FAQ

1. On the home screen, tap STENCIL to choose a photo or artwork. The small icons on the right of that row open the Camera or your files instead. You can also share an image to Ghostline from another app, or on iPhone and iPad drag one in.
2. On the BASE IMAGE screen, choose any of Crop, Upscale and Cut Out (see How do I upscale my photo?), rotate or flip if needed, then tap Load.
3. On the main screen, pick a tool. Sharpen and Edit adjust your image, Classic and Pro make a stencil, and Print and Reference put it to use.
4. Tap Done in any tool to keep the result. Each tool adds a new step, so your earlier versions are never overwritten.

The readout above the image (for example, CLASSIC STENCIL · 3 OF 4) shows which version you’re looking at. Tap or drag along the dots under the image to go back to any earlier version, then run a tool on it. Press and hold the image to compare it with your source photo. The trash icon removes the newest step, and the share icon exports the version on screen as a JPG.

Your work is saved automatically as you go. If you close the app, your project is still there the next time you open it. On iPhone and iPad, tap Resume when asked.

Ghostline runs on:

• iPhone and iPad with iOS 17 or later. On iPad it works in any orientation and in Split View.
• Android phones and tablets with Android 8.0 or later.

A few features depend on your device’s hardware. On iPhone and iPad, Cut Out needs an iPhone XS / XR or newer, or an iPad with an A12 chip or newer. On Android, Cut Out uses Google Play services, which downloads what it needs the first time you use it. On older or slower devices, Upscale starts switched off, but you can still turn it on.

Pro stencils are generated on Ghostline’s servers, so they need an internet connection. Everything else works on your device, offline.

Upscaling happens when you load an image. Choose your photo or artwork, and on the BASE IMAGE screen check that the Upscale chip is on (the dot next to it is lit), then tap Load.

• Ghostline switches Upscale on automatically when your image is smaller than 2048 pixels on its longest side. Larger images are already sharp enough, so they skip it. You can tap the chip to change it either way.
• Ghostline picks the right upscaler for you, one for photographs and one for drawings and line art.
• Upscaling runs on your device, so it works without an internet connection.
• Turn on Crop first and drag the corners close to your subject. Ghostline fits the crop box to your image to start with. A tighter crop puts more of the upscaled detail where it matters, and gives you a sharper stencil later.
• Cut Out removes the background and leaves just your subject on white, which is handy for portraits and pets.

After loading, your history shows an UPSCALE step. To save the upscaled photo, tap the share icon on the main screen and save it to your photos.

*NOTE You can also use Sharpen on the main screen to sharpen your upscaled photo a little more before making a stencil.

How much you Sharpen is up to you, since it changes how your stencil renders. On the main screen, tap Sharpen and drag the AMOUNT slider. It runs from NONE through LIGHT and MEDIUM to HEAVY, and you can pinch to zoom in on the preview while you adjust. Tap Done when it looks right, then make your stencil with Classic or Pro.

We suggest starting around LIGHT. Over-sharpening can add grit and noise that shows up as extra marks in a stencil.

*NOTE Every photo and piece of artwork is different. Because each tool adds a new step, you can try several amounts: tap back to the earlier step on the dot strip and run Sharpen again, then compare the stencils side by side.

Ghostline has two stencil tools. Both are on the main screen under STENCIL.

Classic is the original Ghostline stencil. It renders instantly on your device, even offline. Adjust it with two sliders:

• DETAIL controls how much fine detail and shading the stencil keeps.
• INTENSITY controls how dark and bold the marks are.

Two chips change its style. Denoise cleans up specks and grain, and Outline switches to crisp outlines that suit lettering and geometric designs. Ghostline remembers your last settings, and a small dot on each slider marks where it started, so you can always drag back.

Pro generates a clean, tattoo-ready line stencil on Ghostline’s servers. It needs an internet connection and takes a little longer. When it’s done, you can blend it with a Classic version and adjust the line weight. See How do I use Pro Stencil?

Both tools include an overlay button on the left of the screen. It shows your stencil over the original photo in a tint color, so you can check what was kept and what was lost. The overlay is just for viewing and never ends up in the saved stencil.

On the main screen, tap Pro. It works from whichever version of your image is showing, so you don’t need a Classic stencil first. Set your options, then tap Generate:

• DETAIL goes from LOW to MED, HIGH or MAX. It sets how much of the image is kept. HIGH is the default.
• OUTPUT is either Thermofax or Inkjet. Choose the printer you’ll use (see What kind of printer should I use?).
• Contours adds contour lines inside the shapes, not just the outlines.

Generating can take a little while. You can tap Stop at any time.

When the stencil arrives, drag the handle on the pad to fine-tune it:

• Left to right blends from a CLASSIC version of your image to the PRO stencil.
• Bottom to top changes the line weight from LIGHT to HEAVY.

To try different options, tap the re-run button and then Run again. Tap Done to keep the result as a new step.

Pro Stencil needs an internet connection and an active Ghostline subscription. If you see “You’ve reached the generation limit for now”, wait a little while and try again.

Some artists prefer a traditional, line-based stencil. Here are a few ways to get one:

Pro Stencil. Tap Pro, set DETAIL to MED or HIGH, choose your OUTPUT, and tap Generate. Turn Contours off for outlines only. Then drag the pad all the way to PRO, and up or down to set the line weight.

Classic with Outline. Tap Classic and turn on the Outline chip. Adjust DETAIL and INTENSITY until the lines look clean, and tap Done. This works especially well for lettering, logos and geometric designs.

Sharpen first. Run Sharpen at LIGHT to MEDIUM, then make your stencil with Classic or Pro as above. Sharper edges give crisper lines.

Once you’re happy with it, tap Print, or export it with the share icon.

*NOTE Every photo and piece of artwork is different, so try a few combinations. Each attempt is saved as its own step, so you can step back and compare.

Some artists prefer a softer, three-dimensional stencil with lots of value levels, rather than a bold line-based one. Here are a few ways to get that look:

Classic. Tap Classic, leave Denoise and Outline off, and adjust DETAIL and INTENSITY until you see the range of values you want. Then tap Done. Skipping Sharpen keeps the gradients smoother.

Pro with Contours. Tap Pro, turn Contours on, and set DETAIL to HIGH or MAX. After generating, drag the pad toward CLASSIC to blend in shading, and toward LIGHT for finer lines.

Print the photo itself. Select the GRAYSCALE step (or UPSCALE/SHARPEN) on the dot strip and tap Print. Modern inkjet stencil printers can print a fully rendered grayscale image as a value-scale stencil (see What kind of printer should I use?). Use EXPOSURE on the print screen to lighten or darken it.

*NOTE Every photo and piece of artwork is different, so try each of these and compare. Practice makes perfect, so have fun trying out all of the different options!

On the main screen, tap Edit. It works on whichever version is showing, and works best with a stylus such as Apple Pencil or S Pen, though your finger works too. The tools are:

• Pen draws in black or white. Tap the Ink swatch to switch.
• Eraser paints back to clean paper.
• Blend paints in from any other step in your project, such as the original photo, the Classic stencil or the Pro stencil. Pick which one under SOURCE. It’s great for combining the best parts of two stencils.

Use the size slider to pick a brush from FINE to BROAD. Ruler helps you draw straight lines.

One finger draws. Two fingers pan, pinch to zoom, and twist to rotate. A two-finger double-tap undoes your last mark, and a three-finger double-tap redoes it. You can also tap Undo.

Tap Done to save your edits as a new step.

Every design is unique, and each one needs its own approach to make a great stencil with Ghostline. Many artists build their tattoo design mock-up from several layers of photo reference and art. In most cases you can make a great stencil from the whole design at once, whatever its detail.

If one section of your design stencils well but another doesn’t, make the stencil in layers instead. Save each layer of your mock-up as its own image and make a stencil from each one in Ghostline, using different settings where needed. Then combine them in your design software, load the combined stencil back into Ghostline, and print it.

You can also combine stencils inside Ghostline. Make a Classic and a Pro stencil (or two with different settings) from the same image, then open Edit and use the Blend brush to paint in the best parts of each. See How do I touch up or clean up my stencil?, and our TUTORIALS for more help.

Every artist and studio uses different printers, thermal copiers and thermofaxes to print their stencils. We’ve tested over a dozen types, and the best for Ghostline are modern EcoTank inkjet printers with Wi-Fi that can print straight from your phone or tablet. Most current models can.

A Wi-Fi EcoTank inkjet is the most cost-effective way to print crisp stencils. It doesn’t need regular white paper or expensive thermal stencil paper. Buy a quality EcoTank inkjet from one of the main brands, fill its ink tank with tattoo stencil ink, and load it with individual sheets of transparent tattoo stencil paper. It then prints purple stencil ink straight onto the stencil paper, and you’re ready to go. You can print directly from Ghostline, or save the stencil and print it from your preferred software.

There are also some nice, lightweight, portable tattoo stencil printers that print from your phone or tablet onto thermal stencil paper. They’re great for traveling to guest spots and tattoo conventions.

You can still use a traditional thermofax: print your stencil on regular paper with a regular printer, then run it through the thermofax or thermal copier (the old-school method). In most cases it comes out a bit dark or muddy, because thermofaxes can’t reproduce the detail and values that modern printers can.

When you make a Pro stencil, set OUTPUT to match how you’ll print: Inkjet or Thermofax.

*NOTE You can see our preferred printing methods in our TUTORIAL VIDEOS.

Ghostline prints your stencil to scale, straight from the app. Select the version you want on the main screen and tap Print to open PRINT LAYOUT:

1. Tap the PAPER pill to choose Letter, Legal, Folio, A4 or A3, and Portrait or Landscape. Load the same size paper in your printer. Ghostline remembers your choice for next time.
2. Pinch to resize your stencil on the page, drag to move it, and twist with two fingers to rotate it (it snaps straight near each quarter turn). The rulers along the edges and the readout show the exact printed size in inches or centimeters as you go.
3. Use the EXPOSURE slider to lighten or darken the print.
4. Tap the mirror button to flip your stencil for transfer, if your printer doesn’t already mirror it.
5. Tap Send, then Print, and choose your printer in the print options. On iPhone and iPad, check that the paper size matches what you picked in Ghostline, and turn double-sided off. On Android, Ghostline fills in the paper size for you.

Printing several small sizes at once: turn on Multi-size to print four copies of your stencil on one sheet, each a little smaller than the last. It’s handy when you and your client are deciding between sizes. Pinch to scale all four together.

For stencils bigger than one sheet, see How do I print a large stencil across several sheets?

Other ways to print:

• Your printer’s own app. Many printer brands have a free app. Tap Send then PDF or Image, save the file, and print it from that app. You might need to mirror the stencil first.
• A computer and a thermofax. Send yourself the PDF, print it on regular paper, and run it through your thermofax or thermal copier. Most thermofaxes can’t reproduce detailed stencils as well as a modern inkjet (see What kind of printer should I use?).

*NOTE Connect your printer to your phone or tablet before printing. Each brand sets up Wi-Fi printing a little differently, so check your printer’s own tutorials. A wired or direct connection prints faster than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Ghostline can tile a large stencil across up to 16 sheets of paper.

1. Tap Print on the main screen, then choose your PAPER size and orientation.
2. Under SHEETS, choose 2×2, 3×3 or 4×4. This adds paper around your stencil without changing its size.
3. Pinch to resize your stencil to the exact size you need. The readout shows the printed width and height. Faint lines in the preview show where the sheets meet.
4. Tap Send, then Print (or PDF to save it).

Ghostline prints one page per sheet, row by row from left to right, the order you’d tape them down in. Blank sheets are skipped. The tiles meet edge to edge with no overlap, so trim any printer margin and line the pages up carefully before taping.

*NOTE Make sure the paper size in your print options matches the one you picked in Ghostline, and the paper in your printer. See My stencil prints at the wrong size.

To keep a stencil at its exact printed size, tap Print, size it on the page, then tap Send and choose:

• PDF for one PDF with a page per sheet, at the true paper size. This is the best choice for reprinting later.
• Image for one image file per sheet.

Then save it from the share options, for example to Files, Google Drive or Dropbox, or email it to yourself. When you’re ready to print again, open the PDF and print it at 100% (actual size), on the same paper size.

Everything you set on the print screen, including size, rotation, exposure, mirroring and Multi-size, is saved into the file.

To save the stencil itself, without sizing, tap the share icon on the main screen. It saves the version on screen as a full-resolution JPG, which you can save to your photos or send anywhere. Ghostline also saves your work in progress automatically, so it’s still there the next time you open the app.

Ghostline, your print options and the paper in your printer all need to be the same size. If you print on 8.5 × 11 in paper, choose Letter under PAPER in Ghostline, check that Letter is selected in the print options, and load Letter paper in your printer. If they don’t match, your stencil can print scaled or stretched.

Also check that:

• the print scale is 100% (“actual size”), not “fit to page”, when you print a saved PDF;
• double-sided printing is off.

Printers vary slightly, and most can’t print all the way to the edge of the page. When your stencil runs close to the page margins, expect it to shrink by a small amount to fit the printer’s printable area. This is normal and usually too small to matter. If the size has to be exact, print a test, measure it, and adjust the size on the print screen to compensate.

*You can always restart your device or printer for a quick fix.

Some printers are tricky, and phones and tablets don’t work with every model. We highly recommend a Wi-Fi EcoTank printer that prints straight from phones and tablets to avoid most issues. Monochrome printers are the easiest to print to directly from Ghostline.

First, make sure your printer is on and on the same Wi-Fi network as your device.

iPhone and iPad

1. Check that your printer supports AirPrint.
2. On the print screen in Ghostline, tap Send, then Print.
3. In the print options, choose your printer. Set Black & White on, double-sided off, and the paper size to match the one you chose in Ghostline. If your printer offers a quality setting, choose Best.

Android

1. If your printer doesn’t show up, open Settings and search for “Printing”, and make sure a print service is turned on. If none is listed, install your printer brand’s print plugin from Google Play (for example, HP or Epson).
2. On the print screen in Ghostline, tap Send, then Print.
3. Tap the printer list at the top of the print options and choose your printer. Ghostline already sets the paper size and black-and-white for you; just check that the paper in your printer matches.

If your printer still doesn’t appear, tap Send, then PDF, save it, and print it from your printer brand’s own app.

1. Check that your Ghostline subscription is active, on the same account you used to subscribe:
   • iPhone and iPad: Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions, signed in with the same Apple Account.
   • Android: in the Google Play app, tap your profile icon, then Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions, signed in with the same Google account.
2. On the Ghostline subscription screen, tap RESTORE PURCHASES. Make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi or cellular connection first.
3. Close Ghostline fully and reopen it. If that doesn’t work, restart your device.

Have an offer or gift code? On iPhone and iPad, tap REDEEM CODE on the subscription screen. On Android, redeem it in the Google Play app (profile icon → Payments & subscriptions → Redeem code), then open Ghostline.

Still stuck? On the home screen, tap INFO, then the Contact button at the top. It opens an email to support@ghostline.app with your Support ID already filled in, which helps us find your account quickly.