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 have been wondering about how to use Cricut Blueprint Infinite with your Cricut so this post is for you! This post will explain the basics of the programme forth with some tips which will allow you to make awesome designs with your Cricut machine.

This post has been updated every bit of 3/2021.

This post contains affiliate links. This ways, if you make a buy through my links, I'll receive a small portion of your purchase at no actress cost to you.

Kickoff, let's open up up Cricut Pattern Space. This tutorial uses the desktop estimator version of Blueprint Space.

You should see a screen like to the one beneath.

You will observe that the top row is "My Projects". You lot can click the green "View All" to see all your saved projects. If you would similar to continue working on a projection or edit a previous project, you lot tin can select information technology by clicking on the project.

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

If you go on scrolling down the folio you lot can also browse any of the Gear up to Make projects in the "Cricut Access" section. Gear up to Make projects are projects that are already done for you and are super awesome! (Y'all can read more about Set up to Make Projects on THIS post.) Make certain to click "View All" to see all of them if y'all desire.

If yous scroll even farther down the page you will run across projects from the Cricut Community. This are projects designed by Cricut users (like y'all!) that are shared to the community and then yous can make the project besides. Again, click on "View All" if you want to see more than of these projects. There are some pretty fun ones!

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

Let's kickoff a New Project.  Scroll back up to the peak of our folio.  Y'all can select the "New Project" button either by clicking on the "+" symbol under "My Projects" or by clicking on the green "New Project" button in the top right-mitt corner.   A new blank sheet will open upwards.

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

If y'all take multiple Cricut machines, brand sure the motorcar type y'all will be using for your project is selected in the carte on the top right of the window, equally that will change some of the options available depending on your machine. If you merely have one machine, your machine type should appear in the tiptop right mitt corner.

Selecting your Machine type in Cricut Design Space

On the left manus side of your window you will see seven unlike menu options:

NEW
TEMPLATES
PROJECTS
IMAGES
TEXT
SHAPES
UPLOAD

I will explain what each of these options do in the following screen shots.

NEW Projection Pick

Use this option at any fourth dimension to start a new project and go a bare canvas. After you click on it you will be prompted if you want to save your current project or replace it with a blank canvas.

TEMPLATES TOOL

This is where you tin can set a specific type of template to help you visualize how your pattern will look on a certain item. It can be helpful for spacing and sizing. The template is not cut out. I commonly but use a blank canvass, merely that's simply my preference.

On some of the templates you tin change the sizing in the drop down carte to match what y'all are working on. In the example below the frock size can be changed from Adult to Kid.

PROJECTS

Use this option to encounter all the bachelor Cricut Admission (Ready to Make Projects) These are projects that are already completed for you and y'all can just make them! Some of the projects are customizable in one case y'all open up them.

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

You lot tin can search specifically for projects included with Cricut Access past using the drop down menu. There are too other categories such as "Free" or "Costless for Cricut Joy" These gratis projects  are neat to try out if you are only learning to use your automobile.

INSERT IMAGES TOOL

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

Allow'south search for "heart" as an case.

Search Images Cricut Design Space

Once, you lot type in center in the search bar, all of images associated with that search term volition appear. You can run into there are x,337 results. On the left hand side you will find Filters. You can use these Filters to narrow downwards your results so you don't have to search through all 10 thousand images!

Use Filters to Search Images Cricut Design Space

Click on the plus symbol next to each filter to open up upward 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 it.  For example, I clicked on "Cards" under Project type. Now the results will show 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

Y'all can select multiple filters at one time which volition narrow your search even more.   There are options for Project Blazon, Operation Type, Image Complexity, Layers, Buying, Brand, Textile, and even Language. As you are searching images, you may change your mind on a filter, only uncheck any filters you don't want to utilise.

If you have Cricut Access and want to see just images that come with Cricut Access than make certain to check the box side by side 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 Hither to read more than about Cricut Access.)

If y'all are not a Cricut Admission fellow member, a very helpful filter is the "free" ane if you gyre downwards the page.  Check this filter to run across all the free images bachelor 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 canvass to select it. You can select multiple images at once. Selected images will be highlighted by a light-green box, and a small version of the prototype will announced at the bottom of the screen to show you what images yous 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 about linetypes. For the Maker there are 8 dissimilar kinds of Linetypes depending on which blade (or pen) you are using. Linetypes Menu in Cricut Design Space Cutting: Usually the Fine Tip Bract (Cricut Maker, Explore Air two and Cricut Joy), only can also 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 ii or Cricut Maker) or Scoring Wheel (Cricut Maker)
Engrave: Engraving Tip (Cricut Maker)
Deboss: Debossing Tip (Cricut Maker)
Wave: Wavy Blade (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 take a Cricut Explore Air 2, you will see the Cut, Depict, Score and Foil options.

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

If you lot have a Cricut Joy machine, you volition see only two types of Linetypes, Cut and Draw.

Linetypes Menu in Cricut Design Space for the Cricut Joy

Change your linetype to match the type of bract you volition exist using. Depending on what yous cull, your prototype may change slightly. For instance, when you select Depict from the Linetype Menu, the heart changes into a depict image and is no longer filled in. With Depict 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

You can also change the pen type by clicking on the drib downward box inside that card. Yous'll notice your line thickness of your paradigm changes depending on the pen type selected.

How to make a change pen type in Cricut Design Space

If yous have a cut image that you would like to impress instead, select your epitome, and click on the Fill drop downwardly carte.  Select Print. Your cut prototype is now a printable prototype. For Print then Cut projects you will send your image to your printer and then your Cricut will cut information technology out. (Annotation: Print so Cut only works with the Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore Air 2 Machine, not the Cricut Joy.)

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

If you would similar to change your image color or fill it with a blueprint, click on the little box to the correct of the Fill selection. Yous can select a color swatch to brand information technology that exact color, or click on the advanced menu to select a dissimilar colour.

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

To select a pattern, click on the design and a large cheque mark will appear. You lot can likewise click on the Edit Design pick at the bottom to edit your blueprint.

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

You tin change the scale (size) or your blueprint by sliding the circumvolve to the right or left or by changing the number in the drop down bill of fare.

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

You can as well modify the placement of the design by changing the vertical and horizontal coordinates. You tin as well 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 can also change your cloth color for a cut image by selecting another color in the drib downwards carte du jour. The textile color y'all cull is what mat the car will choose to cutting those layers that are that color. For instance if I make one circle pink and one circle red, they will cut on two different mats. If I want them on the same mat, make sure the color is the same.

When yous insert a shape or blueprint, 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 y'all wanted an verbal size shape you tin can besides select the shape and change the numbers in the carte du jour above. At that place are also options to rotate your shape or position it to an exact location.

TEXT TOOL

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

When you lot select this option a text box will appear and you lot tin type your desired text. The text you typed will then appear on your canvass.

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

In the first drop down box you tin can change your Font. Y'all tin select from All Fonts, Organisation Fonts (pregnant ones from your reckoner) or Cricut fonts to scan. Yous can likewise use the search bar to wait for a specific font.

A great feature is to use the Filter option on the far right side of the text bill of fare. This allows yous to filter your search. You can select either just one filter or you can select multiple criteria such as "My Fonts" and "Writing". This volition and then simply prove results that meet both of those criteria. Writing is a bully one to filter if you 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 just ones that evidence upwardly meet those two criteria. Just click the options once 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 subconscious. You can merely click on the middle icon to testify the shadow once more. I selected a multi-layer font below, but the shadow layer is subconscious until I click on the heart icon and take information technology shown once again.

You will too discover some other text options such as Font Style, Font Size, Letter and Line Space, and Alignment. These are options you lot are probably used to, but you tin click around for a few minutes and familiarize yourself with them.

Letter Space is a great tool to use when you have cursive letters and you lot want them to be closer together and so they touch. Simply decrease the letter spacing by selecting the downward arrow. You can come across that I decreased the letter space for the word below. The font I take selected below is a "Writing" manner font, meaning I can use pens to write when I brand my project. Fonts that do not have a writing way will be the outline of the text (the text is non filled in when y'all make a projection).

If y'all would similar to edit an private letter in your text, select your text on the canvas, click on "Ungroup" in the right hand corner. I utilize this to be able to rotate my letters, place them where I would like them or if I want a certain letter to be larger then the residue.  Once you are washed editing the text, select it again, right click and click group then all your text can be moved and edited together over again.

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

You can also use the Curve tool to curve  your text. Select the text you lot wish to curve and slide the bar right or left to either curve your text down 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 selection to insert bones shapes into your design similar a circumvolve, square, heart, line etc. I will go into more than detail on how you lot can edit these shapes later on in this mail.

UPLOAD TOOL

This is where you can upload your very own images and designs. When you click on it y'all volition see this screen below. Yous have the option to upload an paradigm or a blueprint fill. You tin either drag and drop a file or selected a file by clicking on scan. Files must be .jpg, .gif, .png, .bmp, .svg, or .dxf.  At the bottom of your screen you lot will come across your recently uploaded images. *Patterns yous upload will appear on the main sheet adjacent to the fill bill of fare, nether print blazon, pattern.

This tool is really useful if your file is already in the .svg format. Files purchased from Etsy, etc. should accept that as an option and be prepare to use and you lot won't demand to exercise the following steps. Cleaning up other kinds of files tin exist a little catchy and works best with simpler, make clean images. However, if you are willing to put in the time, you lot can also make clean upward harder images. For case, many people use this selection to upload a photo of a loved ones handwriting to make into a keepsake.

Upload Screen for Cricut Design Space Image and Pattern Fill

Click on Upload Epitome and you lot will run into the screen below. For example I selected a screen shot of my logo to upload.

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

One time you have selected a file, y'all will need to choose an image type. Each blazon has a brusque description next to it. Well-nigh often I use the complex image pick. Click on continue.

* Notation: if your image is in .svg format already, it will exist ready to use and only ask you to save the image yous uploaded.

Selecting Image Type in Upload Tool in Cricut Design Space

On this screen you will be able to utilize the tools on the left to erase the background and parts of your image you don't want. There is the Wand, Eraser and Crop tool. You lot tin can also play around with the advanced options and reduce the number of colors in your image to effort and make information technology easier to make clean up. Please notation, your final cut image volition only be as skillful as your original image.  If you lot have a grainy pic to start with, you will probably cease upwardly with a poor cut image.

In the example 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 behind my logo name.  Then I used use the erase tool to remove the dots. You tin click on the Preview push button to see what your cut paradigm volition await similar. This will allow you to erase any parts you don't desire showing up in your final image.

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

One time you are satisfied with your image, click on proceed.  At present, you will accept ii options to save your image: Save as Print so Cut Image or Salve as Cut Epitome.  I prefer to relieve my files nigh always as a Print then Cut prototype.  This allows me to be able to impress the image if I wanted to OR cut it. If you salve as but a Cut Prototype, you cannot make it a printable image if you alter your listen.

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

At present that nosotros've discussed the left mitt side of the canvas, let'due south discuss the options that are the right hand side.

LAYERS MENU

When you have the Layers Menu open on the right mitt side of your screen, you lot will discover some different options on the very bottom- Slice, Weld, Attach, Flatten and Contour. These volition be important when y'all are making your designs.

Piece– Divide two overlapping layers into parts
Weld– Join multiple layers into i shape
Attach-Hold images into position for cutting, or adds writing to image layer
Flatten– Merge layers to a unmarried printable image (very important when using Impress then Cut)
Contour– Hide/Unhide lines on a layer

The Layers bill of fare will evidence all of the different texts and images you have on your canvass. Each is information technology's ain layer. If you click on a layer, you volition notice the bill of fare bar across the top of the screen modify.

Color SYNC TOOL

Another option on the left paw side of the screen is the Color Sync tool. It has a cursory description right on the menu of what it does when you select it. You tin drag and drop unlike layers to make them the same color. This helps when yous are cut out projects with multiple colors considering information technology volition ensure you lot are cutting all the pieces that are the same color at the same time. This volition salve you and so much fourth dimension of having to switch the materials you are cutting back and along because you will cut still color at the same fourth dimension!

HOW TO Utilize THE SLICE, WELD, Attach, FLATTEN AND CONTOUR TOOLS

Piece TOOL

The Slice tool is used to piece 2 overlapping layers. You can only slice two layers at a time.  This tool is useful if yous desire to cut out a shape or text from some other shape in order to create new shapes. Information technology is as well very useful when you lot want a layered design but don't want overlapping parts on pinnacle of each other.

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

This will piece your two layers into three new layers as in the motion-picture show beneath. You tin think of this process as using a cookie cutter and cutting cookie dough. When you are washed slicing an paradigm you will accept 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 y'all don't want in your last design either by selecting them on the layer menu 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 image. It removes whatsoever overlapping cut lines in the images or text. Weld is permanent. Once you have welded an epitome yous cannot united nations-weld it!

TIP: If you remember you may need something un-welded later on, brand a copy of your images before welding. Make sure they are all selected then grouping them together using the Group tool on the Layers menu. Use the piddling eye symbol on the right-hand side of your group on the Layers menu to hide the group.  Later on on in your projection if you need the un-welded images, simply click on the eye to un-hide them.  If you don't need them afterward on you can delete those layers.

Select Weld tool in Cricut Design Space

When you weld, the layers you have selected will become i layer and one prototype.

Welding Images in Cricut Design Space

ATTACH TOOL

The Attach tool is used for two different functions. One is to fasten images in their place then that when you go to cut the images information technology shows up exactly like yous bundled information technology in the blueprint screen. I know so many people create their perfect pattern and then go to cut information technology out and are dislocated that it's all mixed upward on the mat preview. This is considering the images are placed as close to together as possible on the mat to conserve textileunless y'all select the Attach tool.

If y'all want the Cricut to cutting out something exactly how you take information technology on your canvas you volition desire to employ the Attach option.The other office of the Attach tool is to adhere a write or score line to a cut layer. For case, if yous have text you desire to write on an image, yous will need to adhere it.

FLATTEN TOOL

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

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

Using the Flatten Tool in Cricut Design Space

Now, the layers have become 1 layer that is both cut and print. Your Cricut automobile will print the text, simply cut out the centre.  You'll also notice you tin unflatten an image, or make information technology multiple layers once again, by clicking Unflatten.

Using the UnFlatten Tool in Cricut Design Space

One problem I see a lot of people run across is having private letters or images cut out when they don't want them to.  Find in the screen shot beneath that I attached 2 printable cut images. They each have their ain layer.

In this example, you lot would print out the heart with the words on it. Just instead of but cutting out the heart, the Cricut machine would also cut out the letters in Love, which y'all don't want. And then make sure to flatten your images!

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

Contour TOOL

The contour tool is probably one of the most nether-utilized tools in my opinion. To be honest I didn't really sympathise it at first. But now that I do, I detect myself using it more often.

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

For example, if you lot didn't want to cut out all the pieces in the butterfly prototype below, select it and click on contour.

Contour in Cricut Design Space

Y'all tin either click on pieces directly in the paradigm or on the correct-hand side menu which y'all which to remove. Images will appear low-cal grey in the image or be highlighted significant they are removed.

Removing pieces using Contour in Cricut Design Space

Click on the 10 to shut the contour window. Now, you lot'll see your image with the removed cuts.

Finished Contour in Cricut Design Space

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

Butterfly contour in Cricut Design Space

Another case, uses this Hello I'chiliad New Hither Image.  If you merely wanted the "Hello" part of the image to cut out, click on Contour.

contour word example in Cricut Design Space

Select each piece of the "I'm New Here". Click on the X to close the Contour window.

Now, just the "Hello" volition be cutting out.

contour word example hello in Cricut Design Space

OTHER Important TIPS

When you lot are ready to make your project yous volition click on Make it in the top right corner. .

This will open the mat preview screen where in that location are a lot of options you can change. Showtime of all, when you click on your prototype, three lilliputian dots will announced in the corner and an arrow will as well appear. The 3 little dots give yous the options to move your paradigm to another mat or hibernate it. (In this instance in that location is simply have i mat right now, only later on on in the example I volition use the movement option.) If you didn't want the selected image to cut you would select the Hide option.

The circular arrow on the right of the image allows y'all to rotate your image how y'all would like it cutting. You can also move your paradigm where y'all would like it on the mat.

Brand MULTIPLE Projection COPIES

Some other important option is Project Copies in the top left corner. Hither you can select how many copies you want to cut out of your image

Select 8 copies past typing it in the box or using the drop down card. Select Utilize and 8copies will populate on the screen, and at that place are now two mats.

To movement one of the hearts to the start mat, click on the image, apply the three dot choice to select "move it" , and and then select which mat. Use the rotate tool to make the prototype fit on my outset mat. You tin can see on the left paw side that at that place are now v hearts on one mat and 3 on the other.

Modify YOUR MAT SIZE

Design Space defaults to 12X12 material size but yous tin as well change to your desired size right in the preview screen. Click on the drop downward bill of fare and selection which size material you are using.

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

CHANGE THE Sail GRIDLINES

You can change the gridlines that show on your canvas. Simply click on the corner square by the zero marking, Clicking the square one time will make the smaller filigree lines disappear.

Cricut Design Space Change Gridlines; Top Tricks and Tips Featured by Everyday Jenny, Utah Creative BloggerClicking it twice will brand all gridlines disappear. And clicking a 3rd fourth dimension will reset the gridlines as they were in the beginning.

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

Observe OUT WHAT FONT OR IMAGE Y'all USED

If you want to discover out what prototype you used you can correct click on the paradigm itself or right click on it in the Layers bill of fare. This will bring up a drop down menu.

Clicking on Image Info in Layers Menu

Click on Epitome Info and you lot will see the verbal number of the image yous used.

Finding the Image info number in Cricut Design Space

Y'all can search for that exact image using the entire number including the hashtag in the image search in Cricut Pattern Space. This image number is #M3C305.

You can also use this feature to discover out a font that you used if y'all tin can't think. Once you weld fonts or otherwise dispense them, the font proper name disappears from the Layers menu. Again, correct click on the font to see the paradigm info. In the example below the image info tells the states the font proper noun is Dream Catcher.

Finding the Font name in image info in Cricut Design Space

COMBINE MULTIPLE PROJECTS INTO I

Y'all tin can combine multiple projects into one project on Cricut Pattern Space very easily.

Open up the projection you lot desire to copy. Open up a new window in Cricut Design Infinite. You tin select another project y'all wish to copy to in this window, or just choose a blank projection.  Select the image or images yous wish to copy and right click on them. Select Copy from the card. In your new window, correct click and select Paste.  Now your images from your other project will be in this window.

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

Combining Projects in Cricut Design Space

USE PRINT So CUT TO PREVIEW INFUSIBLE INK PATTERNS

Here'southward a little tip I like to use to see a mock-upwardly of how an Infusible Ink Design will look.

Find the Infusible Ink pattern y'all are using on Cricut's website. Click on the swatch and accept a screen shot of the blueprint.

Infusible Ink Pattern on Cricut's Website

Apply the Upload tool in Cricut Design Space and select Blueprint Fill up. Make sure to name your design later on the Infusible Ink you used.

Upload Infusible Ink Pattern to Cricut Design Space

Select your prototype yous wish to mock-upward and change information technology to a print image in the Fill menu. Select the square side by side to Fill and select Pattern in the drop down menu.  Y'all should come across your pattern swatch.  Click on advanced to adjust the pattern calibration.

Select your pattern of Infusible Ink Pattern in Cricut Design Space

You'll want to make the scale as high as information technology can get to get the nigh accurate preview you tin can. For some patterns, the scale may nevertheless exist a little small.

At present you have a mock-up/ preview of what your Infusible Ink design will expect like! Think this is just to be able to go an idea of what your pattern will look like and you lot'll need to switch back to a cut epitome to make your project.

Preview your pattern of Infusible Ink Pattern in Cricut Design Space

Whew. I know that was a lot of data, but I hope you establish it helpful!

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

* Y'all can  besides view my mail service about these tips on the official Cricut blog here.

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