How to use Cricut Design Space (updated for 2023)

How to use Cricut Design Space -- A full tutorial updated for 2023. In this Cricut Design Space tutorial I will go over everything you need to know to get started using Design Space today.
Want to help support my channel? Consider signing up for a Crystal's Crafties Membership:
/ @crystalscrafties
Download the Course PDF:
www.dropbox.com/s/5mg5hc1y9dw...
Download the Cricut Access Plans:
www.dropbox.com/s/j6ptaya5ei5...
Affiliate link to sing up for Cricut Access:
cricut.pxf.io/c/2207422/14479...
Lesson One 01:56
Lesson Two 14:56
Combine 20:06
Slice and Attach 34:00
Contour 44:00
Lesson Three 56:00
Lesson Four 01:11:14
SVG 01:12:16
PNG 01:16:02
JPG 01:20:22

[@marinavitale8803]

Thank you for providing the education. So many KZbin presenters focus on making a craft and neglect to provide the background education. I love that you take the time to educate.

[@CrystalsCrafties]

You are so welcome! I hope it was helpful.

[@lestattt100]

Thank you for a crash course on design space. I have a pretty full understanding of the program now. Grab a cup of coffee and watch the video, you wont regret it.😊

[@patti.j]

I’ve had my Cricut for 3 years and maybe used it less than 10 times. This video is the best instructional video I’ve come across. Thank you.

[@CrystalsCrafties]

Wow, thank you!

[@michaellegraham1613]

Fantastic educational video!! Finally I feel I can now understand Design Space. THANK YOU Crystal

[@CrystalsCrafties]

So glad!

[@mollyduncan5365]

You presented this tutorial at a moderate speed that newbies like me can actually follow and it was very thorough. Thank you Crystal for the pdf. I will be revisiting your channel again

[@CrystalsCrafties]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joycemariepopp1311]

Crystal, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge with so many Cricut users. I am a new user and not all features are self explanatory. This is the first video with detailed explanations and step by step instructions. I am going to type up a glossary with pictures to keep by my machine as a handy tool. Thanks again

[@soniavcolaco831]

A really good individual breakdown & a great help to a beginner like me. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@CrystalsCrafties]

Glad it was helpful!

[@letterstoandrea2011]

This is the BEST tutorial I've come across. Thank you for being both detailed and concise. Do you have any videos on the next steps: how to load up vinyl and put the different layers together in real life?

[@CrystalsCrafties]

Thanks! I'm glad you found it helpful. I don't have a specific video on the physical side of things however I do have several videos on how to do different things like how to layer vinyl and different ways to weed vinyl. They should all be in my "Cricut" playlist.

[@Carolel1947]

Terrific tutorial (I haven’t watched it all so far). Excellent detail and moderate explanation that was really easy to follow. I’m very new to Cricut having used a Scan N Cut for years, and whilst I’m not intimidated I do find Design Space confusing. I’m sure with your tutorial it will be so much clearer. Thank you.

[@donnadibiase2316]

I can't thank you enough. I am brand new to cricut and was feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. Your tutorial is so well presented and easy to follow.

[@nancyhazzard4855]

I AM NEW TO CRICUT. I have been doing machine embroidery for 30+ years, so I am used to working with fonts and kerning letters, etc, Cricut design space is so much more complicated and NOT AT ALL intuitive. I have watched dozens of you tube videos and only learned a bit of usable information. CRYSTAL IS BY FAR THE BEST TEACHER I'VE HAD. She uses a common sense approach. I am getting ready to watch this tutorial again with paper and pen in hand. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

[@CrystalsCrafties]

WOW!!! Thank you so much! I'm glad it was helpful.

[@liedjesuitmijnrugzak9845]

Thank you so much, you are explaining everything so patient and kind. Just what i needed. 🧡

[@CrystalsCrafties]

You are so welcome. Hope it was helpful!

[@lelyansaunders7324]

I just got a Cricut Maker and I am sooo appreciative of this video.

[@marinavitale8803]

Wow, Thank you!!!

[@silverfox7081]

Excellent video. Thank you!

[@CrystalsCrafties]

You are welcome!

[@rosac8168]

Amazing tutorial just subscribed ! I always struggle with text and sizing

[@debbiegarcia71]

Fantastic tutorial! Cricut can do so much, it's a little overwhelming. This tutorial helped break down Design Space simply for a newbie like me. Thank you so much for sharing!!! Is there a way to create a template for the images to include ratio sizing? Would also like to see the actual look of what cut and color print looks like. It's still confusing for me on how to use the colors on a print. Thanks again!!!

[@CrystalsCrafties]

Glad it was helpful! Design Space has a lot of pre made templates but you can also create your own and save them as a project then just work off that project when you want to use the template.

[@janeblackerby6238]

Crystal, you are an EXCELLENT teacher! You started with the very basics and built from there, at a perfect pace. I also appreciated that you did not waste the viewers’ time telling all about yourself. Great job!! My only suggestion is that I many times lost where your cursor was-where on the screen you clicked to select a particular feature. You might slow that down a bit in any future videos.

[@andregould-287]

Tysm

[@lorraineferguson231]

very educational! thank you for sharing with us. 😊

[@lulagreer5320]

Thank you so much for make this video. I can even come here to do a specific thing.

[@susanbond309]

Omg I can’t get my explore one to work now I’m so mad!!!! Ugg why update a great thing to begin with

[@rbphilatelics8625]

Hello, Crystal. Your tutorial on Design Space for 2023 is educationally sound and its best feature, from a teaching perspective, is your easy manner of communicating apparently simple but rather complex actions. I am a Cricut novice... In your discussion on Shapes I detected a similarity with other PC design programs. In my case, Power Point slide design. (I attempted using PhotoShop, but it was very complicated for my design project.) Question: I am designing images with a Postage Stamp effect using my drawings, paintings and my own photos (staying away from copyrighted or licensed material!). I completed a project using Power Point creating files with the Postage Stamp effect. However, I believe that if I were to create an image--or template--on Design Space I would save precious time and effort. Is there a way to design a Postage Stamp effect on Design Space? (I will try using your lesson immediately and try to design my own image projects.) Have a wonderful week.

[@CrystalsCrafties]

You can do it BUT for that type of design it's probably easier to design in Inkscape or a different more powerful software and then import to Cricut.

[@S.BloomsCrafting]

Thank you so much I've been looking for someone to teach me how to do the cricket I just bought my first one

[@CrystalsCrafties]

Hope you enjoy

[@germainedubois8526]

Thank you for the lessons - I do have some questions - on some of the things - The JPG - the Lama - what would be done if you wanted the blanket the original color? What is OFF SET and what does it do? I learned a lot and I'm glad I found your channel you were the only one that was able to answer some of my questions.

[@CrystalsCrafties]

You can change any of the colors to what you want them to be by selecting what you want to change and then using the color box at the top to change the color. Offset basically creates a shadow layer behind your original item. You can offset as many times as you want for a layered effect.

[@vickijackson5547]

AT 4:34 in the video, changing the font size is exactly what I'm trying to do, but unlocking the box does not work. THose handles in the middle don't go away. These instructions are so clear and precise - but I'm not getting the same result with design space! My software did an update this morning and I have v8.2.54 - did something change? I've only had this a week so I never tried this before.

[@rosac8168]

Amazing tutorial just subscribed ! I always struggle with text and sizing also I’m watching in 2024 so it’s the weld like flatten? And the is the contour the new layers function?

[@rosac8168]

I have a question .. I was trying to to make stickers and I put a picture of my dog face in the pad of the paw 🐾 and tried with an offset but it put it around all of the layers how would get it to print as sticker with out cutting all the layers ?

[@JD-72191]

When you changed the text font at 6:40 I don’t get the “kearned” icon that was on your screen. Did the software program change since then?

[@MommyKat2004]

Thank you so much!!! Very helpful. May I ask where you do your designs to great the SVG's in your Etsy shop?

[@MommyKat2004]

OH Also, can we save our created designs from Cricut design studio to use on others??

[@CrystalsCrafties]

I usually create my SVG files in Inkscape. I have a few different tutorials on how to use Inkscape as well.

[@CrystalsCrafties]

No, any design you create in Cricut Design Space cannot be used in any other program.

[@Innerstrength111]

Great video, I am following right along. However, I have unlocked my text but I can't get them to stretch in the heart shape . The whole name moves up down or right left. Does it have to be a certain kind of font?

[@brandismith9611]

I have one stupid question...First, thank you so much for this detailed tutorial! I haven't made anything yet, but I do not understand the use of color selection when the Cricut does not print. Why should I design anything with color? I'm thinking I would just use the correct color paper? I know there is something I am not understanding. This is my first craft cutting machine, I am a complete newbie.

[@CrystalsCrafties]

Hi Brandi! There are a couple different reasons you would want to design in color in Design Space. First, if you are making a print then cut image (printable vinyl or some kind of sublimation design) you'll want to design in full color so when you send it to your printer it is correct. Second, if you are making a cut project (cardstock, adhesive vinyl, HTV, etc...) designing in color will help you get a good visual of your final project. It is not necessary since you'll be putting in whatever color you want the Cricut to cut but it does help visually to know what color is coming up so you know what to load onto your mat. Hope that helps! :)

[@brandismith9611]

@@CrystalsCrafties Thank you for the fast reply! That makes perfect sense and I didn’t even think about the possibility of sending the graphic to a printer.

[@karenfalbo5436]

After you download a print and cut image on a tee-shirt, then how do you assemble the whole thing after you cut it??!!

[@maidenmakesreviews]

I'm watching this right now, where is the link to the extra fonts please?

[@MsDaclark]

Help! I made an image for sublimation on a t-shirt, but cannot print because the size is too large (8.5 x 11). Is there any way to design an image in Design Space and then print it in word? TIA.

[@CrystalsCrafties]

Not that I'm aware of. There used to be a workaround for this but Cricut has removed the function.

[@user-mk9hw1jq5n]

Hello, where do i find the PDF FILE to download?

[@ruthhatcher6941]

Why do I not have file view and help at the top of my space

[@JD-72191]

I’m new to this. I got everything before contour then it got confusing.

[@rosslynnoziska4959]

I wish I had known about this a year ago.

[@flagger7571]

I really need an answer to this! I just bought a cricut joy. I the downloaded cricut design space from the App Store to my iPad. I have found that most if not all of the KZbin tutorials featuring cricut design space are extremely confusing. In all of the video tutorials I have found using design space that is being shown and what is on my iPad do NOT even look the same. This tell me the videos are seriously outdated! I have had many frustrating times trying to find things that are not on my downloaded version of cricut design. I just downloaded the cricut design in August 2023. My question is (be honest please). Is this tutorial truly up to date???? Someone needs to tell cricut to leave design space alone!!!!

[@CrystalsCrafties]

So...Cricut does update Design Space VERY frequently (like at least monthly) and that can be very frustrating however I think the issue you're coming across is that most tutorials will show you how to use the desktop version of Cricut Design Space (mine included). The app will do that same things however it looks drastically different. If you search for tutorials specifically on the app I think you'll find more helpful tutorials.

[@gaillorady705]

Where can I find the link PDF file?

[@CrystalsCrafties]

Hi Gail! Here's the link to the course outline PDF: www.dropbox.com/s/5mg5hc1y9dwq1ou/Cricut%20Crash%20Course%20by%20Crystal%27s%20Crafties.pdf?dl=0

[@cynthias6615]

What a mess they made of design space. They made something simple into something difficult. They combined Microsoft Word with silhouette. Just find away to make designs bigger. I bought a cricut for the ease of design. I hate it now.

[@Junebug3519]

Amen! I feel like everything I ever learned flew out the window and now I am starting from the very beginning! Do to health issues of 1:17:23 my husband and me I didn’t use Cricut for over a year and now I an totally lost.

[@BeatlesFanSonia]

All the design space tutorials are on a computer or laptop. Since I use an IPad, nothing is the same. I get so frustrated trying to follow these tutorials!

[@Mandylreid]

I ABSOLUTELY HATE THE NEW DESIGN SPACE WHY FIX SOMETHING THAT AINT BROKE.... SO FRUSTRATING I JUST FEEL LIKE SELLING MY CRICUT AND GETTING SOMETHING ELSE

[@MommyKat2004]

Ohhhh that is the worst feeling. Sometimes things have to be upgraded in order for everything to work together

[@yolandadavila28]

I feel the same way before I could print and cut my vinyl now they got something new that you have to have a printer now in order to make the image why change the app makes no sense

[@yolandadavila28]

It's a rip off to subscribers that Don't have a printer which is why we bought the cricut just more money to spend unless