How to Make a Card on your Cricut Maker

Cricut has simplified card making with their innovative card mat for the Cricut Maker/Explore series and Joy cutting machines. But, did you know that you can make an insert card with your standard grip green mat? Follow our fun and handy guide as we show you how to make a card on your Cricut Maker. We know you're going to love this birthday card idea.

We will be creating this handmade card on the iPad version of Cricut Design Space.

Materials Needed for this Project

Design - Cricut Joy card bundle with 30 card designs

Be sure to check out this awesome collection of Cricut Joy cards that are sure to inspire your creativity.

Cricut Cutting machine - Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore series

Fine Point Tip

Cardstock -

30cm x 30cm white Cardstock 210gsm for the card

30cm x 30cm copper glitter cardstock 250gsm for the card insert

30cm x 30cm cream color Cardstock 210gsm for the envelope

Standard Grip green cutting mat

Cricut Metallic 1.0mm pen set - We will be using the Copper color but you can use any color or Cricut pen of your choice

Cricut Scoring stylus - this an inexpensive tool for scoring

Adhesive or double sided tape

Step 1 - Upload the SVG Card Design to Cricut Design Space

On the main page of Cricut Design Space, tap on the "+" sign at the bottom of the screen to create a new project.

We need to upload the SVG design to Cricut Design Space. At the bottom left corner of the canvas page, tap on Upload > Browse Files.

Go to where your purchased file is stored. If you are following along with the same design, tap on the first SVG file for Cricut.

Select the design you want to use or follow along with the same birthday cake SVG.

The file will be loaded as a cut file. Give your file a name, and then tap on Save.

Step 2 - Change Cut, Score and Pen Settings

Before we can send the card to cut, we need to make a few changes first. Tap away from the design to deselect it, and then tap on the Layers tab at the bottom of the screen. The Layers Panel will open on the right-side of the screen.

Tap on the first layer that shows the cake tiers. Next, tap on the Basic Cut menu on the far left. If you don’t see the menu, first tap on the Edit menu on the bottom of the screen.

In the Operation menu, select the Pen option from the drop-down menu.

Under the Pen options you will have a selection of the available pens for your cutting machine. For this tutorial we are using the Copper Metallic 1.0mm pen, found under the Marker 1.0 menu, but this choice is entirely up to you.

Next, make sure to deselect the first layer, and then tap on the second layer to select it. Tap back on the Basic Cut menu.

Select Score under the Operation menu. The last layer will be left as a Basic Cut.

Select the entire design, and then tap on the Attach button at the bottom of the Layers Panel.

Step 3 - Edit Cricut Card Insert and Envelope

Upload the insert design that is included in the same Cricut SVG file.

You can change the color of the insert if you want by tapping on the Basic Cut menu and selecting a color from there.

Upload the envelope as the final part of the insert card design.

Select the first layer under the grouped envelope layer and change this to a score line.

Select the entire envelope design and tap on the Attach button. This will ensure that the score and cut lines are in the correct place when cutting.

Step 4 - Cut the Cricut Insert Card

Tap on the Make It button in the top right-hand corner and select a mat size. You can cut multiple cards by duplicating the designs, and then using a longer mat.

On the mat page, you can see the operations for each design on the left-hand side. With everything set up, tap on the Next button in the top right corner. You will be asked to choose your machine if not already connected.

Tap on the option Browse All Material next to the first step for the material selection. Use the search bar to find the Cardstock (for intricate cuts) material setting. This option is a great choice for cutting cardstock!

Next, change the Tool and material loaded settings. The scoring tool type will be selected depending on what was last used or the default setting.

Tap on the Edit button (on the far right of the second step) to change the tool selection for scoring.

Select the Scoring Stylus, and then tap on Continue in the bottom right corner.

Cricut Design Space will show you step by step instructions and take you through the process of cutting your design.

Follow the on-screen instructions and load the stylus in cartridge A and the Fine Point Blade in cartridge B. Place the cardstock for the main design on your mat and load it into the cutting machine. Press the “C” button on your machine or on the screen to begin the process.

Cricut Design Space will tell you when to change the Scoring Stylus out for the Pen. After the process is complete, it’s time to assemble the card.

Step 5 - Assemble the Cricut Insert Card

Fold your card along the score line. Place the glitter insert behind the card design and slot the corners into the cutouts on the edge of the card.

Next, fold the left and right side sections of the envelope first. Apply glue or double sided tape to the edges.

Fold the bottom section over these two sections to complete your envelope. There we go, your Cricut Birthday insert card is now complete and you didn’t need to use a card mat to make it!

Making a customized card on the Cricut Maker or Explore series of cutting machines is a fun and easy project that anyone can do! You don’t need additional or expensive consumables! Learn how to slice in Cricut Design Space and experiment with ideas to create a card for any occasion. Don't forget to check the FREE Design Resources section for tons of crafting ideas.