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The Pharaoh Death Mask pumpkin stencil is a free printable PDF template. Print it, tape the pattern on, and trace it onto your pumpkin. An Egyptian pharaoh death mask stares straight out of this expert pumpkin stencil, showing the broad striped nemes headdress with its pleated side panels and forehead uraeus cobra, plus a detailed face with almond-shaped eyes, straight brows, a defined nose, and a zigzag collar at the neck. The face details are held in thin skin bridges while the headdress stripes and surrounding areas are pierced through. Carve the delicate uraeus cobra at the top first since it is the most isolated element and easiest to cut without torque on neighboring sections. It makes a fun jack-o'-lantern design for Halloween night. It is rated Expert / Pro. Actual time varies with preparation, pumpkin size and experience. Intricate details and fragile supports need patience. Technique depends on the design; follow its PDF rather than assuming multiple depth layers.
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
- Transfer the full design; pay close attention to the tight spacing of the headdress stripe cuts.
- Start at the top with the small uraeus cobra, cutting its narrow body and head shape before anything else shifts.
- Carve the headdress stripes on each side from top to bottom in sequence, keeping alternating solid and cut strips intact.
- Move to the face: cut the eye outlines and nostril shadow first, then the brow lines.
- Carve the zigzag collar sections at the bottom last, as they anchor the lower design.
- The dense striped headdress glows most dramatically with a candle positioned slightly off-center to cast asymmetric light across the face.
Tools you'll need
For a expert / pro carve like this you'll want a fine-detail pumpkin saw, spoon / scoop, pin transfer tool, and detail gouges 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.
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Speedball 4131 Lino Cutter Set
Handle + 5 interchangeable cutters
Interchangeable cutters for peeling and shading the face. Useful for the finer details.
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