How To Use Cricut Design Space

This is your primary workspace, so you’ll want to get to know it well. On the left-hand side of your canvas you’ll see seven different menu options, which are:

• New
• Templates
• Projects
• Images
• Text
• Shapes
• Upload

 New: Click this button any time you’d like to begin a new project with a brand new blank canvas. If you click the button and have already started working on a project, you’ll be prompted to either save or replace your current work.

Templates: The “templates” button allows you to select templates that will better help you visualize what your design will look like on a given item or backdrop (example: if you’re putting together a design to go on a t-shirt, you can choose a t-shirt template to help you visualize the size and shape of your design on that t-shirt). It is important to note that the template you choose is NOT a cut-out: it’s just a guide to help with visualization. 

Templates allow you to adjust sizing: if you want to put a design on a kid’s t-shirt rather than adults (for example), a drop-down menu will allow you to make that specification. 

Projects: If you’re just getting your feet wet and want a little help using Design Space, clicking “Projects” allows you to see all of the Ready-Made Project options that are available to you. Many require no editing at all but a few allow for customization: this is a good way to practice your Design Space skills. them.

You can also use the drop-down menu to search for specific ready-made projects included with Cricut Access. Categories like “Free for Cricut Explore” or “Free for Cricut Maker” are available to use at no cost, and are great for helping you get a feel for using your Cricut. 

Images: Click on the “Images” button to access the Design Space library of pre-made images. Over one thousand images are available to you here with the click of a button, all of which can be easily inserted into your new project or design. A search option towards the top right-hand side will help you narrow down your search when looking for specific designs (you can search for specific images like “bird” or “apple,” or whatever!). A green “A” in the top left-hand corner of an image indicates that it is available for free via Cricut Access.

You can also search through Design Space’s pre-specified categories or cartridges (cartridges come with older Cricut models so if you have an older version, I’m talking to you!). Categories like “animals” or “flowers” are available to you here, so have fun searching!

Text: When you click “Text,” a text box will appear that allows you to type in whatever you want. Your text will immediately appear thereafter on your canvas. A toolbar along the top of the canvas lets you edit your text (adjust font, font size, color, etc.). Make sure the text is selected to allow you to make edits. 

The very first drop-down in the toolbar allows you to change font. You can either choose from the “All Fonts” category, the “System Fonts” category (these are fonts available on your particular computer), or the “Cricut Fonts” category (special fonts available only to Cricut users on Design Space!).  A search bar is also available if you’d like to search for a specific font. 

When searching for fonts, you have the ability to use a “filter” option, located on the far right-hand side of the toolbar. One or multiple filters selected allow you to drill down your search terms. For example, you could filter through only “My Fonts” and “Writing” to pull up relevant fonts that are best for writing (especially if you want to use special Cricut pens).  

Select your text, then look to the far right-hand side. Here, you can use multi-layer fonts (those that have a shadow). An “eye” icon allows you to enable shadow with your current text. Clicking it off hides the shadow. 

You can also do some neat things here like change font style, font size, letter and line spacing, and our page alignment. They’re not unlike options you’d find if you’re used to using Microsoft Word or Microsoft Powerpoint, just located in a slightly different place. Have fun playing around to see all that’s possible with texts in this cool and easy-to-use platform.

Letter Space: Within your text editing options, there are a number of things you need to know about. First is Letter Space. This is an awesome tool if you’re using cursive fonts: you can increase or decrease the spacing between letters with simply the push or pull of an arrow. It may not seem like a big deal, but this is important: when you’re cutting out cursive style letters, you’ll need them to be touching each other to create one cohesive cut. So learn this tool well!

Isolation Letters: Here’s another important tool to be aware of. Isolation Letters lets you work on each letter individually. If, for example, you want one letter to be bigger than the others, or you need to rotate each letter individually so that your word can curl, this is where you’d accomplish that.  Another way to “isolate” letters is to right click the text and select “ungroup”: now each of your letters will act individually. When done editing, right click and select “group” to create one cohesive text box again.

Curve Text: When they updated Design Space, they finally put a button in where you can curve the text with just a few clicks! 

Shapes: Click “shapes” to insert a wide array of basic shapes into your design (circles, squares, etc.). 

Upload: Did you know that Design Space lets you upload your own images to work on? It’s one of the incredible features of this tool: any image you have loaded on your computer or tablet can be uploaded into Design Space and edited. See my more detailed article on uploading your own images into Design Space here. 

Navigating the Layers Pane in Cricut Design Space

In the Layers Menu, you’ll also be able to see every piece of your design that exists on your canvas. Each shape, each image, each text box is it’s own “layer.” Here is where you can select and edit each “layer” individually. 

Layers Menu: The Layers menu gives you a number of incredible editing options when creating your designs. Find it open at the bottom right-hand side of your screen: here you’ll see a few different options including Slice, Weld, Attach, Flatten, and Contour. 

Slice– Cut two overlapping layers into individual parts. See the example below: it’s important when you slice that you’ve got exactly the overlapping layers that you want “sliced” clicked on. 

Weld– Create one single, cohesive image from two distinct layers. In fact weld is sort of the exact opposite of slice (see image below). You will also want to use this when using cursive or script fonts before cutting. If you don’t the words will not be attached and will have cuts where the letters overlap.

Attach -Keeps your image in place for cutting or for adding text. 

Some things to know about Attach: if you want your Cricut to cut an image EXACTLY as it appears on your canvas, use attach. Otherwise, the Cricut will move the image around to conserve materials, which is grade from a reduce, re-use, recycle perspective, but not so great if you wanted that cute heart to be EXACTLY where you placed it.

Flatten– Merges two layers together to allow for a single printable image. This is primarily used when you are working with a print and cut project.

Contour– Hides or unhides grid lines on an image. 

Cutting, Scoring, and Printing in Design Space

You can also cut, write, score or print your layers here. These are the options available to you when you actually go to use your design with your Cricut machine. The scissors icon with the circle next to it means you are ready to cut; there’s also a writing icon that’s a little pen, a printing icon, etc. 

The scoring function uses the scoring tool that comes in the Cricut Tool set. Basically your Cricut applies pressure to the tool to make an invisible folding line. This comes in handy when making cards, boxes, and envelopes! 

You will only use the Print button when you are making a print and cut design. This is applied when making stickers or other designs that just look better printed versus cutting vinyl or cardstock. I have seen many people do this when they need a specific character or graphic for stickers. In order to use this function you will need to have a printer connected to your computer.

Writing - Wanting to make hand written cards? This is wear the Cricut pens come in handy. You will place a pen into the other port next to the blade on your Cricut machine. After you finish your design, just be sure to choose a writing font. These are single line fonts that are specifically designed to be used with the pens.

Cut - 90% of the time, people use their machine for cutting vinyl, cardstock, wood, etc. So most of the time, or at least in the beginning you will probably use the cut function. 

Ready to Make Some Magic!

The “Make It” button can be found in your top right-hand corner: this is the button you get to click when your design is gorgeous, glowing, and ready to go! 

Clicking “Make It” opens up your mat. Click on your image in the mat: a lot of editing options still remain here. When clicked, dots will surround your image indicating that you can move the image, rotate it, or even push your image onto another mat.  

In the top left-hand corner of your screen you will see “Project Copies”: if you want multiple copies of your cut or print, you’ll adjust that number here. 

Let’s say that I want 8 copies. I’ll put an 8 in the box, and then voila! My 8 images will appear. Depending on the size of your images, this may take you onto multiple mats, which is A-Okay. You still have the freedom at this point to move images from mat to mat, rotate them or remove them as needed. 

Note: Design Space defaults to a mat size of 12X12, and rightly so: most of your Cricut printing and cutting materials will occur in a 12X12 sheet. BUT, if you would like to alter that default mat size, you can do so here. 

Finally, click “Continue” to cut or print your images. And enjoy! 

Pat yourself on the back! You’ve just learned how to use Cricut Design Space! Soon you’ll be crafting and re-arranging your own unique designs at an unstoppable pace.

More Cricut Tutorials and Projects: 

• Uploading a file into Design Space 
• What Materials Can My Cricut Cut?
• FREE Resource Library
• What Tools Do I Need To Start Crafting with my Cricut?