What Is Print Then Cut on a Cricut Machine?

On this page (9 sections)

1. How does Cricut Explore print and cut work?
2. What can you make with Print Then Cut?
3. What do you need to use Print Then Cut?
4. Which printable vinyl should you choose?
5. How do you prepare a design and get a clean cut?
6. Which common mistakes waste printable sheets?
7. How should you store sheets and care for finished stickers?
8. Does every Cricut Explore support it?
9. Is Cricut Explore print and cut right for you?

Cricut Explore print and cut lets you print full-color artwork with a home inkjet printer, then cut its outline with your Cricut. Use it for illustrated stickers, labels, and decals that would be hard to build from separate pieces of colored material.

Cricut calls the feature Print Then Cut in Design Space. For a useful setup, choose the machine, printable sheets, and finish around the projects you'll actually make.

How does Cricut Explore print and cut work?

Your printer adds the color, while your Cricut follows the cut shape prepared in Design Space. Printed sensor marks help the machine align the cut with the artwork.

The basic workflow is:

1. Create or choose your artwork in Design Space.
2. Set up the artwork and its intended outline for Print Then Cut.
3. Check the project size and print preview.
4. Print on compatible material without changing the scale.
5. Let the ink dry as directed.
6. Place the sheet on a suitable cutting mat as shown in Design Space.
7. Load the mat and follow the prompts to cut.

Keep the printed sensor marks clear and within the sheet. They are part of the alignment process, so don't crop them away or add artwork over them.

The machine's cutting width is not the same as the usable printed area. Leave room for the sensor marks and follow the size limits shown for your project.

What can you make with Print Then Cut?

Print Then Cut suits projects with several printed colors inside one cut outline. Think illustrated planner stickers, gift labels, party decorations, and logo decals for suitable surfaces.

Printed text can also stay inside a larger label shape. You don't need to cut out every letter, which makes small wording more practical than separate vinyl lettering.

For more ideas, browse what you can make with a Cricut machine. Start with the finished object, then choose a material that suits where it will go.

How is Cricut Explore print and cut different from a regular cut?

A regular cut makes shapes from the material's existing color; Print Then Cut adds printed detail first. Choose regular cutting for single-color names, plain cardstock shapes, and layered vinyl designs.

Print Then Cut is the better match for shaded illustrations, photos, and multicolor labels. It adds printing and drying steps, so simple lettering rarely needs this workflow.

What do you need to use Print Then Cut?

You need a compatible Cricut, Design Space, a home inkjet printer, printable material, and a suitable cutting mat. Check your printer's supported media before buying a large pack of sheets.

Cricut Explore 5 Essential requires a compatible computer or mobile device with Bluetooth and high-speed internet. Leave working space for the mat to move through the machine without hitting a wall or loose supplies.

This bundle suits someone buying a machine for stickers plus other crafts. Alongside printable vinyl, it includes Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, Value Cardstock, and Insert Card Sets.

Skip the bundle if you already have a compatible machine and only need fresh sticker sheets. If stickers are your only project, weigh how much of the other material you'll use before choosing a mixed bundle.

Design Space is free, while the full content library and certain features require a paid subscription. Read whether you need Cricut Access before paying for extra content.

Which printable vinyl should you choose?

Choose matte for a low-glare finish or glossy for a shiny finish, then check printer compatibility and drying directions. Both options below are self-adhesive printable vinyl rather than materials for printing directly onto clothing.

JOYEZA suits matte labels and indoor organization

JOYEZA Printable Vinyl comes in 25 matte white sheets measuring 8.5 x 11 inches. It supports inkjet and laser printing, and its non-glossy finish suits text-heavy labels, file organization, and understated sticker designs.

Choose it if you prefer less surface glare or want a smaller pack while learning your workflow. Skip it if a shiny finish is central to your design.

JOYEZA describes the sheets as water-resistant and recommends a UV-resistant sealer spray to improve protection and durability. Plan extra finishing time for projects that will face moisture.

HTVRONT suits glossy decals and repeat projects

HTVRONT Printable Vinyl comes in 40 glossy white sheets measuring 8.5 x 11 inches. It supports inkjet and laser printing and suits shiny designs applied to smooth, hard surfaces.

Choose it for repeat label projects when you already know you want gloss. HTVRONT says to allow 3 to 5 days of ink drying before water contact, so skip it for wet-use projects with a tight deadline.

HTVRONT recommends UV-resistant sealer spray for added protection and laminating paper if you laminate. These sheets are not suitable for soft surfaces such as T-shirts.

For the Explore 5 workflow described here, use a compatible home inkjet printer even though both sheet packs also support laser printing. See the best Cricut machines for stickers if you're still choosing the machine.

How do you prepare a design and get a clean cut?

Keep the artwork, cut outline, and print scale consistent from Design Space to the cutting mat. A clear border and a simple first design make alignment problems easier to spot.

Prepare the outline before printing

Flatten artwork that should print and cut as one piece rather than leaving every design element as a separate cut shape. Check the preview carefully, especially around letters, small gaps, and transparent areas.

For a sticker with a white border, build that border into the intended outline. A little space between the artwork and cut edge also makes tiny alignment shifts less noticeable.

Match the print to the project

Use the printable side of the sheet and follow its feed directions. If you're unsure which side your printer uses, mark a plain sheet and feed it through first.

Keep the print at the size created for the project. Printer options such as “fit to page” can change the relationship between the artwork and the expected cut path.

Choose the right cut depth

Use a kiss cut when you want stickers to peel from an intact backing sheet. Use a through-cut when you want individual shapes separated from the sheet, backing included.

Start with a small sample using the same sheet material and finish as the final project. If you add laminate later, check the cut again because the added layer changes the material thickness.

If outlines remain offset, follow the calibration and troubleshooting steps in Cricut's Print Then Cut help guide. Change one setting at a time so you can see what helped.

Which common mistakes waste printable sheets?

The biggest mistakes are changing print scale, rushing drying, and choosing a cut setting that doesn't match the finished sheet. Check those before using more material.

• Printing a full batch too soon: finish one complete print-and-cut cycle before making duplicates.
• Touching fresh ink: wait for the material's drying period before stacking, sealing, or handling the printed face.
• Covering sensor marks: keep protective finishes away from the marks so the machine can read them.
• Using a curled sheet: keep sheets flat and secure them evenly to a suitable mat.
• Ignoring the backing: decide whether it should stay intact before selecting the cut depth.

Gloss can also make sensor reading harder if reflections fall across the marks. Follow Cricut's guidance for your machine and avoid harsh light aimed at the sheet.

How should you store sheets and care for finished stickers?

Store unused sheets flat, dry, and protected from dust. Keep them in their packaging, and avoid bending corners that could catch during printer feeding.

Clean the application surface and let it dry before placing a sticker. Press from the center toward the edges, and avoid touching the adhesive more than needed.

Water resistance does not establish suitability for soaking or dishwasher use. For moisture-prone projects, follow the vinyl brand's drying and sealing directions rather than assuming the bare print is ready.

Does every Cricut Explore support it?

The Explore 5 supports cutting around inkjet-printed images. For another Explore model, confirm its Print Then Cut support and current setup requirements before buying supplies.

The Explore 5 has a 12-inch cutting width and works with more than 100 materials, including vinyl, iron-on, cardstock, and printable materials. That range matters if stickers are one part of a wider craft plan.

The complete Cricut machine guide explains where Explore fits among other machines. For projects beyond printed stickers, Cricut machine project ideas can help you plan which materials you'll use.

If you're deciding between machine families, use how to choose a Cricut machine to match the machine to your broader project list.

Is Cricut Explore print and cut right for you?

Choose Cricut Explore print and cut for colorful artwork with a custom outline, especially stickers and labels. Choose regular cutting when the material's own color gives you the finished look.

Buy Cricut Explore 5 Essential if you need a machine and want to explore several crafts. Keep your current compatible machine if the only missing part is printable material.

Pick JOYEZA for matte labels and a smaller starting pack. Pick HTVRONT for glossy decals when you can allow its drying period before water exposure.

Before committing to a batch, complete one sticker from design through application. For a broader machine decision, start with the complete Cricut machine guide.

Frequently asked questions

What does Print Then Cut mean on a Cricut Explore?

Print Then Cut combines color printing with machine cutting: your home inkjet printer prints the artwork, then your Cricut cuts its outline. Prepare both parts as one project in Design Space so the printed details and cut shape stay together.

It suits stickers, labels, and other full-color paper or vinyl projects.

Does Cricut Explore print in color?

No, Cricut Explore does not print in color; a separate home inkjet printer supplies the printed artwork. The Cricut handles the cut around it.

Choose printable material your printer can feed, follow its media instructions, and keep the print at the size set by your Design Space project.

Can Cricut Explore cut printable vinyl?

Yes, Cricut Explore 5 works with printable materials, and its Essential bundle includes printable vinyl. Use an inkjet printer to add your design before cutting.

Choose the cut depth for your goal: a peelable sticker needs its backing intact, while a separate sticker shape needs a cut through the backing.

Do I need Cricut Access for Print Then Cut?

You don't need a Cricut Access subscription simply to start using the free Design Space app. The full content library and certain software features require payment, so check your chosen images, fonts, and tools before building a project around them.

Free app access does not mean every design element is free.