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How Do You Do a Knockout on Cricut?
Hi crafty friends! In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to make knockout designs in Cricut design space. I didn’t write about knockout designs on my recent post about how to edit text in design space because they take a little more explanation. But I’ve had a lot of questions about it since then, so it’s time to get them answered.
Knockout designs are where you combine two different designs into one. You can knockout an image to form parts of the text like this….
Or you can knockout text and place text inside of different text like this.
*Update: Cricut recently updated design space and the knockout design instructions now reflect that update.
So let’s get to it.
Make a Knockout Design With an Image
The first thing you need to do is choose your font and choose your image. The most common font and the one I used in the ‘I Love You’ knockout design is called Impact. It is loaded in Cricut design space and it’s FREE!
In my America knockout designs, I used the font Moon Fighter. Any chunky bold font will work as long as it’s a single layer font.
So now that we have our font, type your text into design space.
Keep your image in mind while you are putting together your text. A square shaped image will require multiple lines of text.
I prefer to put each line of text in a separate text box. That way I can stretch out a word if I need to and I can put the lines close together.
Your letters will also need to be spaced closer together. You can either do that by clicking the ungroup button and moving each letter individually, or by lowering the letter space on the top toolbar.
After you have your text the way you want, select everything and click the weld button on the right toolbar.
Can you unweld in Cricut?NO – There is not an unweld button at this time. However if you see a mistake as soon as you weld YOU CAN click the undo button on the top left menu. This will un-do the weld.
Adding The Image for Knockout
For the image part of my knockout design, I just used the heart shape from the shapes menu in design space. You can also upload your own image.
An important note on images: Knockout designs only work with single layer fonts and single layer images. Think one color like silhouettes.
After your image is uploaded, size it to fit your text. You may have to right click and then click move to front to get the image on the top layer.
How to Slice the Words
So when you have everything lined up how you want you’re going to select everything and click the slice button on the bottom right toolbar. You will see the results of the slice in the layers menu.
By using slice we are cutting the image of the heart out of the words ‘I love you’
Depending on what you plan on doing with your design, you may not want to move it just yet. Click on the two center slice results in the layers menu and then hit the backspace or delete button to get rid of them.
Your design should look like this after deleting those two middle layers. If you are using HTV (heat transfer vinyl) you are good to go and can click the make it button.
If you are using adhesive sticky vinyl you may want to see my tips for layering vinyl here.
How To Knockout Text with Cricut
To knockout text from text we are going to start with typing in your background text. Just like the image knockout, you want a big chunky font that is a single layer. This font is called Moon Fighter. Impact Font also works well.
Size it fairly big so we can see what we are doing. Use the letter space on the top menu bar to move your letters closer together. Or you could ungroup your letters and move them individually and then regroup them. After you have the spacing set select everything and click the weld button on the bottom right toolbar.
Now we need to pick a single layer script font. The most common one everyone is using with the hearts in the middle is called I love Glitter and you can find it free here.
If you need help with fonts or script text, see my editing text in design space post.
So after you have your script text moved together, don’t forget to select it all and weld it together so it stays together and cuts as one continuous shape.
I like to change the color of the script knockout text so that it’s easier to see. The latest design space update moved the color change to the top menu.
Next, you can drag your script over the print text and size it up how you want it. I had to hit the unlock button on the bottom left of the text box so I could stretch mine longer.
After it’s sized how you want, move the script back down.
Making The Bleed Out Text
So now we want to change our script text to print. This is another change Cricut made in the latest update. Make sure your script text is selected and on the top menu click on the drop down from the fill menu and select print.
Don’t worry, we aren’t going to print it, so no need to hook up your printer.
Now Click the make it button and on the next screen click continue. This will bring you to the print screen.
On the next screen select your print mat and click send to printer. This will bring up the print set up menu.
A new menu will pop up. Make sure where it says bleed is toggled on to green. Then right-click the image and select save image as….. Name your image and save it to your computer.
Close the print menu and click cancel for the cut and print. You should be back in design space now.
Click the upload button and upload the image you just saved of your bleed out design. Next, select the Simple design option.
Click to delete the background of the image. The background should change to blue checks. Then select the eraser to erase the box that is around the bleed out text.
After that is done click the continue button. On the next screen be sure to select the image on the right that says save as cut file.
The bleed out will be vertical when it goes back into design space. Spin it around so it’s back to horizontal and size it to match up with your script text.
You can right-click on the script text and select move to front and then adjust the size of the bleed out.
You may have to click the little lock on the bottom left of the bleed out. This will allow you to stretch it longer or taller. Keep adjusting until all of your script text fits inside the bleed out.
Slicing The Bleed Out Text
After it is sized correctly I like to change the color so I can see what I am doing for the next step. Place your bleed out image over your background text.
You can select both the text and the bleed out and then click align on the top toolbar. Align them both horizontally and vertically. That said you may want not want it perfectly centered if it blocks too much of the background text. Make adjustments as needed.
Once you are happy with the placement, select them both and click the slice button on the bottom right toolbar.
Separate the sliced parts from your text and select all of the sliced parts and hit the delete button. Now you can move your script up into the space left in the background text.
It’s super important to remember to select your script text and change it back from print to cut.
If you want to cut this all one color be sure to select both and click the attach button before you click the make it button.
If you want the script to be a different color, don’t attach them.
That covers just about everything you need to know about making Knockout Designs! If you have any further questions please leave me a comment down below.
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Knockout Text Design with Cricut
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Chris Butler has helped thousands of crafters learn how to use their Cricut machine without feeling overwhelmed. She is a best selling author and an up and coming designer. For fun Chris enjoys designing SVG Files, hanging out with her family (preferably at the lake), traveling, and volunteering at her church. She is a wife and mom of two crazy fun kids.
Meg says
September 19, 2018 at 2:31 pmYou said you can go ahead and make it if using HTV…does HTV not need to be layered if using separate colours?
Chris says
September 19, 2018 at 5:07 pmYes it’s layered, but it’s not layered on the transfer sheet. To layer HTV I position the first color and press for 5 seconds, remove the transfer paper and then position my second color press for 5 seconds….and continue on. HTV isn’t sticky like adhesive vinyl so you’re able to easily move it around to get it in the correct position on your project before you press.
Cassie Burley says
December 23, 2019 at 7:46 pmI have a chromebook and it says it’s not compatible with the cricut design space. But I have a cricut design space on there. I don’t have the one that has the shirt on it.
Jessica says
October 7, 2018 at 12:59 pmThank you for this, however only my bleed out is slicing and I have them both highlighted,.
Chris says
October 7, 2018 at 3:18 pmHi Jessica! I’m not sure I understand. The bleed out should be on top of the chunky text. Select both and slice. That will leave a hole in the chunky text where the bleed out was. Can you send a screenshot to [email protected] so I can see what you mean?
Jennifer says
October 8, 2018 at 10:07 pmYou gave wonderful instructions ! Thank you so much for teaching me something new!!
Lynne says
January 13, 2019 at 11:33 pmYou are a great teacher. I made mine in the first try! Thank you!
Chris says
January 14, 2019 at 9:28 amGreat to hear Lynne, Thank You!!
Denise says
February 12, 2019 at 10:18 pmWow. I love it. This was a very well-written tutorial. Although it looks like some Design Space updates/changes have occurred since you wrote this, it was still easy to follow along. I will be pinning your page.
Chris says
February 14, 2019 at 8:48 amThanks Denise!
Megan says
February 16, 2019 at 11:31 amON MY CRICUT DESIGN, I DON’T HAVE “PRINT”
I ONLY HAVE CUT, DRAW, SCORE.
I’M AT THE STEP WHERE I’VE WELDED IT AND I WANT TO PRINT TO SAVE IMAGE. HOW ELSE CAN I DO THIS IF I DON’T HAVE THE PRINT OPTION?
Chris says
February 16, 2019 at 1:33 pmHi Megan! Yes this is on my list to update since design space changed. You still have a print option. It’s on the top menu under ‘FILL’ which is right next to line type.
Hope this helps!
Chris
Sara says
March 29, 2019 at 10:17 pmI got to this point too, but my computer only let’s me save the image as a .txt file and nothing else….why is this happening?
Chris says
March 30, 2019 at 9:32 amWhat kind of computer do you have? On my mac I now have the option to save as text or as all files. If you choose all files it will save as an image.
Chris says
April 18, 2019 at 7:47 pmMake sure you are over the image when you right click to save it.
Misty says
January 23, 2020 at 5:11 pmI have right clicked over image but nothing happens it won’t save image.
Maryanne Norton-Byers says
January 26, 2020 at 9:41 pmI am having the same issue Misty so lost 🙁
Cathy says
February 21, 2019 at 10:26 pmWhat font is used for “the beautiful” in that knockout sign?
Chris says
February 22, 2019 at 9:23 amHi Cathy! That one is called Humble Script
Dianna Hartley says
March 12, 2019 at 7:05 pmYou are the best at explaining Step by step I wish I had you with me all the time lol
Thank you
Cindy says
March 22, 2019 at 9:04 pmI got as far as be sure to change your script text from print to cut. Couldn’t figure out how to do that??
Chris says
March 26, 2019 at 2:22 pmYou can change it on the top menu where it says line type
Peach says
April 5, 2019 at 9:45 pmI’m @ the point where I save image as and when I open it only comes up as a text documet and if I change it to all files then another pop up ask how do you want to open this file internet explorer, works word processor, photoviewer, word pad media player , paint , I’m completely lost at the point and ready to give up so all help appreciate I’m also working with a hp Microsoft computer
Christa says
April 13, 2019 at 1:08 amI ran into the same issue. Once the dialog box opens asking how you want to open the file, choose Paint, then click on Menu (top lefthand corner), save as, and you can choose image.
Scott says
April 29, 2019 at 8:55 pmWe are trying to duplicate your AMERICA design, but cant find a flag file to work because most are not single layer. What did you use?
M says
May 1, 2019 at 3:00 pmSuper helpful! Thank you. I tried calling Cricut customer service for the same information but only ended up on hold for 45 minutes because I’m not an access member. Terrible customer service! Thank you for saving me!
Angela Saldana says
May 2, 2019 at 9:13 pmI made ONE of these and now I can’t make another Knockout design. I’m not getting that “blob” look to slice after saving the lettering.
Chris says
May 3, 2019 at 9:11 amDuring Cricuts multiple updates recently, they changed how print and cut works AGAIN. One rep said they didn’t realize how many people used that function. So it may not hurt to contact them and tell them you miss it. I’m thinking they’ll bring it back soon, but we’ll have to see.
Beverly says
June 12, 2019 at 9:22 amSo glad I read this!! I’m not happy with the ‘blob’ I’m getting! I’ve followed your instructions step-by-step. Your explanation explains a lot to me. Never had this much trouble before. Thanks so much!
Connie says
May 3, 2019 at 1:55 pmI have tried so many times to save the image of the scripted words, and when I try to upload the image it says that the file isn’t supported. I cannot figure this out and am getting way too frustrated. Please help!
Chris says
May 6, 2019 at 11:41 pmCricut has made some updates, we’re waiting to see if they bring this feature back
Connie says
May 7, 2019 at 1:22 pmOh no… so there’s no other way to make this image work right now? That’s too bad…. I’m still going to make a shirt, just put the scripted words overtop in a different colour, hopefully it still looks good
Kaila says
May 20, 2019 at 7:02 pmHey! So I’m running into the issue of my bleeded text not being “blob” ish enough looking if that makes sense? It is too exact to the outline of my lettering so my font just basically fills the space that I slice out and then I don’t have enough white space for you to actually be able to read what the knockout font says. Any suggestions?
thanks!
Mandy Reverman says
May 26, 2019 at 10:54 amThis tutorial is AWESOME – thank you! You really have a talent for explaining things simply but completely! I’m having the same ‘no blob’ issue but it appears from comments above that it’s something CDS has changed – again. .:( I wish they would listen to their users, I feel like I send feedback all the time time and it falls on deaf ears. If I’m ever able to search my own projects I’ll feel like I’ve won the lottery!
If you have any fixes to the issue before they (hopefully) reverse this change please let us know. Thank you again!
Kelli says
July 25, 2019 at 8:05 pmWhen I slice, my cutout is barely big enough to make my script readable. Help!
Amy says
August 19, 2019 at 2:32 pmThis was a great tutorial! However, I too am running
Into the issue of my saved text not being supported.
Everyone needs some support! LOL.
Thank you for the step by step instructions!! 😊
Susan says
September 8, 2019 at 9:59 pmI also am running into the issue of saving the file . My only option says “save as” not “save image as” and only saves as an html and I can’t bring my image to upload.
Carly says
December 1, 2019 at 3:38 pmI am having the same issue. Did you get this to work?
J o says
September 11, 2019 at 6:13 pmI cannot get my bleed image to upload.
Jane Johnson says
September 15, 2019 at 1:28 pmHello. I have been trying to get help on this for 2 weeks and getting no response from anyone. I hope you can help me. I can do the whole tutorial no problem except that when I get to send to printer, I right click to save my text and I get no menu to save it. It is very frustrating. Can you help me?
Chris says
September 15, 2019 at 9:13 pmHi Jane! Cricut made some changes again, we are hoping they will bring this option back, I’ll keep you posted!
Jane Johnson says
September 16, 2019 at 7:15 amThank you so much for the quick reply. Do you have any other way that I can create a knockout text, save it as an svg and use it in Cricut? 🙂
Thanks
Jane
A says
February 7, 2020 at 5:01 pmLOVE the tutorial but for some reason I can’t right click and or save the image. Is there another way to save the image?
Jo Anne says
February 17, 2020 at 9:14 amMy computer or Design Space will not allow me to right click on the image to print/cut. I have a Dell, is there another option???
Kristina says
February 21, 2020 at 5:30 pmNeither does mine – I purposefully came back to this tutorial because I successfully used it in the past (about a year ago) so I know any of the difficulties must be because of Design Space updates. Not sure how to proceed…but am determined to figure it out!