Whether you love cardstock projects or prefer vinyl, iron-on, or Infusible Ink crafts, mastering how to do layers on Cricut is essential. The most impressive works you see on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest are layered art projects, and you are only a couple of steps away from doing it yourself!
While Digital Art Dreams offers ready-to-cut Cricut layering SVG files, you can simply upload to Design Space and "Make," hobbyists often love to be inventive themselves and create multiple layers from their chosen images.
Cricut Multiple Layers
With so many amazing Cricut cardstock ideas, you can spend hours creating beautiful layered designs and never get tired of this. Think of all the images you wished to convert to a shadow box, characters you hoped to turn into scrapbook embellishments, and cute phrases you would have used as scrapbook titles. Recollect all the adorable photos you wanted to see on your t-shirts (iron-on, Infusible Ink, or heat-transfer vinyl could have helped you if you had a ready-to-cut layered template).
A layered image comprises separate layers that complete the project. There are two main types of Cricut layering: making a puzzle where each piece fits into its space (crafters call this method "Sliced") or a solid base with stackable pieces on top of it (this method is better known as "Stacked"). "Sliced" layers are perfect for Infusible Ink and HTV (iron-on) crafts because all the puzzle pieces have to fit well together without overlapping. "Stacked" layers are the most popular for scrapbooking embellishments, shadow boxes, vinyl, and HTV (iron-on) projects.
Let's learn how to do layers on Cricut using Design Space. This app is a companion to all machines from the Maker, Explore, Joy, and Venture families. Make all your craft dreams finally come true!
How to Do Layers on Cricut
Every crafter with one of Cricut's smart cutting machines uses Design Space for free or through a paid subscription (the standard option starts at $9.99 monthly).
This app is user-friendly. It has many features you can use to create your designs and offers many ready-to-cut projects, layered or silhouettes. "Convert to Layers" is one of the newer additions you should try because it lets you turn any multicolored artwork into individual layers. You need to be an Access subscriber to use this feature. The free app doesn't let you create a layered image on Cricut.
Supported Files: PNG, JPG, SVG, GIF, HEIC, BMP, and DXF.
Tips: It is best to use very simple colored images, such as clipart. If you want to turn a photograph into multiple layers, use high-resolution and high-definition photos.
Read also: Creative DIY Scrapbook Embellishment Ideas.
P.S. If you don't have a clipart-style image with a transparent background (PNG file type) or an SVG (vector), it's best to refine your illustration before trying to separate an image into layers.
Step 1. Launch the Design Space app. Sometimes, it updates, so you might need to be patient for a few minutes.
Step 2. Click the green "New Project" button in the top right corner of the screen.
Step 3. You'll see a blank space. Click the "Upload" button at the bottom of the left-column menu.
Step 4. You need to "Upload" your image. DS (Design Space) lists all compatible files to guide you.
Step 5. You can now "Browse" your files and select the one you want to layer with Cricut.
Step 6. Digital Art Dreams tests one of our corgi clipart PNG images. Click "Continue" to upload it.
Step 7. DS will offer you its automatic "Background Remover" tool.
You can also try the "Preview Single Layer" option, which helps you make quick silhouettes for vinyl projects.
Step 8. Select "Remove Background" if your image needs a clean background. If you are not happy with the results, hit "Restore" and use your mouse to 'draw' above all the removed areas. If you click "Cancel," you will be taken to the blank canvas and have to start all over again. If you click "Apply & Continue," Design Space will take you to the next step.
Step 9. The app will offer you three options: multiple layers, a single layer, and a flat graphic.
- Since you are looking for how to layer colors on Cricut, choose the "Multiple Layers" beta option. It allows you to make up to 9 separate color layers.
- If you want a simple, solid silhouette for t-shirt designs or other vinyl crafts, you are good to go with the "Single Layer."
- If you need to 'print and cut' using your separate colorful printer and then the Cricut machine to cut around the silhouette, choose "Flat Graphic."
Step 10. While the program creates multiple layers, you'll see the "Convert to Layers" screen. Click the "Check It Out" button to see your result.
Step 11. The menu shows you two artwork styles, "Clipart" and "Photo," and two options for layers, "Stacked" and "Sliced." You can play with the settings, adjusting the number of layers, smoothness, simplicity, and noise.
Here is an example of 4 stacked layers that can be great for making a corgi shadow box or t-shirt design:
Here is an example of 2 sliced layers that can be wonderful for crafters who have an Infusible Ink printer or are great at using iron-on vinyl for decorating bags, t-shirts, bodysuits, tumblers, and other products:
Step 12. Once you have selected your output style and number of layers (colors), press the green "Continue" button and then "Upload" your artwork onto the canvas as multiple layers (each of individual color). You can add adjustments, letting your imagination run wild, and when ready, press "Make" to complete your cuts with a smart cutting machine.
You learned how to cut multiple layers on Cricut. It's a fun new feature in Design Space, which can work much better on simple images with a small number of tiny details. Highly detailed projects will be oversimplified and might not look too pleasing for crafts with cardstock, vinyl, or Infusible Ink.
More fun layered cardstock projects to make: