The Cricut can do many fun things including a print and cut feature! In this post, I will walk you through how to use print then cut features using Cricut Design Space! You print something on your home computer and then you can cut the design out on your Cricut machine! Awesome right?!
If you are new to Cricut Design Space or to your Cricut Machine you might want to check out my post on Getting Started with Your Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker-Your Questions Answered. Print then cut is not available on the Cricut Joy cutting machine.
There are several ways to utilize the Print Then Cut feature so I will be breaking them out into sections! You can click on any of these links below to jump to that specific section or you can read through them all and become the Print then Cut master! :)
What’s included in this post:
- Tools Needed to use Print then Cut
- First Things to Do with Print then Cut
- Print Then Cut with Uploaded Images – .jpg
- Print Then Cut with Uploaded Images – .png + Video
- Print Then Cut with Design Space Images
- Print Then Cut with Text
- Notes about Print then Cut
- Print Then Cut Tips & Tricks
- FAQ’s about using Print then Cut
- Projects using Print Then Cut
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Tools Needed to Use Print then Cut
- Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore (any explore family machine)
- LiteGrip Mat (Blue)
- Home Printer. I like both my HP Envy 5540 and my Canon TS9521C All-In-One (it can print 12 x 12!)
- White Cardstock or Sticker Paper
- Spatula Tool
How to Use Print Then Cut Feature Using Cricut Design Space:
The first thing that needs to be done before anything is to Calibrate your Machine for Print then Cut. It’s quick don’t worry!
How to Use Print then Cut with Uploaded Images – .jpg
Have a JPEG image you want to upload to Design Space and have your Cricut cut? No problem!
I will demonstrate how to use the print then cut feature using an uploaded image with these Unicorn Printable Valentine Cards. They are so cute but if you are a parent and have to make 30 of them for a class party you are thinking how awful it will be to cut all of those out by hand! Have no fear, you can use your Cricut machine to do the hard work for you!
First, you will open Design Space. If you do not have a Design Space account you can get one here. It is free :)
1. Click on New Project. You may do so by selecting the Green Box in the Upper Right corner or the + in My Projects.
2. Upload your .jpg by clicking the Upload button on the left side panel. This will then open the next screen where you can select Upload Image.
3. Select Browse and locate your .jpg file on your computer. Click Open.
4. You will then select your Image Type based on your design. (I 95% of the time choose Complex) Then click Continue in the bottom right.
Next screen is the Select and Erase and will look like this with your .jpg front and center.
5. This is where we tell your Cricut where to cut. Using your mouse select the areas around the image that you want to “erase”. Mine then looked like this. You can see the transparent background where we removed the image. Click Continue.
6. This will show you what the cut file will look like. If you need to make any adjustments, choose Back. If it is correct, then select Save as Print then Cut image. Add appropriate tags (this helps when searching for this again!) and then hit Save in the lower right corner.
7. Finally, you can select your print then cut image and insert it into your project canvas using the Insert Images button in the bottom right.
8. I then resized my image. (No larger than 9.25″ x 6.75″) Note that the Line type will be Cut and the Fill will be PRINT. This is exactly what we want. Click Make It in the upper right corner of your screen.
9. Now you are ready to print then cut! The Mat Screen will show you how to put your printed design onto your mat. Do not be alarmed by the black border. Your Cricut will read those lines and know where to cut! Click Continue in the lower right.
10. Connect your machine at the very top. (Any machine, Explore or above works!) Select Send to Printer and choose your printer and print.
11. A printer dialog box will open and allow you to find your home printer and select the number of copies. I normally keep that bleed turned on. That ensures you don’t get a white border around your design. Click Print
Your image will print to your home printer. I like to print on Cardstock.
Now we will select our material. I am using Cardstock for this project.
Next, we are ready to load our mat into our machine! Apply your printed image to your Cricut Mat. (I like to use the Blue LightGrip Mat for Cardstock) and load into your machine as you would when you cut anything else.
Press Go (the flashing Cricut “C”)!
Your machine will read the black lines on all 4 sides. If using the Maker, the carriage will move far right to “detect tool” (making sure you have the fine point blade in) and then it will start cutting your designs! Remove from the machine when finished.
Carefully peel away the excess cardstock and voila!
Project Complete!
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How to use Print then Cut Feature in Cricut Design Space – .png:
PNG files are a bit quicker to use than JPG files because normally PNG files are on transparent backgrounds. If your PNG file does not have a transparent background, follow the instructions for the JPG files.
For this technique, I am going to use my School Days Clip Art.
First, you will open Design Space. If you do not have a Design Space account you can get one here. It is free :)
1. Click on New Project. You may do so by selecting the Green Box in the Upper Right corner or the + in My Projects.
2. Upload your .png by clicking the Upload button on the left side panel. This will then open the next screen where you can select Upload Image.
3. Select Browse and locate your .png file on your computer. Click Open.
4. You can see below we have a transparent background because you can see the checkerboard pattern. Select the Image Type based on your design. (I 95% of the time choose Complex) Then click Continue in the bottom right.
5. Next screen is the Select and Erase and will look like this with your .png front and center. Since our background is already transparent we have nothing to do here, click Continue.
6. This will show you what the cut file will look like. If you need to make any adjustments, choose Back. If it is correct, then select Save as Print then Cut image. Add appropriate tags (this helps when searching for this again!) and then hit Save in the lower right corner.
7. Finally, you can select your print then cut image and insert it into your project canvas using the Insert Images button in the bottom right.
8. I then resized my image. (No larger than 9.25″ x 6.75″) Notice that the Linetype is Cut and the Fill is PRINT. This is exactly what we want. Click Make It in the upper right corner of your screen.
9. Now you are ready to print then cut! The Mat Screen will show you how to put your printed design onto your mat. Do not be alarmed by the black border. Your Cricut will read those lines and know where to cut! Click Continue in the lower right.
10. Connect your machine at the very top. (Any machine, Explore or above works!) Select Send to Printer and choose your printer and print.
11. A printer dialog box will open and allow you to find your home printer and select the number of copies. I normally keep that bleed turned on. That ensures you don’t get a white border around your design. Click Print
Your image will print to your home printer. I like to print on Cardstock.
Now we will select our material. I am using Cardstock for this project.
Next, we are ready to load our mat into our machine! Apply your printed image to your Cricut Mat. (I like to use the Blue LightGrip Mat for Cardstock) and load into your machine as you would when you cut anything else.
Press Go (the flashing Cricut “C”)!
Your machine will read the black lines on all 4 sides. If using the Maker, the carriage will move far right to “detect tool” (making sure you have the fine point blade in) and then it will start cutting your designs! Remove from the machine when finished.
Carefully peel away the excess cardstock and voila! Project Complete!
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How to use Print then Cut Feature with Cricut Design Space Images:
Cricut Design Space has a huge library of images that can be used to cut on your machine. Did you know you can also use these images as Print then Cut images? You sure can and I am showing you how!
Before we get into the details of this awesome feature, let’s talk a minute about Cricut Access! Cricut Access is a subscription service that allows you access to 60,000+ image and over 370 fonts! The green “a” denotes an image or font that is included in Cricut Access.
You can also purchase images and fonts on an as needed basis!
I am going to use one of these fun and happy rainbows in Cricut Access for my tutorial today!
First, you will open Design Space. If you do not have a Design Space account you can get one here. It is free :)
1. Click on New Project. You may do so by selecting the Green Box in the Upper Right corner or the + in My Projects.
2. To get started click on the Images Icon in the left toolbar.
3. Browse through Cricut Design Space for your perfect image! You can search by Images, Categories or Cartridges. As well as using the search bar and there is a Printables filter as well. (printables are ready to go as a printable image you don’t need to convert these.
Select your image and click Insert Images.
4. Here you will see the design inserted onto our canvas as a cut file, denoted by all the cut layers in the layers panel on the right.
5. To switch this to print then cut, simply select all the layers. Do this by individually selecting them in the layers panel, or draw a big box around your entire image to select all. Then we will click the Flatten tool at the bottom of the layers panel.
6. Now you can see that we have converted it into a Print Then Cut Image because all the cut layers in the layers panel have turned into one Cut | Print layer. Resize as needed. The maximum size for print then cut is 6.75″ x 9.25″. Click Make It in the upper right corner.
7. Next is the Mat Screen. This shows us how to place the print on our mat. Do not be alarmed by the black border. The Cricut will read those black lines to determine where to cut. Click Continue.
8. Next, you will connect your machine at the top of the screen. Any machine that is an Explore or above will work with Print then Cut. Next click Send to Printer.
9. A Printer Pop Out screen will appear and allow you to connect your home printer and select the number of copies you need. I keep the Blurr on so that I don’t get white borders on my designs. Click Print and the design will print on your home printer.
10. Next, you will choose your material.
11. Now it’s time to load your mat. Place the printed design on your mat and load into your machine.
12. Now you can cut by pressing the flashing Cricut “C” on your machine.
The sensor on our machine will read the black lines on all 4 sides. If using the Maker, the carriage will move far right to “detect tool” (making sure you have the fine point blade in) and then it will start cutting your designs! Remove from the machine when finished.
Carefully peel away the excess material and voila! Project Complete!
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How to use Print then Cut Feature with Text:
Let’s say you need to print off some big letters or numbers for your child’s school project. You could also cut them from colored cardstock but let’s say they told you about this at 9 pm the night before it’s due. Print then cut to the rescue! I will show you how!
First, you will open Design Space. If you do not have a Design Space account you can get one here. It is free :)
1. Click on New Project. You may do so by selecting the Green Box in the Upper Right corner or the + in My Projects.
2. To get started click on the Text Icon in the left toolbar.
3. Write your text in the text box. Then use the Text toolbar on top to adjust the font, size, letter spacing, print color, etc.
4. There are now 2 ways to turn text into a cut then print image. If you are working with a single layer, you will need to change the FILL from “no fill” to “print”.
If you are working with more than one layer, you can do the same thing we did above for each layer or you can select all the layers and use the Flatten tool at the bottom of the layers panel.
That will turn them from cut layers into print then cut layers. Click Make It in the upper right corner.
5. Next is the Mat Screen. This shows us how to place the print on our mat. Do not be alarmed by the black border. The Cricut will read those black lines to determine where to cut. Click Continue.
6. Next, you will connect your machine at the top of the screen. Any machine that is an Explore or above will work with Print then Cut. Next click Send to Printer.
9. A Printer Pop Out screen will appear and allow you to connect your home printer and select the number of copies you need. I keep the Blurr on so that I don’t get white borders on my designs. Click Print and the design will print on your home printer.
10. Next, you will choose your material.
11. Now it’s time to load your mat. Place the printed design on your mat and load into your machine.
12. Now you can cut by pressing the flashing Cricut “C” on your machine.
The sensor on our machine will read the black lines on all 4 sides. If using the Maker, the carriage will move far right to “detect tool” (making sure you have the fine point blade in) and then it will start cutting your designs! Remove from the machine when finished.
Carefully peel away the excess material and voila! Project Complete!
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Notes about Print then Cut Feature using Cricut Design Space:
- When on the print set up screen you have the option to turn Bleed on or off. Bleed extends the ink slightly beyond the border of the image to eliminate a white margin once the image is cut.
- Default material size for Print Then Cut is 8 ½ x 11″
- Maximum print size for Print Then Cut is 9.25″ x 6.75″ for all browsers.
- If you have multiple mats, it will have you print 1 mat and cut 1, then print mat 2 and cut mat 2. It will not print all your copies and then cut all of your copies.
- If you think your calibration is off on your machine, check out Cori’s post on how to troubleshoot the calibration.
Tips on Using Print then Cut Feature using Cricut Design Space:
If you want to fill your page with print then cut images for example if you were making planner stickers, create a 6.75 x 9.25″ rectangle, click arrange and send the rectangle to back. Now you can use that rectangle as a guide to fill the area.
I like to use a color other than white for my rectangle because as you can see from the rainbow, some of the images have white borders and if I had a white background I run the risk of overlapping cut lines.
You can click Make It and let Cricut decide how to arrange your sheet or if you want it printed and cut as you have designed it, be sure to select all your images (excluding the rectangle) and click Attach before you click Make It.
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FAQ’s about Print then Cut Feature using Cricut Design Space:
Will the Cricut Print for a Print then Cut Project?
No. You will need a home printer to print. You Cricut will cut. The Cricut Machine does have the capability to draw. You can find out more about that here on my How to Use the Cricut Pens post.
What Materials Can you use with Print Then Cut?
Basically, any material you can feed through your printer. A few examples are Cardstock, Paper, Sticker Paper, Printable Adhesive Vinyl, Printable Iron on Vinyl, and vellum.
Can I use Colored Materials?
Colored materials such as colored cardstock are only recommended with the Cricut Maker as it has an enhanced sensor.
What Machines have the Print then Cut Feature?
Print then Cut tool is available on all machines from the Explore family (Explore, Explore Air, Explore Air 2) and the Cricut Maker machine.
Can I use the Print then Cut feature with Designs Printed somewhere other than my home computer?
No. You need to print from within Design Space.
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Projects using Print then Cut
More Cricut Tutorials You May Like:
- How to Upload SVG Files into Cricut Design Space
- Curve Text in Cricut Design Space
- Make a Monogram in Cricut Design Space
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Comments & Reviews
Vicky Culbertson says
My husband bought me a Cricut make for Christmas, as I have never had a Cricut of any kind, I am totally lost on what to do or how to use the Cricut. Any and all help would be appreciated.
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Vicky I would recommend starting here at https://www.thatswhatchesaid.net/cricut There are posts on getting to know your machine and how to cut different materials.
Lynnette says
I followed your excellent instructions and everything looked great, but when I printed it didn’t come out correctly.
Instead of getting the dimensions that were showing on the screen, I got a shrunken version.
Any idea what I could be doing wrong?
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Hi Lynnette, How shrunken was it? The maximum size for Print then cut is no larger than 9.25″ x 6.75″. If it was smaller than this then I recommend checking your page settings on your print screen. They may have been set to a smaller size. Maybe sure Full Size or Fit to Page is selected there.
Lisa says
i have an 11 x 17 printer, is there a way to increase my print size?
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Lisa, the Cricut machine will only recognize a maximum size of 9.25″ x 6.75″ regardless of paper size.
Kari says
Every time I try a project like this, it wants to cut every detail of my image. For example i’m trying to make a square sticker that has text in the middle. I just want it to cut the square and everything it cuts the text! I feel like I’ve tried everything..
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Kari that is SOOOO frustrating! OK here are my tips (I should make this a blog post, lol!) 1. Make sure your cut lines are at the bottom of the layers panel and your print is at the top. 2. Make sure not only does your designs have the print icon next to them (versus the scissors for cut) but that you select all the print layers and FLATTEN them together. Flatten is at the bottom right corner of the layers panel. Those things normally solve the print/cut problems!
ruth a evans says
need infornmation on cutting vinly print and cut do i print thr image and put the image in my cricut with the vinly ,iam quiet sure what come first and i am not understanding some of tje video thank you for trying to hepl me
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Hi Ruth, for printable vinyl you would print the vinyl on your home printer, add that printed vinyl to a mat and then select “printable vinyl” as your material and cut.
Lara Trottier says
I love print and cut (once I figured it out). I used it to cut over 200 thank you stickers for my daughter’s Girl Scout Troop to put on the cookies. I made “Happy Birthday” stickers to put on the sandwich bags for my son’s brownies he took in (the kids LOVED them). I’ve made canning labels, that was a game changer.
Cheryl Spangenberg says
I am with you Lara! A complete game changer! Those projects sound aweoosme also!
Valerie says
Lol, I cut 24 of those unicorns by hand a few weeks back. Now I know how to properly use Print and Cut in Cricut!
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Valerie, I feel your pain. That is exactly how this post got it’s life, as I did the same (for my niece) and then was like, ‘um, the print then cut would have been easier!”
Cynthia M Sundvik says
Thank you for helping others. After two days of pure frustration, I was about ready to give up when I found your post. A ray of hope…maybe this brilliant woman can help me!
I have tried everything to print AROUND the rectangles in my images without printing out any text or images in the rectangle. No matter what I do, it always prints out the text and image inside. HELP! I want simple cards with an image and text on it!
I spent yesterday designing in design space, flattening and attaching text forever to no avail.
So, I went to PowerPoint and designed the cards there and saved them as a png. I uploaded it and went through print and cut, but it will not show the cut around the rectangle only and if I do print and cut the P and C image, it still cuts out every detail.
When I upload the image, I don’t have an option to flatten it. I don’t see cut lines or print lines in the layers panel (in reference to a post above seeking similar help). I only see my one uploaded image.
Thanks beforehand.
Going Nuts and I have sooooo much wedding stuff to Cricut for my son’s wedding :)
Cindy
Cheryl Spangenberg says
I think I am understanding this correctly…
1. Make a rectangle the size you want your card.
2. Upload your image. Select complex type, then click continue through all the screens (2), then select the Save as Print then Cut option.
3. Place it on your card and resize
4. Add your text, size and place where you want it
5. Select all three layers (rectangle, image and words) and click Flatten
6. You will now be printing the image and words & cutting around the rectangle and nothing else.
I just tried it and it works!
Whitney says
This basically what I was looking for too! So, I’m making earring cards and want my logo printed on them. I can’t figure out how to print the logo, then cut the rest of it out without cutting my logo image. Tips?
Cheryl Spangenberg says
The directions I posted above for Cynthia will do exactly what you are looking to do Whitney! Make sure your earring card and logo are flattened layers together.
Whitney says
So, I followed all those steps. Finally, it doesn’t cut my logo, but now it’s not cutting my earring hole cuts. I’m stumped.
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Whitney, make sure your earring hole cuts are separate from the logo and outline. There should be 2 layers. Your outline of the entire card and the holes for the earrings.
Anita Beasley says
Can I print multiple pages first and then cut multiple pages instead of doing one at a time? If so, how? Thanks for your help!
Anita
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Anita it is recommended to print then cut all in one session to avoid any errors.
Anita Beasley says
Hi Cheryl,
How do I do a print then cut using a copy store’s laser printer and then cut them at home on my Cricut?
Thanks!
Anita
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Hi Anita, it is a bit complicated. You would need to print to a .pdf file for all of your mats. Then move those files to a flash drive to take to the copy store. You would need to leave CDS open then come back and cut. Just make sure the copy store prints as is and doesn’t alter the page sizing.
Kristy says
Hi there! I am working on a project similar to your baby shower tags- I am trying to make onesie with text in the middle. I cannot figure out how to have the machine only cut the onesie outline. It keeps trying to cut the text too. Any advice?
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Hi Kristy, try selecting all of your words you want inside the onesie. Then change the FILL to PRINT and then FLATTEN that layer. Be sure to center it where you want inside the onesie and then select both words and onesie and attach. That should only cut around the onesie!
sandy miller says
How can I print the unicorn valentines without a circuit? Surely there’s a way and then just cut by Hand.
I’d appreciate the info.
Thanks
Sandy
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Sandy, there is a .pdf file included that you can print and cut by hand.
Emily says
This tutorial was so helpful, but I still have one question. Is there anyway to print them cut something that’s double sided?
Thanks!
Cheryl Spangenberg says
If you are able to directly match up the designs front and back, it might work but I have never tried it!
Lara says
I’ve done it’s e only with but astern on be side with a pattern on one side
Jen says
I’ve done print and cut so many times with my Cricut and it’s been great. But this last piece, it’s all flattened but when cricut goes to cut, it’s cutting each individual piece. I have a design with multiple pieces and i just want the outer edge to be cut.
Do you know why this is happening and how to make it not do that.
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Jen I am not near my machines to do any testing but I think you may need to attach all the layers before you flatten them. I will circle back when I get near a machine so I can play around!!
April says
I bought a file for planner stickers, but the PNG file is too big for Print then Cut. I tried 6.75 x 9.25, but I didn’t want to unlock it. I would probably distort how it would fit in my planner. Printed out fine, but cut lines are off. I calibrated my Cricut Explore Air2. I thought that if I uploaded a PNG in CDS & resized it to whatever size I wanted, the Cricut would follow the cut lines for the new size. Am I wrong? PNG uploaded as 13.743 x 18.826. Shop owner said it should be about 6.65 x 9.15. I don’t know what to do? If I make the size smaller, the cut lines should follow, right? I’m not sure why my cut lines are off
Cheryl Spangenberg says
April when you import the PNG are you importing and then resizing within CDS or are you resizing and then importing?
Lauren says
Hi ~
I am fairly new to the cricut world and I am hoping you can help me :) I am trying to print multiple images on one sheet of waterslide paper and it won’t allow me to. I made sure I set a template with the exact dimensions Cricut allows but for some reason it just won’t work. I have been able to print out 2 images at a time, but I am wasting a ton of paper in the process. Any ideas would be super helpful. Thank you :)
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Hi Lauren, can you email me at cheryl at thatswhatchesaid dot net with exactly what is happening when you say it won’t let you. Like what errors are you getting, etc. Screenshots would be great and I can help better from there!
Barbie says
Hello!
I am having issues with print then cut. In Design space when I’m on the mat screen, it shows a dark outline around my svg/png file. I’m not talking about the black guideline. Another outline of the image. It ends up printing and on the cut as well. Any way to solve this?
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Barbie, I would suggest going back to your canvas screen and checking the layers panel for a hidden (eye icon turned off) layer and try deleting that. If you don’t have a hidden layer, can you send me screenshots of what’s happening so I can better understand? You can send them to cheryl @ thatswhatchesaid dot net
Emily says
Hi,
I am attempting to create a sticker label to put on a sanitizer bottle for a bridal shower. I created the text and images I wanted and put a white rectangle behind them and then flattened the image. It printed out great, but when I go to the cut function the cricut Maker just gets frozen on the scan mode. The light comes on and it scans all four edges of the black scan line, but then the blade just resets to the center of the machine and the mat is unloaded. Any tips or suggestions?
Cheryl Spangenberg says
Hi Emily,
I have not had this happen personally but are you using the web-based CDS or the one that you download to your computer. I recently just did a totally different project and ran into it freezing up and I switched from the downloaded CDS to the web-based one and then it cut perfectly?! I have no idea what’s happening there with the 2 versions but maybe give that a try and if it doesn’t fix it, come back here and let me know and we will go from there!
Sue says
Terrible sight! Too many interruptive ads.