Tutorial: Custom Paper Cuts for Cricut Explore

Yesterday I shared a Silhouette tutorial to create custom paper cuts. Today, I’m sharing a similar tutorial to create custom paper cuts in Cricut’s Design Studio. In contrast to yesterday’s post, today I’m making a baby themed paper cut. Let’s get started!

Supplies

• 2 sheets of cardstock – any color. You’ll need one to cut and one for a background.
• Shadow box frame – any size. I picked up one on Amazon, but your local craft store and IKEA have cheap shadow boxes.
• Commercial use clipart pack (Optional – you can draw your own if you’d like, or purchase from Cricut.)

Custom Paper Cut Tutorial (Cricut Version)

1. In Design Space, start a new project. Draw a square (“Insert Shapes”, then “Square”). 
2. Draw a second, smaller square inside the other square. 
3. From the layers panel on the right hand side, select both layers and click “Slice”. Delete the extra two layers so you are left with a frame. 
4. Click “Upload Images” and choose one of the designs from your clipart pack (you could also buy shapes from Cricut). After you choose an image, choose “Complex Image” to trace it. 
5. Make sure that your image is ready to trace. To remove anything click it and remove it. Click “Continue” to move on.
6. Choose “Save as a Cut Image” and “Save”. 
7. Resize your shape and move it into place in your frame. Make sure that it overlaps the frame slightly.
8. Repeat steps 4 to 6 to fill your frame with shapes. Remember to make sure that all of your shapes overlap slightly. After filling in your frame, select all layers (“Select All” from the top toolbar), then “Weld” from the layers panel. Your frames and shapes will become one layer. 
9. Cut your design on cardstock.
10. Cut a square the same size as your frame to use as a background and frame it. My finished paper cut is below.

Tips and Tricks for Paper Cuts

• Use a worn mat that isn’t too sticky. Overly sticky mats will make the paper cut hard to remove.
• Remember to peel away the mat from paper, not the paper from the mat. This will prevent any paper curling.
• I used spray adhesive to mount my paper cut on the background.
• The possibilities are endless with paper cuts! You could make custom ones for birth or wedding announcements or gifts, add vinyl to the outside of the frame, or use specialty cardstock.

Looking for the Silhouette version of this tutorial? Head to this post.

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