This month, Cricut released an amazing new feature for their Explore machines – print and cut! Any of the images in the image library can be flattened to print, and there are also printable images that have cool graphic effects (those images have a printer beside them in the image library). It’s super easy too, and you can create cute little 3D gift tags like this that are completely customizable to your size and color preference.
Here’s how I made these 3D Gift Tags with cute woodland critters:
To start, open the images you would like to cut and/or print. Here, I am using the Christmas owl from Create a Critter 2 and a snowflake doily. (I also used a raccoon from the Create a Critter set.)
You will want to choose your colors before you flatten your image – so do that by clicking on the layer and bringing up the color preference screen. Choose whatever colors you would like – but remember that when you print, that black outline will be gone, so choose colors that have a good contrast if you want them to stand out.
The next step is to flatten your image. Choose all of the layers from the image you would like to PRINT, and press the flatten button in the top of the image screen. You can also unflatten afterwards if you need to change a color, I just find it easier to do it before you flatten it. In the image below, I unflattened the layers because the light purple and light blue didn’t provide enough contrast when printed – which brings me to a good tip. The colors on your screen are not necessarily the colors that will print! If you want to be sure, do a test print first to see what the colors will look like.
I rearranged my layers as needed so I could get a good preview of what it would look like. I wrote the names with the cricut writing tool (except since I was writing on glitter paper, I used the American Crafts Slick Writer in place of a regular Cricut marker so it would dry faster), and cut the snowflake on POW! glitter paper (also from American Crafts).
I put the layers together using foam dots to give it some dimension. I just love how it turned out, and I know my daughters will too! One is obsessed with owls, and the other raccoons, and while owls are pretty popular right now, it is really hard to find things with raccoons on them! This gave me a way to dress up some plain packaging and turn it into something really special! (By the way, these are plain white boxes wrapped with a gift wrap sleeve – so much easier than wrapping the entire thing but gives it some color and prettiness!)
Isn’t it wonderful? I just love the new Print and Cut feature – I have a feeling I will be using it a lot! Have you tried it yet, and if so, what did you create? (And if you are scared to get started, don’t be! Head over to Cricut’s website and watch their YouTube videos. They walk you through the process so well! Have fun!)
Kristine says
Where did you get the boxes?
Sarah says
Hi! I got these one several years ago from Pick Your Plum.