Did you find a great image on your favorite blog that you want to upload to Cricut Design Space? Or do you want to add a cute photo of your kids to make a print and cut magnet? Yes, you can upload your own images to use with your Cricut! Here’s how to upload your own images into Cricut Design Space. This post contains affiliate links.
If you’ve used any older versions of cutting machine software, then you may be intimidated by uploading your own images into Cricut Design Space. With my older Cricut Expression machine, this was not even a possibility. When I was using a Silhouette Cameo, I could upload my JPG and PNG images but I found converting them into cut files confusing. The Cricut Explore Air and accompanying Design Space changed all of this for me!
Update: This tutorial has been updated for the new Cricut version. Click HERE for that post.
Read my story and history with crafting machines in this post!
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Cricut Design Space literally walks you through uploading images step-by-step. I was amazed at how easy it was the first time that I uploaded an image! Here’s how to upload your own images into Cricut Design Space.
- Click the “Upload Images” button on the left hand side bar.
2. Design Space will give you two choices- to upload an image or to upload a pattern. In this case, we want to click “upload image.”
3. Once you click upload image, you can choose the image from your computer files that you want to upload. This is sometimes the hard part for me because I can never remember where I saved my images (even with a folder system). Select the image and it will upload.
4. The image will appear in the Cricut Design Space window with a few options on HOW you want to upload the image. Cricut Design Space explains what each one means. I typically chose “Simple Image.”
5. The image will appear in the window and give you a chance to “clean it up”. There may be parts of the image that you do not want to cut, and this is your chance to remove them easily. In the image that I uploaded, you’ll see that I removed the snow that the bear was under the bear. Just click on the individual areas and the software will remove them. Once you’re finished, click “Continue.”
6. The last step is to tell Cricut Design Space what you want to do with the image. Do you want it to be a print and cut image or just a cut image of the silhouette? A print and cut image allows you to print the image with your computer software and then cut it with the Cricut. A simple cut image of the silhouette cuts out the image silhouette only. You’ll also be given the chance to name your image in the right hand column. Click next once you’ve finished.
7. The image will now show up in your uploaded images section for you to grab for future use. That’s right- the image doesn’t go away or isn’t for one time use only. Once you’ve uploaded it, you may use it again and again!
Looking for more Cricut How-Tos, tutorials, information, and tips! Check out the Cricut Class Page!
Does the same technique work for moderately
Complex image
Yes, this works for any photo or image that you may have purchased/downloaded.
Why will my image only let me use it as a print and cut file instead of just a cut file? It just shows a black square as a cut only file. I tried to do it as a print and cut file, but it makes me print it out on my computer printer, and then only cuts a square copy of the whole picture. Sometimes it lets me use the cut file, so I know it’s not the way the file is downloading on my computer. I want to just cut out the picture and words individually not as a whole paper if it.
Hmm…It seems as if the image has a shape around it? Is there a white box around the image when uploading? You may need to try uploading again and cleaning around the image, even if you cannot see anything.
How can this be don with an ipad
I do not have an iPad, but from my understanding from those who do, it cannot be done on an iPad.
Thank you for that info! I have an ipad and couldn’t figure out how to load an image! Now that I know I can’t, I will work on other things!Thank you so much!
Why did you use a polar bear cartoon instead of a more complex photo of a child. I would like to see how to use a real life photo of my granddaughter.
Hi, I have a tutorial for photos, as well : https://ithappensinablink.com/diy-photo-magnets-with-cricut/
I manage a resale shop for a nonprofit organization and was trying to think of a way to cut tags out using ‘something’ besides scissors. Can a circuit cut multiples of the same image? Say a 1”x1.5” Square? If so how many to a sheet do you think and would it also be able to cut a small hole at one end of each?
Thanks for any info.
Hi! Thanks for your question. A Cricut is a great machine. Yes, a Cricut can cut multiples of the same image. Of course, you have to design the sheet so that it will do so, but it will cut as many as you design. As long as you design the tag with a hole in the end, it will definitely cut that.
A Cricut cuts papers as wide as 12″x 12,” so as many as you can fit on the sheet.
I TRIED TO UPLOAD A IMAGE FROM DAFONT.COM. I saved the file but it was in a zipped drive. my husband said i had to unzip the file but no matter what I do, I cant seem to down load anything from dafont .com to design space. is it because its a zipped file? do you have any suggestions? The files I tried to down load were free.
Hi, yes, the files have to be unzipped to download. If they will not unzip, that sounds like a computer or font file issue. Once unzipped, they should upload easily.
I am new to the Cricut. I have the Explore Air. On My Design space screen it doesn’t look like your screen. I don’t have an upload button. I’m using a laptop. Can you help me please?
Hi, Do you have an upload icon on the left hand side of Design Space?
I have a cricut maker & most of the tutorials are for other models.
I am not able to upload my creations from design sapace, on my iPhone.
Any suggestions!
Hi, up until the most recent update, the mobile Design Space would not allow for uploads. However, I *think* the most recent update (within the past few days) allows for uploads. Have you updated the app recently?
Referring to the bear example above…. Could you make a cut of just his scarf so that could be a different color? and just the heart?
Thanks!
Hi, the bear image above is not a SVG file, so it does not have layers. If you view this image: (https://ithappensinablink.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/How-to-upload-my-own-images-in-cricut-design-space.png) you will see that it gave me the choice of a Print then Cut image or to save as a Cut Image. Notice that the “cut image” choice does not have layers; it is only the silhouette. For more layering options, use SVG uploads.
I have the Cricut Expression. Can you still you the design space for that? Can i upload fonts? or do i just have to keep using the cartiages?
Hi, The Cricut Expression is designed for cartridges and *maybe* Cricut Craft Room. I haven’t used Cricut Craft Room, so I can’t say for certain.
My Cricut expression has a place for a jump drive.Can I download images on a stick and then cut them?
Hi, I do not think that this is a place for a jump drive but rather just a place for the USB port so that the machine can be hooked up and used with Cricut Craft Room. However, Cricut Craft Room is going away soon. You may read more about it here: http://inspiration.cricut.com/cricut-craft-room-closing/
Hi I have uploaded images but when I go to cut let’s say “Merry Christmas” this is what I get when I go to cut image ” ymerr hscirtsam” why is this? Would it be because I do not have a discription? Urgg 🙁
I uploaded free svg files
Hi, are you typing in the word “Merry Christmas”? If you are, then you need to attach the letters together in order for them to cut the way that you have typed them out. If the letters are not attached, Cricut Design Space will rearrange them to what the program considers to be the best way.