Crossword Genius

Clients hammered cut-out design (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stencil

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'design' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'clients hammered cut-out' is the wordplay.
'clients' anagrams to 'STENCIL'.
But, I'm unsure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stencil that I've seen before include "Sheet with cut-out letters, pattern etc for copying" , "Text template" , "Copy" , "Reproduction device for clients" , "Cut-out master pattern" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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