Print then Cut magnets - made with Cricut Explore

Today I got out some of my printable Avery Magnet sheets and decided to make some Woodland Animal Magnets, just because I can .

I use the Print then Cut feature of Cricut Design Space with my Cricut Explore machine more than any other feature.  I have such a large and wonderful collection of images on my computer, that I enjoy using with this feature.

I used clipart from the NitwitCollections.com set named "Niwit Thicket"  

 (  https://bit.ly/2PhaxFw ) and printed out the images on my HP Envy 7640 printer onto Avery Magnet Sheets.  

I only placed one Magnet sheet in the tray of my printer with a couple of sheets of cardstock beneath it.  It printed fine. 

I then placed the printed magnet sheet on my well used Blue light grip cutting mat and just secured it with some blue painters tape along the sides to make sure it stayed down as the machine cut thru the magnet sheet.  I set the dial on my Explore to Posterboard+ . That setting had the blade cut around each images 2x.  I just used the regular Fine point blade that all Explore and Maker machines come with. 

I was happy with the cutting of each of the images. 

I uploaded (well, I dragged & dropped)

each clipart image one at a time to Design Space 

from the folder on my computer with the images from this Collection, 

and brought into the Canvas work area, all of the images I wanted to cut.  

**Click on any/all images to see full size**

Save as Complex image

 This particular image is a transparent PNG image and needs no cleanup

Next I name and enter any keyword tags for the images I upload.

 I try to include as many words that will help

 in finding the images at a later time 

when doing an Image search and using the Filter of Uploaded

Then I add the images to my Canvas area

Some images may import as very large, and may take awhile to load. 

For the Print then Cut feature I need to make any all images,

I want to use with the feature fit 

within the Printable area allowance of 6.75 x 9.25 inches.

 Images can be smaller but not larger.

I first placed a square shape on the canvas, unlocked the dimensions and changed the dimension to the maximum printable area allowance of 6.75x9.25 inches.  I proceeded to size and arrange each of the animal images on that rectangle.  

 Once I was happy with the size and placement, I deleted the rectangle and  

Selected ALL and ATTACHED to keep the configuration as I had set it up.

Then I clicked Make It 

 (I use an HP Envy 7640 inkjet printer for all of my Print then Cut projects and I am subscribed to the HP Instant Ink program)

This is what the Print Preview screen looks like, after this screen I choose to Print the Image and choose my HP Envy 7640 printer. I loaded only one magnet sheet in my Printer tray , but had a few sheets of cardstock beneath it to make sure the one magnet sheet fed through correctly.

 I  printed my Images out on the Avery Magnet sheet, placed it on cutting mat (and then applied the blue painters tape around the edges, making sure I didn't get too close to the black outline registration box, so that my Explore could scan the lines correctly and proceeded to load to the machine and it cut out the images.

I had to remove some of the tape shown in this photo and reposition

 to make sure it wasn't too close to the black outline box that will be scanned.

After Scanning the Black line box around the images, 

the Explore proceeded to cut each image 

You can see in this image the cut lines - the Explore follows 

the Bleed Line to get as close to the edge for a good cut

Then I removed the Magnet sheet from around the cut images

Here are some close ups of the cut images

 And here are the magnet images placed on a metal surface 

(I placed  & arranged on a Pizza Pan - just for the photo op)

I did a 2nd set of images, when a friend of mine said she'd like them for her pre-school kids. I used the same Nitwit Thicket collection. 

This shows how I load just one Magnet sheet in my Printer white side down for my HP Envy Printer, and I have just a few sheets of cardstock beneath it

This shows the Printed images as they come out of the printer. Then I do as I showed above, I taped the printed magnet sheet to my mat with some painters tape along the edges

 

For this set I used the Fabric+ setting on my dial - Update. you can 

on an Explore put the dial on Custom and then choose a setting for Magnets

This setting also left cut marks on my mat, but it doesn't cut through the mat itself

And here is this 2nd set on the pizza pan 

Here are all the images, now I just need to get ready, 

 to pack up and send to my friend

 
P/S if you like the Nitwit Thicket collection there is also a Christmas/Winter themed Nitwit Thicket collection with the same woodland animals in winter themes, find it at

  https://bit.ly/2Np3bOw

( I am not an affiliate of Nitwit Collections, I just am a long time buyer of the clipart sets that designer MaryFran  has on the site )

I also love the digital papers in each of the NitwitCollections sets and use them as Pattern fills on many Print then Cut projects. 

Here are some other Magnets I have printed then cut over the past 4 years

**Note the images used on these magnets are no longer available for purchase* 

I have collections from websites and designers that either are no longer in business or the designers no longer sell downloaded downloadable clipart sets.  

I have a blog post listing some of the places I continue to purchase or obtain for free,

 new Clipart image sets

http://chocolateonthekeyboard.blogspot.com/2017/10/where-i-get-my-clipart-fromcurrent.html

For these squares, I made up the squares using one of my offline

graphic/photo editing programs** to create the individual squares

using graphics from a variety of sources and collections I have on my computer

and created the entire compilation and uploaded the compilation

to Design Space

**My favorite offline program to use is

 the discontinued older program of 

Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006

for creating many of my offline digital compilation work**

  

This is a Mitzi the Duck image by Beth Yarbrough, formerly

available from the PCCrafter website.  

PCCrafter

went out of business in 2011

  

This is another image(s) from a former PCCrafter artist collection   

artist: Debbie Crabtee

  

More image(s) from a former PCCrafter artist collection 

 artist : Janie Dawson

   

image(s) from a former DaisieCompany.com

artist collection 

artist:  Shelly Comiskey

For this magnet I used a PNG image that I got in a Bundle deal of SVG files 

( many times in SVG files there are other image formats included in the Zip file, and I use the PNG versions in Print then Cut projects where I can flatten the text or image to another shape or image and print and cut them)

 and I flattened this saying

to a shape in Design Space.

 I print and cut 2 and sent one to a friend as a tuckin on a card

These I did in Dec 2020 with my Cricut Maker - 

images from a set available on Creative Fabrica

Other Magnet Sheets I have used along with Avery, bought these all on Amazon

These images are by Laurie Furnell available in her Etsy Store 

For the Glossy Sheets, I changed my setting on my 

printer to Glossy media

Magnets done October 2021 - for these I filled circles in Design Space with uploaded Patterns and then Flattened sayings found in Cricut Access Image Sets by Heather Roberts and Sarah Hurley - they each have some really nice sets in Design Space.  I don't have to think about Font choices, - they have done the wording with their own font choices

Not all Magnets on my Fridge are Print then Cut,

some are store bought . But I have done quite a few

its fun to change things up from time to time

Some recent ones done using Images from a former PCCrafter digital kit

of Mitzi the Duck.  PCCrafter closed in 2010 and these images are NO

longer available online for purchase

ABOUT THE PRINT THEN CUT FEATURE of CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

If you aren't familiar with the Print then Cut feature of Design Space, see this video by Lorrie Nunemaker where she covers the basics of how to use the feature.  Note this is a 2017 video, so Design Space is different in 2021, but the basics of the Print then Cut feature are the same.  

Print then Cut  Design Space 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL6kE4TjupA

NOTE UPDATE to this post >> currently as of 2021 - In Design Space the Print then Cut option is found under Operations options in upper left area of the computer version of Design Space, and you would choose "Standard" under Print then Cut.  The Pattern Fill option is only available on the Desktop/Computer version of Design Space, it is NOT available on the IOS (iPad/iPhone) version.  And the Print then Cut feature is NOT available at all to use on the Android version of Cricut Design Space. 

The following are some of the materials you can use this feature on : anything that says it is Printable and OK to use in an Inkjet (or Laser Printer if the material states it is OK for Laser printers)

You can print on white 8.5x11 >  Cardstock, Paper,   ( l like using Neenah brand of 110lb index cardstock that I purchase on Amazon for the majority of Print then Cut cardstock projects that I do)  ***Note: Cricut Maker owners can print onto Color 8.5x11 cardstock. 

Cricut Printable Vinyl (this material has an adhesive backing and is more like a Sticker) other sites may also sell Printable Vinyl.  Remember, Printable Vinyl is more like a sticker and you do NOT use heat to apply it, nor do you use it on fabric. It is usually not waterproof and may require a protective sheet or laminate to protect it from water. or modpodge applied to it. 

Printable Heat Transfer Vinyl (I like the product that Expressions Vinyl sells of Printable HTV) this material is applied with heat to fabric materials. You can use an Iron, Cricut Easy Press or a professional Heat Press. See this video showing how to use their product, there is a link to the product itself in the video description 

Printable Heat Transfer Vinyl How To https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KPui1TI3Ig

Iron On Transfer Sheets, popular brands are Avery, Jolee's Easy Boutique for dark fabrics, and Starcraft iron on Transfer Sheets for dark fabrics sold by 651Vinyl.com   I like using the products for Dark Fabrics, as I feel the images print a bit brighter and I don't have to mirror the images. Such products may require using a protective sheet to cover the image before applying heat.  Just be sure to read all directions for usage & application of any product you purchase.

Printable Sticker Sheets - I personally am NOT able to use the Cricut brand of Sticker Sheets with my HP Printers, but have found other sticker sheets that I like better. I use either Avery full label (8.5x11) sticker sheets, or LD Inkjet Photo glossy finish sticker sheets that I purchase on Amazon.

And I can print on the Cricut brand of Transparent Sticker sheets, Silhouette brand of Transparent Sticker Sheets and/or Avery brand of Clear Sticker sheets.

Notes:  For Sticker sheets and Printable Vinyl I have the best luck using the Custom Setting of Sticky Notes - that setting gives a nice kiss cut to the material and I can remove from the paper backing using my Cricut pick/weeding tool.  But on my MAKER that I currently use as of Fall 2019 - I use the Printable Sticker - Removeable  Setting for best results with the Maker. 

If you need to protect Printable Vinyl or Sticker sheets - you can use clear sheets over the printed images before they are cut. That will make your material thicker so you may have to adjust the cut settings to give the same kiss type cut through the 2 materials.

Expressions Vinyl - Printable Vinyl starter kit with laminate sheets to cover the printable vinyl

Expressions Vinyl - Inkjet Printable Adhesive Vinyl Starter Pack - Printable Vinyl Sheets and Laminate Protective Sheets for use with Inkjet Printer on Amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/Expressions-Vinyl-Printable-Adhesive-Protective/dp/B01MUCVAWM 

or available on the ExpressionsVinyl website 

https://expressionsvinyl.com/expressions-vinyl-inkjet-printable-vinyl-starter-pack/

See this video by Expressions Vinyl showing how they use the product

Vinyl Friday! Inkjet Printable Vinyl published Dec. 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUY2s9TUl_4

Remember too that no Vinyl is food safe.

 and as I showed in this blog post you can Print and Cut Printable Magnet Sheets  - I like the Avery Brand but you might also find other brands in your craft stores.

So you have options on what you want to use with the Print then Cut feature. Your material that you are Printing on needs to be able to be used in Inkjet printers and should state it is for use in a Inkjet Printer (or Laser printers if the material is designated as Printable with a Laser printer)   Do NOT try to Print on Regular Vinyl - it is not for use in a Inkjet Printer - You need to be using Printable materials.  And your printer needs to be able to feed the material through correctly so that the Black registration box mark lines up correctly and can be scanned by your Machine correctly, so that the images within the box cut correctly.   

Any good Inkjet printer that can print photo quality images and print on a variety of Printable materials will serve you well. 

Here are some recommendations for Printers to use for the Print Then Cut feature by Debbie O'Neal, published Nov. 2017 

 https://www.scrapmequickdesigns.com/top-printer-choices-for-cricut-print-then-cut/

Lorrie Nunemaker in her Print then Cut basics video mentions the Printer that she likes to use. You may read in Facebook Groups of various printer recommendations for use with the Print then Cut feature. I personally have always liked the prints I get using HP Printers.

The printer I use is the HP Envy 7640 (my model is NOT a Wide format printer - I personally have not had a need to own a wide format printer) 

 and I also subscribe to the HP Instant Ink program and know I am saving money on Ink

Information about the HP Instant Ink program >>  https://instantink.hpconnected.com/us/en/

Note too, that if you own a Cricut Explore Air or Air 2, that your machines come from the factory pre-calibrated for the Print then Cut feature. If you own the original Explore (as I do) or the Explore ONE (with the word ONE in the title) those machines may need to be calibrated to use with the Print then Cut feature for the first time.  

I calibrated my machine the day it arrived in Oct. 2014 and have not had to do it again since.

See:  Calibrating your machine for Print then Cut

 https://help.cricut.com/print-then-cut-calibration-windows-mac

If you ever find your cuts are way off, it could be because the material you printed on didn't print the sheet correctly so that the Black outline box line is not correctly positioned to scan correctly.  Also make sure that in your Printer settings you have UNCHECKED the Option of Fit to Page. If you have that option on, your black line box will not be in the correct position to be read correctly.

If you continue to ever have issues with the Print then Cut process, phone Cricut directly to have them suggest some solutions >>  877-7CRICUT   Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET

You should always be printing FLAT images. The only thing that you would want Attached are Scorelines or Shapes that you want actually cut from the image. 

If you ATTACH Text to a flat image, your Text will be CUT from the flat image. You need to Flatten everything (except Scorelines and shapes) to one single flat image for best print then cut results.  

If you have an outline of a shape that is not solid (if you can see the grid lines behind your shape) , and images inside the shape, and you flatten all of that, your images or text within that outline will be cut out separately. 

Note: if your Shape is White and you are Printing on White Materials you will not see the shape itself in the Print preview screen or when printed. But when it is CUT your machine will cut out that shape with the printed flat images or text that are printed on it.

Example of Printed then Cut tags - 

one I FLATTENED the Text to the Tag flat image 

and the other I ATTACHED to the Tag flat image

If you want to WRITE with a PEN or Marker in your machine any text, that text or drawing should be ATTACHED and in the Layers panel - you would need to make sure that, the layer with the writing is set to "WRITE".  When you look at the Print Preview screen when you go to Make It, you will NOT see the writing on the images that will be printed.  As you aren't PRINTING that part.  When you place the printed images in your machine, after scanning the black outline, your machine will the Write out using the Pen you placed in your Accessory holder, and after writing, then the machine will proceed to cut out your images/shapes. 

I prefer to create my text using my own installed system fonts,  that I will use in Print then Cut projects offline, using offline programs. I save the text in transparent PNG format, and upload it to Design Space and flatten it to the shape or images I will be Printing and Cutting.

One popular program for creating Text Images is the Free program >>  Fontlab Pad. You can save your Text in SVG format to use as a CUT only file and upload to Design Space OR save in transparent PNG format and upload that image to Design Space to Flatten to shapes or other images for Print then Cut projects.

See this video by Kay Hall showing how to use the FREE program of Fontlab Pad

Easy Beautiful Text for Cricut Design Space  >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csCjP63IuSs

Your only limitation with the Print then Cut feature, is the Printable area allowance of Design Space. Currently the printable area is 6.75 x 9.25 inches. You can size smaller but not larger.  Cricut Design Space currently has the smallest Print then Cut area allowance of any Cutting machine with such a feature. 

If you want larger Print then Cut images, you can use the SLICE feature of Design Space, and size up an image larger than the printable allowance and then slice it into 6.75x9.25 pieces. After printing and cutting each piece, you would carefully put together like a puzzle, using tape or placing on a surface or heat pressing on fabric etc.

See this older video (showing using Design Space 2 and when the printable area allowance was smaller than the current 6.75x9.25 in all Browsers) 

Super Size a Print then Cut in Cricut Explore Design Space

Published on Dec 23, 2016  by L.A. De Valk  This tutorial will teach you how to enlarge your images for Print then Cut in the Cricut Design Space.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGnk6kkqwmU

I have an online photo album showing lots of photos of some of the Print then Cut projects I have done with my Explore that I got in October 2014 that you are welcome to view to get some ideas on what can be done with the feature.  

There are also photos of projects that were CUT only in the Album

Cricut Explore Projects

https://www.flickr.com/gp/24663470@N06/St2484