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View all stencils →About this stencil
This free Octopus Face pumpkin stencil is a printable PDF pattern you can print at home, tape to your pumpkin, and trace. A stylized cartoon octopus face fills this hard pumpkin stencil with a nearly circular head outline, two large round eyes with lash-like detail above them, a central beak-like nose bridge, and a decorative lower section featuring a symmetrical arch with layered cutwork and scalloped tentacle bases on each side. The round eyes are solid islands of pumpkin skin that must be preserved while the surrounding face is cut away. Carve the outer circular head arc first, then remove the face background working around the solid eye discs, and finish with the fine scalloped cuts at the bottom. Use it as a carving template for your Halloween jack-o'-lantern. It is rated Advanced. Actual time varies with preparation, pumpkin size and experience. Fine details and narrow supports need careful planning. Follow the cutting and shading key in this design’s PDF.
Pumpkin size guide
- 🎃 Small (5 to 7"): print at 80%
- 🎃 Medium (7 to 10"): print at 100% (recommended)
- 🎃 Large (11 to 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 the pattern at 100% for a 7 to 10 inch pumpkin, 130% for 11 to 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 to 10 days. Coat all cut surfaces with petroleum jelly and store the pumpkin somewhere cool overnight. Avoid direct sun. Battery LED pumpkin lights produce no heat and help it last longer.
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
- Thin the pumpkin wall to about 1/2 inch across the full design; the scalloped lower details need a responsive blade.
- Carve the partial outer circle of the head, leaving a small gap at the top where the stencil indicates a break.
- Remove the large background areas of the face, working around both round eye islands without cutting into them.
- Cut the lash details above each eye using short angled strokes toward the eye disc, stopping cleanly at the boundary.
- Carve the central beak/nose bridge cutwork, following the curved outline carefully.
- Finish with the scalloped tentacle-base pieces at the lower sides; their small repeated arcs are easiest with a narrow pointed blade making individual plunge cuts for each scallop.
Tools you'll need
For a advanced carve like this you'll want a fine-detail pumpkin saw, spoon / scoop, pin transfer tool, and small gouge if the pattern includes shading. Here's the kit we reach for, but 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 ↗
HOME MOST LED Pumpkin Lights
4-pack, battery operated, with remote + timer
Orange glow made for jack-o'-lanterns. The remote and timer light the pumpkin every evening without reaching inside.
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 ↗
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