Stencil AI vs Stencify
Stencil AI is a stencil tool for working tattoo artists: a client's reference goes in, a transfer-ready stencil comes out, in three styles, retouched, printed at true size. Stencify converts images too, and also generates tattoo ideas from text and previews them on an AI model, which makes it as much a tool for the person getting the tattoo as for the one doing it.
Stencil AI is used by 5,000+ paying tattoo artists, holds 4.7 stars from 220+ US App Store ratings, and is built and quality-checked by working tattoo artists.
Written by the Stencil AI team; we make one of the two apps compared here. Every Stencify figure comes from its App Store and Google Play listings and its website, checked on 2026-10-01.
The short answer
- For an artist converting references, Stencil AI. Three styles including Hatching for realism, a retouch editor, true-to-size and multi-stencil printing, warp-to-body, LiDAR measuring, Tattoo Mode at the chair, 1,000+ ready-made subjects, and studio seats.
- For someone deciding what to get, Stencify has features we do not. Text-to-tattoo generation and an AI try-on on a model. Stencil AI does not invent designs.
- On price, watch the billing period. Stencify is $4.99 per week. Stencil AI is from $13.99 a month, or $139.99 a year.
Feature by feature
The bottom line: Stencify's converter produces line work with contrast and line-weight sliders. That is enough for bold designs. For a portrait, where the tattoo is the shadow, Stencil AI's Hatching style keeps the tonal map and prints it as cross-hatching. Take the hardest portrait you have and compare the eyes.
| Feature | Stencil AI | Stencify |
|---|---|---|
| Made forThe row that explains the rest | Tattoo artists converting client references | Artists and people exploring tattoo ideas |
| Conversion styles | 3 — Outline, Standard, Hatching | One image-to-stencil mode, with line weight and contrast sliders |
| Shadows and depth | Preserved and printable as cross-hatching | Line work; shading not described |
| Generate a design from textStencify wins this one; Stencil AI converts references, it does not invent designs | ||
| Preview the tattoo on a model or photo | Tattoo Mode overlays the stencil on the client at the chair | AI try-on on a model or imported photo |
| Retouch after generating | Brushes, tap-to-remove fills, tone curves | Line weight and contrast sliders; AI edits by text prompt |
| Print at true size | Export sized for stencil paper | |
| Warp stencil to body curve | ||
| Measure on skin with LiDAR | ||
| Multi-stencil / tiled printing | Several per sheet, each at its own size; big pieces across sheets | |
| Ready-made stencil library | 1,000+ subjects with guides | |
| Multi-artist studio seats | ||
| Export resolution | Up to 4K | PNG / PDF; resolution not listed |
| Platforms | iPhone, iPad, Android and web | iPhone, iPad and Android |
| Interface languages | 16 | 13 |
| Price | from $13.99 / month, or $139.99 / year | $4.99 per week, or $47.99 / year |
| Try before paying | Free preview of your result before you pay | 2 free uses, then subscription |
| Commercial licence stated | Not listed |
What Stencify has going for it
- It generates designs from text. Stencil AI deliberately does not. If the client has no reference and no idea, Stencify can produce a starting point.
- AI try-on on a model. Useful for showing a client a design before any stencil exists. Stencil AI's Tattoo Mode overlays the stencil on the actual client at the chair instead, which solves a different moment.
- Two free uses before the subscription starts. Stencil AI shows you a free preview of your own result before you pay, but does not give away full-resolution stencils.
What happens after the conversion
Stencify exports a PNG or PDF sized for stencil paper. Stencil AI treats the stencil as the start of the prep: retouch it with pressure-sensitive brushes and tone curves, remove a fill with a tap, bend it to a shoulder or forearm with the Warp tool, measure the placement on skin with LiDAR, lay several stencils on one sheet at their real sizes or tile a big piece across sheets, then print at true size via AirPrint or export a PDF. At the chair, Tattoo Mode keeps the screen awake and flips between stencil, photo and overlay with one hand.
Platforms and price
Both run on iPhone, iPad and Android. Stencil AI also runs in a browser on the same account, which matters if you prep stencils on a desktop. Stencify is in 13 languages, Stencil AI in 16.
Stencify charges $4.99 per week or $47.99 a year. Stencil AI's Hobby plan is from $13.99 a month, Pro from $29.99 a month, each also available yearly. Weekly billing is the thing to notice: four weeks of Stencify costs about $20, more than a month of Hobby.
What artists say about Stencil AI's output
“Saves me SOOOO much time tracing out the designs. And the stencils are exactly how I would picture them if I would of done it myself”
“Awesome tool for any busy artist! Highly recommend!”
Common questions
Is Stencify for tattoo artists or for clients?
Both, by its own description: it converts images to stencils, and it also generates tattoo designs from text and previews them on an AI model, which are features for someone deciding what tattoo to get. Stencil AI is built only for the artist side: a client brings a reference, the artist needs a transfer-ready stencil of it.
What does Stencil AI do that Stencify does not?
Three conversion styles including a hatching style for realism, a retouch editor with brushes and tone curves, true-to-size printing with several stencils per sheet and tiling for big pieces, warping a stencil to a body curve, LiDAR measurement, a session viewer at the chair, a library of 1,000+ subjects, studio seats, and a web version.
What does Stencify do that Stencil AI does not?
Generate a tattoo design from a text description, edit a design by typing a prompt, and preview a design on an AI-generated model. Stencil AI does not invent designs; it converts the reference you give it.
Which is cheaper?
It depends on how you pay. Stencify is $4.99 per week or $47.99 a year. Stencil AI is from $13.99 a month, or $139.99 a year. Weekly billing adds up fast: four weeks of Stencify costs more than a month of Hobby.
Do both run on Android?
Yes. Stencify is on iPhone, iPad and Android. Stencil AI is on iPhone, iPad, Android and web, with the web version on the same account.
Other comparisons
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