire library of artwork to pair with your stencils — for cards, journals, and quick crafty projects.

• ✨ Unlimited access to clipart, digital papers, journaling pages, and cardmaking kits
• 🧺 New releases included while the membership is active
• ⚡ Instant downloads with clear, friendly licensing for crafters and small shops
• 🔁 Perpetual rights for everything downloaded during your active time, even if you cancel later

💎👉 JOIN ALL ACCESS

🌷 Final Thoughts

You don’t need a huge stencil collection to make beautiful things. Start with a background stencil, add one layering set for wow-factor, and keep an alphabet stencil for titles and sentiments. Simple tools, big results.