Crafting with Cricut Design Space opens a world of creative possibilities, but getting started can sometimes feel a little overwhelming—especially when it comes to uploading your own images or SVG files. Whether you’re brand new to Cricut or looking for a refresher, this guide will walk you through every step of the process.
Want a quick overview? Watch this short video for a step-by-step walkthrough of uploading files to Cricut Design Space. If you prefer written instructions, keep reading—we’ll cover everything in detail, with tips and answers to common questions along the way.
Preparing Your Files: Locating and Unzipping Your Downloaded Files
Before you can upload any files into Cricut Design Space, you’ll first need to locate and unzip your downloaded files. If you’ve recently purchased a digital design from Novae Makers Mart, chances are it arrived as a ZIP folder—a convenient way to deliver multiple file types in a single download.
ZIP folders bundle all the necessary files together, including formats like SVG, PNG, PDF, and DXF, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of crafting machines and software. This not only keeps your download organized but also makes it easy to find the right file for your project.
How to Unzip Files by Device
To access the files inside a ZIP folder, you’ll need to unzip them. On most devices, it’s as simple as double-clicking the folder or right-clicking and selecting “Open.” For more detailed instructions, see the steps below for different devices.
- Mac: Locate the zip in your downloads folder. Double-click the ZIP folder to automatically extract its contents into a new folder. Note: If you can’t open the .zip file, make sure you have enough space on your Mac for the unzipped item.
- Windows: To unzip all contents of a ZIP folder, press and hold (or right-click) the folder, select Extract All…, and follow the prompts. To extract a single file or folder, open the ZIP folder and drag the desired item to a new location.
- iPhone/iPad: Open the Files app and locate the ZIP folder. Tap the file to create a new folder containing the extracted files.
- Android/Google Devices: Open the Files by Google app and select the ZIP file. A pop-up will display its contents. Tap Extract to preview the files. To delete the ZIP file after extraction, check the Delete ZIP file option, then tap Done. Extracted files are saved in the same folder as the original ZIP file.
Uploading Files to Cricut Design Space
Select your device below for step-by-step instructions on uploading your files.
Uploading Files to Cricut Design Space on Windows/Mac
Once your files are downloaded and unzipped, it’s time to upload them into Cricut Design Space. Whether you’re using raster images like .jpg or .png files, or vector formats such as .svg, the process is straightforward. Here’s how to do it:
- Start the Upload Process
- On the Design Space Canvas, look to the left-hand design panel and select Upload. This option lets you work with both raster image types (.jpg, .bmp, .png, .gif, .heic) and vector images (.svg). Click Upload Image to begin.
- Locate & Upload Your File
- You can either click Browse to open your computer’s file selector and locate the file or drag and drop the file directly into the upload window. Depending on the file type, the next steps will differ:
- Uploading Vector Images
Vector files like .svg and .dxf are cut-ready designs that upload as pre-defined layers. This makes them ideal for intricate or multi-layered projects.- Select Your File: Choose the .svg or .dxf file and click Open or drag it into the upload window.
- Confirm and Name Your File: Once uploaded, give your file a name and add tags or collections to keep things organized.
- Finish Uploading: Click Upload. The image will appear on the Canvas and in your uploaded image library. If the vector design includes layers, they will automatically appear grouped but can be ungrouped for individual adjustments.
- Uploading Basic (Raster) Images
Basic images include file types such as .jpg, .png, .gif, .bmp, and .heic. These are single-layer images that you can edit during the upload process.- Select Your File: Choose the file and click Open or drag it into the upload window.
- Preview Your Image: The image will appear in the upload preview. Click Continue to move to the editing stage.
- Define Cut Lines: Use tools like Select, Erase, and Restore to remove unwanted areas. Adjust settings like Color Tolerance or use the Crop tool to refine your image.
- The checkerboard background indicates transparent (non-cut) areas.
- If you have Cricut Access, you can use the Automatic Background Remover for faster editing.
- Note: All Novae Makers Mart files are already optimized and don’t require any of these adjustments. Simply upload and get crafting!
- Preview Single Layer: Check your work by toggling this option. Make any further edits until you’re satisfied with the result.
- Choose Upload Type:
- Multiple Layers: Separate multi-colored images by color
- Single Layer: Create a silhouette or one-colored design.
- Flat Graphic: Upload a single-layer, full-color image for Print Then Cut projects.
- Name and Tag Your File: Add a descriptive name and tags for easy searching. You can also organize the file into a custom collection.
- Complete Upload: Click Upload to finish. The image will appear on the Canvas and in your uploaded image library.
And that’s it! Your design is ready to use in Cricut Design Space.
Uploading Files to Cricut Design Space on iOS
Uploading your files into Cricut Design Space on iOS devices is simple and user-friendly. Whether you’re working with photos, raster images, or vector files, follow these steps to get started:
- Start the Upload Process
- Open Cricut Design Space and tap Upload on the bottom toolbar.
- Choose one of the following upload options:
- Take a Photo: Capture an image directly.
- Select from Camera Roll: Upload images saved to your Photos app.
- Browse Files: Access storage apps like iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive to locate your file.
- Open Uploaded Images: Access previously uploaded files from your image library.
- Uploading Vector Images (SVG Files)
If your file is an SVG (vector), the upload process is quick and straightforward:- Locate and select the SVG file.
- Once uploaded, enter a name for the file.
- Tap Upload in the upper-right corner.
Note: Uploaded SVG files automatically have pre-defined cut paths. After saving, the file will:
- Be added to your Canvas immediately.
- Appear in your uploaded images library for future use. Pull down to refresh the library as needed.
- Uploading Basic Images (JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, HEIC)
For basic images, additional steps may be needed to prepare your design. Note: All Novae Makers Mart files are already optimized and don’t require any of these adjustments. Simply skip to the next section and start crafting.- Image Clean-Up Tools
- Automatic Background Remover (Cricut Access feature): Removes backgrounds with one click using an advanced algorithm.
- Select Tool: Quickly removes connected areas of the same color. Tap on an area, or tap and hold for precise selection. Use the Color Tolerance slider to adjust.
- Erase Tool: Drag a finger to erase parts of the image. Adjust the eraser size using the slider for precision.
- Restore Brush: Restores erased parts of the image. Drag to bring back areas; adjust the brush size with the slider.
- Crop Tool: Adjusts the work area by trimming edges. Drag the corner handles to set the crop area, then tap Done or reset the image with the circular arrow.
- When finished, tap Apply in the upper-right corner.
- After cleaning up the image, select the type of upload:
- Multiple Layers: Separates multi-colored images by color (Cricut Access feature).
- Single Layer: Creates a one-colored image or silhouette.
- Flat Graphic: Prepares a full-color image for Print Then Cut projects.
- Enter a name for the image.
- Tap Upload in the upper-right corner.
- The image is added to your Canvas automatically.
- It will also appear in your uploaded images library. To access it:
- Tap Upload > Open Uploaded Images.
- Pull down to refresh the library, if needed.
- Image Clean-Up Tools
And that’s it! Your design is ready to use in Cricut Design Space.
Uploading Files to Cricut Design Space on Android
Uploading your files into Cricut Design Space on Android devices is simple and user-friendly. Whether you’re working with photos, raster images, or vector files, follow these steps to get started:
- Start the Upload Process
- Tap Upload on the bottom toolbar.
- Choose an Upload Option
- Take a Photo
- Select from Photo Library
- Open Uploaded Images
- For Vector Images (SVG)
- If the uploaded image is a vector (SVG), its cut paths are already defined. Enter a name for the image and tap Upload in the upper right.
- Once uploaded, the image is automatically added to your Canvas.
- To access previously uploaded images, select Upload > Open Uploaded Images. Pull down to refresh your library if needed.
- For Basic Images (JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF)
- If the uploaded image is a basic image, the next step is to clean up the image. This process removes unwanted areas and defines the cut lines. Use the following tools as needed:
- Automatic Background Remover: (Available to Cricut Access subscribers) Uses an algorithm to remove unwanted backgrounds with one click.
- Select Tool: Tap an area to quickly remove connected pieces of the same color. Pinch to zoom in for more precise edits. Adjust the Color Tolerance setting to control how much is removed per selection. A checkered background shows removed areas that won’t be cut.
- Erase Tool: Drag one finger across areas of the image you want to remove. Use the slider to adjust the eraser size. Pinch outward to zoom in for detailed edits.
- Crop Tool: Trim the edges of your image to focus on your work area. Tap and drag the corner handles to adjust the crop area, then tap Save. Tap Cancel to reset the crop.
- Undo/Redo Arrows: Use the arrows at the top of the screen to undo or redo recent edits.
- When you’re done cleaning up the image, tap Apply in the upper right corner.
- Select the Upload Type
- Multiple Layers: (For Cricut Access subscribers) Separates multi-colored images into multiple layers by color. Learn more about using Convert to Layers in Design Space.
- Single Layer: Creates a simple, one-color image or silhouette.
- Flat Graphic: Creates a single-layer, full-color image (ideal for Print Then Cut projects with a home printer).
- Enter a name for your image and tap Upload in the upper right corner.
- Finish and Access the Image
- Your image is automatically added to your Canvas after uploading.
- To find your uploaded image, go to Upload > Open Uploaded Images. Pull down to refresh the library if needed.
And that’s it! Your design is ready to use in Cricut Design Space.
Tips for a Smooth Cricut Design Space Experience
Getting your designs into Cricut Design Space is just the beginning of your crafting journey. To ensure a smooth experience, here are a few tips to optimize your uploads and workflow:
- Organize Your Uploaded Images:
Use descriptive names and tags for your images. For example, if you’re uploading a birthday card design, tag it with keywords like “birthday,” “card,” and “celebration.” This makes it easier to locate your files later by using the Upload filter and searching by keywords or tags in the Images section. - Respect Copyright and Ownership:
Always ensure you have the rights or permission to use the designs you upload. Stick to designs you’ve created or purchased from trusted sellers, like Novae Makers Mart, to avoid intellectual property issues. - DXF Compatibility:
Keep in mind that .dxf files are not supported on iOS or Android versions of Cricut Design Space. For mobile uploads, use compatible formats like SVG or PNG for a seamless experience.
Let’s Get Crafting!
Uploading files to Cricut Design Space doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With a little preparation and familiarity with the tools, you’ll be creating stunning projects in no time. Whether you’re working with a Novae Makers Mart design or your own custom creations, I hope this guide ensures a smooth and enjoyable crafting experience.
Explore our shop for a wide range of thoughtfully designed templates, each created to make your crafting experience enjoyable and rewarding. Whether you’re working on a special gift, seasonal decor, or a creative passion project, we’re here to help you elevate your craft and create something amazing.