CRICUT OFFSET: HOW TO AND IDEAS

Cricut released an AMAZING new feature in Design Space called the Cricut Offset Feature. I am so excited to show you how to use it plus ideas and answer any questions you may have. And Oh Yeah….Free Files too! Celebrate!

WHAT IS A CRICUT OFFSET?

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The new Cricut Offset feature can be used to add an outline around your designs or create a background layer or even add multiple layers bigger or smaller than the original layer you design.

Some people refer to offset as a shadow in case you are familiar with that term. There are many ways and projects you can use the offset feature for and once you see how easy it is to use, I am sure you will be a pro in no time!

WHY USE THE CRICUT OFFSET FEATURE?

One of the main reasons to use an Offset is it will make your design Pop or Stand out from just a plain one-layer image. I made an example to show you the same file (spider and ghost) with and without an offset.

Another reason why this example is so good is it shows in addition how different materials such as cardstock versus HTV (heat transfer vinyl) on top of card stock also enhances the design outcome.

By the way, these spider and ghost files are Free and located in my Resouce Library for you for personal use. They make such cute cupcake toppers but can be used for other craft ideas as well.

using cricut offset versus not using cricut offset on cupcake toppers

IS THE CRICUT OFFSET FEATURE AVAILABLE FOR ALL DESIGN SPACE USERS?

Currently, it is only available to Cricut Design Space Desktop/Laptop users whose Operating systems at least meet the following system requirements.

Windows 10 (64 bit only) or higher
macOS 10.15 and higher

Here are some more details regarding system updates and Cricut Offset from Cricut to assist you if needed.

HOW TO ADD AN OFFSET USING ONLY A CELL PHONE OR TABLET?

I wrote a tutorial on this very issue which also includes a video on how to use the Phonto App to create offsets

I also wrote another tutorial on how to curve text using a cell phone or tablet using the same Phonto App.

FREE FILES I CREATED THAT HAVE AN OFFSET ALREADY FOR YOU!

free offset files to use in your craft projects

VIDEO: HOW TO & IDEAS USING CRICUT OFFSET

This video shows all kinds Cricut Offset Ideas plus How to’s and at the end of the video are even some projects I made with the free files!

HOW TO USE CRICUT OFFSET USING CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

The Offset Feature will be grayed out unless you have text or an image selected on your canvas. Once you click on the item you want to add an offset to, the offset icon becomes bold in color as seen below.

offset feature is grayed out when an image is not selected.

offset button becomes bold when an image is selected

Once you click on your image or text you can see how the Offset Feature Icon becomes bold.

TIP: Move your image or text at least to the 4″ mark on your Design Space Canvas so when you click on “Offset” you will be able to see your image with the new offset. If you don’t move your image the Offset box will cover up your image and you won’t be able to see it.

I moved my image to just below the 4″ mark on my canvas as seen below.

Honestly, the best and easiest way to learn how to use the new Cricut Offset feature is to just play with it! I kid you not, it’s that easy 🙌

But here are a few tips to help you get started:

The black dot is a slider
Slide the dot to the right and your offset line gets bigger (up to 1″)
Slide the dot to the left and your offset line gets smaller
Slide the dot past the center line towards the left and your offset now becomes an inset (lines on inside of image or text)
If you prefer, you can manually type in the box next to the slider the number size of the offset or inset you want. Example: type in 0.083 is a nice size offset. Likewise you can type in -0.083 to get a nice size inset.
My method is to use the slider to get it right or close then use the numbers to get it exactly how I want it
The default offset settings will have the rounded “corner” option selected as well as the “weld” option checked. This is a good thing as probably 95% of the time you will use those settings anyway.
Once happy with your Offset or Inset choice click on “Apply”.

once happy with your cricut offset you can click on the apply button

After you click on “Apply” your Cricut Offset layer will default to a Black color. Simply change it by clicking on Black Offset Layer in your layers panel on the right, then click on the “color” button at the top of Design Space as shown below.

offset layers are black as the default color. You can easily change the color from black to possibly white if you prefer

This white color is a common color when making stickers too! But you can pick any color you like.

changing your offset layer to a different color

I changed my Design Space Canvas color to gray so you could see the white Cricut Offset better.

To change your Design Space Canvas color, click on the “Blank Canvas Square” at the bottom of the Layers panel. Then click on the “color” box that will appear at the top of Design Space as seen below. You can change it to any color of your choice.

changing the color of your design space canvas to be able to see the white cricut offset

What you do next really depends on what your design will be used as. Such as a sticker or vinyl or iron-on project as an example. If you are going to cut it out in vinyl or HTV (iron-on) you could group the white layer to the image so it all stays together when you move it on your canvas.

If you want to turn it into a sticker then it’s very important to select all the layers of the image and the offset layer and click on “Flatten”.

Just a reminder on making stickers in Design Space, you can make a square shape and size it to 6.75″ W X 9.25″ H. You can then fit as many stickers as you can on that square. Just be sure to turn off the square layer or delete it before sending your stickers to the printer.

Here is an example if I wanted a full sheet of stickers of the same design.

a full sheet of stickers on design space canvas

PROJECT EXAMPLE PHOTOS USING OFFSETS

Fall stickers showing how a simple small white offset can enhance the look of a square or rectangle sticker

3 fall stickers with a small white offset to make the stickers pop

A fun way to use a Fall Sticker to make a candle band that you can change out with the seasons

Make this super cute Hello Fall subway tile project, instructions found here.

Or there are also free flower files here.

If you look the look of the Distressed Mantle Arch and Candle Holders check this post out for an easy how-to!

using fall stickers on candle bands of cardstock paper for decor

A fun Mama Offset on my good old faithful water bottle

Mama Offset in holographic vinyl and teal vinyl makes the name pop

Such a cute Autumn Banner. It has an offset on the pumpkin and the letters plus 1 inset on the letters

fall mantle showing the Autumn Pumpkin Banner that has offsets and an inset.

Make a Pumpkin Mandala for your mantle!

close up picture of a pumpkin banner using a cricut offset and a cricut inset — I used the Cricut Medium Foil Tip with Gold Foil for the inset on the letter U

A great example of no offset using patterned HTV then adding an offset to help the design pop so you can easily read it!

examples of using a Cricut offset with patterned heat transfer vinyl and without a cricut offset too

Here are some Ghost and Spider Cupcake Toppers. See how much better they look with an Offset?

Ghost and Spiders. 2 have offsets and 2 do not have offsets. great examples

The inside of these letters I used a pattern for my font, then turned them into stickers and used black cardstock for the offset.

Happy Birthday Gift bag using a pattern with a Cricut Offset

I just LOVE how this Joy-merry & bright gift bag turned out! If you want to make the snowflake part, I chose a snowflake from Cricut Access and simply welded them to a rectangle and I used holographic vinyl. I used HTV for the Joy-merry&bright portion.