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So you spent all your cash on the best vinyl cutter and have nothing left to spend on a premium cutting software?
A 2 minute and 6 second crafting video introducing the benefits of crafting with the Cricut Maker - The Ultimate Cutting Machine.Available August 20th - th. Together, we make a difference. Ever since we launched the original Cricut ® smart cutting machine, our members have inspired us with their amazing creations. Today, they're on their way to making millions of face masks for friends, family, and communities everywhere. Hi everyone this video is a complete step by step, start-to-finish guide on how to use Cricut Maker and Explore Air 2. We start with machine unboxing and hoo. Make something fun or functional in 15 minutes or less with this companion app for Cricut Joy smart cutting machines. Think simple, single-material DIY projects like cards, labels, stickers & iron-on transfers. No learning curve – just jump in and start making! Bust out the perfect card in minutes. Using the Cricut Design Space App is a great way to enjoy your machine, you can access your images, ready to cut projects, and best of all, you DON'T need the Internet! If you are already familiar with the Desktop version of Cricut Design Space, you will find this App very easy to navigate.
If yes, you can get your way around it by using a FREE cutting software. Most of the free models will meet all your cutting needs, just like the paid ones.
In this post, we'll take a look at some of the most popular free vinyl cutting software available today.
Completely FREE To use Software:
Inkscape
Inkscape is the most popular free vinyl cutting software among crafters all over.
The free software offers you a suite of flexible drawing tools and a powerful text tool to enable you to work on just any craft from start to finish. Moreover, it presents you with the broad file format and compatibility, as well as the Bezier & Spiro curves, to extend your boundaries on the types of projects you can work on with it.
Just like the paid software, Inkscape also supports SVG (Scalable Vector graphics). This simply means that it'll work with your specific vinyl cutter even if it comes programmed to work with its native software only.
One area where this cutting software outdoes most of the paid software is its super-user friendly user interface. Whether you're an absolute beginner or pro designer, you'll easily figure things out when using this software.
Other than the vinyl cutter, you can also use Inkscape with a good heat press machine to help you design and edit graphics to be applied on t-shirts.
They even have a detailed FAQs page where you can get all the answers you have in your mind regarding the software!
Hey! Sometimes you need to take advantage of the free trials of the paid software and use these apps for your machine cutting needs.
Some of these top-rated software will offer you an extended free trial of up to 30 days and will grant you access to all its features and functions, including the advanced ones.
Let's look at some of these software below…
SignGo
SignGo is one perfect example of paid software with a pretty long free trial period. It lets you use it for up to 30 days (equivalent to one month) without paying a cent.
If you only have a few cutting projects to work on with your machine, this is a pretty long period of time to complete them.
You can use this software to work a wide range of cutting projects, including creating t-shirt designs, vinyl lettering, paint stencils, sandblast stencils, promo items, decorative glass, stickers, decals, among others.
Some of the premium features you'll enjoy using from this software include the text editor, welding, node editor, distortions, direct scanning, gradient fills, shadows, to name but a few. However, you might not enjoy its full list of premium features until you subscribe to their pro version.
And the best part? This software supports over 500 cutting machines, so there's a high chance your vinyl cutter will work with it.
Easy Cut Studio
Here's another premium vinyl cutting software with an extended free demo of up to 30 days, just like SignGo.
Cricut Cutting Machine Apps
Though this software is relatively new to the game, it has quickly gained popularity in the vinyl cutting world. The fact that it's compatible with both Windows and Mac operation software makes translates to increased user scope.
Easy Cut Studio supports importing/exporting the SVG type files—enabling you to easily upload, save, and even send the designs you create. It also means you can hassle-freely transfer your files from this software to other software of your choice…something not many software can do.
Because the software supports vectorization of files, turning normal image file into cutting files becomes easier than ever before!
Oh! Don't forget that this software also presents you with a 100% user-friendly, intuitive interface to make it as easy to use as possible.
Sure Cuts A Lot
Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) is one of the simplest vinyl cutting software ever made. It comes with an incredibly intuitive, user-friendly interface, which makes it the perfect option for absolute beginners.
Though this is a paid software, it offers you a FREE trial, which lasts for up to 15 days.
During the free trial period, you'll enjoy using this app to cut pretty much any font or shape you can think of. You can choose to draw your own design from scratch, use pre-made designs, or cut your OpenType and TrueType fonts.
The software also has the ability to import designs from other programs. And thanks to its auto-tracing feature, it does a great job converting any shape into a cut image.
Similar to other top-rated premium software, SCAL also works with both Windows and Mac.
Quit note: Cricut machine owners have reported issues using this software's latest version (SCAL 5).
Verdict
If you're looking for a reliable vinyl cutting software to use with your vinyl cutter but don't have the cash to purchase the premium models, consider getting Inkscape software. This is 100% free to use software and presents you with great features and functions, just like the paid software.
If you want to have a piece of the cake for the premium software without paying a dime, consider taking advantage of their free trials. These will be more suitable if you don't have a lot of cutting projects. Some of these paid apps have a free demo that goes for as long as 30 days—more than enough time for small projects!
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November 16, 2020 | Cricut Blog Team
Adobe photoshop facts. So you just got your first Cricut cutting machine…
Congratulations and welcome! Perhaps it's got you wondering:
- Now what?
- What should I make?
- How do I get started?
If so, you're in the right place! That's why we created the Cricut 101 series.
We get it. We, at Cricut, remember what it's like to be new to the brand.
We remember the excitement of starting your creative journey, the feeling that anything was possible–the thrill as you envisioned yourself making endless projects and gifts! But, if we're honest, we also remember a little bit of fear.
- Will I be able to figure out the technology?
- What do I do first?
- What supplies and equipment will I need?
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Cricut 101 series
From November 18, 2020 to January 8, 2021, join us on the Official Cricut YouTube Channel for a livestream series of beginner level lessons. Check out the schedule of topics below.
Cricut Personal Cutting Machine Manual
This series is totally free! Just follow these steps to join at the time of the live stream:
- Navigate to our YouTube
- Join in and watch
- Comment or ask questions
If you want YouTube to notify you of new episodes, subscribe and turn on notifications. The previously streamed videos may also be found on the Cricut 101 Playlist after they have aired.
This series covers basic topics that are most frequently asked by new members, including an unboxing Cricut Joy, Cricut Explore Air 2, and Cricut Maker. We also walk you through basic projects by material as well as projects that are perfect for beginners.
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Cricut 101 live schedule
Please note that all scheduled times are noted in MST and may be subject to change. Continue to tune in here for the latest updates.
Don't forget to subscribe and turn on notifications to receive reminders.
Ebay Cricut Cutting Machines
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Cricut 101 videos
Here are past videos that have run as part of the series.
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Additional resources
- FAQs for Cricut Joy, Cricut Explore, and Cricut Maker.
- What kinds of materials can I cut with…Cricut Joy,Cricut Explore, and Cricut Maker?
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