Updated on July 23, 2024
How to Flatten in Cricut Design Space. Step by step tutorial on how to use the flatten tool in Cricut Design Space plus a video tutorial.
Welcome to Lesson 9 on Cricut Design Space Basics. Today, we are talking about how to use the flatten tool in Cricut Design Space.
The flatten tool is available in the layers panel and allows you to turn any image into a printable image to use with the Print Then Cut feature in Cricut Design Space. This tool also flattens the layers of your image into one single layer.
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How to Use the Flatten Tool in Cricut Design Space
The Print Then Cut feature in Cricut Design Space allows you to send your design to your printer and then have your Cricut Explore or Maker machine cut it out precisely.
I often use this feature to help me make stickers for my planner and easily create items for parties.
I have used it many times to create a Pin the Tail on the Donkey game using the party theme. I purchase or create a large poster, and then cut out the shapes to be pinned on the poster. I even used it to create a fishing game for our Minecraft party.
To get started, open a new project in Cricut Design Space. When you click on Images in the design panel, you can search for printable images that are ready to be print then cut. Click on Filter, then select the Print then Cut under Art Type.
Helpful Tip: You will know an image is already printable by hovering over the image. It will say Printable in the bottom left.
Sometimes you will upload an image or find an image in Design Space that isn’t already a printable design but you want to use it in that way. This is when you will need to use the Flatten tool.
Related: How to Upload Images to Cricut Design Space
We will start by selecting an image. Then click Insert Images.
Next, with your image or images selected, click Flatten at the bottom of the Layers panel.
You will now see that your image says Cut | Print next to it, and instead of being two separate layers, it is now one.
When you click Make It, you will see a standard size sheet of paper with black sensor marks around your design on the mat preview page.
Note: At this time the maximum image size for Print Then Cut is 9.25″ x 6.75″ and the default material is 8.5″ x 11″.
When you click Continue it will first ask you to send your design to the printer.
Then, you can then select your material from the drop-down menu. You can use common materials with the Print Then Cut feature such as cardstock, regular printer paper, sticker paper, printable vinyl, and printable iron-on.
Note: When sending your design to the printer you will see an option to Add Bleed. If you select this, the ink around your design will be extended a bit to prevent getting a white margin around your cut design.
Once you click the flashing Go button, your machine will first detect the sensor marks, and then it will cut your design.
How to Create a Sticker in Cricut Design Space
It is helpful to note that if you are wanting to create a sticker using the flatten tool, you will sometimes need to add a solid shape behind your design.
At this time there is no easy way to create a shadow in Cricut Design Space itself. What I mean by shadow, is to cut out the design with a white or colored border behind it.
To get around this, I often add a shape behind the design before flattening the image.
Related: How to Add Shapes in Cricut Design Space
I find the shape that is closest to my design. In this case, I will choose the square shape, unlock it to create a rectangle, and then size it to fit behind my design. Then, select both the rectangle and the original design, and click Flatten.
You can see below the difference in the cuts between using the shape behind it and not.
Save Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MyMa5f3F7CM
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