StenclyStencly
Stencly

Stencly

Draw anything, guided. Turn any photo or idea into a traceable stencil you can draw on real paper — no talent required.

Download on the App Store

Three Ways to Trace

Pick the mode that fits your setup

Camera Mode

Prop your phone up on a tripod, glass, or stack of books. Trace what you see on screen straight onto paper.

Lightbox Mode

Place paper over your phone's screen. The illuminated outline shows through — trace directly on top.

AR Mode (PRO)

Snap a photo of your paper and Stencly locks the template in place. Move around, zoom in — the template stays put.

How It Works

From idea to finished drawing in four steps

01

Pick a template

Browse our 2,400+ library or type any idea for an AI-generated custom stencil.

02

Point your phone at paper

Prop it up (Camera), lay it flat (Lightbox), or snap a shot (AR) — three ways to trace.

03

Trace the outline

Follow the lines on your paper. No talent required — Stencly guides your hand.

04

Share your art

Save your finished trace straight to your Photos library.

What's Inside

Free forever. PRO unlocks the full library, AI, and AR mode.

2,400+ Templates

Animals, cartoons, anime, food, tattoos, famous art, vehicles, faces & portraits.

AI-Generated Stencils

Type any idea and get a custom, traceable outline in seconds — PRO only.

Save Your Work

Save finished traces straight to your Photos library with one tap.

Free Starter Templates

10+ templates per category unlocked, plus Camera & Lightbox modes free forever.

Who Stencly Is For

Anyone who wants to make something with their hands and just needs a helping hand with the outline.

Beginners learning to draw
Hobbyists doing quick sketches
Tattoo artists blocking out designs
Kids getting into art
Parents doing art projects with kids

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any special equipment to trace with Stencly?+
No — just your iPhone and paper. Camera mode works with the phone propped on a stand or a stack of books, Lightbox mode uses the screen directly, and AR mode needs nothing but the phone in your hand.
What's the difference between Camera, Lightbox, and AR modes?+
Lightbox mode displays the image on screen so you trace onto thin paper laid over it — best for small drawings. Camera mode overlays the image on the live camera view of your paper, like a virtual projector. AR mode anchors the image to the paper itself so it stays locked in place even when the phone moves.
Can I trace my own photos?+
Yes — use any photo from your camera roll, pick from the 2,400+ template library, or describe an idea and let the AI generate a clean traceable stencil from it.
Is tracing cheating?+
No — tracing for practice is a technique artists have used for centuries, from the camera obscura to animation light tables. It builds line confidence, proportion awareness, and motor control that carry over to freehand drawing.
Will tracing on my phone screen damage it?+
Not with normal use. In Lightbox mode, use thin paper and light pencil pressure — modern screens are glass and much harder than graphite. Stencly's touch lock stops your strokes from moving the image while you draw.

Drawing & Tracing Guides

Learn how to trace pictures onto paper, turn photos into stencils, and use your phone as a tracing projector or lightbox.

How to Trace a Picture Onto Paper

Four ways to trace any picture onto real paper — a sunlit window, a lightbox, your phone as a virtual projector, and AR tracing. No printer needed for most.

How to Use Your Phone as a Tracing Projector

Your phone can't physically project images — but a camera-overlay tracing app does the same job. Setup, stabilisation tips, and common mistakes.

How to Use Your Phone as a Lightbox for Tracing

Turn your phone screen into a mini tracing lightbox: display the image at full brightness, lay thin paper on top, and trace. Here's how to do it safely.

How to Make a Stencil From a Photo

Turn any photo into a clean, traceable stencil: what makes a good source photo, how AI line extraction works, and how to get from stencil to finished drawing.

What Is AR Drawing? Augmented Reality Tracing Explained

AR drawing anchors a virtual image to your real sheet of paper so you can trace it — no projector, no printing. How it works and when to use it.

Does Tracing Help You Learn to Draw?

Tracing isn't cheating — it's how artists have trained for centuries. What tracing actually teaches, its limits, and how to use it deliberately.

View all guides →

Start Drawing Today

Download Stencly free and trace your first stencil in seconds.

Download on the App Store