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Engraving seems intimidating when you don’t know how to create files that work with your cutting machine! Don’t worry– I figured out the hard part and will share with you all of my favorite tips and tricks in this tutorial!
- Cutting Machine
- Cricut: Cricut Maker
- Amazon: Cricut Maker
- Target: Cricut Maker
- Michaels: Cricut Maker
- Silhouette Studio Business Edition
- Engraving Tip & Quick Swap Housing
- StrongGrip Mat
- Masking Tape
- Acrylic Blanks
- Lint Roller
- Digital Calipers
If at any point during this tutorial you get lost or confused, click the image and it’ll take you to that exact moment in a full how-to video tutorial. The video will show you everything you need to know about designing a file that works well with engraving, uploading the file to Cricut Design Space, and engraving the file using your Cricut Maker.
Just want to check out the video? Watch it below!
Designing your file to have a filled font
So before my days of working at Cricut, I actually worked at the Silhouette America headquarters. I love using Silhouette Studio and actually miss a lot of the features when I am working in Cricut’s Design Space. But did you know you actually can use Silhouette Studio to make files to work with your Cricut machine?! You do need to upgrade to Silhouette Studio Business Edition to export your files, but before you rush off to do that, try out the free version here. I’m sure you will want to upgrade in no time at all.
This part of the tutorial is pretty intense, so instead of walking through each and every step, for this portion, I would recommend watching my YouTube video. Or if you have no interest in learning the design side of things, scroll down and download the free SVG (scalable vector graphic) below!
Acrylic Blanks
Once you have your file set up, next you need to determine what you are going to engrave it on. I use 1/8″ thick acrylic that I cut on my Glowforge. 1/8″ converts to 3.175 mm but when I used my calipers and actually measured my pieces they came in around 2.7 mm.
If you do not have a Glowforge, do yourself a favor and check it out! But you definitely do not need one to do this project, you can find precut acrylic blanks all over the internet.
You can even order blanks from Amazon! You will want to order the 1/8″ thick. They come shipped with masking tape that you will peel off before you engrave.
Lining up your project
I have found my engravings to be most accurate when I line the acrylic up at the center of my cutting mat. Click on the photo below to see how to move your image to the center of your mat from the mat preview screen. Remove the masking from the top side of your acrylic blank and tape it on to your StrongGrip cutting mat using masking/ painters tape.
If you want your design to be on the underside of your blank, mirror the design so that it is nice and smooth on the top of your acrylic. Click on the image below to see what I mean!
Engraving Tip for the Cricut Maker
We are using the Cricut Maker for this tutorial. There are 3rd party engraving tips for the Explore machines, but I personally like using tools that Cricut has developed and tested. The engraving tip works with the QuickSwap housing sold by Cricut. I know they rigorously tested it and it will last through a lot of engraving.
Please note the QuickSwap housing is different than the Rotary Blade that came with your machine. To understand the difference in the blades, check out this video.
How long does this take?!
If you use the file below, your engraving will take a while… about an hour! I walked away from my machine and worked on other projects while my machine was engraving. I kept an eye on it to ensure it didn’t jam, but for the most part I just let it run and do its thing!
While the machine is engraving, the tool will lift and spin! Do not be alarmed, this is completely normal!
Once the engraving is done, I use a lint roller to roll off the engraving dust!
Enjoy!
Peel off the tape and flip over your mat and peel it off of your acrylic blank. Remove the masking on the back of your blank and enjoy!
If you notice any gaps in your design, I would recommend reporting this feedback to Cricut! I made them aware that each time the tool lifts and spins, it comes back down in a slightly different location resulting in small little gaps in my design. Now that they are aware of the issue, they are looking into it and have assured me they will get back to me ASAP. The gaps did not bug me, but I wanted to be extremely upfront about the issue before you invest time and money into your own engraving projects. Personally, the gaps don’t bother me, but again, I want to be very transparent that your image will not be 100% filled in if you choose to have your lines filled as tightly as I recommend.
Looking for the SVG mentioned in the video?
If you are looking for the SVG used in the tutorial– here it is! Simply agree to the “Terms & Conditions” and subscribe to my email list to download! Your support means the world to me!
Need help downloading the SVG and uploading it to Cricut Design Space?
Not a problem– check out the video below! And while you’re there, I’d love if you subscribe to my channel!
Are you excited to get started?! Here is the list of supplies to get your engraving project underway!
- Cutting Machine
- Cricut: Cricut Maker
- Amazon: Cricut Maker
- Target: Cricut Maker
- Michaels: Cricut Maker
- Engraving Tip & Quick Swap Housing
- StrongGrip Mat
- Masking Tape
- Acrylic Blanks
- Lint Roller
Extra
Have Questions or want to connect!?
Are you an eba alumni or going through the coarse? I follow you on social networks and was surprised to see you here.
Going through the course! I LOVE learning and am excited to learn all about blogging! What about you? Did you just enroll?
My Maker will not take 1/8 acrylic. I see so many using 1/8 to engrave but it simply will not fill under roller regardless of moving the wheels over. I am missing something?
Hmm that’s odd! I have tested 1/8” on several machine. However, Cricut does not recommend this. Have you tried to actually load it under the roller bar? Feel free to email me photos to karley@karleyhall.com and I can try to help!
Perhaps not all acrylics are actual size. I have two different supplier discs and only one works. I was so happy to see it freely move in the Maker. Thanks for the reply. I joined your Facebook group tonight.
How do you make the acrylic blank smooth after engraving on it?
I engrave on the back side and use a can of compressed air to blow off any debris.
Hi! Did Cricut ever get back to you about the gaps?
No 🙁 And unfortunately their software has even had more issues lately! Since the gap issue is still a problem, I have found new ways to work around it. I recommend spreading your lines out and it won’t be an issue or using a cross hatch pattern!
May I ask where I can get the lines file? Thank you
I downloaded the svg file and uploaded it into my Cricut design space, am I able to edit the text?