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This free Zombie with Skull pumpkin stencil is a printable PDF pattern you can print at home, tape to your pumpkin, and trace. A tall zombie figure stands upright inside a large oval frame in this expert-level pumpkin stencil, one arm raised and holding a dripping severed skull. The body is rendered as a jagged silhouette of tattered flesh and clawed feet set against the solid oval background, while the skull dangling from the raised hand adds a second, smaller focal point within the composition. Because the zombie's body is a narrow silhouette surrounded by the large pierced oval, cut the oval background first and leave the figure's connection points at the base until last to keep the thin leg and claw details from breaking free prematurely. Use it as a carving template for your Halloween jack-o'-lantern. 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
- Tape the stencil to a well-scraped pumpkin wall and transfer all lines with a pin tool, paying close attention to the thin neck, wrist, and ankle bridges.
- Cut the large oval background opening in sections, leaving a 1-inch uncut tab at the bottom where the zombie's feet connect to the lower rim.
- Work inward to carve the skull detail the zombie is holding, cutting its hollow eyes and dripping chin as separate small openings.
- Carve any open areas within the zombie torso such as the gaps in the tattered body outline.
- Carefully cut the thin leg, ankle, and claw outlines last, using a detail blade and minimal pressure to avoid snapping.
- Remove the final foot tab to free the oval, then light with a single candle set behind the figure for a dramatic silhouette effect.
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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