Since UTDesign Makerspace does not have inkjet printers available, it can be difficult to print and cut stickers on your own. This short guide will cover the basics for how you can cut stickers you printed at home in the makerspace.
You will need an inkjet printer to follow along with these instructions. Laser printers will most likely not work for this guide.
You need to download Cricut Design Space to be able to cut your stickers. This software will communicate with our Cricut and allow you to easily cut your stickers.
- Find some vinyl sticker paper on Amazon that works well with your inkjet printer.
- Check the reviews and description. Make sure the brand has a good reputation and you can find cut settings for Cricut cutters. Write down the recommended setting.
- Open Cricut Design Space.
- Click "+ New Project" at the top right.
- (Optional) To get an idea of how many stickers you can fit on a sheet, make a 6.75"x9.25" box using the Shapes tab on the left. Make sure to disable this later before you print.
- To add a sticker, open the Upload tab and click "Upload Image". Pick a high-resolution image of whatever sticker you want to print.
- Select "Complex", "Apply & Continue", and "Print Then Cut Image". Name your sticker on the right and click "Upload" to save your sticker.
- Find your sticker under Recent Uploads. Click it and click "Add to Canvas" at the bottom right.
- Using the Size tools at the top, scale your image down to the size you want it minus the width of the outline. For example, if you want your sticker to be 2" by 1.5" but want a 0.1" thick white outline, you would make this 1.8" by 1.3".
- If you want an outline, use the Offset tool at the top. You can change the outline color by selecting that layer and clicking the color box under Operation at the top. You usually want this to be white. Attach the two layers using the Layers menu on the right.
- Once done aranging your stickers within your 6.75"x9.25" box, delete any non-sticker layers. Select all sticker layers and select "Flatten" in the Layers menu on the right. Save the project as-is so you can cut the stickers in the makerspace later.
- Select "Make" at the top. Make sure not to move your stickers here. If you need to make any changes, undo the flattening you did earlier and rearrange the stickers.
- Print your stickers using recommended settings by using the system dialog option. Usually, you can set a high-quality and/or glossy paper setting in this menu which we highly recommend.
- Click "Cancel" at the bottom-right and make sure everything is saved. You're done for now!
Until you're able to go to UTDesign Makerspace, dry your sticker paper using a fan (preferably overnight) for the best results.
Make sure you pick the correct cutting settings for the cut you want!
Die cut means each sticker is separated from the paper.
Kiss cut means the stickers are still attached to the paper, like a sticker sheet.
- Turn on the Cricut.
- Open Cricut Design Studio on either your laptop (if it has a USB port) or the provided PC for arts and crafts.
- Connect the Cricut via the USB cable connected to it. You can do this later if you forget, don't worry!
- Open your project and select "Make" again. This time, rather than printing, select "I've Already Printed".
- If you don't see the cut settings, select the refresh button at the top where the machine type is listed.
- Select the recommended cut settings that you found earlier when buying the sticker paper.
- Attach the sticker paper to the green cutting mat using a glue stick.
- Load the Cricut by putting the cutting mat into the guides and pressing the load (arrows) button.
- Once you're ready, hit the glowing Cricut button to start the cut!
- Once done, unload the Cricut using the load button.