Upload a picture (or flatten an SVG) as a Print Then Cut image in Design Space, click Make, send it to your printer with bleed on, then place the printed sheet on a mat. The Cricut scans the black registration marks and cuts around your design.
Print Then Cut is the Cricut feature behind stickers, labels, cake toppers and gift tags: your printer prints the picture, and the machine cuts around it precisely. It works on machines with Print Then Cut, such as the Explore and Maker families and the Joy Xtra.
How does Print Then Cut work?
- Design Space adds a black frame of registration marks around your images.
- Your home printer prints the images and the marks.
- The Cricut’s sensor reads the marks to find exactly where everything is, then cuts along the outer edge of each image.
Step 1: prepare your file
| Starting file | What to do |
|---|---|
| PNG with transparent background | Ready; upload as a Print Then Cut image |
| JPG or PNG with a white box | Remove the background first, or the cut goes around the box |
| SVG (vector) | Upload, then select all layers and Flatten |
| SVG you want as a PNG | SVG to PNG at print size, 300 DPI, transparent |
For stickers, a white border makes small cut offsets invisible. Vectacle’s sticker converter adds one with a slider.
Step 2: upload and flatten
- In Design Space, click Upload › Upload Image and choose the file.
- For a PNG/JPG, pick the Print Then Cut image type. For an SVG, add it to the canvas, select all layers, and click Flatten.
- Size it in the top bar (lock closed), and duplicate it to fill the sheet.
Step 3: print with bleed
- Click Make. Design Space lays the images out inside the printable area.
- Click Send to Printer, choose your printer, and switch on Add Bleed.
- Use the printer’s high-quality setting and the right paper type.
Step 4: cut
- Put the printed sheet on a light-grip mat, aligned with the top-left corner.
- Select the material (for example printable sticker paper or cardstock), load the mat and press Go.
- Wait while the sensor scans the marks; then the machine cuts.
How do I fix Print Then Cut problems?
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Your file includes unsupported items” | The SVG has gradients or clipping paths | Upload it as a PNG instead (SVG to PNG, 300 DPI) |
| Sensor can’t find the marks | Glare, bright light, faint marks | Matte paper, dimmer light, fresh ink |
| Cut is shifted | Calibration | Run the Print Then Cut calibration |
| Cut goes around a box | Background not transparent | Remove the background before uploading |
| Image too big to Make | Larger than the printable area | Scale it down or split it |
| White slivers at the edges | No bleed | Turn on Add Bleed |
Making stickers specifically? See how to make stickers with a Cricut. Getting the file ready for Design Space: SVG vs PNG for Cricut. Design Space is available from design.cricut.com.
Need an even cut line around your design? The free SVG offset tool adds a sticker border you can set in inches or mm.
Questions
What image works best for Print Then Cut?
A sharp PNG with a transparent background, at the final size times 300 pixels per inch, or an SVG flattened in Design Space. The cut follows the outer edge of the image.
Is there a size limit for Print Then Cut?
Yes. Design Space limits the printable area, and the limit depends on your machine, software version and paper size. Design Space shows it when you click Make; if your design is too big, it tells you.
Why is my Print Then Cut offset?
Run the Print Then Cut calibration in Design Space’s settings, avoid glossy paper and bright light, and give designs a small white border so small offsets don’t show.
Sources: Cricut Help: How to Print Then Cut in Design Space · Cricut Help: How large can I Print Then Cut? · Cricut Help: How to upload images into Design Space
