Wanting to learn Cricut Design Space for your Cricut Explore Air 2 or Cricut Maker? This post is for you! Cricut basics and tips and tricks. #Cricut #Cricutmade

If you lot accept been wondering nigh how to use Cricut Pattern Infinite with your Cricut and so this post is for yous! This post volition explain the basics of the programme along with some tips which volition allow you to make awesome designs with your Cricut machine.

This mail has been updated as of 3/2021.

This post contains affiliate links. This means, if you brand a purchase through my links, I'll receive a pocket-size portion of your buy at no actress cost to you.

First, let's open up Cricut Design Space. This tutorial uses the desktop estimator version of Design Space.

You should see a screen similar to the i below.

Y'all will find that the top row is "My Projects". You can click the light-green "View All" to see all your saved projects. If you would similar to continue working on a project or edit a previous project, you tin can select it by clicking on the project.

Cricut Design Space Opening Screen Top Tricks and Tips Featured by Everyday Jenny, Utah Creative Blogger

If you go along scrolling down the page y'all can likewise browse any of the Ready to Make projects in the "Cricut Access" section. Set to Make projects are projects that are already done for you and are super awesome! (You can read more nearly Set up to Brand Projects on THIS postal service.) Brand certain to click "View All" to meet all of them if you want.

If you lot scroll even farther down the page you volition run into projects from the Cricut Community. This are projects designed by Cricut users (like yous!) that are shared to the community and so you can make the project besides. Again, click on "View All" if yous want to come across more of these projects. In that location are some pretty fun ones!

Cricut Design Space Cricut Community Top Tricks and Tips Featured by Everyday Jenny, Utah Creative Blogger

Permit'south commencement a New Project.  Gyre dorsum upwards to the pinnacle of our folio.  You lot tin can select the "New Project" button either by clicking on the "+" symbol under "My Projects" or by clicking on the green "New Project" push in the peak right-mitt corner.   A new bare canvas will open.

Cricut Design Space Opening a New Project Top Tricks and Tips Featured by Everyday Jenny, Utah Creative Blogger

If you lot have multiple Cricut machines, make sure the machine type y'all will exist using for your project is selected in the menu on the top right of the window, as that will change some of the options available depending on your automobile. If you only have one auto, your machine type should announced in the superlative right hand corner.

Selecting your Machine type in Cricut Design Space

On the left hand side of your window you volition run across seven different menu options:

NEW
TEMPLATES
PROJECTS
IMAGES
TEXT
SHAPES
UPLOAD

I volition explicate what each of these options do in the following screen shots.

NEW PROJECT OPTION

Employ this choice at whatever fourth dimension to start a new projection and get a blank canvas. After you click on it you lot will be prompted if you lot want to save your current project or replace it with a blank canvas.

TEMPLATES TOOL

This is where you can set a specific type of template to help you visualize how your design volition look on a certain item. It can exist helpful for spacing and sizing. The template is not cutting out. I unremarkably just use a bare canvass, simply that's but my preference.

On some of the templates you can modify the sizing in the drib down menu to friction match what you lot are working on. In the example beneath the apron size can exist changed from Adult to Kid.

PROJECTS

Use this pick to see all the available Cricut Access (Ready to Make Projects) These are projects that are already completed for yous and you can just make them! Some of the projects are customizable once you open up them.

Cricut Design Space Cricut Access Projects; Top Tricks and Tips Featured by Everyday Jenny, Utah Creative Blogger (1)

You can search specifically for projects included with Cricut Access by using the drop downwardly menu. There are also other categories such every bit "Free" or "Free for Cricut Joy" These complimentary projects  are corking to try out if you are just learning to use your machine.

INSERT IMAGES TOOL

 When you click on the Images tool, you will see the Cricut library of images open up. This is where you lot can select from thousands of images that tin exist inserted into your projection. You can search for a specific image by using the search bar, or you can select from a category below the search bar.

Let's search for "heart" as an example.

Search Images Cricut Design Space

One time, you lot type in heart in the search bar, all of images associated with that search term will appear. You tin see there are 10,337 results. On the left mitt side y'all will find Filters. You lot tin can utilise these Filters to narrow down your results so yous don't have to search through all ten thousand images!

Use Filters to Search Images Cricut Design Space

Click on the plus symbol next to each filter to open up up your options.  Click the minus symbol to close the options.

Open Filter Options to Search Images Cricut Design Space

To select a filter, check the box next to information technology.  For instance, I clicked on "Cards" under Project type. Now the results will testify cards with hearts, my original search term, and there are only 119 results. Much easier to look through.

Card Filter Option under Project Type Selected to Search Images Cricut Design Space

You can select multiple filters at once which will narrow your search even more.   There are options for Project Type, Operation Type, Image Complexity, Layers, Ownership, Brand, Cloth, and even Linguistic communication. Every bit you lot are searching images, you may change your heed on a filter, simply uncheck any filters you don't want to apply.

If you take Cricut Access and desire to see simply images that come with Cricut Access than make sure to bank check the box next to that filter at the very top. The images with the green "a" in the left corner are ones that are included with your Cricut Access (Click HERE to read more almost Cricut Admission.)

If yous are non a Cricut Access member, a very helpful filter is the "gratis" i if yous curl down the page.  Bank check this filter to see all the gratuitous images available with your search term.

Free Filter Option under Project Type Selected to Search Images Cricut Design Space

Click on the image you would similar to insert on to your sheet to select it. Y'all tin can select multiple images at once. Selected images will be highlighted by a greenish box, and a pocket-size version of the paradigm will announced at the lesser of the screen to show you what images you are going to insert. Click on the "Insert" button.

Selecting an image to Insert on your Canvas in Cricut Design Space

LINETYPE

Depending on which Cricut machine you have, there are various numbers of linetypes. The Cricut Maker has the most tools and therefore the well-nigh linetypes. For the Maker there are viii different kinds of Linetypes depending on which blade (or pen) you are using. Linetypes Menu in Cricut Design Space Cut: Unremarkably the Fine Tip Blade (Cricut Maker, Explore Air 2 and Cricut Joy), but can besides be Deep Cut (Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore Air 2), Knife Blade (Cricut Maker), Rotary Blade (Cricut Maker))
Draw: Pens (Cricut Joy, Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Maker)
Score: Scoring stylus (Cricut Explore Air 2 or Cricut Maker) or Scoring Wheel (Cricut Maker)
Engrave: Engraving Tip (Cricut Maker)
Deboss: Debossing Tip (Cricut Maker)
Wave: Wavy Bract (Cricut Maker)
Perf: Perforation blade (Cricut Maker)
Foil: Foil transfer kit, (Purchased separately that works with the Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air 2)

If you have a Cricut Explore Air 2, you will see the Cut, Describe, Score and Foil options.

Linetypes Menu in Cricut Design Space for the Cricut Explore Air 2

If you lot have a Cricut Joy auto, you will see merely ii types of Linetypes, Cut and Draw.

Linetypes Menu in Cricut Design Space for the Cricut Joy

Alter your linetype to friction match the type of bract y'all will be using. Depending on what you cull, your epitome may change slightly. For example, when you select Depict from the Linetype Menu, the heart changes into a draw prototype and is no longer filled in. With Describe selected, you can click on the box next to the linetype to change the color.

How to make a change pen color in Cricut Design Space

Y'all can also change the pen type by clicking on the drop down box within that menu. Y'all'll find your line thickness of your image changes depending on the pen type selected.

How to make a change pen type in Cricut Design Space

If yous have a cut epitome that y'all would like to print instead, select your image, and click on the Make full drop down menu.  Select Print. Your cut image is now a printable epitome. For Print then Cut projects you lot volition send your image to your printer and then your Cricut will cut it out. (Annotation: Print then Cut only works with the Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore Air 2 Car, not the Cricut Joy.)

Make a cut image into a printable image in Cricut Design Space

If you would similar to alter your image color or fill it with a pattern, click on the little box to the right of the Fill option. Y'all tin can select a colour swatch to make information technology that verbal color, or click on the advanced menu to select a different color.

How to make a pattern fill in a printable image in Cricut Design Space

To select a pattern, click on the blueprint and a large cheque mark will announced. Y'all can besides click on the Edit Pattern pick at the bottom to edit your pattern.

How to select a pattern fill in a printable image in Cricut Design Space

You can change the scale (size) or your pattern by sliding the circle to the correct or left or past irresolute the number in the drib downward menu.

How to change the scale of a pattern fill in a printable image in Cricut Design Space

You tin can besides change the placement of the pattern by changing the vertical and horizontal coordinates. You tin can besides rotate or flip the pattern with the other options.

How to change the placement of a pattern fill in a printable image in Cricut Design Space

You tin also alter your fabric color for a cutting paradigm by selecting some other colour in the driblet down bill of fare. The material colour you cull is what mat the automobile will choose to cut those layers that are that colour. For example if I brand ane circumvolve pink and 1 circumvolve crimson, they volition cut on two different mats. If I want them on the same mat, brand certain the colour is the same.

When yous insert a shape or design, you tin click on the little lock bottom in the bottom left corner to unlock the shape. This allows you to freely size the shape. If you wanted an verbal size shape you lot can besides select the shape and modify the numbers in the card above. There are also options to rotate your shape or position it to an exact location.

TEXT TOOL

Next, allow'due south talk about the text tool.

When yous select this pick a text box will appear and you tin can blazon your desired text. The text you typed volition so appear on your canvas.

To edit your text you volition use the options in the tool bar across the top when your text is selected.

In the first drib down box you lot tin modify your Font. You can select from All Fonts, System Fonts (meaning ones from your reckoner) or Cricut fonts to scan. You tin can as well use the search bar to look for a specific font.

A great feature is to use the Filter option on the far correct side of the text carte. This allows you to filter your search. Yous can select either but one filter or y'all can select multiple criteria such as "My Fonts" and "Writing". This will then just prove results that meet both of those criteria. Writing is a corking one to filter if yous are looking for fonts to use your Cricut pens.  In the example below I have selected "My Fonts" and "Writing" as my filters, so the simply ones that show up meet those 2 criteria. Just click the options again to deselect them on your filters.

Multi-layer fonts are ones that have a shadow. When you type your text the default is that the shadow layer is hidden. You can just click on the eye icon to testify the shadow once again. I selected a multi-layer font below, but the shadow layer is subconscious until I click on the eye icon and have it shown again.

You will also detect some other text options such equally Font Mode, Font Size, Letter and Line Space, and Alignment. These are options you are probably used to, but y'all can click around for a few minutes and familiarize yourself with them.

Alphabetic character Space is a great tool to use when you have cursive letters and you desire them to be closer together so they touch. But decrease the alphabetic character spacing by selecting the downwards arrow. You can run across that I decreased the letter infinite for the word below. The font I take selected below is a "Writing" fashion font, significant I can use pens to write when I brand my project. Fonts that do not have a writing style will be the outline of the text (the text is not filled in when y'all brand a project).

If you would like to edit an individual letter in your text, select your text on the canvas, click on "Ungroup" in the correct hand corner. I utilise this to be able to rotate my letters, identify them where I would like them or if I want a certain letter to be larger then the rest.  Once yous are washed editing the text, select it over again, right click and click group so all your text can exist moved and edited together once again.

In the image above, my letter of the alphabet are isolated and so I tin select each one separately and rotate them.

Yous can also use the Curve tool to curve  your text. Select the text you lot wish to bend and slide the bar right or left to either curve your text downward or upwards.

Cricut Design Space Curve Text; Top Tricks and Tips Featured by Everyday Jenny, Utah Creative Blogger

Cricut Design Space Curve Text Tool ; Top Tricks and Tips Featured by Everyday Jenny, Utah Creative Blogger

SHAPES TOOL

You can apply this option to insert basic shapes into your design like a circumvolve, foursquare, heart, line etc. I will go into more detail on how yous can edit these shapes afterwards on in this post.

UPLOAD TOOL

This is where you lot tin upload your very own images and designs. When you lot click on information technology you will encounter this screen below. Yous have the pick to upload an image or a blueprint fill. Y'all can either drag and drop a file or selected a file by clicking on browse. Files must be .jpg, .gif, .png, .bmp, .svg, or .dxf.  At the bottom of your screen you lot will see your recently uploaded images. *Patterns you upload volition appear on the main canvas next to the fill carte du jour, under print type, pattern.

This tool is really useful if your file is already in the .svg format. Files purchased from Etsy, etc. should have that every bit an option and be prepare to use and you lot won't need to do the post-obit steps. Cleaning up other kinds of files tin be a little tricky and works best with simpler, clean images. However, if you are willing to put in the time, you can besides clean up harder images. For example, many people use this choice to upload a photo of a loved ones handwriting to make into a emblem.

Upload Screen for Cricut Design Space Image and Pattern Fill

Click on Upload Image and y'all will see the screen below. For case I selected a screen shot of my logo to upload.

Cricut Design Space How to Upload Images_ Drag and Drop File or Browse

Once you lot have selected a file, yous will demand to cull an image type. Each type has a short description side by side to it. Most oftentimes I use the circuitous image selection. Click on continue.

* Note: if your image is in .svg format already, it volition be ready to use and just enquire you lot to save the image you uploaded.

Selecting Image Type in Upload Tool in Cricut Design Space

On this screen y'all will be able to use the tools on the left to erase the background and parts of your paradigm you don't want. There is the Wand, Eraser and Crop tool. Y'all can as well play around with the advanced options and reduce the number of colors in your image to try and brand information technology easier to clean up. Please note, your last cutting paradigm will only be as good every bit your original epitome.  If you have a grainy picture to start with, you will probably end up with a poor cut paradigm.

In the instance below, I used the Wand tool to erase the background of my logo. It now appears as a blue checkerboard background.

Select and Erase in Upload Tool in Cricut Design Space

I used the Wand tool to also erase the mint flag backside my logo name.  And so I used use the erase tool to remove the dots. Yous can click on the Preview button to meet what your cutting epitome will look like. This will allow you lot to erase any parts you lot don't desire showing up in your final image.

Erase Tool in Upload Tool in Cricut Design Space (1)

Once you are satisfied with your prototype, click on keep.  Now, yous will accept two options to save your image: Save every bit Print then Cut Image or Salvage as Cut Paradigm.  I adopt to save my files almost always as a Print and so Cut image.  This allows me to be able to print the image if I wanted to OR cut it. If you lot save every bit just a Cut Image, yous cannot get in a printable image if yous change your mind.

Save as Print then Cut Image in Upload Tool in Cricut Design Space

At present that we've discussed the left hand side of the sail, let'southward discuss the options that are the correct mitt side.

LAYERS MENU

When y'all have the Layers Menu open on the right hand side of your screen, yous will detect some unlike options on the very bottom- Slice, Weld, Adhere, Flatten and Contour. These will be important when you are making your designs.

Slice– Carve up two overlapping layers into parts
Weld– Join multiple layers into one shape
Attach-Hold images into position for cutting, or adds writing to image layer
Flatten– Merge layers to a single printable paradigm (very important when using Print then Cut)
Contour– Hide/Unhide lines on a layer

The Layers menu will evidence all of the different texts and images you have on your canvas. Each is it's ain layer. If you lot click on a layer, you will notice the menu bar across the top of the screen change.

Colour SYNC TOOL

Some other option on the left hand side of the screen is the Color Sync tool. It has a brief description correct on the menu of what it does when you select it. You can elevate and drop different layers to make them the aforementioned color. This helps when you are cutting out projects with multiple colors because information technology volition ensure you are cutting all the pieces that are the same color at the same fourth dimension. This will save y'all so much time of having to switch the materials you are cut back and forth considering y'all will cut even so color at the same time!

HOW TO USE THE Slice, WELD, ATTACH, FLATTEN AND Profile TOOLS

SLICE TOOL

The Slice tool is used to slice 2 overlapping layers. Yous can just piece two layers at a fourth dimension.  This tool is useful if you lot want to cut out a shape or text from another shape in order to create new shapes. It is likewise very useful when you want a layered design but don't desire overlapping parts on top of each other.

Select your two layers to piece and click on the Slice tool.Select Slice tool in Cricut Design Space

This will slice your two layers into three new layers every bit in the moving-picture show below. You can retrieve of this procedure as using a cookie cutter and cut cookie dough. When you are done slicing an image yous volition take the "cookie cutter" slice, the "cookie" piece, and the remaining "dough" piece or pieces.

Sliced Layers in Cricut Design Space

You can delete any layers that you don't want in your final design either by selecting them on the layer bill of fare and striking delete on your keyboard, or by right clicking and selecting delete.

Sliced Design in Cricut Design Space

WELD TOOL

The Weld tool is used to join images and/or text to create a single epitome. Information technology removes any overlapping cut lines in the images or text. Weld is permanent. Once you have welded an image you cannot un-weld it!

TIP: If y'all retrieve you may demand something un-welded later on, brand a re-create of your images earlier welding. Make sure they are all selected then group them together using the Grouping tool on the Layers card. Utilize the little heart symbol on the right-manus side of your grouping on the Layers menu to hide the grouping.  Later on in your projection if yous need the un-welded images, merely click on the heart to united nations-hide them.  If you lot don't need them later on y'all can delete those layers.

Select Weld tool in Cricut Design Space

When you weld, the layers yous have selected will become one layer and 1 image.

Welding Images in Cricut Design Space

ATTACH TOOL

The Attach tool is used for 2 unlike functions. One is to fasten images in their identify so that when you go to cut the images it shows upward exactly like y'all arranged it in the design screen. I know so many people create their perfect design and so go to cut it out and are dislocated that it'southward all mixed up on the mat preview. This is because the images are placed every bit close to together as possible on the mat to conserve materialunless you select the Adhere tool.

If yous want the Cricut to cut out something exactly how you lot take it on your canvas you will want to employ the Attach pick.The other part of the Adhere tool is to attach a write or score line to a cut layer. For example, if you have text you want to write on an image, you will need to attach it.

FLATTEN TOOL

The Flatten tool is used with the Print then Cut characteristic in Design Space. It takes a multiple-layered image and "flattens" it into a unmarried layer.

For example, in the image below I accept two layers: text and a centre image. Notice that they are both cut images. Click on the Flatten tool.

Using the Flatten Tool in Cricut Design Space

At present, the layers have get 1 layer that is both cut and impress. Your Cricut machine volition impress the text, but cut out the heart.  You'll as well find you can unflatten an image, or make it multiple layers again, past clicking Unflatten.

Using the UnFlatten Tool in Cricut Design Space

Ane problem I see a lot of people run into is having individual letters or images cut out when they don't desire them to.  Notice in the screen shot below that I fastened two printable cut images. They each have their ain layer.

In this example, you would print out the heart with the words on it. But instead of just cutting out the heart, the Cricut auto would likewise cut out the letters in Honey, which y'all don't want. So make certain to flatten your images!

Using the attach tool on a printable image in Cricut Design Space

Contour TOOL

The profile tool is probably i of the almost under-utilized tools in my stance. To be honest I didn't really understand it at start. But now that I practise, I observe myself using it more often.

The contour tool is used to remove or hide unwanted pieces of an image or cut lines. It will only work with cut images and one layer.

For example, if yous didn't desire to cut out all the pieces in the butterfly prototype beneath, select it and click on contour.

Contour in Cricut Design Space

Y'all tin either click on pieces direct in the paradigm or on the correct-manus side carte du jour which you which to remove. Images will appear light grey in the prototype or exist highlighted pregnant they are removed.

Removing pieces using Contour in Cricut Design Space

Click on the 10 to close the contour window. Now, you'll see your paradigm with the removed cuts.

Finished Contour in Cricut Design Space

Alternately, you could select the principal portion of the butterfly in the Contour window to remove. This would leave you with just the butterfly markings to cut out. This could be useful if you planned to cutting out a butterfly and so cut our vinyl butterfly markings.

Butterfly contour in Cricut Design Space

Some other instance, uses this Hello I'm New Hither Image.  If you but wanted the "How-do-you-do" part of the image to cut out, click on Contour.

contour word example in Cricut Design Space

Select each slice of the "I'yard New Here". Click on the X to shut the Contour window.

Now, merely the "Hullo" will be cut out.

contour word example hello in Cricut Design Space

OTHER IMPORTANT TIPS

When you are ready to make your projection you will click on Make It in the elevation right corner. .

This will open the mat preview screen where there are a lot of options you lot can change. First of all, when you click on your prototype, three niggling dots will appear in the corner and an arrow will also appear. The three fiddling dots give you lot the options to motion your image to another mat or hibernate it. (In this example there is only accept one mat correct now, just afterwards in the case I will use the move option.) If you didn't want the selected image to cut you would select the Hibernate option.

The circular arrow on the correct of the image allows yous to rotate your paradigm how yous would like it cut. You can also move your image where you lot would similar it on the mat.

MAKE MULTIPLE Project COPIES

Another of import choice is Project Copies in the top left corner. Hither you can select how many copies y'all want to cut out of your paradigm

Select eight copies by typing it in the box or using the drop down bill of fare. Select Apply and 8copies will populate on the screen, and at that place are at present ii mats.

To motion one of the hearts to the first mat, click on the paradigm, utilize the three dot option to select "motion it" , and so select which mat. Employ the rotate tool to make the paradigm fit on my beginning mat. You can see on the left hand side that there are at present 5 hearts on 1 mat and three on the other.

CHANGE YOUR MAT SIZE

Design Space defaults to 12X12 material size merely you can likewise change to your desired size correct in the preview screen. Click on the drop down menu and option which size textile you are using.

Below the  12X24 size is selected and now all the hearts fit on one mat. The next step is to click continue so cut out my images.

CHANGE THE Sail GRIDLINES

Yous can change the gridlines that evidence on your canvas. Only click on the corner square past the zero mark, Clicking the square in one case will make the smaller grid lines disappear.

Cricut Design Space Change Gridlines; Top Tricks and Tips Featured by Everyday Jenny, Utah Creative BloggerClicking it twice will make all gridlines disappear. And clicking a third time will reset the gridlines as they were in the first.

Cricut Design Space NO Gridlines; Top Tricks and Tips Featured by Everyday Jenny, Utah Creative Blogger

Detect OUT WHAT FONT OR IMAGE YOU USED

If you lot want to find out what paradigm you used you can correct click on the image itself or right click on it in the Layers card. This will bring up a driblet downwards menu.

Clicking on Image Info in Layers Menu

Click on Image Info and you volition see the exact number of the image you used.

Finding the Image info number in Cricut Design Space

You lot can search for that exact image using the entire number including the hashtag in the prototype search in Cricut Design Infinite. This epitome number is #M3C305.

You can also use this characteristic to find out a font that y'all used if you can't remember. In one case you weld fonts or otherwise manipulate them, the font name disappears from the Layers menu. Again, correct click on the font to see the image info. In the example below the image info tells us the font proper noun is Dream Catcher.

Finding the Font name in image info in Cricut Design Space

COMBINE MULTIPLE PROJECTS INTO I

You can combine multiple projects into ane project on Cricut Design Space very easily.

Open up upward the project yous want to copy. Open up a new window in Cricut Design Space. Y'all tin can select another project you lot wish to copy to in this window, or merely choose a blank project.  Select the image or images y'all wish to copy and correct click on them. Select Re-create from the menu. In your new window, right click and select Paste.  Now your images from your other project will exist in this window.

You lot can select images from multiple projects to copy by opening them up and post-obit the same steps.

Combining Projects in Cricut Design Space

USE PRINT THEN Cutting TO PREVIEW INFUSIBLE INK PATTERNS

Here's a little tip I like to use to meet a mock-up of how an Infusible Ink Design volition look.

Notice the Infusible Ink pattern you are using on Cricut's website. Click on the swatch and have a screen shot of the pattern.

Infusible Ink Pattern on Cricut's Website

Use the Upload tool in Cricut Design Space and select Pattern Fill. Brand sure to name your pattern after the Infusible Ink you used.

Upload Infusible Ink Pattern to Cricut Design Space

Select your image you wish to mock-up and alter it to a print image in the Fill menu. Select the square adjacent to Make full and select Design in the drop downward menu.  You should run across your pattern swatch.  Click on advanced to adapt the pattern scale.

Select your pattern of Infusible Ink Pattern in Cricut Design Space

Y'all'll desire to make the scale as high as it tin become to get the well-nigh accurate preview you tin can. For some patterns, the scale may nevertheless be a picayune small.

At present you have a mock-up/ preview of what your Infusible Ink design will wait similar! Remember this is just to be able to get an idea of what your design volition expect like and yous'll need to switch dorsum to a cut paradigm to make your project.

Preview your pattern of Infusible Ink Pattern in Cricut Design Space

Whew. I know that was a lot of information, but I hope yous establish information technology helpful!

If you have any other questions, please let me know in the comments below!

* You can  besides view my mail service almost these tips on the official Cricut web log here.

Top Tricks and Tips_ The Basics of Cricut Design Space Everything you need to know