Getting Started with Cricut

Cricut Basics: Step-by-Step Guide to Your First Project

I’m not an expert with Cricut machines and Design Space, so take all this information as it is. If you’re new with the machine, here’s a very basic tutorial to get you started with your first project. If you’re a seasoned user, there still might be file notes you may find useful. There are thousands of very good tutorials on YouTube if you need further assistance. So here it is. Note that I’m using the desktop application.

Step 1

All my designs were conceived in metric units, so I’ll use them in this tutorial. If you prefer to work in imperial units, that’s fine. To change the default units, expand the menu next to your user name on the upper right corner of your screen by clicking on the downward arrow.

Step 2

Click on “Settings”.

Step 3

Expand “Canvas”, then select “Metric” in Units. When you’re finished, click “Done”.

Step 4

Still on the upper right corner of the screen, start a “New Project”.

Step 5

On the menu, choose “Blank Canvas” (last item on the list).

Step 6

On the vertical menu on the left side of the screen, click “Upload”.

Step 7

Click the button “Upload Image”.

Step 8

Click the button “Browse”.

Step 9

Open an SVG file. For this demo, choose a “double layout” if you can. These layouts contain 2 models in the same file.

Step 10

If you get a message, just click “Continue”.

Step 11

Click “Continue”.

Step 12

Click “Upload”.

Step 13

Verify the dimensions of the drawing, this can vary depending on your settings. You can keep it like that or rescale the drawings.

Step 14

Here’s how to rescale the drawings.
If you didn’t click anywhere in your window, your whole drawing should already be selected.
If it’s not the case, press CTRL/COMMAND + A or use the “Select All” icon in the menu.

Step 15

Make sure the “lock” icon is set to “lock” (this keeps the scaling proportional). Then enter the desired dimensions and press “Enter”.
This layout was designed to be 12x25 cm on 80 lb / 216 gsm cardstock.

Step 16

Click “Save” in the top-right menu.

Step 17

Enter a name, then click “Save”.

Step 18

Expand the “Group” menu on the left. You’ll see all layers in the drawing. Layer names don’t import, but the order stays intact.

1 – Cut lines
2 – Scoring lines (blade only)
3 – Scoring lines (stylus or wheel)
4 – Drawing lines (optional, for pen carriage)