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StencilCAESEN

Shading screens for stencils: hatching, stippling and engraving

A thermal printer only prints black or nothing: greys are lost or come out as blotches. A screen translates each tone into lines or dots of varying density, and also marks on the skin where each shadow goes.

[ Prepare your stencil ]

or drop it here · PNG, JPG, WebP or SVG

Everything runs in your browser: the design never leaves your device.

How to use it

  1. 1Upload the shaded design or the photo.
  2. 2In Adjust, choose the screen by looking at its previews, the spacing and the maximum density; ignore very light tones so the skin stays clean.
  3. 3Check the ink load and download the stencil.

Tips

  • On a stencil, less is more: a maximum density of 40–55 % is usually enough to guide the shading.
  • Below about 0.6 mm spacing at 203 dpi the screen clogs: increase it if it comes out grey.
  • With “Shadow zones” you only mark the edge of each shadow with a thin line, very handy for realism.

Frequently asked questions

Which screen transfers best?

Hatching and regular dots survive the transfer well; stipple and dither look finer but need a good printer and good paper.

What resolution do I need?

Thermal stencil printers print at 203 or 300 dpi; the tool screens directly at the resolution of the printer you choose.

Can I screen only part of the tone range?

Yes: tones below the minimum aren’t screened and anything above the line threshold goes solid; those two values bound the shading.

Related guides

Thermal printer stencilsFrom a drawing or a photo to a stencil that transfers well on a thermal printer: real size, clean-up, lines, fills, shading and the final file.Read the guide →Thermal printer or copierBoth burn stencil paper, but in different ways. Which resolution, which format and which mistakes to avoid with a thermal stencil printer and with a thermal copier.Read the guide →Transfer tipsScale, orientation, line weight, blacks, shading, specks, paper and skin: ten quick checks before transferring a thermal printer or thermal copier stencil.Read the guide →Full toolEvery step in one: design, clean-up, style, adjustments, effects, body and print.Open the tool →