Let’s Build a Collection of Stencil Fonts for Signage & Plasma Cutting!
Hey everyone! Let’s work together to create a collection of stencil fonts that are great for signage, plasma cutting, CNC work, and other design projects.
Why Stencil Fonts?
Stencil fonts are designed with built-in bridges to prevent cut-out sections from falling away. They’re ideal for plasma cutting, CNC routing, and laser engraving, ensuring letters remain connected while maintaining readability. Whether you’re making signs, stencils, or decorative cutouts, having a solid set of stencil fonts is essential!
How to Install Stencil Fonts in Fusion 360
Stencil fonts are usually available in TrueType Font (TTF) format, and Fusion 360 supports TTF fonts for text-based design work. Here’s how to install them:
On Windows:
Download a stencil font in TTF format.
Right-click the file and select Install (or double-click and press “Install”).
Restart Fusion 360—your new font should appear in the text tool.
On MacOS:
Download a stencil font in TTF format.
Double-click the file to open Font Book.
Click Install Font and restart Fusion 360.
Note: Unlike SHX fonts, TTF fonts install system-wide, so they will be available in all programs, not just Fusion 360.
Share Your Stencil Fonts!
If you have or know of great stencil fonts for plasma cutting, signage, or CNC projects, let’s build a shared collection! Since this forum doesn’t allow direct TTF file uploads, you’ll need to place them in a folder and zip them before posting.
. Let’s make this a great resource for everyone!
Note: the gaps/bridges were made the size they are so that even at 1 inch height, the bridges will be strong. Not ideal for large text on signs because the bridges will be quite noticeable.
This is a Great tool. I had a font a customer choose for a sign. It was kind of narrow and and did not offer a bold options. I used inkscape to make a white background with black letters and then did a simple screen shot of the found the customer choose. I used the link above and found a found that was practically identical but thicker. Cool Tool
I am anxious to try this. It looks like it has enough space that the letters won’t burn out so bad. Thanks to all in this effort.
Let me add. If you use parametric modeling in Fusion 360, you can encode “Text” in a part, then just changing the text in your parameters. Very simple, but you need a text that will print without a bunch of custom changes to make it work….
Check out this video…. It can make your life easy if you can cut it without destroying your parts….
Follow up on my recent cutting of First Font in this thread, called Arial something or other. This did fairly well for me. The Capital R came out one size bigger than it should have. My tip might need to be changed to sharpen up my work. The project is “just” for me, so I am not too worried about it. It could use just teeny bit more space in the inch tall cuts for best results. It is the best font I have found so far. What I cut was, “SCREW DRIVERS” for a little rack I made for the set of 10 Milwaukee screw drivers that is currently on sale. If I can get a little chance I will post it. I was cutting 16ga aluminum. Not pretty like Craig’s laser project.
I think that I have to go so slow to make round holes round that puts a lot of dross on the back side. The cuts I make going full speed look really good. I just cant go full speed with Letters and small technical details.
I just noticed that you can see the slightly oversized “R” in the caps pic below. I copied it from up above.
I also noticed that some CAD programs allow for exploding the text that is made…
While in an exploded view, one can alter any text given. Although time consuming, you can actually write your own fonts and change things to suite your needs a little more than grabbing some already made fonts that may have licenses on them.
Seth
P.S. For instance, in alibre, I use exploded view to handle font and other ideas:
I am back to doing as you are pointing out. The problem I found with the bridged/stenciled fonts: they might be either too small if you use a small pt. size (or whatever it is called) or the become larger than necessary when the letters are enlarged.
The stenciled fonts work really well when there is an entire page of letters or when you are in a hurry. Or when you have a project that is bound to use the same font on everything.
Also, I saw where some people just put two lines or a rectangle in the center of all the letterings.
Then, trimming is possible around the rest of the numerical values or letters. As an example, I did I quickie of a CAD to show the strike through the lettering… Of course, it could be better.
On Windows:
Note: Unlike SHX fonts, TTF fonts install system-wide, so they will be available in all programs, not just Fusion 360.
