If you want to learn how to make a card with Cricut, this article is for you! In this post you will learn how to make a greeting card with an insert from scratch. At the end, you will understand the basic components of a card made with a Cricut, and you can use your template to make greeting cards in the future!
One of the first things I learned was how to make a card with a Cricut machine. I didn’t know how to design anything and I was really nervous about using my Cricut. I followed the directions of someone like me, and I felt like I had made an architectural wonder when I was done!
Getting the basics of cardmaking down will help you build your creative muscle so you can let your designs shine. So let’s get started!
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Supplies You Will Need
- Cricut Maker Series or Explore Series machine
- Cricut Scoring Stylus (Explorer or Maker series machines) or Scoring Wheel (Maker only), optional
- Cricut Premium Fine Point Blade
- A Cricut Pen
- Cricut LightGrip or StandardGrip mat
- 2 sheets of 65 lb. or 80 lb. cardstock, preferably 2 colors
- Scraper (for removing odd bits from your mat)
- Brayer, optional
- Cricut Design Space installed on your computer/laptop or iOS mobile. (install it from here)
- Cricut Access, optional
If you are new to Cricut, this post on Cricut Accessories You Need and Ones That are Nice to Have might be helpful.
Note: All images and instructions are from a Windows 10 environment.
How to Make a Card with Cricut
Step 1: Open Cricut Design Space
Open Cricut Design Space. Once it is open, select “New Project” in the upper right-hand corner.
Step 2: Create the Outline Shape
First we will create the card shape. On the left-hand side, select “Shapes”, and select the square shape to create a rectangle.
Step 3
Next, we will size the card. We are going to create an A7 card which is a basic 5×7 card. On the top menu, change the width and height to 6.875″ and 4.875″ (1/8″ shy for each dimension).
Step 4: Select and Place the Score Line, Optional
If you choose not to place a score line on your card, skip to Step 6.
We want to create an easy fold line in the middle of our card, so we will need to place a score line in the middle.
Select shapes again, and select score line (the one that looks like a line.)
Place the score line near the middle of the card. If the card is not at the top left of the screen, place it there now.
The middle of the card is at 3.44″. Select the score line and type 3.44″ into the X position on the top menu. This will place the score line into the middle of the card.
Step 5: Attach the Two Together
In order for the score line to work, it must be attached to something to score. We will attach it to the card. Click, hold and drag around the score line and card to select both. On the bottom right, select “Attach”.
Now the score line will appear on the card.
Step 6: Orientation of the Card
We will be creating a card with text on the front, and an insert card for the inside. We are looking at the outside of the card. The front of the card is the right-hand side of the square, and the back is the left-hand side.
Step 7: Corner Cuts
The front of the card will have four corner cuts that will hold a flat insert card on the inside. The flat insert card will have a sentiment, optionally.
Select “Images”. Search for “card corner cuts”. Here, I will use the free corner cut shown which is available to everyone. Select the corner cut and select “Add to Canvas”.
Step 8: Resize the Card Corner Cuts
We need to make the corner cuts proportional to our card. Resize the cutout to 3″ x 4.25″. This should give it some extra room around the perimeter. If necessary, bring the card cutouts to the front by selecting “Arrange, Send to Front”.
Step 9: Center the Card Corner Cuts
We need to center the card corner cuts. There’s no easy way to center them horizontally, so we will eyeball the horizontal alignment. If the horizontal centering were critical, we would create an artificial square and center on it, but we can eyeball it pretty well. We can, however, center vertically, which is important.
Select the card corner cuts and the card by clicking, holding and dragging, or selecting them from the layers panel. Under align at the top, select “Center Vertically”. Once this is completed, we need to attach the card corner cuts to the card. With everything still selected, click on “Attach” on the bottom right.
Step 10: Add Front Text
We need to add a sentiment to our card to make it special. Select “Text” on the left side of the screen. Type your sentiment, then format it however you’d like. Change the font and color, resize it, etc.
Step 11: Optionally Add an Image
You can add an image to yours also. Select images and search for the type of image you would like to add. I wanted a drawn flower on mine so I selected “Draw Only” and searched on “flowers”. You can look for cut pictures as well.
Step 12: Select and Insert Your Image
When you select your image, a green background will surround it. Additionally, a thumbnail of any image you select will appear to the left of “Cancel” at the bottom of the screen so you can keep track of what you have selected as you scroll and select images.
Select your image and select “Add to Canvas.”
Step 13: Resize and Move Image
Resize and move your image into place on the front of your card. Move and resize your sentiment if you need to as well.
Step 14: Create an Insert Card and Add Text
The card corner cuts are designs to hold an insert card on the inside of the main card. The insert card shows through when you have cuts on the front, or want it to be decorative by showing through the corner cuts themselves. They also give you the ability to use multiple colors, textures and patterns with your card.
Create a new rectangle like we did when we first created our card. Set the size at the top to 2.75″ W x 4″ H. If you plan on using a different color for your insert card, change the color of it so Cricut Design Space sets it to cut on a different mat than the card.
Add text to your insert card and format it if you would like a sentiment on it as well. Attach it to the insert card.
At the top under operation, we want to make sure that “Draw, Pen” is selected for your text and not “Cut, Basic”. Change the setting if you need to by selecting the text, then selecting the drop down for “Operation type”. You may need to “Detach” the text from the card to change the text on the main card. Just reattach it after you’ve made the changes. Do this for your main and insert card if both have text.
“Detach” is found in the same place as “Attach” when 2 objects that have been attached are selected.
Step 15: Double-check Your Work
Check to make sure everything is as you want it. Check your formatting, check spelling, double-check the sizing of your cards. Make sure everything on the main card is attached, and that the text on the insert card is attached to the insert card.
Step 16: Make It
Select “Make It” at the top right of the screen. If you have a Series 3 Cricut machine, you will receive this pop-up. Select “On Mat” as we will be using standard 65# or 80# cardstock.
Step 17: Check Your Settings
Double-check your settings on the left. I also like to move my cuts down and to the left just a tad to give myself a bit of wiggle room on my cardstock placement on the mat.
Step 18: Cut Your Card
Select your materials. Select Medium or Light Cardstock depending on its weight. If the cardstock is not listed under your favorites list, select “Browse All Materials” and search on “cardstock”. Select your material. You can click on the “star” to keep it in the “Favorites” list you see each time this screen appears.
My machine cuts on the light side, so I select “More” under pressure. This is up to you based upon how your machine cuts. Once you have selected your materials, place cardstock on the mat and load it into the machine. I typically choose the blue Cricut LightGrip mat for 65# cardstock and the green StandardGrip mat for 80# cardstock. Experiment and see what works best for you.
Be aware of what blade or tool Cricut Design Space is asking you to use in the clamps and when. Cricut Design Space will ask you for a pen, the scoring wheel or stylus, and the Fine Point Blade at different times. You can use either the Scoring Stylus or the Scoring Wheel with the Cricut Maker series, but only the Scoring Stylus with the Explore Series. The Scoring Stylus goes into Clamp A, while the Scoring Wheel goes into Clamp B. The pen goes into Clamp A.
Test your pen and make sure it’s writing alright before putting it into Clamp A (notice the inside of my card looks a little faded at the beginning–I forgot to test my pen even though I store them upside down.)
The Fine Point Blade will go into Clamp B. Make sure it is seated all the way before closing the clamp.
Once the cut is completed, remove the mat from the cardstock and fold the card.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have learned how to make a card with Cricut! Select “Save”, “Save as” at the top right of the screen in Cricut Design Space. Save your card so that you can use it later as a template for other cards.
If you have any problems or have any questions about the above, please leave a comment. I love hearing from y’all, and imagine that if you’re a beginner, you may encounter issues, or I may have left something out. Until then, happy, happy crafting!
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