1. Find an image that you want to make a sticker with.
The cricut works best with vector files , such as .svgs . It can also use any raster based image like .jpg or .png, but may not be as accurate. The Noun Project Links to an external site. is a great resource for free , creative commons vector icons. In this tutorial we will be using a fish from this website.
2. Open Cricut Design Space and create a new project.
You can either open Design Space App on a provided DSI iPad or DSI desktop, or your own personal laptop.
3. Upload your image
Select the “Upload” icon in the tool bar on the left of the screen. Upload your image and add it to the Canvas.
4. Delete any undesirable layers
In this case, I just want the image of the fish, so I will delete all of the text layers.
5. Create the Sticker Backing
Select the layer you want to duplicate, right-click and select “Duplicate.”
Then select the duplicated layer and click on the “Contour” button at the bottom right.
From the Contour window, deselect all inside parts of the image. This will create the solid backing for our sticker.
6. Change the color of the top layer
In order to differentiate the sticker outline, select and change the color of the top layer.
7. Make It!
Select the “Make It” button at the top right, then select the 12 x 12 mat option.
Make sure the cuts are in the right position and are the right color.
Once you’ve confirmed this, click the “Continue” button at the bottom right.
8. Plug in the Cricut
The power cords for the Cricut should be in the top left drawer of the cart. Plug the Cricut into power and also plug the USB into the computer you are designing on.
9. Prepare the mat & choose the color for the first cut
In Design Space, I can see that the first cut is going to be the backing layer, so I will choose a white vinyl for this. You can choose whatever color you’d like. Place the cut piece of vinyl over the area that the Cricut is going to cut.
10. Prepare the Cricut
Once the Cricut is connected to Design Space, you will need to specify the type of material you are cutting, along with the blade you are cutting with. In this case, we are cutting vinyl.
11. Load the mat & begin cutting.
When you're ready, load the mat into the Cricut using the "double arrow" button. Then press the Cricut icon button.
Once the backing is done, choose a new vinyl color and cut the top layer. Once you have both layers, place them both back onto the mat.
12. Weeding
Once your vinyl layers are cut, you are going to want to use the provided Cricut tools remove the extra bits of vinyl, starting with the outer part.
The picking tools work best for weeding out smaller bits of a vinyl cut.
13. Transfer Tape
Now that you have both layers cut, now we need to layer them on top of each other. To do this, we will use transfer tape. To start, cut off a piece of transfer tape that will fully cover the top layer.
Then place this tape on top of the layer. Slowly peel the tape off, helping the vinyl layer stick to it.
Once the top layer is on the transfer tape, line it up and place it on top of the backing layer. You can then peel off the transfer tape, leaving the vinyl layers stuck together. Now you have your sticker!