Easy Cricut Print and Cut Hack for DS 5.3
Cricut’s Print and Cut feature is handy but limited. You can only use it on white paper as the Cricut machine cannot read the registration marks on coloured paper. But there is an easy Cricut print and cut hack that can help you get around this.
Previously, I had previously written about how to trick Cricut’s Design Space version here. Since that post, Cricut has updated its Design Space to version 5.3. Now the print and the cut area is larger. It is now 9.25 x 6.75. I thought I would update this easy Cricut print and cut hack for this version as it comes in quite handy. After all, who wants to be limited to just white paper? I have some cream-coloured cardstock that seems to work but other colours or kraft coloured stock will not work.
As mentioned in the previous blog post, this easy Cricut print and cut hack can “trick” the Cricut into thinking it is a white piece of paper. print your item as you normally would on your coloured card stock
The Cricut Print and Cut Hack
- print your item 2 times – once on the coloured paper that you want and once on normal, white 20lb paper (this is the normal white paper you have in your printer)
- on the white paper, remove your graphics in the middle by cutting them out, leaving only the scanning frame; keep this in one piece (it’s easier)
- tape the white paper on top of your coloured cardstock; be sure to line up the black scanning frame.
TIP: hold it up to the light or put it against the window so that you can see through the white paper in order to line it up - send it through your Cricut to cut; use the cut setting for your coloured paper, whatever kind of paper or cardstock it is.
- the Cricut will scan and read the black frame on the white paper and assume that the entire sheet is white and then do the cut.
I wanted to print and cut these little hearts as table decor at a bridal shower. The theme was pink and so I wanted to cut them on pink cardstock. At first, my Cricut would not cut it because it did not recognize the pink cardstock. This easy print and cut hack made it possible.
See how easy that was? We tricked the Cricut into thinking it was white paper. This Cricut print and cut hack will work for any coloured paper – as long as you do the extra copy in white.
Great idea, I can’t wait to try this! It has been very frustrating! Mahalo!
Hello! I know – right? Now you can print and cut on any colour.
Gah why didn’t I find this a week ago when I needed to print them cut red paper!!
Oh no! Hopefully you’ll remember this for next time.
What a genius idea and ink saver!! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing
Yes – this opens up many more possibilities now!
I love this idea but I do want to point out it depends on how dark your colored cardstock is. The lights colors (I have found) do just fine when scanning that cut line. The darker the color the harder it is for the machine to read that line. But I really do think for using darker colors this would be a awesome trick to try and I’m adding it to my cricut help board. That I you so much for sharing this.
Hi. Yes, I’ve only had luck with white and cream. I’m sure certain pastel colours would work too. I tend to use bold, bright colours and it won’t recognize those colours so this is how I do it. Thanks!
Hi! Thank you for the tip… However, my white paper tore up at the top. Guess I need to tape it down even more!! :(. I will try again because this is beyond frustrating.
Oh no! Yes, you’ll need to tape it down in strategic spots that not only anchors it but also does not interfere with your cut. Hope it works out.
I had the same problem with mine tearing but not at the top it’s tearing on the inner cut out borders any suggestion?
I use clear scotch tape to secure the top. It doesn’t interfere with the black line (the Cricut can still read it). If it overlaps with the cutting, you can pick it off. You may need to run the tape all the way across if it keeps catching. Let me know how it goes.
That’s a good idea I will try it. I have one more question that I have been trying to find an answer to since last year. I need an image to be cut out after words have been written on it AND it has been laminated. I know I could do the print and cut but the problem is my printer is laser and really doesn’t take cardstock. what I’m trying to achieve is laminated page dividers for my planner that has each subject written on the tabs. I know I could hand cut the pages but it looks tacky and I’d rather not do it that way just trying to find out if this is possible if anyone has any answers please please help.
Okay – so if I read that right, you need to cut a laminated item? I’ve personally never cut anything that thick. I have a small laminated machine that I can cut using a paper cutter. I did that to make my own dashboards for my Happy Planner: https://toomuchlove.ca/2018/08/make-your-own-happy-planner-dashboards/
But I didn’t print these ones – I used card stock. The only alternative I can think of off the top of my head is to label the tabs with adhesive vinyl or with something like a PTouch labeller. Hope this is a reasonable rememdy.
This is a terrific work around for print/cut using colored paper! I found that the Cricut BrightPad works really great to line up the black ink frames printed on the white and colored paper, and worked best on light to medium colored paper. Thanks for sharing this great tip!
Oh, that’s a good tip! Thanks for sharing your tip too.
I’m new to the Cricut and just attempting the Print then Cut for the first time. Ran into the colored paper issue so this helps with that, but also I don’t seem to be able to get it to cut out just the card shape. It wants to cut out my images and text as well. I can’t find how to select Print for those without them also being Cut. Every time I select Print, it puts “Cut | Print” beside that layer. Would appreciate any advice!
Hello. Be sure to select the entire graphic and select “Flatten” (bottom right). This will attach your text to the shape. It should then print your text and cut the shape/image only. Hope this helps.
I have one more question when you print the first copy which is a white copy and it asks you to put it back into the machine so it could cut it how do you stop this for you just cancel that and then go back and start a whole new print then cut for the color paper?
Once you print on the white paper, you can cancel the job. Then do the job again, this time printing on the coloured paper. Meanwhile, prep the white paper by cutting out the middle. Hope this helps.
I love you for that. I’m having that problem and was trying to think of how I could trick cricut with white paper but you’re idea is much better than the idea I had lol. Thank u!
Great! Glad I could help.
This saved my life! I had designed an entire event but completely forgot about cutting on colored cardstock! Thank you so much for this hack!
Yay! So glad you found this helpful.
I will try this on some dark kraft paper that I’m making lables on.
Another trick I found (sadly doesn’t work on super dark paper), is that once you print the cardstock, take a Sharpie and a ruler or edge of thick envelope, etc., whatever you have handy, and draw a line along the outline edges. It makes it super dark and the Cricut will pick it up. I’ve done this on tan colored card stock and it works well. I’ve also found out that the lighting in a room affects the ability of the laser to “see” the outline. I keep a little lamp handy when more light is needed near the cutting surface.
Great tips! Thank you for sharing.