Cricut Print-Then-Cut Guide

Overview

Tutorial on making Cricut print then cut stickers, covering materials, design upload, printing, calibration, and precise die cut and kiss cut settings.

What Print Then Cut Is

• Print a design with a home printer, then Cricut scans registration marks and cuts to shape.
• Four steps: design/buy art, upload to Design Space, print on label paper, Cricut scans and cuts.

Materials and Tools

• Cricut machine; compatible models include Maker, Maker 3, Explore models, Joy Xtra, Venture.
• Note: Cricut Joy cannot print then cut due to no sensor.
• Inkjet or laser printer; inkjet strongly recommended for print then cut projects.
• Label paper, standard grip mat, brayer tool, digital design files (SVG/PNG/JPEG) or app to create SVG.
• Keep print then cut materials white and nonreflective for Explore Air 2 and older; newer models allow light colors/simple patterns.

Design and Upload in Cricut Design Space

• Create designs (e.g., Procreate) or buy SVGs; ensure commercial license for small business sales.
• Upload: Upload > Upload Image > Browse/drag file > choose Complex for detailed images.
• If needed, remove background; PNG with transparency can skip background removal.
• Select Print Then Cut Image (not Basic Cut) before adding to canvas.
• Resize stickers typically between 2–3 inches as desired.
• Confirm Operation is set to Print Then Cut in the top toolbar and right panel.

Flatten and Offset Tips

• Use Flatten to merge image and text into a single Print Then Cut layer to avoid cutting internal details.
• Offset/background layer is common; separate tutorial referenced for methods, including the Design Space Offset button.

Page/Layout and Maximizing Sheet Usage

• Cricut expanded size options beyond 8.5 x 11; tutorial uses 8.5 x 11.
• Trick: Add a 6.75 x 9.25 inch rectangle as a guide to fit more stickers within registration area.
• Hide the rectangle before cutting; used only as a placement template.
• Page layout can be set in Layers panel or at Make It.

Printing Setup

• Click Make It; verify material size; click Continue; Send to Printer.
• Set printer, copies; turn Bleed off in this workflow; toggle Use System Dialog for printer settings.
• In system dialog, set Quality to Best for optimal print output.
• Insert preferred label paper; two kinds used by presenter; details linked externally.
• Printer example: Canon inkjet; blog list of printers mentioned.

Calibration and Mat Prep

• Calibrate Cricut for accurate print then cut; re-calibration recommended if issues occur.
• Adhere printed sheet to Standard Grip mat; use brayer for firm adhesion to improve cut quality.
• If mat is less sticky, tape edges to secure material.

Cutting Process and Settings

• Load mat; Cricut scans black registration box with sensor light, then cuts.
• For presenter’s label paper: Light Chipboard setting yields perfect die cuts.
• Kiss cut recommendation for same paper: Linen Bonded setting.

Material Settings Reference

Troubleshooting and Common Issues

• If Cricut cuts text/details instead of outline, Flatten layers to a single Print Then Cut image.
• Ensure Operation shows Print Then Cut; Basic Cut will not work for printed images.
• Poor cuts: recalibrate, use brayer, confirm correct material setting, ensure proper print material.

Additional Notes and Options

• Cricut Joy Xtra, Explore 3, Maker models, Venture support print then cut; Joy does not.
• For waterproof stickers, apply lamination; two methods covered in separate tutorial.

Action Items

• Calibrate Cricut before print then cut projects for accuracy.
• Use Flatten on any combined image + text sticker designs.
• For die cuts on presenter’s label paper, select Light Chipboard; for kiss cuts, use Linen Bonded.
• Place designs within a hidden 6.75 x 9.25 guide to maximize an 8.5 x 11 sheet.
• Print with system dialog set to Best quality; consider Bleed off as shown.

Decisions

• Presenter chooses Bleed off for crisper edges in this workflow.
• Specific cut settings selected: Light Chipboard for die cut; Linen Bonded for kiss cut on the stated label paper.