Are you having issues with the “Print” portion of Cricut Print Then Cut? Read on to see if any of this helps! This post contains affiliate links, which add no additional cost to you but help support this site.
I’ve been using the Print then Cut in Cricut Design Space more over the past few months. It is a wonderful way to customize stickers, invitations, and more. With Cricut Print then Cut, crafters can design their own items or use ready-to-print items in Design Space , print them on a home computer, and then cut them with a Cricut machine.
While I have not had too many issues with this, there have been times where the “Print” portion of the Print then Cut did not print correctly. If you are getting stuck at the “Print” phase, see if any of these tips help.
Before beginning:
Print then Cut Calibration – Within Cricut Design Space, there is a Print then Cut calibration. This will allow you to print a test page and then cut it with the Cricut machine. The machine will cut a series of lines and ask the user a series of questions that will allow the machine to calibrate the best settings for the Print then Cut. Before doing your initial Print then Cut project, perform this calibration to confirm the best settings for the machine.
If you print the project and the alignment is off:
-Make sure that you are placing the printable paper in the printer tray the correct way. It is easy to get it confused, so double check before printing.
-If using a printer that allows for larger paper sizes, make sure that the printer settings and the Print then Cut settings have the same paper size (8.5″ by 11″).
-Try hand feeding the printable paper into the printer. If you have a dedication “feeding” tray, use that rather than the traditional paper tray.
-Print a “test” page on regular printer paper of the project. If this paper prints correctly, then the printable paper may be too thick for your particular printer. All printers and printable papers are made differently, and there are so many options that it is difficult to know which brand will work well in which printer type. But if the printable paper is too thick for your particular printer rollers, then the printable material will not feed through the printer smoothly and will not align (like in the photo above). There are many printable papers on the market, and trying a thinner one may help.
I’ve always been able to resolve any printable material problems by checking out the above tips. I hope they help if you find yourself troubleshooting any print issues with the Print then Cut.
Want more Cricut related projects, tutorials, and info? Check out the Cricut Project Page!
Yes calibration is very important. I learned the hard way was ready to return my machine then I found the tab in Design Space. I am still in the infant stage. Only paper so far can’t wait to see how vinyl works. Thank you for sharing your talents a tips. I hope to do the same. So far so good with so many crafters such as yourself sharing. Thank you for your site.
Joanne Calhoun
Clovis, CA
Thank you for sharing! Happy crafting!
Thank you so much for sharing this. I am fairly new to Cricut and was having this same exact problem, youtube tutorial after tutorial following all the steps but my print was coming out exactly as pictured above. For days I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. I did what you suggested and tried a different brand of paper and it worked. I would have never thought of that.
You are very welcome. I am glad that you found it helpful. I wish that there were someway to know what papers work best with what printer. It sure would save a lot of time and aggravation, wouldn’t it!! Happy crafting!
What brand did you end up purchasing that worked?
has anyone had trouble when printing words that they are really blurry?
how do you fix that?
How does the rest of the image look? Blurry words sound like the paper is pulling because the paper is too thick.
I found that if you just uncheck the “Bleed” option, it stops the blurry text!
Print and cut worked fine then…all of a sudden it will no longer work. Problem starts when I send project to the printer. You can hear the printer start to print but it goes no further. I have done everything suggested, talked with Cricut, and printer works for all print jobs sent from my computer. HELP!
Hi, have you changed printers OR changed the brand of printable paper that you are using? Or, are you trying it on a new printable product for the first time (such as, you only used printable vinyl before but now you are trying printable sticker paper for the first time?
I need help too. Mine is doing the same. I havent changed anything either.
Same thing is going on with me. Almost done with project and then bang just like that printer just spools no printing. I attempted to flatten the image thinking that the file was to large to send through Bluetooth. Still no printing happening. Just send an email to Critcut since no chat is available. Just sucks since I am so close and I have a time deadline for this party.
Any suggestions very much welcomed.
Hi, I have not had this issue, but I am receiving many comments from readers who are experiencing this. It makes me wonder if there is an issue with the Print and Cut feature from Cricut itself (rather than an user issue). I have not tried a Print Then Cut since transferring to the desktop version.
Ok I’m having this same issue, so it’s not me.
Hi, I’m having the exact same problem! I thought maybe it was the project, so I did a completely new project, and still the same issue. Did Cricut ever get back to you on how to resolve the problem?
My issues is that the printer is printing the image in landscape mode, even though it is appearing on the Cricut page in portrait mode, so the image is printed sideways and cut off (similar to the image in your post). I double checked the printer tray and it was in the 8-1/2 x 11 setting.
That is definitely odd. I haven’t heard of that issues. You may need to contact Cricut customer service.
Why are my images not printing when I use the print and cut option? It goes to the printer but no images print. Any help would be appreciated, thank you.
This sounds like a printer connection issue. I’m assuming your regular pages print if you send it to the printer from a word doc or something?
Im having the same exact problem. I used a picture from my phone & that printed just fine, tried printing from the Cricut app & comes out blank
Something isn’t connecting between the app and the printer. You may need to contact Cricut customer service.
Help!
Iâm printing my image on water slide decal paper. It prints just fine but when I go to cut it cuts off alignment. Iâve recalibrated a few times now and itâs just not fixing the problem. My print then cut was working fine and I just bought a new (better) printer and now itâs not cutting properly. Iâm so frustrated.
If it is printing properly but not cutting, then it does sound like a calibration issue. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that there is anything to do outside of contacting customer service to see if they can help resolve the issue.
When I print my sticker image, it only prints in black and white…otherwise, when I am not doing cricut printing, my printer prints in color just fine. I have searched YouTube, Google, etc and can’t find an answer. Does anyone know what could be the problem?
It sounds like a communication issue between the machine and the printer. You may need to contact Cricut customer service.
I’m trying to do a print then cut project and every time I try to print its printing in black and white no color.. I can print outside of design space and it will print in color when I send from design space its black and while… I can’t seem to figure out why its doing this.
It sounds like a printer settings issue. Double check the “default” print settings within your computer. Is black ink only the default? If so, see if changing it will help.
Iâm having the same issue, settings on printer are all on âcolorâ.. did you resolve this issue? If so, how?
I’m having the Exact same issue!! were You Ever able to get it fixed?? I was able to print in color from my iPhone just a few days ago (same printer) and it worked Beautifully??!! Now, EVERY Single time I Try to print from Design Space, It will NOT Work *CRYING I’m So Frustrated right now đ
I’m having this issue too. Please save me!
My print and cut starts printing but when it gets halfway through the print job it stops. It worked yesterday but not today!
I’m wondering if it could be a connectivity issue. I am assuming that you are printing wirelessly? Do you typically have a great internet connection and wifi speed? Try logging out of Cricut Design Space, logging back in, and trying again. If it continues to persist, you may want to contact Cricut Customer service.
I am printing using a printable vinyl and am getting lines across the image. I tried on a regular piece of paper and did not get the lines. HELP
Hi, do you have any other printable material or material that is the same thickness of the printable vinyl that you can try? That may help troubleshoot to see if it is the connection between the Design Space and the printer or if your printer has an issue with the printable material/thickness.
I am having this same problem! Did you find a resolution?
I am having the same issue. It only happens when I use the print to cut feature! Iâve tried printing from Microsoft word and my images come out clear, however I cannot then cut them out with my Cricut. Iâve also tried using other printers and Iâm still getting lines through my images. Have you found a solution?
MY print button will not light up so I can tell it to print. Can anyone give me ideas on how to correct this. I have done a print calibrate on same printe. I know it does recognize it.
Are all the elements in the image in what you are wanting to print set to printable?
Thank you for this useful information, however, this problem also happens if u don’t change the page layout on your printer to “us letter” from A4.
My print and cut registration lines are prining to close to the top edge of the paper, then cricut cant cut them. Appear fine on mat picture before printing. Help!! Tried Cricut help. They said to uninstall and reinstall design space which I did to no avail. Hope you have an answer!! Thanks so much
Hi, does this happen with any other material type? For instance, if you try printing it on regular copy paper or white card stock?
Hello! I am having the same issue. When I print the picture, there are lines going all through it. I even tried printing the picture of regular copy paper and it is doing the same thing. Any suggestions?
If it is doing the same on the copy paper then it is a connection issue or a printer issue. Does it do the same thing when printing something not sent from Cricut Design Space?
When I click print it just flashes, but nothing happens
I am having issues when i click print the screen falshes but nothing happens.
Oh, wow, that sounds like a technical error that I have never heard of before. Definitely call Cricut Customer Service for help with that.
My cricut will not read the sensor marks when cutting on sticker paper. The project will work when printing on plain copy paper but not on sticker paper. Help!
If you have calibrated the machine and it is still not working, I recommend contacting customer service.
Im trying to calibrate the print but when i print the test page its mirrored and doesn’t fit on the page.
I recommend contacting customer service to see if they can help you troubleshoot.
I am having the same issue with lines throughout my printable vinyl. I have cleaned my printer heads and it still happens. I always print my printable vinyl on printer paper first and there aren’t any lines, it’s only on the printable vinyl and waterslide paper. Before this last update, I was able to select my printer quality selections before printing in Design Space and with this last update it’s gone. Please bring this back, this is a deal breaker for me. I have bought 3 packs of printable vinyl and only had 2 sheets come out good enough to try and use. I’m super frustrated!!
Have you contacted customer service to let them know?
Iâve the exact same problem! Itâs so annoying!! And no one has a solution! Maybe I switch to cameo…
I am having trouble with lines through my images when using the print to cut feature. I have tried different paper/different printers and am still getting lines. I then copied my image to Microsoft word and printed on regular printer paper and the printable htv and the images have no lines! However my Cricut machine cannot then cut out the image if printed from a word document. Iâm not sure why it only doesnât work when using the design space app.
Hi, have you contacted customer service?
When I get my project to the print stage, in a tutorial they showed an advanced printing option button to enhance colors when printing photos on transparencies. I am not getting a advanced button. What am I doing wrong?
Do you have a link to this tutorial? I may be able to take a look and let you know.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+adjust+print+quality+in+design+space&docid=608024577898057218&mid=B910C9752AC9FF3A3468B910C9752AC9FF3A3468&view=detail&FORM=VIREHT
My problem is the registration mark/box… it isnât a box. Itâs only printing the left side and the bottom, like a backwards L
Are you upgraded to the most recent version of Cricut Design Space?
I am having trouble with the print part of print and cut. When I tell my printer to print, it prints 3 separate sheets of the one print. I have done the calibration. I have also made sure the boxes that ask for how many copies says 1. It is wasting a lot of paper and ink.Any one else have this issue? If so, how did you fix it to print 1 copy only?
If you print from your computer (like a word document), is it working correctly?
I did too. I turned the Cricut off, printed perfectly then turned back on to cut. No problems
My paper is coming out blank! I’m using an epson et-4500 work force
Hello I need help. My registration line is printing as a dull or gray double line border. This is preventing my cricut from reading my image cut lines. To improvise I traced the registration line with a black sharpie and this allowed it to read and cut my images. Please help.
What you are doing sounds like a great work around for the time being. If you print on regular printer paper, does it still print gray?
I click “make it” and it doesn’t go to the print stage? It just goes to the prepare mat stage.
How to I get it to print the image to my printer? I know that have to load and cut it after that.
Hi, it sounds like it is not recognizing the image as a “print” image. Is the image set as a print then cut image?
I am trying to find out why when I use the Print and Cut feature, I sometimes get horizontal lines across my image when it prints. Doesn’t always happen. In trying to research this, I stumbled upon your site. Can you give me any guidance?
Thank you!
Hi, Do you find that this happens with any certain paper that you are using?
I have a new Cricut. Trying to print stickers so I can cut them on the cricut. However, when I print it only prints part of the file… basically cuts it off. It prints perfectly fine on regular paper but not on the sticker paper. We have tried different setting but still the same. Wasting alot of sticker paper and ink. Would love any advise.
Hi, what brand sticker paper are you using?
Has anyone had an issue with the project not printing in color? My mom is struggling with the print being only in monochrome no matter what she does. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I have not had or heard of this issue. It almost sounds like something with the printer settings- like it’s set to only print in black and white. Has she checked these settings in the printer section?
Did you find a resolution to did I’m having the same problems
Hi, I have not had this issue, but I am receiving many comments from readers who are experiencing this. It makes me wonder if there is an issue with the Print and Cut feature from Cricut itself (rather than an user issue). I have not tried a Print Then Cut since transferring to the desktop version.
Hi why when I print from design space my photo has lines in it. But when I print from Microsoft it don’t đĄ
What kind of paper are you using? Cricut brand or another? I have heard from users who experienced this with the Cricut paper. It seemed as if the Cricut paper was too thick for their printer, causing the lines.
Hi why when I print from design space my photo has lines in it. But when I print from Microsoft it don’t đĄ if may ask what cricut everyone having problems printing with lines in photos
Has anyone had problem with sending the print job to the printer!? I just bought the Maker and when I go to do print then cut it does not show I have a printer connected! I canât calibrate it either because it says there is no printer available!! Does anyone have any tips?
Does your laptop or device that you are using show a connected printer?
I am having thus same issue. When I go to print, the job gets stuck in spooling and never prints. Did you ever get a fix to this issue? I have already uninstalled and reinstalled my printer and cricut app. I don’t know what else I can do. Please help…its been 4 days that I have been working on this.
Hi, I have not had this issue, but I am receiving many comments from readers who are experiencing this. It makes me wonder if there is an issue with the Print and Cut feature from Cricut itself (rather than an user issue). I have not tried a Print Then Cut since transferring to the desktop version.
Hello!
Does anyone have any issues with spooling? Whenever I try to print from my computer, it says spooling and doesnât end up printing? I was wondering if it was an issue with my printers comparability? But I have been able to print a few times so far, and then it just wonât print other times? Both the cricut explorer air 2 and hp envy 6000 printer are brand new so idk whatâs happening đ suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Have you noticed a difference when using various types of printing materials/paper? Some printing materials do better than others.
Iâm having an issue with sending to printer. Everything is connected and I can print outside of cricut design space but when I send to printer for a print then cut it just gives me a spinning circle and never prints after waiting and waiting.. pleas help
Hi, I have not had this issue, but I am receiving many comments from readers who are experiencing this. It makes me wonder if there is an issue with the Print and Cut feature from Cricut itself (rather than an user issue). I have not tried a Print Then Cut since transferring to the desktop version.
When I try to print a file it goes to print setup and when I click print it just loads forever and it doesnât send it to the printer. What can I do to make it work???
Hi, I have not had this issue, but I am receiving many comments from readers who are experiencing this. It makes me wonder if there is an issue with the Print and Cut feature from Cricut itself (rather than an user issue). I have not tried a Print Then Cut since transferring to the desktop version.