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View all stencils →About this stencil
Download the Screaming Face pumpkin stencil as a free printable PDF, then tape the pattern to your pumpkin and trace the lines. A screaming man's face, rendered with wild tufted hair radiating outward in jagged spikes, fills this expert-level pumpkin stencil. The wide open mouth, squinting brow, and deeply shadowed cheeks are built from interlocking curved cut-through shapes separated by thin orange bridges that define the facial planes. The radiating hair spikes are particularly slender at their tips. Work the hair tips first with a narrow blade, then carve the facial features from the forehead down, saving the large mouth cavity for last so it doesn't weaken the surrounding wall prematurely. It works as a carving template for a Halloween jack-o'-lantern or a fall porch display. 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 design carefully; the hair spikes have pointed tips and the facial cuts share thin connecting bridges.
- Cut the outermost hair spike tips first, working from tip to base on each spike before moving to the next.
- Carve the brow-line cuts and the squinting eye details, keeping the narrow bridge between brow and hairline intact.
- Move to the cheek shadow shapes, removing each curved section individually.
- Carve the ear and jaw-line outlines, then cut the teeth details inside the mouth last.
- Remove the large open mouth cavity only after all surrounding cuts are finished to maintain wall stability.
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.
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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Expert / ProThe Ember King Pumpkin Stencil
Hooked, furious eyes glare beneath a crown of flame-shaped cutouts that climb the pumpkin's forehead, while a jagged mouth bristles with rows of interlocking fangs and a diamond nose burns at the center. Nearly a hundred small pierced shapes surround the face, so this is a marathon of careful knife work. Cut from the center outward and rest often; the narrow skin bridges between flames and fangs cannot take rushed strokes.
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