Art Bubbles Tips & Tutorials

SVG (scalable vector graphics) files are easily adoptable graphics that can be resized without losing quality, making them ideal for use with cutting machines like Cricut Joy, Cricut Explore, and Cricut Maker. Whether you are creating paper designs projects, paper flowers, or other designs, this guide will show you how to use SVG files in Cricut Design Space on various platforms.

The steps cover uploading and customizing SVG files before cutting them with your Cricut machine. You will learn to work with SVG files sourced from websites, memberships like Especially Paper's collection of over 300 digital cut file designs, or other online sources.

Downloading and Unzipping SVG Files

To download and unzip SVG files for use in Cricut Design Space, follow these steps:

• Scroll to the bottom of the project post to find the SVG files for the project.
• Click and download the SVG file, which will be a compressed (zipped) file.

For Mac Users

• Double-click the zipped folder to extract the SVG file.

For Windows Users

• Right-click the zipped folder, select 'Extract All', and click 'Extract'.

The SVG file is now ready to be uploaded and used in Cricut Design Space. You can also download your own SVG files from various sources and upload them to Cricut Design Space to cut with your Cricut machine. Any image file type, including JPEG, SVG, and PNG, can be uploaded and used. When uploading, select 'Complex Image' to get the best detail on the image. You can use the editing tools to erase any unwanted parts of the image, and save the image as a 'Cut Image' to prepare it for cutting.

Uploading SVG Files to Cricut Design Space

To upload an SVG file to Cricut Design Space, follow these steps:

1.    Log into Design Space and create a new project.

2.    Click the 'Upload' button or icon in the left panel or sidebar.

3.    Select 'Upload Image'.

4.    Browse your computer and select the SVG file you want to upload.

5.    The uploaded SVG file will appear in the 'Recently Uploaded Images' section.

6.    You can optionally:

• Rename the file
• Add tags to the file for easier searching later
• View the file before uploading

7.    Select the SVG file and click 'Insert Images' or 'Insert Image' to add it to the canvas.

Once the SVG file is on the canvas, you can:

• Resize the image
• Change the colors
• Ungroup the image to edit individual layers (for vector SVGs)

Design Space allows you to upload vector images like SVGs and DXFs, as well as raster images like PNGs and JPEGs. Vector images will appear as grouped objects on the canvas, which you can ungroup to edit individual layers.

Cutting the SVG Project

Once the SVG file is uploaded and prepared in Cricut Design Space, you can proceed to cut the project. Here are the steps:

1. Click the 'Make It' button to send the project to the cutting machine.
2. Cricut Design Space will automatically select a 12x12" mat and sort the pieces. You can rearrange the pieces manually and hide individual pieces if needed.
3. Set the material type (e.g. 80lb cardstock) in the materials menu.
4. The Cricut machine will automatically switch between cutting and scoring tools as needed. It will prompt you to switch tools when transitioning between cutting and scoring.
5. When ready to cut, select the appropriate material (in this case, holographic vinyl) and load the mat into the Cricut machine.
6. Press the flashing arrow to load the material and start the cutting process.

After cutting, follow these steps:

• Remove the excess vinyl around the design using a weeding tool.
• Use the transfer tape to carefully transfer the cut design from the mat to the desired surface, in this case, a notebook.
• Use a scraper tool to firmly press the design onto the surface.
• Slowly peel away the transfer tape, leaving the design adhered to the notebook.

For complex projects with writing or scoring:

• Ungroup the pieces so you can select them individually.
• Change the operation to 'Pen' for any writing layers and select the pen type.
• Change the operation to 'Score' for any score lines.
• Attach pieces that should be cut together to keep them grouped on the mat.

You can hide or delete any pieces you don't want to cut.

In this video, we will show you how to use SVG files in Cricut Design Space. You can learn step by step how to use SVG files in Cricut Design Space, perfect for beginners or anyone.

FAQs

How can I import SVG files into Cricut Design Space?

To import SVG files, click the Upload icon at the bottom of the left toolbar in Cricut Design Space. Then click the Upload Image button, navigate to your SVG file, select it, and open it to bring it into the platform. You can add tags to the image preview for easier retrieval later on.

What are the steps to open and use an SVG file?

SVG files, which stand for Scalable Vector Graphics, can be opened with web browsers or image editing software like Photoshop, Illustrator, or GIMP. You can also convert SVG files to PNG or JPG formats using conversion tools or edit them further with a graphics editor.

Why is my SVG file not uploading to Cricut Design Space?

If your SVG file won't upload to Cricut Design Space, it might be because it contains linked images, which are not embedded in the file but stored elsewhere. This reduces the file size but is not compatible with Cricut's image upload requirements. Ensure all images are embedded in your SVG file.

What is the process for uploading images to Cricut Design Space?

To upload images to Cricut Design Space, start by opening the app and beginning a new project. Click the Upload button, choose the image file you wish to upload, and select the image type. You can then use the eraser tools provided to remove any unwanted background. Finally, name your image, add tags if desired, and click Upload to finish the process.