How To Draw With Cricut Maker

Tackling how to use draw in cricut design space along with what the heck you can do with it. From using writing fonts in cricut design space to separating a file into multiple colours and addressing envelopes with cricut pens.

Title image How to use the Cricut Draw Tool

Alexis and I are dorsum with another Silhouette VS Cricut video (and blog post!) and this time… nosotros're talking well-nigh the draw or write or sketch tool! In this series, Alexis from Persia Lou and I are comparison the Silhouette and the Cricut machines to requite you insights into how they work, the design software, and the dissimilar materials that they can cut. We're not so much talking well-nigh which is ameliorate, but the different features and what they can do.

So I'll showtime off with some honesty- this isn't a characteristic from Cricut that I employ often. I have used it a few times in projects I've created over the past few years just because how much I employ my machine? It's pretty rarely used. Since I dear my paw lettering– I don't use information technology for things I think that it'south nearly used for. Like addressing an envelope, or writing someones proper noun in a beautiful script. I'd rather but do that by hand. If you love using the pen tool, I'd love to hear what you create with information technology!

In this video and blog mail service, I go through how to put together a print and cut file using a Cricut image and Cricut Writing Font, I cover how to letter of the alphabet on a surface that is not a cut file (ie. an envelope or pennant), how cut files transfer to draw files, and how to split up a file into multiple colours. Phew! It's a large list!

If you would rather sentry it in video form… check it out! And while you're over there, I'd love if you subscribed :) I find it'southward easier to follow the procedure in video just if you'd rather read (I see y'all, in the lunchroom at work- ha!), I've got you covered with the written post beneath.

What is the Cricut Draw Tool?

Cricut machines have 2 clamps for tools- 1 for a blade style tool (Clamp B) and one for a pen style tool (Clench A). At least this is true for the two machines I've had (Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker)! You cannot put a blade in clamp A merely like you tin can't put a pen in clamp B. You'll figure this out pretty quickly if you are creating a project that requires ii pens and it tells you lot to load 1 at a fourth dimension. Clench A too houses their older scoring tool which is the scoring tool needed for the Cricut Explore.

How to use more than 2 tools in one design with the Cricut Maker

The cricut draw tool uses the same mechanics of the cutting that you're used to- just with a marker. As the name would suggest, it draws instead of cuts. There'south some limitations on this but information technology's pretty cool if yous're looking to depict some things! I could run into this being not bad for scrapbookers, replacing lots of stamps with the wide variety of designs in Cricut Design Space.

How to Use Cricut to Cut AND Describe

The first projection I wanted to demonstrate for you is how to use multiple tools with your Cricut. In this projection I used the fine bespeak blade (the one that comes with your auto), the scoring tool (adaptive tool for the Maker), and a fine betoken marker. I created this little envelope out of card stock. I beloved using double sided scrapbook paper for custom envelopes since you get the fancy expect of an envelope liner with only one slice of newspaper.

How to use cricut cut and draw tool at the same time

This design is just one I found in Cricut Blueprint Space and added the writing to. I sized my text to the envelope (you tin can resize the entire envelope and text after- keeping it all in line if you need to!) and chose a script font for the text. I chat in the video a bit more well-nigh writing fonts and Cricut Design Space capabilities. I'm going to skip over that here and chat near that in the next department of this mail service. Only for the sake of this example- make certain to choose a writing font for your envelope. You tin can filter your search for this.

I also chose to add together a stamp design to the envelope. I used a cut file for this and just changed the line type to draw. I talk more about that in another section likewise but it just changes where the machine would accept cut to a line that volition draw.

How to use cut files with Cricut Draw tool

You will demand to attach these layers together and so the writing draws ON the envelope. Cricut will automatically space all the pieces of a design out as if information technology's cut layers out of vinyl if you don't 'adhere' them using the paperclip icon at the lesser of the layers panel. You can resize this attached design equally much as you need before you hit 'Go far'. I likewise turned off the envelope liner in this design. You tin can turn on and off layers by hitting the eye icon in the layers console.

When you hit 'Make it', y'all can move your design around on your mat if you demand. Then, you'll be prompted to put in specific tools first. For this design, information technology told me to put in my pen and my scoring blade. When it was finished that portion of the project, the machine paused and the software prompted me to put in the fine point blade. The machine never unloads to keep information technology all lined up.

Using the Cricut Draw Function with Fonts (writing fonts)

Okay so I said this in the video and I'll say it here… I love Cricut and the software but the i matter I notice limiting and I practice notice frustrating? Fonts. On the plus side, yous can cut any of your own fonts on the Cricut (woohoo!) and they have a huge library of fonts for you lot to use in their software if you lot're not a font hoarder like I am.

Just… the spacing! This kills me! The machine spaces the letters and then that it can cut them individually. Which, again, is dandy in theory… just and so you'd demand to place each letter of the alphabet individually on your design to get a great kerning back. They practise requite yous the power to adjust the spacing of your letters, only specifically with script fonts where the pb in needs to adhere to the previous letter… information technology's obvious these aren't spaced out evenly, as adjusting the font spacing doesn't fully right the issue. Y'all can run into this very obviously as I play with fonts on my envelope design.

Which fonts can you use with the cricut draw tool

What fonts tin can you use with the draw tool? Cricut has specific fonts chosen 'writing' fonts that are meant for the Cricut draw tool and typically are just one line thick per letter of the alphabet. You tin can filter by them or you tin select the font you love and choice the 'draw' line blazon from the drop downwardly carte du jour to meet what it translates like as a fatigued font.

How to Address Your Own Envelope

Okay so after I fabricated my ain envelope and addressed information technology in the concluding projection, I thought information technology was a adept time to testify how to utilize the writing tool on your own surface! I take done this earlier in a Cricut VS Silhouette project. you lot can see my 'Bee Kind' Wooden Pennant I drew on Correct HERE.

For this project, I used the same address template I'd made in the last example. To edit whatsoever of the font, you lot need to disassemble the designs from i another (in the layer console), edit your font or movement things around, any you need, then 'attach' information technology again earlier cutting to keep information technology lined upwards.

Once you lot hit make information technology, yous can no longer size it but you can move information technology around on your mat. You lot'll definitely desire to practice this to make sure it's lined up on your envelope. If you lot wanted to do lots of envelopes at in one case, I'd propose using Cricut SnapMat to brand certain that they're lined up well. I did a whoooole video and blog post about SnapMat Correct HERE.

Practice you need to select the right pen and paper in Cricut Design Infinite?

When you're cutting using your Cricut, material selection is very important. Information technology's what makes sure your blade will cut through your material cleanly, and that information technology won't cutting through your mat… or the backing of your material, or whatever you're trying to do.

When y'all're using the Cricut Depict function, though? I accept constitute it actually doesn't thing… most of the time. As long as yous choose one of the preloaded pens that's the aforementioned size (ish) every bit the one that yous want to apply, y'all're adept to become. The machine won't detect which colour you put in there ;)

You lot also can't select 'kraft envelope' so picking something similar 'cardstock' works dandy. Only be aware that like whatever felt tip, using information technology on a super rough surface could fray the tip.

The drop down of pen options in Cricut Design Space as well doesn't requite you option for the washable material marking Cricut makes. If y'all wanted to marker on textile, I'm chatting more most that below, but just cull a different mark and it should be fine.

Can you use a Cutting File for the Draw Tool

The affair is, you tin can do any you desire with Cricut. But some things simply look nicer and are easier. Ha! So Yes you can totally use a Cricut cut file for draw. Merely information technology will merely change the cut lines to depict lines. Which is ofttimes dandy if you have a layered cut file but I shared a couple examples in the video where you can meet… it's not that great. If you have a thinner design that looks like a draw design only is a cutting file? Yous're going to double upwardly each of your lines.

You can use the 'contour' tool (lesser of the layer panel) to turn off some of those lines, simply it might non cease up looking how you'd similar (as in my example). I did practice this for my 'Bee Kind' Pennant though and loved the look of simply the outline of the bee. Then information technology can work out… just it also can not. You'll accept to play with your specific design to decide for yourself.

How to Separate a Cricut Design Into Different Colors

If you detect a design you lot dearest in Cricut Design Space (or somewhere else!), you lot can definitely separate information technology out to cutting or draw in different colours. This is the same process for a cut file that isn't already separated into layers as it is for a describe blueprint.

How to separate one design into multiple colours with Cricut

The tool you're going to want to get cozy with is the 'contour' tool, found at the lesser of the layers console. When you lot accept your design selected, click 'contour' and you can choose which lines to ignore… or contour. You can either select the lines individually in the sidepanel to erase or click on the lines in the preview window. I chose a design with the worlds nigh lines to demonstrate this with… JK but actually it has SO MANY lines. If you have this many, you might find it easier to select 'contour all' and and then only plow back on the lines you lot desire in a sure color.

When you only have the lines you want in your beginning color turned on, hit the x on the countour window and come across the changes reflected on your canvas. Change the colour of the design to that get-go colour yous would like information technology drawn in (or one that is similar, remember it doesn't take to be exact but it will hep you remember which pen to put in when). Then, copy and paste your design so you have ii. Line them up perfectly, then hitting contour and click your contours until y'all have but the parts of the designs yous'd like in your 2nd colour and so on. Practice this until you have all of your colours done! You can see this being done in the video if you like.

When y'all are happy with your design, select all the layers of your design and click 'attach' to make certain they all depict together. Then click 'Make it!'. If you forget to click 'adhere' you will know because it will try to draw it on several mats. When yous are making it, it will tell you which pen to put in when, it will do this all without unloading the design.

Using the Infusible Ink Pens + Washable Material Pen with Cricut Maker

Okay so 2 other types of pens that Cricut makes that I have used (although didn't demonstrate for this video) are the Infusible Ink Pens and the Washable Material Pen. The Washable Fabric Pen is used with most Cricut sewing patterns you can cut with the Maker. It can be used to mark the pattern correct onto your fabric for you. Yous could also throw it in the Maker to write instructions on material to have it washed out later. I could see this existence great for gifts. It is not ane of the bachelor markers in the drop down menu merely equally I mentioned earlier, you really don't need to choose the exact pen you're working with for it to piece of work.

Infusible Ink pens are meant to be used on laser copy paper and then that design on paper be transferred to an Infusible Ink bare. I haven't written whatsoever posts on Infusible Ink Nevertheless but it's coming! In the meantime, my friend Cori has such nifty tutorials for information technology- check this one out!

And as for OTHER pens? You tin definitely use non-cricut make pens in the Cricut machines but I couldn't find any pens I owned that fit. Yet… Jennifer Maker has a very informative video almost unlike pens to employ right hither!

Phew! What a big mail service! I'm going to leave it at that. If you lot have any other questions about the Cricut Draw Tool, you can drop them in the comments and I'll try to get an answer to them!