Hello Daydreamers!
Today you are going to learn how to make the most beautiful stickers with your Cricut Maker or Explore.
Yas!
Not only will I teach you how to make your stickers from scratch, but I will also provide you with six different types of layouts that will help you build and create the most stunning stickers in the world.
Before we go into a step by step tutorial I want to give you a little preview of the things I will be covering for you on this article (I don’t want you to get lost).
- Print then Cut: the option in Cricut Design Space that allows you to cut your stickers.
- Overview of your machine specifications and size limits.
- Step by Step tutorial How to Make Stickers within Cricut Design Space.
- Examples of how to use the Free Templates I provided you with to Make Stickers.
I am sure that If you follow this tutorial to the tee, you will be empowered to make stickers any time, for any occasion.
Are you ready?
Let’s Daydream Into Reality?
Tip: If you see there’s something that doesn’t quite look the same in the software screenshots (trust me I am working hard to change them) please check out my Stay up to date with Cricut Design Space article so you know what changes you need to keep in mind.
What is Print then Cut and how does it relate to stickers?
Print then Cut is the option in Cricut Design Space that allows you to print your designs and then cut them with your machine.
There are two ways to tell your machine to Print then Cut. The first one is by changing the Fill to Print and selecting your color or pattern. The second one is by flattening the layers with the Flatten tool located at the end of the layers panel.
For best practices and zero frustrations don’t worry about this during your design process, it will only stress you out.
Just add your shapes, text, images, and at the end, flatten the whole thing. (I will show you this in the step by step tutorial)
Note: Although I cover some topics of Print then Cut on this article; keep in mind that this tool is a very robust one. So, if you want to learn all there’s to know about it, go ahead and read my Print Then Cut Ultimate Guide.
Machine and Settings for Making Cricut Stickers
There are two things you need always to make sure when making stickers with your Cricut.
The first one is the size. You can only Print then Cut designs that are up to 9.25 x 6.75in. So check the size before you send your project to cut, or you will get a warning saying the image is too large.
The other thing that you need to consider is your machine’s limitations:
- If you have a Cricut Maker, you can use colored paper (that’s not too busy) and glossy white materials.
- If you have an Explore machine, you need to use white paper with matte finishes.
Step by Step Tutorial / Make Stickers with your Cricut
Now that you know your machine requirements, it’s time for you to learn how to make stickers.
Materials
- Cricut Maker/Explore
- Sticker Paper
- Printer
- Fine Point Blade
- Light Grip Mat (blue)
Note: I usually love Cricut’s products. However, their sticker paper is very thick and got stuck in my printer (I have an HP 4520 Printer) so, if you haven’t bought your sticker paper, I recommend you to buy the Silhouette Brand.
If you already have the Cricut Sticker paper, try saving the Print and take it to Staples or Office Depot, for them to print it. Or if that’s too much hassle get the other one.
Time is money!
Creating a Methodology
Since you can use text, images, shapes, and pretty much anything in Design Space to make stickers, you may get overwhelmed and don’t where to start.
So, for you to have a pleasant experience with making stickers, I’ve developed a “frustrationproof” method.
These are the steps we are going to follow:
- Create a layout (By adding shapes)
- Add Color or Patterns
- Add text and Images
- Check the size and Flatten
- Cut your stickers
When you follow this order, you can concentrate and focus on one step at the time, and that, my friend is powerful!
Note: Save your project as you go. It’s very time consuming and Cricut doesn’t have back up options.
Step 1 -- Create a Sticker Sheet Layout
Since Cricut Design Space only allows us to Print then Cut in a size no bigger than 9.25 x 6.75in. I recommend you to add a guideline so you are always aware of your space and can create a Sticker Sheet Layout.
To add the guideline, click on the shapes button located on the left of the canvas and select the square option. Then (while selecting the square) go to the edit menu on top of the canvas and click the little square in the middle to unlock proportions. (we will be using this term throughout this tutorial)
Then on W (width) type in 6.75 and, on H (height) type in 9.25. After resizing the square, change the linetype color for white, so it’s easier for you to have a better idea of your design.
Note: Check out my how-to edit shapes If you feel confused with editing the proportions, etc.
After creating your guide, add the shapes you want for your stickers. Cricut has nine different options for you to choose from. For this tutorial, I used squares, hearts, circles, and triangles.
What we need to do now is fill our guide with all sorts of different shapes. Don’t forget to unlock proportions so you can create all kinds of rectangles.
Tip 1: Use the align option to keep your shapes and all the other shapes you’re adding to your sticker layout organized. Select the elements you want to align, and depending on how you want to align them use the different options.
In most cases, you will be using Center and Distribute horizontally or Vertically. So, Give it a try! You will make a couple of mistakes while you get used to it, but once you get the hang of it, you won’t go back.
Tip 2: Create different figures for your stickers. Check out the following image for a step by step process.
- Step 1: Add a rectangle and triangle (you will need to rotate the triangle so it’s upside down)
- Step 2: Place triangle at the end of the rectangle. They must be overlapping (just a notch).
- Step 3: Select both shapes and weld to create a new element for our stickers. (Weld is located at bottom of the Layers panel)
- Step 4: Rotate to fit your sticker layout
Continue adding shapes in different sizes and let your imagination fly! Your stickers will be so cute at the end.
When your layout is complete, you have to delete or hide your guide. PLEASE don’t forget to do this. Otherwise, your stickers won’t cut after you flatten.
Now, select all of the shapes and change the linetype color for white; this will allow you to have a more clear vision of what you will be doing next.
Step 2 -- Add Colors and Patterns
It’s time to add color to your stickers!
As I mentioned above, don’t worry about linetype or Print then Cut. We will cover that later. To add color to your sticker, you can choose a solid background or a Pattern.
Add a Solid Color to your Stickers
Select the element you want to add color to and change the color box next to the linetype setting, located at the top panel of the canvas area.
If you click on advanced, you will be able to see a broader spectrum of colors, and you can also use a code to find a specific color.
Tip: To change the color of multiple shapes at the same time, press Shift on your keyboard (at all times) and click on all of the elements you want to edit; this also works with patterns.
Adding Patterns to Cricut Stickers
Patters are backgrounds you can use for your stickers or other Print then Cut projects. There are hundreds of them for you to choose from.
Cricut used to charge for them, but they are free for now, so take advantage of them.
If you want to add patterns, change the fill of the shapes you want to change for Print and then click on the color box for this option and choose Pattern for Print Type.
You will find many patterns to choose from. Since they don’t have a code I can’t show which I one used; So, you’ll need to scroll down until you find it.
When you find the pattern you want to use, make sure to explore the editing options of it as well.
Sometimes, Patterns will look very small; therefore, most of the time, I edit them. The things I usually tweak are the scale and horizontal position. As you modify a Pattern, you will see all of the changes on a little preview.
Step 3 -- Add Text and Images
To add text, click on the Text button located on the left panel of the canvas. If you don’t know how to edit text in Cricut Design Space, make sure to read my tutorial on this topic.
Once you are done adding colors and patterns to your stickers go ahead and type in the text you want to use.
Here are some ideas for different types of sticker sheets:
- Text for Planner Stickers: To-Do / Due / Get it Done / Days of week / Notes / Don’t forget / Important / Break / Appointment… etc
- Text for leisure stickers: Beach Day / Break / Party / Vacation / Snowboard Day / Date Night / Ocean Vibes / Enjoy life / Brunch / Girls Night Out… etc
What I love about making Cricut Stickers is that you can personalize the text to fit your likes and life in general, and that is something you would never be able to get or buy in a regular store.
After typing in your text, place it on the shapes you want them to be.
Tip: If needed, add more shapes to add contrast between the patterns and text.
Now it’s time to add images to your stickers! (Click on the Images button located on the left panel of the canvas)
You can add your own images, or you can also use som images Cricut’s Library. They do have a membership but if you like free stuff as much as I do, filter images and select:
- My Images (check the ones you’ve uploaded to the software)
- Free (Some are always free, other ones are only free for a specific time)
- Purchased (your machine comes with a set of free images)
These are the images I used (I don’t know if they will be free when you try to follow along). To find them, paste the code in the search images box.
- Coffee Mug: #M3F404
- Jam Jar: #M203B548
- Strong: #M9F82684
- Flowers: #M3D82D / #M4687B
- Make Dreams Happen: #M3D9AE98
- Butterflies: #M54A5D
I recommend you inserting one at the time and then resizing it because if you add them all at the same time, your canvas will be a mess!
Keep in mind that when you work with images, sometimes they are grouped, and have different colors and sizes. So you will need to ungroup them to edit the colors and size of every little element.
You may also need to alter the proportions to fit them in your sticker sheets.
Step 4 -- Check Size and Flatten
Check out how I used the images to fill the rest of my sticker sheet. Now we are about to get into some serious stuff!
Note: If you still have the GUIDELINE we used at the beginning YOU HAVE TO DELETE IT!
When you complete your stickers, select everything you have on the canvas (that makes part of the sticker sheet) and click on the flatten option located at the bottom of the Layers panel.
As you can see in the screenshot down below, our stickers look so much different. Everything is on a single layer, and the blade will go through all the outlines of each shape.
When you are ready to cut, click on the Make it Button located at the upper right corner.
Finally!
Let’s cut these cuties.
Step 5 -- Print and Cut your Cricut Stickers
The following screenshot is the view that you’ll have when you start the cutting process.
We used all the space! -- Sticker paper is quite expensive, so make every inch of it count.
Check out everything looks in place and hit continue. (This is how you need to place the printed copy on your Mat)
First, we need to send our project to the printer, so click on Send to Printer (leave all the default settings on) and then on Print.
WARNING: Make sure you print on the right side of the Sticker Paper. If you aren’t sure what side of the paper your printer prints, use a regular piece of paper with a mark on it to find out.
After you Print, it’s time for you to select the sticker paper you are working with.
If you have a Cricut Maker, browse all materials and type in “sticker” to narrow the search. I picked Sticker Paper, Removable because I didn’t use Cricut’s brand.
If you have a Cricut Explore, move the smart set dial on your Cricut Machine and then browse materials on design space and choose the sticker paper you are working with.
Now let’s move to real-life photos!
Load Mat 
Unload Mat 
Remove from Mat
After selecting materials, install Fine Point Blade and place the already Printed Sticker Paper on your Mat, load it to your machine and press the flashing Go button on your device.
See the magic happen before your eyes!
When Design Space informs you that the cut is complete unload your Mat for the Cricut and finally remove sticker sheet from the Mat.
There you have it! Beautiful stickers you can use for your planning activities.
Using Layout Templates to Make Cricut Stickers
If you’ve been reading my website, you know I love throwing extra goodies and SVG files to make your life easier.
Here I have six different layouts you can use for your projects. To access them right-click on each one of them, then save them to your computer and upload them to Cricut Design Space; or you can also click on the download buttons right below the thumbnails.
They already have colors, but feel free to use the techniques I showed you above to personalize them however you want!
I won’t be covering again a step by step tutorial on how I did the next ones, but I will show you how to upload them and use these templates in Cricut Design Space.
My purpose with these files is to give you extra resources and ideas to work with, so you don’t feel intimidated and want to go for it!
Oh! And just so you know, I also have a FREE growing library with tons of printables and SVG files ready to be cut.
I would love for you to be able to get access to all of them. It’s 100% Free for my daydreamers (aka subscribers) check out a live preview here, or get access here.
Upload Sticker Templates to Cricut Design Space
To upload your project, log in to Cricut Design Space, and click on to the Upload button located on the layers panel. Next, click on “Upload Image” and select it from your computer.
Once uploaded, the template will be under recently uploaded images. Select it and click on insert images.
All of these templates are sized correctly, so you don’t have to worry about that. To edit every single shape on its own, you need to select the file and click on Ungroup (located at the top of the Layers panel).
If you notice, there is a curvy shape there. To add text to it follow the steps I show you in the screenshot right down below.
Now check this out!
Do you see how different it looks? I used different colors and images to create a different feel.
This one is more of beach and mermaid style stickers.
And just in case you are curious these are the codes of the images and colors I used:
- Colors: Blue (84D1D4) Peach (F6C785) Yellow (ECE09C) Purple (CA9CC1)
- Images: Mermaid Tail (#M111122A) / Flower (#M3F100) / Star Fish (#M1110734)
- Fonts: Cricut Sans / Cricut Font and Basic Shapes
You can also make a whole page of the same shape. These are perfect for marking your journals, or if you have kids, you can use them as a reward system.
I used the circles’ layout template and very basic shapes to put on top of them.
I love how vibrant and beautiful they look. Wouldn’t you agree?
Images Used: heart, star, flower (#M3F100)
Last but not least, I want to show you how to use layout that only has squares on it.
I really love how It ended up!
For this sticker sheet, I decided to only use patterns for the background, and Free (at the time) Cricut Images. You can use your quotes or text as well.
Patterns don’t have a code, so you would need to scroll to find them (sorry). But here are following images I used:
- Shine Like the Stars: #M3D9AEFB
- Hustle: #M7E83274
- Click: #M323BF
- 50% Cute 50% Tired: #M3D9ABEE
- Stay Classy: #M3D9AFA3
- Home: #M9C1E374
- Choose Joy: #M3D9AD86
- Make Dreams happen: #M3D9AE98
- Your World is your Canvas: #M539A69
- Believe in yourself: #M33EA4C0
These last ones turned out so great. Pictures don’t do it justice.
I think this sort of stickers can work as a present for a friend or someone you love. You can also add encouraging phrases, etc.!
What do you think?
Congrats You are a Pro at Making Cricut Stickers!
Do you know that it takes me around 15 hours of work to complete a single Cricut article? I know, it’s crazy! But I like to make sure that you understand EVERYTHING!
I would appreciate your support on Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Facebook as I am trying to grow my audience so I can keep producing great content!
Ariane says
Hello!!
I was wondering how to outsource my printing? I have a really crappy printer and would like to print my stickers at staples 🙂
Catalina says
Hi Ariane. It’s quite easy, actually! Instead of sending the file to your printer from DS, choose the option to use your PC dialogue, and from there save the copy as PDF. Once saved you can go to Staples or Office Depot and print from there. I hope this helps! 🙂
Michele M Hubbard says
Hi Catilina,
I’m wondering if I can use the write feature on the Cricut Maker to write a name on clear printable sticker paper with a cricut pen instead of using a printer. If not, do you know of a material I can use to do this. I’m trying to make circles with a name and birth date to adhere to a 1.5 wooden disc for a homemade family calendar.
Loved your tutorial!
Catalina says
Hi Michele. I recommend you abstain from using pens on glossy materials like vinyl or clear sticker paper. The ink is not really designed for this purpose. If you want a writing style font you can use it still and then change the fill for print.
I hope this helps!. Check out my Pens tutorial.
Gina says
Hi Catalina:
I am SO grateful for your tutorial on making the stickers. My only question is if you always have to use a black font? I wanted to do different colors with patterned background.
Thank you!!
Catalina says
You’re welcome, Gina!
You don’t need black fonts, you can use any font of any color! I just love how black looks. 🙂
Heather S says
Thank you so much!! I have been buying planner stickers on Etsy, while cute and functional, they are not in the color scheme I’m wanting and to keep buying is expensive!!! I’ve been trying all weekend to find a way to make my own. This was finally it!! Exactly everything I needed to know. I tried messing around on my cricut but with two girls running around there isn’t much time. You are such a blessing. Thank you. I thank you and my girls thank you. I now know what to do so I’m not wasting time with my kids.
Catalina says
That’s awesome Heather! I am happy I can help. I also have trouble crafting and blogging with my toddler trying to reach for everything!
Anne says
Hi Catalina! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. You are amazing and a life-saver!
I have a question about a sticker page that I’ve attempted about nine times and design space stops working while I am preparing it for printing. I’m working with stars and hexagons, about .75″ x .75″. I’ve inserted a small amount of text (“You did it!”). I’ve used “attach” on each sticker so the text would float with the sticker and not separate. While duplicating, the design space starts slowing down, until the point where it will not respond at all. I’ve gotten the page to “flatten” a couple of times, but it took about 25 minutes to flatten and then all my text turned into the background color instead of staying black, and I was just left with the shape.
I’m sure I’m doing something wrong. Any advice you can give would be appreciated.
Catalina says
Hi Anne! Skip the attach. You really don’t need it and I think that’s what is causing the change of color. As for the time, how many little stars do you have? Sometimes design space can get slow with big projects. Are you using the online or desktop version? Or from your phone? I’ve noticed, although faster the newest desktop version has some glitches when saving.
Just like the tutorial says. Have fun designing with the guideline shape, then delete the shape and select everything and flatten. Save as you go so you don’t lose any work.
Please let me know how it goes!
Anne says
Thanks for your help. I’ve learned alot over the past few days, but unfortunately, I’m still having download/upload issues. I have to believe it’s on the cricut end at this point because I’ve run several tests on my internet speed (and talked with the company), but things only work sporadically.
With that said, I usually use the internet connection design space because the beta version wasn’t allowing for background patterns. Today, my whole project crashed, but I was able to save it, moved over to the beta to open it again, and it took about 25 minutes just to flatten.
Maybe its the size of the project? I can’t find any information about limitations on the internet. I have 98 little 1/2″ stickers on one page. I’ve seen other examples of this out there, but I’m wondering if it’s too big of a project.
Lastly, I’m having problems with using design images from design space. The cricut seems to want to cut in between every little gap within the design, even cutting out marshmallows on top of the cocoa. My final product is a bunch of tiny cut out pieces. Is there any way to just TRACE AROUND AN IMAGE AND HAVE THE CRICUT CUT JUST THE TRACE MARKS and leave the inside alone. Again, I can’t find that answer anywhere and was wondering if you could help me out.
Again, thank you for sharing your amazing expertise and your time.
Catalina says
Hi Anne, maybe the project is to big? 98 images can be a lot. Can you divide the project?
You can cut it multiple times instead.
About the marshmallows I understand what is happening.
You need to have some sort of shape that will hold everything in place. You see, your blade will go through any blank space on the canvas.
If you read this tutorial on why I have to delete the “guideline” you will grasp this concept.
Also, use flatten at the end.
For example place a circle, then put your marshmallows on top, then select them both and make the amount of copies you want and finally, flatter the whole thing.
Your marshmallows will be contained in a small circle once cut. I hope so make sense.
Have a great weekend.
Liz says
Hi. I’m still new to using my circut maker. I would like to know how to change the view settings on my canvas in design space. I can only see a maybe 5 x 7 screen so it’s frustrating trying to see how things look in one pic. I have been trying to figure this out for awhile
Catalina says
Hi Liz, have you tried zooming in and out? You can do it within the canvas area in the lower-left corner. I hope this helps!
Kristi says
I can’t seem to access print type. I just get the solid colors, not patterns. Any ideas?
Catalina says
You can only use patterns from a Desktop computer. Are you making the stickers on your phone?
Denise says
Hi Catalina,
This is just the most amazing tutorial for me as a total newbie to any cutting machine!
I do have one major problem though; I can’t select more than one item on the canvas (when you selected the two small rectangles at the beginning to copy and paste them I couldn’t work out how to do that). I can select one, or select everything, but not just part of the canvas. How do you do this please?
Many thanks.
Catalina says
Hi Denise! It’s very simple. Select them while pressing shift at all times. I hope this helps 🙂
Eve says
Hi Catalina! I too stumbled across your site from Pinterest. Your tutorials are wonderful and so easy to follow. I love the easy set by step on making sticker.but for the life of me I cannot get the right size you have on the tutorial. So I gave up and wanted to use your template but I can’t seem to find them. Can you provide a link?
P.S the step by spet tutorial on shapes was great as well. once again thanks for taking (15 hours of your time) to make these tutorials
Evelyn
Catalina says
Hi Eve, I am sorry to hear this, are you are right-clicking and choosing “Save image as?” What template you want the link for, I will gladly share it.
Jess says
Hello! Here’s my Question….When you upload a sticker template, what option do you choose?
“Simple” “Moderately Complex” or “Complex” and I am assuming you save it as a “print then cut”.
Catalina says
Hi Jess. The template is an SVG file so you won’t need to choose any of that. Those options are for PNG or JPEG files, I hope this makes sense.
Have a great day!
Kim says
Thank you for sharing this I have a question about stickers. I do not want a sheet of stickers that are kiss cut. I do want to make stickers in a square shape with my own design and have the Cricut cut all the way through. I want to end up with several of the same stickers. I’ve had my cricut maker for about a week and get so frustrated trying to understand all that it can do.
Please help?!?
Catalina says
Hi Kim! You can totally do this as well. You can use more pressure in your settings, or select a slightly thicker material than the want you are using. So if the material feels like a light cardstock, use a heavier cardstock material instead.
I hope this makes sense!
Chrystie says
Would Avery sticker paper work just as well as the Cricut or Silhouette brand?
Catalina says
Hi Chrystie, I sure think so. Just try the same setting (Sticker Paper, Removable) and see if it works for you. If it cuts through use less pressure; and if it isn’t cutting enough use more pressure. It’s all about trying. But I am sure Cricut can cut it.
Have a great day! 🙂
Debbie says
Wonderful tutorial!! I’m definitely going to follow your directions
Catalina says
You’re welcome. I am happy I can help!
Heather says
Thank you so very much for this tutorial! I was able to make some custom stickers for my daughter before going away to camp for the week. Some of the cuts didn’t quite align on the circles so I would love to know what I did wrong. I’m a new maker owner and I didn’t know where to start; now I feel empowered to tackle more projects. Thanks again.
Catalina says
Hi Heather,
I am glad I could help, try aligning the Print then Cut feature, also, did you leave bleed on? Last, it’s normal for things to not look 100% align, that’s why Cricut recommends leaving bleed on. I hope this makes sense.
Read my Print then Cut tutorial for more answers.
Lucy B says
Hi Catalina! I stumbled across your site from Pinterest and SO HAPPY I did. Your site is one of the BEST. Your tutorials are wonderful and so easy to follow. I have a Cricut Maker and have struggled with making stickers. It seems no matter what setting I put the sticker paper on, it still cuts completely through the paper. I am taking your advice and trying the paper and settings you suggest. Thank you so much for such a great site and sharing your knowledge.
Catalina says
That sound great Lucy! I am glad I was able to help you out, let me know how it goes!
Ximena says
Hi Catalina! I have some questions, I just bought the cricut and I want to make vinil stickers waterproof it’s posible to do it on the cricut? I also want to know we’re I can print in white ink do wow know that?
Catalina says
Hi Ximena, I am sorry I am just getting back to you. Quite frankly I don’t know, and sincere I haven’t tried it myself I would hate to give you bad advice.
Melissa says
I’m having issues with design space aligning right. I have followed all your directions and the cricut doesn’t cut where the sticker is printed. Any tips? I have wasted so much paper and ink.
I have even calibrated my machines cuts. It will cut great 1 time after that and I get my hopes all up and then the next time I spend all that time designing something new and same problem. The cut is off.
I would love some help and insight.
Catalina says
Hi Melissa. Are you using the right size of paper? Also, you need to make sure that you are flattening. Want to share your design link with me?
CHanda says
Do you use an inkjet printer? Do you have issues with the color printed on the paper coming off? I am sure if it got wet it would. Just asking your experience.
Catalina says
Hi Chanda!
I use a regular inkjet printer, and it looks like a normal printed sheet. Haven’t had a problem with it coming off either. And you are correct, if the stickers get wet, they would get ruined.
Debbie says
Whether it’s just my iPad but where you detail how to cut the stickers is covered by an image of other stickers. Is it just me?
Catalina says
Hi Debbie. I am not sure about your question. But I have step by step of how to make stickers inside Design Space. And I also have more photos of examples on how to make them with the free templates I provided.
What exactly do you see?