How to Make a Card on the Cricut Joy App

The Cricut Joy machines are compact and lightweight cutting machines that are perfect for making personalized cards, labels, and various other projects. With the Cricut Joy app, you can effortlessly make cards in just a few simple steps. The app is a great start for beginners who want to begin crafting immediately. Today, we are going to show you how to make a cutaway card on your Cricut Joy using the mobile app.

Cricut Cutaway cards use an adhesive on the inside of the card where unwanted areas are weeded away. This means that you can use any SVG cut file to create your card!

For this tutorial, we are going to use an adorable mom and baby elephant design that works perfectly as a handmade card for Mother’s Day.

Looking for more inspiration and don’t know where to start? Then be sure to get this design along with many others for a steal in The Mother’s Day Bundle. Grab it now before it’s gone!

For iPad users, you can find the Cricut Joy App in the Apple Store. Android users can find the app in the Google Play Store. Once downloaded, sign in to the app to get started. We will be using the iPad version during the tutorial with our Cricut cutting machine.

Materials Needed to Complete this Project

Design - Mom and Baby SVG, check out these Mom SVG designs for more creative ideas

Cricut Joy Cutting Machine

Cricut card mat for the Joy cutting machine

Cricut Joy Cutaway card - we chose to use the 8-pack Marina sampler, but you can use any color combination that you prefer

These cards are made up of a cutaway card (with an adhesive liner), a backer (like an insert), and an envelope.

Weeding tools

Step 1 - Upload the SVG to Make your Card

When you log in to the Cricut Joy app you will see a selection of handmade crafts to choose from such as customized cards and even quick labels. Scroll down until you see the option for Cutaway Cards. Next, tap on the button that says Design Your Own.

In the next window, you will find helpful links and a list of suggested supplies. Tap on the green button that says Start Designing.

Choose the card orientation based on the design you want to use. We chose the Landscape option for this project. You will be given a choice of card sizes depending on the option chosen.

Landscape only has one size available. To proceed, tap on the Next button in the top right-hand corner.

On the canvas screen, tap on the arrow icon in the bottom left corner to upload a design.

You will only be allowed to upload SVG files. Tap on the button that says Upload SVG.

Locate where the design is stored on your device and make sure to select the design from the SVG file.

Select the option Cut Preview and give the image a name if needed. Then, tap on the tick icon at the bottom of the screen.

Step 2 - Resize the Design to Fit the Cricut Joy Card

On the canvas page, you will see a card shape with a dotted boundary line. You can resize your design as long as it stays within this boundary.

Keep the ratio constant when resizing by tapping + dragging the double sided arrows outward. To resize only one side, tap + drag on one of the gray squares on the sides or top and bottom of the design.

To manually input the dimensions, tap on the W or H boxes at the bottom of the screen. If you tap on the Lock icon, this will allow you to resize the width or height independently.

Step 3 - Change the Cricut Joy Card Color

If you need a visual guide on exactly how your design will look once complete, you can change the color of the cutaway card and backer. On the bottom right corner of the screen, tap on the Color icon.

The first option allows you to change the color of the card. Refer to the back of the 8-pack sampler to find the name. Here we chose Whispering Blue for our card.

Next, tap on the Backer and choose the “insert” that you want to use. Tap on the tick icon to close out of the Color selection menu.

Now, let’s quickly take a look at the editing icons. When you tap on the design, a small menu pops up as well as corner icons.

The corner icons include, Delete, Rotate, Duplicate and Resize. The menu will have one icon selected, which, in this case, is the Cut option or scissors.

The other two icons in the top menu are for Drawing with the Pen or using the Foil Transfer tool. If you tap on the “+” icon bottom left of the screen, you will get additional options. The first one is the Upload button that we used at the beginning of this tutorial.

The second option looks like a hot air balloon. This is where you will find your designs as well as Cricut designs. The two remaining options are the Shapes and Text tool.

Step 4 - Cut the Cricut Joy Cutaway Card Design

When you are happy with your card design, tap on the Next button in the top right corner. On the next page you will have a preview of the card with the option to go back and edit if needed. If you are ready, tap on Next to proceed.

The next screen will show you the material details and what is required. You can also tap on See Project Overview for a reminder if needed. The Preview button at the bottom of the screen will show you how the card will be cut on the mat.

The preview is very helpful in showing you how the card will be cut and in what direction the design is placed. Tap on Close to go back to the Preparation screen, and then tap on Make It.

Follow the on-screen instructions for placing the card on the Cricut Joy card mat. Don’t worry, the Cricut Joy app will give you a visual guide in this step.

In the image below, one half of the card has been inserted behind the sticky mat. Next, we will fold the second half of the card over the sticky mat. This is the section that will be cut.

Insert the blade into the cutting machine and tap Go on the screen to begin cutting. The progress window will appear with a Pause button should you need to pause for any reason.

Step 5 - Weed Out the Excess from the Card Design

After cutting has been completed, tap the Unload button and remove the cutting mat. Gently lift the card from the mat and have your favorite weeding tool ready.

Carefully begin removing the excess card as you would any vinyl design. If you look at the app, it will guide you on how to proceed if a visual is needed.

The adhesive card is easy to remove and creates a “window” for the backer to show through.

In the image below, you can see how this beautiful Mother’s Day card turned out.

Now you have a lovely card to go with your gift for that special person in your life. A cutaway card allows you the creative freedom to make a card with your Cricut Joy and SVG cut files.

Complete your card with a handwritten, personalized message to show your mom just how much you care about her. Whether you choose to make a card with intricate designs or something simple and meaningful, your mum will be sure to appreciate the gesture.