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The Three Bats pumpkin stencil is a free printable PDF template. Print it, tape the pattern on, and trace it onto your pumpkin. Three snarling bats in different sizes swoop across this bats pumpkin stencil: one large bat dominates the lower center with wide jagged wings and a gnashing face, a medium bat flies mid-right, and a small bat trails upper-left, all fully pierced through. The graduated scale creates depth on the jack-o-lantern face, and because the large bat's wing tips are long and thin, cut those points last after the broad wing voids are already removed to avoid snapping them during the heavy cutting. It makes a fun jack-o'-lantern design for Halloween night. 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
- Transfer all three bats and note that they are independent, non-connected cutouts.
- Start with the smallest upper-left bat, removing it completely since its small scale makes it the most delicate.
- Cut the medium bat next, finishing each wing from base to tip.
- Tackle the large lower bat last: remove the face detail islands first, then the broad body, then the two large wing voids.
- Cut each wing tip with a single pull-stroke from base to point to avoid snapping.
- A candle positioned centrally behind all three bats lets each glowing size read as a receding flock.
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.
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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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A wide flying bat spreads scalloped wings across the pumpkin, with two pointed ears rising from its round head at the center. The entire bat is a single pierced opening, so the glowing silhouette needs no interior bridges or fragile details. Follow the scalloped bottom edge of each wing with short curved strokes, letting the saw complete one scallop at a time for a smooth, even wingline.