How to Use Print and Cut
Maybe you stumbled upon the print and cut feature and cannot figure out why your letters are not cutting (if you are like me!). I suppose you have heard of it and want to use the print and cut function, but are unsure of how or why you need it.
I am here today to introduce you to another amazing feature Cricut offers. I will also share a project that I used it on.
Okay, let’s get started! So normally when you are working in DS (Design Space), you are probably using text to write or to cut letters. Once when I was working, I have no idea what I did, but a printer with a red slash popped up in the right column…I had no clue what that meant!
My machine would not cut or write. I was pretty sure that Cricut did not have a built-in printer, LOL. So I searched and searched the internet, but could not find one site that had all the answers I wanted or needed. Now I am here to make your life easier!
I have made a downloadable sheet for your convenience that I will share later in the post, or you can come back to see me!
Just to clarify, Cricut does not have a built-in printer! LOL. So you will need your standard home inkjet printer. I have a cheap HP printer I bought specifically to experiment with making crafts. It needs to be plugged into your computer or linked by WIFI, along with your Cricut.
In this example, I am using a care instruction card you would give someone after making a garment using HTV (Don’t know what that is? Check out this post).
Since I originally created this file I know exactly how it will upload. However, there are times when you download SVGs or PNGs that will upload differently. Then there would be more elaborate instructions (that’s another story for another day).
What you need:
- Cricut Cutting Machine (I have the Cricut Explore Air 2)
- Inkjet printer (Again, this is the printer I bought just for crafting purposes)
- Green Cricut cutting mat (Standard)
- Computer paper/card stock
- PNG image or SVG (this is what will actually print)
Step by Step Using the Print and Cut Function in Cricut Design Space
- Open DS
- Choose the upload button on the left corner.
- Choose Upload image, when prompted choose the location from where the file is saved.
- Choose “Simple” image to the right.
- Your image is now stored in your library. Choose the image to start the project.
- In the panel on the right, you will notice a printer with a red slash through it. This indicates that the image is for print and cut. There is no need to format it, it is ready to go.
- Choose “Make It” in the upper right (green button).
- Now is when you will load the paper you are using into your printer. Be sure you select the correct side in the left panel.
- After printing is finished, load the paper on your Cricut mat. You will notice that there is an extra border around your image. This is a registration mark. It tells the machine what to cut or what to cut around.
- Now press the flashing C on your machine to start cutting.
- Ta-Da!! Your print and cut project is now finished and ready to go!
Tips for Printing and Cutting
- Cricut recommends only using white paper for print and cut for best results. Using other colors may cause the registration to not read properly, which in turn will cause the cutting to be off
- If you have any machine other than the Cricut Explore Air 2, it may need to be calibrated for the first time. Please see this PDF for instructions.
- Use the best quality print setting to colors print correctly and vibrantly.
For a more visual version, download here!!
Remember, I am always here to help! So if you have any questions please comment below!
Come back and visit after you finish your project, I would LOVE to see your creations!