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A hooded Grim Reaper leans forward gripping a large curved scythe, its skeletal face visible inside the cowl, and tattered robe edges dissolving into ragged fringe at the bottom in this expert grim reaper pumpkin stencil. The composition reads as a single dramatic figure, with the scythe blade sweeping up behind the figure and the robe tatters creating many thin separate cuts below. Carve the robe fringe tatters at the base first, since those narrow flame-like cuts are the easiest to crack once adjacent large sections of the torso are removed. This design is rated Expert / Pro and takes most carvers around 240 minutes from trace to glow. Sculpting-grade work. Three or more depth layers, fine detail.
Pumpkin size guide
- 🎃 Small (5–7") — print at 80%
- 🎃 Medium (7–10") — print at 100% (recommended)
- 🎃 Large (11–13") — print at 130%
- 🎃 Giant (14"+) — print at 150% on tabloid paper
Frequently asked questions
Can I resize this stencil?▾
Yes. The PDF is vector so it scales cleanly. Print at 100% for a 7–10 inch pumpkin, 130% for 11–13 inch, or 150% for a giant. Use your printer's "Fit to page" or "Custom scale" setting.
What kind of paper works best?▾
Standard 20 lb letter or A4 printer paper is fine. Heavier paper is harder to bend around the pumpkin curve. If your printer supports it, set the quality to 'best' so the lines are crisp.
How long will the carved pumpkin last?▾
Usually 5–10 days. Coat all cut surfaces with petroleum jelly and store the pumpkin somewhere cool overnight. Avoid direct sun. Battery tea lights produce no heat and double the lifespan.
Can I sell pumpkins carved with this stencil?▾
Yes, the carved pumpkin you make is yours. The license covers personal and small-scale commercial carving (selling carved pumpkins, photographing them, posting on social). You may not resell the PDF file itself.
What if my printer doesn't print the whole stencil?▾
Set 'Page scaling' to 'Fit' in the print dialog and uncheck 'Auto-rotate'. If it still cuts off, the design includes 0.25" of safe-area margin so a small crop won't ruin it.
How to carve this stencil
- Choose a tall pumpkin; the Reaper figure is vertically oriented and needs height to read clearly.
- Pin-transfer all robe fringe edges, the scythe curve, and the skull face detail inside the cowl before removing the paper.
- Cut the narrow robe-fringe tatters at the bottom first, working left to right across the lower edge.
- Carve the scythe blade cutout next, including the thin crescent tip, making short controlled strokes.
- Open the main robe body void in sections, leaving pumpkin bridges at sleeve edges intact until the surrounding cuts are done.
- Finish with the skeletal face details inside the cowl: eye sockets and teeth strips last, using a fine detail blade.
Tools you'll need
For a expert / pro carve like this you'll want a full ribbon tool set, clay sculpting loops, x-acto knife, and dremel (optional). Here's the kit we reach for — start with whatever you already own.
Elmchee Pumpkin Carving Kit
13-piece kit with carrying case
Saws for the larger cutouts, plus a scoop for hollowing. Covers both jobs in one kit.
View on Amazon ↗
Speedball 4131 Lino Cutter Set
Handle + 5 interchangeable cutters
Interchangeable cutters for peeling and shading the face. Useful for the finer details.
View on Amazon ↗
Homemory LED Tea Lights
24-pack of battery-operated lights
Battery-operated, flickering lights for a candle-like glow inside your finished pumpkin.
View on Amazon ↗
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A hooded Grim Reaper face looms from within a tattered, wind-swept cloak in this expert pumpkin stencil, its skull face showing deep-set eye sockets, a skeletal nose cavity, and rows of exposed teeth, all surrounded by jagged cloak edges that dissolve into flame-like wisps at the bottom. Dozens of small cuts through the cloak fabric, face, and shroud edges create a complex web of glowing gaps. Tackle the most crowded area, the teeth row, first when your hands and the pumpkin are both fresh, then spiral outward to the cloak wisps.
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A menacing skeletal Grim Reaper looms in three-quarter view on this expert pumpkin stencil, its ragged shroud trailing in torn tatters, one clawed bony hand gripping a scythe handle, a detailed skull face with visible teeth, sunken eye sockets, and a crescent scythe blade arcing across the upper left. Dozens of thin irregular shreds of robe create complex negative spaces throughout the body. Begin by cutting the large scythe blade and clearing the open background areas, then work into the tattered robe fringe from the outside edges inward so the narrow strips never lose support from adjacent uncut skin.
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A compact cartoon Grim Reaper stands front-facing with a skull face peering out from a rounded hood, angular raised arms gripping a long diagonal scythe pole, a blocky robe body with visible feet, and a small wisp of ground fog at the base on this hard pumpkin stencil. The scythe blade is a large separate curved cutout at the upper right, while the skull face features two angular eye holes and a small nose cutout. Cut the scythe blade first since it is isolated and large, then the hood opening, skull details, and robe voids in that order.