SVG is short for Scalable Vector Graphics. If you are using Cricut, Silhouette or other electronic cutters, you need SVG files to be able to cut all kinds of shapes in different sizes. These cutters rely on SVG files because these only understand vector graphics. With SVG files, you won’t have to take a lot of time cutting materials and scaling images down as well. SVG files are also very handy because these are ready to cut.
There are a myriad of online sites that offer free SVG file downloads while you can also purchase designs and cutting files. You may also make your own designs by using rudimentary graphics creation programs like Adobe Photoshop and upload your designs to Cricut Design Space, Silhouette Studio or any cutting machine software.
2. SVG Tutorials and Resources
A. How to use and upload SVG files in Cricut Design Space?
Before you upload an SVG file in Cricut Design Space, you must have an SVG file already at hand. You can download one from any SVG file site on your computer and save this in a labelled folder so these will be easy to find. And the new version of Cricut is Cricut Maker. Here are the steps on how to upload to Cricut Design Space:
1. Download the SVG file from the SVG file site and if it is a ZIP file, extract it. Rename the file so it’s easy to locate.
2. Open Cricut Design Space and click “Upload” found on the left part of the screen.
3. You will be asked to choose if you want to upload the image or to use it as a pattern fill.
4. Click “Upload Image” and choose the SVG file from your computer. You can also click and drag the file and drop it in the space.
5. You will see the SVG file on the box and Design Space will ask for the Image Name and Tag. Name and tag the image and click “Done.”
6. The saved image will be on the list of uploaded images. If you want to use it, select it and then click “Insert Image.”
How to use and upload SVG files in Cricut Design Space
Using SVG files in Silhouette Studio is a little bit different. You can’t use SVG files in Silhouette (check out Silhouette CAMEO 3 machine) without upgrading. This is definitely this takes a little bit more work but it’s going to be rewarding in the end. Here are the steps:
1. Download the app called Inkscape on your computer. This app is free and will help you convert SVG files to a format that can be accepted by Silhouette Studio. Once you have downloaded Inkscape, install the app and launch it.
2. Open the file that you want to use. From the file menu, open and select the SVG file you want to use.
3. Now that the SVG file is open, select File menu and save as “Desktop Cutting Plotter.” If it asks to select file type use: “ROBO – Master type of spline output” click OK.
4. Now your file can be used on Silhouette Studio Software. You can now go to file menu and then to open all files. Select the file that you have saved from Inkscape.
5. If you want to use the file again, save it in .studio format from your Silhouette Studio.
Other than using Inkscape, you can upgrade your Silhouette Studio Software to Designer Edition so you can directly use SVG files.
As much as there are free SVG files you can get from many online sites, you can also create your own. You can make your own SVG file from graphics creation programs like Adobe Photoshop or PaintShop Pro. Here are steps on how you can make SVG files via Adobe Photoshop:
1. If you want to use an existing JPEG or PNG image, open it in Adobe Photoshop. Otherwise, you can create a new image by clicking “New” to pen a new graphic canvas.
2. Draw your design on the canvas using a pen, brush or other kinds of drawing tools on the Toolbox.
3. You can import an existing graphic on your created design by clicking “New Layer.” This will create a new drawing layer over your existing graphic. Draw over the image to recreate a vector format image.
4. Delete the image layer by clicking on the imported image layer and pressing the delete key. Do this after recreating the original image in the vector layer.
5. Find the “File” option along the top part of the navigation pane and click “Export.”
6. Name your SVG file in the “File Name” box.
7. Click “Save as Type” from the drop down box, from this box click “Scalable Vector Graphic (.svg).” Save the file by clicking “Save.” Now your file has been saved as an SVG file and can be used in Cricut or at Silhouette Studio Software Designer Edition.
D. Free SVG Files and Images – Freebie Resources for Downloading
1. LoveSVG.com Love SVG is a free SVG file site that offers free designs daily. Their free designs include files in .svg, .dxf, .eps and .png. There are SVG files for any occasion such as Christmas, 4th of July, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, Saint Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. There are easy to download SVG files about animals and pets, babies and kids, Bible verses, drink and party, family, love, seasons of the year, weddings and sports. It is easy to download and use SVG files from Love SVG. After creating an account at Love SVG, choose the design you want to use and click download. If you want to use a premium design, simply purchase the design and download to use.
2. SVGCuttingFiles.com SVG Cutting Files has free and paid SVG files. You can also find helpful resources such as tutorial videos and tips from the site and from their blog. A link from the SVG Cutting Files site will take you to their blog. You can also become a member of their Cut Club which is a paid club that lets members get discounts on SVG file bundles. SVG Cutting Files also offer files according to specific applications such as SVG files for albums, cards, calendars, candy wrappers, bags, pillow boxes and more. You will also find files for different occasions such as Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day and more.
3. SVGCuts.com You can get free designs and paid designs at SVG Cuts. Most of the popular designs in SVG Cuts are folded 3D designs with special categories like cards and envelopes, cupcake wrappers, scrapbooks and more. Easy to browse categories also make it easier to find what you want like birthday, cute characters, Easter, Fall, fantasy, garden, Halloween, nautical, pets and more. All these designs are easy to download. You can easily work on SVG files using Cricut and create different products for home, personal projects, as gifts and also for business when you use files from SVG cuts.
4. FreeSVGImages.com You will be able to get free SVG files at Free SVG Images but if you need PNG and EPS, you can easily click the file type that you wish to download and voila! If you are new to using Cricut then you will be able to find a tutorial and tips on how to use this machine here. You will also find a link to their free SVG blog site from the official Free SVG Images site.
5. Quilling Patch Crafts This is a helpful free SVG site because of its large number of files available for download anytime. Their free cutting files gallery has .svg, .gsd and .mtc. Most of the files here are not compatible with the Cricut models. The creator of the cutting files here use Make the Cut and KNK Studio to make designs and these designs work with most cutting machines but now with Cricut. Their SVG files are compatible with the Make the Cut (MTC) software, Silhouette Studio and Cricut Design Space. The latest free cutting files offered by Quilling Patch Crafts are files for making frames and labels, Halloween-inspired files, paper dolls and accessories, Thanksgiving and Fall cuts, Christmas designs, Easter cutting files, Disney characters, home designs and more.
6. CraftBundles.com There are thousands of free and paid DXF and SVG cut files that you can instantly download at Craft Bundles. You can even find free and cutting files that come with a full commercial license. You can use free files from Craft Bundles or you purchase their premium designs. What’s different in this SVG file site is that most of their cutting guides are available in bundles and these are more affordable than other online SVG files shopping sites. And if you wish to know more about using SVG files and how to make use of their designs you can check out their blog from the link found from their official site.
7. BurtonAvenue.com This is a free SVG file site with free files as well as paid bundle designs. Current Burton Avenue designs are about Thanksgiving with cute turkey and pumpkin cut designs, stenciled saying and verses and more. There are upcoming Christmas SVG designs available in bundled designs and a la carte. Aside from seasonal designs, you will also find simple to extravagant SVG files for different items like pillows, signs, mugs, plates, bags, cards and different packaging. There are files that are covered by commercial use license and therefore you must purchase it from the Burton Avenue shop.
8. MyPaperCrafting.com This is a free SVG files site that offers free designs and a lot more. You will find Melinda’s own creations that she shares for free to her visitors and of course there are premium designs that are also available when you sign up for her newsletter. The best thing about My Paper Crafting is that it is a personalized site; it’s like talking to Melinda herself as she shares different designs, the materials that she used and techniques for cutting different designs. All her designs seem to pop from the page because these are very colorful and unique. You will find cutting guides for different occasions, different items around the house, and cutting guides for gifts, crafts and more.
9. MissKateCuttables.com Miss Kate Cuttables has a large collection of free SVG designs as well as a huge library of premium paid designs. You will find cutting tools, cutting software and other materials here and of course you will also find different designs to choose from such as animals and pets, birthday designs, borders, banners, seasons of the year, family, flowers, food, Halloween, sports, phrases and quotes and so much more. Miss Kate Cuttables currently features Christmas designs available in bundled designs and a la carte. You will also find links to purchase compatible cutting software like Sure Cuts A Lot, Make the Cut and Silhouette Studio Designer Edition. And with every purchase of any of these cutting software, you get free $10 worth of free digital downloads from Miss Kate Cuttables.
10. SketchAppSources.com This site is a repository of free SVG cutting files as well as premium resources. You will find SVG files for creating icons for different industries as well as basic/generic icon designs that can be readily used for any company, business, project or school work. Sketch App Sources also provides links for design tools like Craft Data, Sympli, Abstract and Sketch and Swift. There is no need to join or create an account to get free tutorials and tips at Sketch App Sources. You will find tutorials on designing realistic items like watches, android phones, iPhones and more. This site supports Sketch 47 Beta which allows you to create icons and other designs using Sketch documents. You can find tutorials on how to use Sketch from the site as well.
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