Cricut Design Space is a software application that connects to your machine so you can design and make Cricut projects. You can also organize your projects, images, and fonts within Design Space too.
You have to use Cricut Design Space in order to make your awesome projects so it’s really important to learn the ins and outs of the software so you can get the most from your Cricut cutting machine. All the Cricut machines including Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore, Cricut Joy use the Design Space software.
The options that are visible will differ depending on which machine you have set up and selected within Design Space since some tools and features are only available for certain machines. If you have the Explore selected as your machine, you will not be to see the tools specific to the Maker – engraving tip, debossing tip, knife blade, etc. For Cricut Joy, you’ll only be to write and cut.
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Design Space.
Cricut Design Space FAQ
Q: Is Cricut Design Space required?
A: Yes! You cannot use a Cricut cutting machine without Design Space. It’s where you set up your designs, choose your tools, and send your projects to the machine for cutting.
Q: Is Design Space free?
A: Yes, Design Space software is free to download from Cricut’s site.
March 2021: There was some controversy surrounding Cricut’s announcement that there would be a 20 designs a month upload limit for users who did not have a Cricut Access membership. After blowback from the community, Cricut walked this back completely and said that all Cricut members will have the ability to upload unlimited designs and patterns. This is great news if you primarily use SVG’s that are created outside of Design Space in another application and you just upload the design in order to make it.
You can read the blog announcement from Cricut here.
Q: Can you use Design Space offline?
A: Yes. In 2020, Cricut started rolling out the new desktop version of Design Space which gave you the ability to work offline. The previous web-based version has been decommissioned and the desktop version is now the only application available.
Q: Do you need an account to use Design Space?
A: Yes, you will be required to create an account and get a Cricut ID to use Design Space. But it’s free!
Q: Can you use Design Space without a subscription?
A: Yes. The core features of Design Space – uploading images, designing projects, making projects – are free to use without a subscription. There is a monthly or annual fee for the Cricut Access subscription which gives you access to thousands of images, fonts, and projects. But there are also free options available or you can purchase additional items for a fee right through Design Space without needing the Access subscription.
Q: Is Cricut Design Space available for Mac, iOS, and Android?
A: Yes! There is a version of the desktop app available for Mac users, as well as mobile apps for iPhone and Android users.
Cricut Design Space Tutorials for Beginners
If you’re brand new to Cricut Design Space and aren’t sure where to start, I have a 2 part tutorial series that walks you through the Design Space interface. You’ll learn about all the menus and options that are available.
Cricut Design Space Tutorial – Part 1 of 2!
Cricut Design Space Tutorial Part 2 of 2!
More Cricut Design Space Content
Once you’ve mastered the basics of Design Space, here are some more great tutorials that will help you advance your skills so you can get really creative with your Cricut projects and crafts.
