Cutting of stencils on mylar, paper,or plastic sheets for artwork is usually by Exacto knives, or by modified soldering irons. In this idea, the metal tip of a ballpoint pen is replaced with a glass ball through which a laser beam is focused onto the paper or plastic sheet with which the stencil is to be cut. Advantages over other methods will be in easier control of the tool, and closer cutting tolerances resulting in smoother edges.