Cut or Print then Cut with Cricut

Cricut Design space allows you to save your images and projects as a cutting project/image or as a Print the Cut project/image. This tutorial will help you to understand the difference between Cut or Print then Cut with Cricut projects and help you determine which is right for your needs.

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First, some history

Before I go into the differences between a cut image/project and a print then cut image/project, let’s talk about the history of what a Cricut is.

When the Cricut first came out, it was marketed as an electronic die cutting machine. It was primarily marketed to paper crafters for scrapbooking and card making. Until the invention of the die cutting machine, crafters had to either hand cut their embellishments, or purchase pre-cut embellishments and stickers. I personally I spent a lot of money on sticker letters to use on my scrapbooking layouts and cards. It was always frustrating when I was in the middle of a project and just needed one more sticker letter. I would needed to run to the store to purchase a whole alphabet sticker set because I needed one more “a” for my project.

When the Cricut came along it was a game changer. It allowed us to cut our own letters and embellishments, add adhesive to the back of them, and place them on our projects. For me personally, this meant no more need for sticker letters since I could cut letters out of any color of cardstock that I owned.

Cut images and projects

Cut images and projects allow you to create embellishments with more depth because of the layering process. Each color in the image is cut on a different layer. Then you stack those layers together to create the finished image. Since you could cut each colored layer with a different material this allowed you to create a wider variety of embellishments.

For example, here is a card I made where the turtle is cut from several different colors. Each color is it’s own layer. I cut two layers from cardstock. I cut the green shell layer from a thin film that has a shimmer and pattern in it.

You also can also more easily create cut images and project in larger sizes since the Cricut has a large mat that is 12″ by 24″. There are even tricks you can do to cut projects larger than this, which I show you HERE.

Print then Cut images and projects

A Print then Cut image/project is one where the image will be printed from your home printer, then that printed sheet will be placed on the Cricut cutting mat and loaded into the machine, and the machine will cut out the image for you. I like to compare this to a traditional sticker. The image is a flat, one layered image that you can lift off and place in one piece. This is a great option for an image that has a lot of colors or shading to the coloring, since that would be difficult to layer.

For example, the two projects below were created using the Print then Cut feature. The one on the left was done on ink jet printable iron on material. I did this with the Print then Cut feature because I wanted to keep all of the depth and shading in the flowers, and my home printer could print those images perfectly. Click HERE to see the tutorial for how I did the print then cut shirt.

The image on the right is a puzzle created with the Print then Cut feature. The photograph was from a family vacation we took, and I used my Cricut to cut it into the puzzle shapes. If you want to see the tutorial specifically on that project you can click HERE.

Cut or Print the Cut with Cricut – Side by Side Comparison

Sometimes looking at things side by side is the best way to see the differences. I created a video that shows the exact same image created two ways . . . once as a Print then Cut project and a second time as a Cut image. For both of them I used cardstock so it would be an equal comparison. I did the Print then Cut image on white cardstock. I cut the Cut image from two colors of cardstock. If you would like to see this video on my YouTube channel you can click HERE.

Remember, this tutorial will help you understand the difference between a cut or a print then cut project when you start off by uploading an image, which is a png or jpg file, to Design Space. If you are uploading a SVG file then the upload will default straight to a cut file. For more information on working with SVG files you can read my article HERE.

Choosing Cut or Print then Cut with Cricut

Now that you know the difference between a Print then Cut image/project and a Cut image/project how do you choose which one is right for YOUR project? For me, I have to think about several questions before I can answer that.

• Does your image have several colors with a lot of shading and depth? Then a Print then Cut project would help you to keep that high image quality on your finished project.
• Do you want your project to be flat like a sticker? Then choose Print then Cut.
• Do you want your project to have layers of color? Then choose Cut.
• Will your project have lots of separate letters/images? Then I would choose Cut. This way you can use transfer tape or the carrier sheet that comes with the iron on vinyl to hold and move the pieces from the cutting mat to the project. Printable projects will not have a carrier sheet since they have to go through your home printer.

If you have any additional questions about the difference between a Cut or Print then Cut with Cricut project, please comment below. I will then add the answers to those questions to this post to make it and even better resource for others.

If you want to learn more about creating layers for a multi colored Cricut image be sure to check out my tutorial HERE.

Additionally, I have created a Fight On graduation card using the same Trojan image that I used in my Cut or Print then Cut video so you can see the cut layers in a finished project.

Great Print then Cut Projects

If you are ready to get started with your first Print then Cut project, here are some suggestions for you. Each link below will take you to the tutorial for that specific project.

• Stickers
• Shirts
• You can also combine Print then Cut with Iron on Vinyl for Shirts
• Puzzles

If you need some Cricut Print Then Cut Troubleshooting tips click HERE.

Great Cut Only Projects

If you are ready to get started on your first Cut Only project, here are some suggestions for you. Each link below will take you to the tutorial for that specific prject.

• Cards
• Shirts
• Decals

Once you start to feel confident in some of the beginner projects, you can take things to the next level and start to learn to upload your own images to Design Space or try a Larger than Mat project.

Cut or Print then Cut with Cricut – Shirts

When you are making shirts with your Cricut you can do those as either a cut only project or a print then cut project. I have done them both ways. Below are examples of a each style. The shirt on the left is a print then cut shirt. You can find that tutorial HERE. The shirt on the right is a cut only shirt. You can find that tutorial HERE.

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If you found this helpful, you should join my Teach Me Cricut Design Space Facebook Group. You can ask me questions and I will share all of my best tips and tricks with you. Or if you want a more personal experience, you can join my Patreon group.

I also have a lot of great resources on my Classes page of this website including my Teach Me Cricut Design Space Online Course. In this course I take you step by step through how to use every button and function in Design Space. I have compiled the most frequently asked Cricut questions along with the answers to those questions into one online course. This is my most in depth and detailed Cricut resource ever! It contains over two years worth of Cricut knowledge and research in one course!