Cricut Design Space

Learn more on Cricut Design Space and making the most of your Cricut

Are you new to Cricut and wondering how to start in Design Space? When I first got a Cricut and started using CDS (Cricut Design Space), I was overwhelmed, to say the least. I had never really used a design program before.

When it comes to getting started with a Cricut machine and the Design Space software it can be daunting trying to figure out what all the functions and terms.

Even though you are anxious to use all those wonderful craft materials, before jumping into tutorials it can be helpful to familiarize yourself with all the terminology that Cricut uses.

The purpose of this article is to teach you and show you an overview of every Icon, and Panel of the Cricut Design Space Canvas Area. The canvas is the Design Space graphic work space where you will design and arrange your vectors or prints and access all the tools.

Lower Right Corner of CDS:

  • Slice – Cut images out of others or slice objects. Use to make split letter monograms.
  • Attach – Attach text or images so they cut out exactly as you have them on your canvas
  • Weld – Weld cursive text so it is one continuous line and no tails are cut. Weld objects to turn into one object.
  • Contour – Delete inside or outside of images or unwanted lines.
  • Flatten – Flatten your image together to print it

Upper Right Corner of CDS:

  • Layers Panel – See all the different layers of your images. Click the eye to hide or unhide certain layers.
  • Color Sync – See how many colors you have on your canvas. Change items to the same color by dragging and dropping in this panel.

Now, Cricut Design Space is my favorite design software! It is so user-friendly and can do so much. let’s get started!

How to Use Cricut Design Space

If you need help setting up an account in CDS, hop on over to my getting started with Cricut Design Space tutorial.

Canvas – The canvas refers to the screen that you are designing on. To start a new project on the Cricut Design Space landing page, simply click on one of the two “new project” buttons.

Cricut Design Space
Cricut Design Space

This will open up your canvas. Now let the magic of creating begin!

There is also a Zoom in and out buttons to see the tiny details or the big picture on the bottom left corner.

On the left side, you will find the main buttons.

  • New – start a new project
  • Templates – One of my favorite parts of the canvas is using the templates so you can see how your project will work on different items. You can easily change the color and the size of the templates to get a better idea.
  • Projects – opens up all the different projects in CDS
  • Images – where you’ll find all the images you can buy off Cricut Access and also the ones you’ve uploaded
  • Text – What I use the most! Type in text and find the font you want to use in the drop-down menu. Watch my all things font Cricut Design Space video tutorial to learn more.
  • Shapes – All the basic shapes and scoreline. You can make a ton of different designs just by adding shapes together.
  • Upload – Upload a svg, jpeg, or png that you have saved on your computer. See #8

Do you want to learn more about cricut? Cricut Fonts?

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If you like this post and think someone else could benefit from it, make sure to post it on your favorite social media, by doing so, you aren’t only helping someone else to learn and find cool resources, but you are also supporting my work.

Special gift to you

Do you also like HTV?

This is two new products launched by our LinkedGoVinyl, it suitable for Silhouette Cameo and Cricut Explore One/Air/Air 2/Maker

It has been sold on Amazon.com, and we have received a lot of good reviews from customers.

cricut easypress 2

Cricut Easypress 2 and LinkedGo Easypress Mat

I know a lot of people want to know if EasyPress 2 is right for you! This report will guide you through all the knowledge you need to make the right decision.

EasyPress 2 comes in three sizes that offer flawless results to make almost any iron-on project in 60 seconds or less. EasyPress 2 gives you projects you’ll be proud of every time.

What is a Cricut EasyPress?

If you are just getting started with the Cricut you might not even know what an EasyPress is.

Not Fun, Right?

The Cricut Easypress 2 machine is designed to offer professional iron-on results in a minute or less. This machine combines the speed of a conventional heat press and the convenience of a typical iron box to deliver fast and foolproof results that will last long even after repeated washes. Its evenly heated plate and easy to use controls put it head and shoulders above most iron-on boxes on the market. It rocks variable temperature control settings up to 400°F (205°C) making it ideal for both large and layered projects.

On top of that, the Easypress 2 comes equipped with a handful of safety features such as auto-shutoff and an insulated resting base.

Cricut Easypress 2 vs. Easypress

As shown in the figure below, this form gives us a lot of information, and here we will explain more information about Easypress 2 functions

Size: The original Easy Press comes in one size: 9″×9″. The EasyPress 2 comes in three different sizes: 6″×7″, 9″×9″, and 12″×10″.

Heat Up Time: The EasyPress 2 rises to temperature up to 25% faster than the original. The mini size heats up in just over one minute, and the medium size takes just two minutes.

Max temperature: The EasyPress 2 has a max temp of 400 degrees, compared to the original’s max temp of 350.

LinkedGo Easypress Mat
Easypress mats

LinkedGo Easypress Mat

With bigger (and smaller!) machines, comes a need for bigger (and smaller) mats. The LinkedGo Easypress Mats are available in three sizes, perfectly fitted to your machine.

Cricut EasyPress 2 Anatomy 

Cricut EasyPress 2 supports a broader range of materials and sizes of iron-on projects with higher temperature settings, faster heat-up times and a thicker heat plate design for more uniform heating for long-lasting results.

6 x 7 Inches: this is the the perfect size for petite or small projects. It’s perfect for traveling and ideal for baby clothing, bibs, cosmetics bags, and other small surfaces.

Cricut EasyPress 2

9 x 9 Inches: This size is perfect for medium projects. T-shirts, Wood and Metal surfaces, etc.

12 x 10 Inches: This is the Jumbo size and is deal for those large big projects such as large T-Shirts, Hoodies, and large projects.

How the Cricut Easypress works

To power up the device, all you have to do is press the power button to the left of the display. With the device on, you need to find a firm, flat and heat-resistance surface. With the pressing surface in place, set the timer and temperature to match your project needs.

To adjust the timer button, use the +/- buttons to specify the desired heating time for your iron-on project. Upon pressing the temperature button, the machine will begin to heat up; use the +/- buttons to either increase or decrease temperature. Note that the Cricut device displays an orange color when adjusting the temperature and will turn green once the desired setting is achieved.

It usually takes roughly two minutes and five seconds for the device to heat up from 0 to 400°F. The device will automatically beep to signal it is ready for use. Place your shirt or other base material on top of a silicone foam mat and pre-heat it for 3 to 5 seconds to eliminate wrinkles. Place your vinyl design on the base material. Remove the Easypress 2 from its base and it directly on the vinyl decal.

Then press the green Cricut button to initiate the timer. Hold the machine in place and apply gentle pressure while pressing until the device beeps. Remember to keep the machine still during the entire process. With the pressing complete, return the press back to its stand then wait for the liner to cool down before removing it from the heat transfer vinyl.

What is a LinkedGo EasyPress Mat?

LinkedGo EasyPress Mat comes in one size: 12″×12″, it is suitable for three different sizes of Cricut easypress 2. We will also launch two sizes of 8″×10″ and 16″×20″ in the future.

LinkedGo Easypress Mat

Some people will buy the 3 of them, and I just can’t imaging needing the three of them right now. The size you get should be the one you think you will be using more.

  • LinkedGo Easypress mat is designed to work with cricut easypress 2, cricut easypress and all iron for flawless iron-on transfers.
  • LinkedGo Easypress mat both sides reusable and heat resistant, and made of heat fire insulation foam material, surface with highly insulated ironing cloth provides smooth and even surface, innovative construction eliminates moisture and directs heat to your iron-on design, while protecting your countertop and furniture from excessive heat.
  • Easypress mat is ideal for heat press transfers, pressing, ironing, sewing projects like T-shirts, sweatshirts, banners, blankets, and more. lightweight and portable, the easypress mat for heat press can turn any flat surface into a place to iron, great choice for classes or travel
  • Simply glide the easypress mat into or under your T-shirts where you are going to be heat pressing. That indentation that comes with using a easypress mat can be eliminated by using the heat press mat.

Share it!

If you like this post and think someone else could benefit from it, make sure to post it on your favorite social media, by doing so, you aren’t only helping someone else to learn and find cool resources, but you are also supporting my work.

Oh! And just so you know, I also have a FREE growing freebies 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.

Special gift to you

This is two new products launched by our LinkedGoVinyl, it suitable for Silhouette Cameo and Cricut Explore One/Air/Air 2/Maker