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View all stencils βAbout this stencil
Two drooping teardrop eyes slump toward a broad downturned crescent frown, giving this pumpkin the most theatrical pout on the block. All three features are pierced through, and the big simple shapes make it an easy carve with instant comedic payoff. Angle each teardrop eye so both tips point down and outward, and cut the frown from the middle toward each raised corner to keep the curve even. This design is rated Beginner-friendly and takes most carvers around 30 minutes from trace to glow. Great for kids and first-timers. Big shapes, short cuts.
Pumpkin size guide
- π Small (5β7") β print at 80%
- π Medium (7β10") β print at 100% (recommended)
- π Large (11β13") β print at 130%
- π Giant (14"+) β print at 150% on tabloid paper
Frequently asked questions
Can I resize this stencil?βΎ
Yes. The PDF is vector so it scales cleanly. Print at 100% for a 7β10 inch pumpkin, 130% for 11β13 inch, or 150% for a giant. Use your printer's "Fit to page" or "Custom scale" setting.
What kind of paper works best?βΎ
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?βΎ
Usually 5β10 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 double the lifespan.
Can I sell pumpkins carved with this stencil?βΎ
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?βΎ
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
- 1Print it
Download the PDF and print at 100% scale on letter or A4 paper.
- 2Prep the pumpkin
Cut the lid at an angle, scoop the guts, thin the wall to ~1 inch.
- 3Tape it on
Snip darts in the paper so it lies flat against the curve.
- 4Transfer the design
Poke along every line β about one dot every 1/8 inch.
- 5Carve it
Connect the dots with short straight cuts. Center first, work outward.
- 6Light it up
Drop in a battery LED pumpkin light and you're done.
Tools you'll need
For a beginner-friendly carve like this you'll want a paring knife, spoon / scoop, marker, and led pumpkin light. Here's the kit we reach for β 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 β
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 β
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 β
Community Pumpkin Carving Ideas
Carving ideas that use stencils like this one.
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Beginner-friendlyRaised Brows and Oval Surprise
Two wide oval eyes topped with arched eyebrows hover above a tall oval mouth frozen mid-gasp, giving the pumpkin a permanently astonished expression. The eyes, brows, and mouth are all clean cut-through openings with generous spacing between them. Easy carvers should cut the thin eyebrow arcs first while the wall is strongest, then remove the big ovals; angle the knife slightly outward so each plug pops free without bruising the edges.
Beginner-friendlyCrescent Wink and Two Teeth
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This tilted laughing face leans hard to one side, with two squinted arrow eyes, a huge open grin, and a teardrop of joy flying off each corner. All the features cut fully through, and the diagonal tilt is what makes it read as the crying-laughing emoji everyone knows. It rates hard because the squint lines and tear droplets are small, so use a fine saw and drill-start each tiny opening before cutting.
IntermediateOne-Eye Arched-Brow Smile
A single giant eye dominates this friendly monster face, with a dark round pupil left in place at its center and a curved brow arched above. Below, a huge grin sweeps ear to ear with pointed dimples at each corner. The eye ring, brow, and smile are cut through while the pupil stays as an island of shell, which is what earns the medium rating; anchor that pupil with a toothpick from behind if it feels loose.






