Sticker Making 101: How to Print & Cut Using Cricut Machine

Are you a beginner crafter looking for new and creative ways to use your Cricut machine? If so, you've come to the right place! In this blog post, we'll be taking a look at one of the most popular Cricut ideas out there: making stand-a-lone stickers with your Cricut machine using the Print then Cut feature. 

This blog post will cover the process from start to finish of making die cut stickers using your Cricut machine. This means that the Cricut will cut out the outline of each individual sticker so you will have individual stickers, ready to be peeled and used whenever you like! 

If you’re interested in the process of making kiss-cut stickers, please check out our other blog post HERE. Kiss-cut stickers vary from die-cut stickers in that kiss cut stickers have a larger square backing to peel from (like from a full sticker sheet) that can be printed on and protects the stickers. Die cut stickers are cut to the exact shape of the design. Kiss-cut stickers are often utilized when printing a whole sticker sheet, in which one sticker can be peeled off at a time.

GETTING STARTED:

If you're new to sticker making with your Cricut machine, the Print then Cut feature is a great place to start. This feature allows you to print a sheet using Cricut Design Space on your home printer and then cut it by placing the same sheet on your cutting mat. It's just like cutting any other design with your Cricut machine. This method is perfect for creating custom stickers for various projects, such as Cricut projects to sell, DIY crafts, or Cricut project beginners. So let's dive in and learn how to make amazing stickers with your Cricut machine using the Print then Cut feature.

Choosing the right materials for your stickers

When it comes to making stickers with your Cricut machine, choosing the right materials is essential for achieving the best results. Here are the materials and tools you will need for this project:

1. Cricut Machine: To create stickers with your Cricut machine, you'll need a Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Explore 3, or a Cricut Maker. Unfortunately, the Cricut Joy does not recognize the Print then Cut feature.

2. Cricut Sticker Paper: Opt for Cricut's own sticker paper for the best results. This sticker paper is specially designed to work seamlessly with Cricut machines, ensuring crisp and vibrant prints. Other sticker paper brands I’ve loved are Avery, QYH, and Luxoton

3. Printer: An inkjet printer is necessary for printing your sticker designs onto the sticker paper. Most inkjet printers will work great, just be sure you have enough ink for a quality print! 

4. Green Standard Grip Mat: This mat provides a strong grip to secure your sticker paper during the cutting process. Ensure your mat is clean and free from debris for optimal performance.

5. Brayer: A brayer is a roller tool that helps smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles when applying the sticker paper to the grip mat. This ensures that your paper stays securely in place.

By using these materials and tools, you'll be on your way to creating stunning stickers with your Cricut machine. Whether you're looking to create DIY items to sell, Cricut vinyl ideas, or waterproof stickers with Cricut for personal use, these materials will help you bring your sticker-making dreams to life. 

Stay tuned for the next section, where we'll dive into designing your stickers using Cricut Design Space.

DESIGNING STICKER USING CANVA OR CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

To design your stickers using Cricut Design Space, you can start by creating a sticker design using a design software like Canva (try Canva Pro free for 30 days by clicking here!). Remember that max print then cut size in Cricut Design Space is 9.94″ x 15.94 so keep your stickers that size or smaller! Once your design is complete, save it as a PNG or JPEG file. 

Next, open Cricut Design Space and click on "New Project." Upload your sticker design by clicking on the "Upload" button and selecting your file. Design Space will prompt you to remove the background of the design to make it easier to cut.

To remove the background, select the image and click on "Remove" in the Layers panel. Use the "Eraser" tool to carefully erase any unwanted parts of the design. Make sure to keep the main elements of your stickers intact.

Once you're satisfied with the design, click on "Continue" to proceed with the Print then Cut process. Be sure to select to save your sticker as a print then cut file, NOT a cut file. After adding your newly uploaded file to your canvas, adjust the size and quantity of your stickers as needed. You can even print a whole sheet of stickers all at once if you’d like, as long as you stay within the maximum print then cut area! Design Space will guide you through the steps to print and cut your stickers using your Cricut machine.

Note: If you are using a cut file image, or a pre-loaded image from Cricut Design Space that is set up as a multi-layered file, select to “flatten” your image in Cricut Design Space to convert it to a Print then Cut file before clicking “make it”! 

Now you're ready to create amazing stickers for your projects, whether it's for personal use, gifts, or even to start a small business selling waterproof stickers with your Cricut machine.

Preparing your sticker designs for printing and cutting

Once you have finalized your sticker designs, it's time to prepare them for printing and cutting with your Cricut machine. Since Cricut machines are primarily designed for cutting, not printing, you'll need to use the "print then cut" method. This means printing your stickers on a sheet of sticker paper and then using your Cricut machine to cut out the individual stickers.

Because you set up your file as a print then cut file, Cricut Design Space by default will walk you through the process of printing your sticker (or sticker sheet) on your inkjet printer before having your Cricut cut around the outline. Once you click “make it” after finalizing your design in Design Space, Cricut will prompt you to send your design to the printer. 

With these adjustments, you'll be well on your way to creating professional-looking stickers for all your Cricut projects, whether it's personalized gifts, waterproof stickers, or festive designs for Halloween or fall. Don't forget to explore my  vast library of SVG files HERE for Cricut to enhance your sticker-making journey.

PRINT & CUT

Once you have designed your stickers and are satisfied with the layout, it's time to print and cut them using your Cricut machine.

 Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

1. Flatten Images: Before printing, make sure to flatten any images or text in your design. This will ensure that Cricut Design Space recognizes them as printable elements.
2. Select your sticker Paper: Choose the right type of sticker paper for your project. There are various options available, such as matte, glossy, or clear sticker paper. Consider the desired finish and durability of your stickers when making this choice. My personal favorites are Cricut brand and Avery brand! 
3. Add Bleed (optional): If you want your stickers to have a border or a background color that extends to the edges, you can add bleed to your design. Bleed ensures that there are no white edges when cutting. Adjust the bleed settings in Cricut Design Space before printing.
4. Cutting Process: Load your sticker paper into your printer and ensure it is set to the correct paper type. 
5. Cut Settings: In Cricut Design Space, select the appropriate cut settings for your sticker paper. For die-cut stickers (meaning the machine will cut through the sticker and backing leaving you a completely cut out, standalone sticker) choose the Medium Cardstock 80 lb (216 gsm) setting.
6. After printing, place the sheet on a Cricut cutting mat and load it into your Cricut machine by pressing the flashing “load/unload” button.
7. Start Cutting: Press the flashing "Go" button on your Cricut machine to start the cutting process. It will precisely cut out each sticker shape on your printed sheet.

Once the cutting is complete, you can carefully peel off your stickers from the cutting mat. Remember to remove any excess material from around the stickers, if applicable. Now you have a batch of perfectly cut stickers ready to be used!

By following these steps and experimenting with different materials and designs, you can create unique and personalized stickers for various purposes. Whether it's for personal use or to sell as part of your Cricut business, sticker making with your Cricut machine is a fun and creative craft that opens up endless possibilities.

RECAP

Congratulations, you have successfully created your own die-cut stickers with the help of your Cricut machine! If you’d like to learn how to make kiss-cut stickers or sticker sheets, click here! 

I hope you enjoyed reading this tutorial on Cricut sticker making and that it inspired you to explore other Cricut projects. If you're looking for more project ideas, check out our SVG store for designs and cut files for your Cricut.

Whether you're working on Cricut projects gifts, Cricut Halloween, cricut fall, Cricut projects fall, or Cricut maker projects to sell, the possibilities are endless with this amazing crafting tool. Thanks for reading, and happy crafting!