Stenchill Makes PCB Stencils Printable at Home

Stenchill turns PCB Gerber files into 3D-printable solder-paste stencils in seconds. The beta service accepts a Gerber ZIP exported from KiCad, Eagle, Altium and other tools, then generates an STL file for printing at home.

The workflow has three steps:

• Upload a Gerber ZIP file.
• Preview the stencil in 3D and adjust settings.
• Print the downloaded STL file.

A stencil is a thin plate with openings aligned to a PCB’s solder pads. Makers place it over the board, spread solder paste across the openings with a squeegee, and then position surface-mount components before reflow. Compared with applying paste from a syringe, the method produces faster, more uniform deposits.

Built for prototypes and small batches

Stenchill is aimed at prototyping and small-batch assembly. Its 3D-printed stencils work best with 0603 and larger passive components and large-pitch ICs. For 0402 parts and fine-pitch BGAs, the service recommends a laser-cut stencil instead. A 0.2 mm nozzle is advised for small pads.

The service is free, while a professional stencil typically costs $15–30 per side. Users can generate a file in seconds, print it the same day, and create a stencil for an older PCB without placing another board order. Built-in registration shoulders are designed to help align the stencil with the board.

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French maker and robotics creator Barbatronic uses Stenchill in his fabrication workflow. He has published hardware tutorials on YouTube and Twitch since 2019, runs a Discord community, and belongs to the Karibous team, which competes annually in the French Robotics Cup. He says Stenchill originated during one of his streams after a chat discussion convinced him to build it.

Recommended print settings include:

• PLA or PETG material
• A smooth glass, smooth PEI, or mirror print surface
• 0.1 mm layer height and 0.3–0.4 mm stencil thickness
• 100% infill
• Arachne wall generation
• 30–40 mm/s print speed

The site also offers a step-by-step guide and a KiCad plugin that launches stencil generation directly from the PCB Editor. The 3D preview remains available on the website. User previews listed on the site include entries from Nathan on May 7, 2026, and Barbatronic on April 15, 2026.