Uploading a PDF Sewing Pattern using Print then Cut Option

Today I am happy to share how to upload a PDF Sewing Pattern into Cricut Design Space using the Print then Cut Image upload option instead of the Cut Image upload option. Let me show you how to easily upload your precious sewing patterns in Cricut Design Space.

In a previous blog post and video, I showed how to upload a PDF sewing pattern using the upload cut image option for Design space. That method is my preferred method unless I want to make sure my markings are perfect. That blog post also contains helpful tips for uploading PDF patterns whether they are digital or you are literally holding them in your hand so be sure to check it out.

I will keep this post short and sweet and direct to the point. It will only cover how to take a screenshot of a digital PDF pattern piece and upload only as a “Print then cut Image”.

If you need further assistance with how to place your pattern on a fold or how to mark your pattern pieces please refer to this post here.

These instructions cover how to proceed with PDF sewing patterns on a Desktop or Laptop Computer using the Cricut Design Space Desktop Application.

If you want the instructions for uploading PDF sewing patterns using an iPad, they can be found here.

Why upload as a Print then Cut image?

There are several reasons I have found this method to be helpful as opposed to the reasons I mention for uploading as a cut image.

• A pdf sewing pattern with a lot of pattern pieces
• Intricate & detailed pattern pieces
• When a pattern marking could need exact placement
• If there is a need for multiple markings on one pattern piece
• If you want to take a screenshot of the pattern piece or multiple pattern pieces once in Design Space
• Perhaps for business reasons such as portraying what your pdf sewing pattern that you sell on Esty or your own website will look like once in Cricut Design Space

What Size PDF Pattern Pieces can you upload to Cricut Design Space

You can upload sizes based on which Cricut mats you will be using for your project as follows:

• Cricut 12″ X 12″ Mat = fabric size up to 11.5″ X 11.5″
• Cricut 12″ X 24″ Mat = fabric size up to 11.5″ X 23.5″

So basically these are the areas of the mats we can utilize with cutting fabric with our PDF sewing patterns.

Can you cut multiple layers of fabric on a Cricut Mat

You absolutely can, in fact here is an awesome article for the recommended tips and steps to take for this process.

How to Upload a PDF Sewing Pattern as a Cut then Print Image Steps

Now, just like my previous blog post about uploading PDF Patterns into Design Space, this may seem like a lot of steps in this tutorial format but I promise you it’s very easy. I might even suggest watching the video so you can see just how easy it is!

You will be taking a screenshot of each pattern piece with the “test size square or lines”.

Windows Screen Shot Short-Cut

Snip it tool: Press the Windows Key+Shift+S

(In my video below I share how to add the snip it tool to your lower task bar and how to find it via your search feature instead of the shortcut)

Apple/MAC Screen Shot Short-Cut

Command Key+Shift+4

1. Open your PDF file and choose “more tools” then “fit one full page”. If you don’t have or use Adobe Acrobat Reader to view your PDF files, you can use the % symbol to size down the pages to fit a pattern piece onto each page. I have found that 75% usually works well with most patterns.

I am using the same Witch Hat pattern I used in the video but will only show 1 pattern piece in this tutorial.

2. Line up the first page so the pattern piece and the “test size square or line” is showing.

3. Take a screenshot. Save the screenshot in png format or jpeg. I love to save mine on my “desktop” on my computer so I can just drag and drop the image into the “Upload Image” section down below in Step 6.

4. On your Cricut Design Space Canvas choose “Upload”

5. Choose “Upload” Image

6. Now you have the option to “drag or drop” (my favorite way) or choose “browse” to find where you saved your screenshot.

7. Select “Complex”

8. Your screen will look like this below. You want to remove the white background from your image. So you will only be left with the 1″ square white box and your skirt white pattern piece. But the rest of the white (background) we want to get rid of. To do this use the “select and erase” feature. Choose the wand icon and then click anywhere on the white background area of the image (anywhere BUT the square and pattern piece)

9. After using the “Select and Erase” feature your screen should look like this below. The cute checkerboard pattern means you “erased” the background and you are only left with the pattern piece and 1″ square. This is what we want.

But with this specific uploaded screenshot, we need to erase the portion of the partial witch hat brim that we need to erase and the “Important type message” (We don’t need them)

So simply click on the “eraser” as shown below and roll the eraser over where I placed the 3 green arrows below. You can also increase the circle of the size of your eraser to erase bigger sections quicker.

Trust me It’s a lot easier to erase it now than once in Design Space 👌

After the erasing, your pattern would look like the below. Only the 1 pattern piece and the 1″ square.

Then choose “Continue” in the lower right-hand corner.

10. This is where you select your “Upload Image Type”. Click on the “Print then cut Image”. Then Click on “Upload”

11. Now you will see your saved “Print then Cut” image. Click on your pattern image and then select “insert image”.

Also, note in this area, you can select more than 1 image. I could also select the witch hat brim with the witch hat crown and insert all images at once.

You only have to upload the screenshot one at a time. If you want to see this process, I suggest watching the video as it’s much easier to grasp.

12. Here we can now see I uploaded 2 pattern pieces. I like to group them together and size them together.

From this point on, I highly suggest watching the video. You can fast forward to the part where they are uploaded into Design Space if you like.

What do I cover in the video?

• Take screenshots of your PDF pattern pieces
• Uploading screenshots
• Removing the background and erasing un-needed areas
• Choosing Print then Cut Image and uploading to your “Recent Uploads” area
• Inserting images onto your Design Space Canvas
• Group and Size your pattern pieces as a group
• Duplicating the grouped sized pieces and turning off 1 of the layers (keep it for backup purposes)
• Slicing the 1″ sizing box away from the pattern piece and deleting it
• What to do with pattern pieces that need to be placed on the fold
• How to perfectly line up shapes to use as your markings or notches
• How to change “Operation Type” from Print then Cut to Cutting your pattern pieces out
• Changing your cut lines to draw with your fabric marker
• Duplicating a pattern piece when you need to cut 2 of the same pattern out
• Clicking on “make it” to see your pattern pieces go to the “Prepare Mat Screen”

Video: Upload PDF Sewing Pattern as a Print then Cut Image

Wow, that is a lot of helpful information! It literally takes me long multiple hours to prepare a video and blog post of this nature. So much so that I may have forgotten to share a tip you may be wondering about.

Please always feel free to ask any questions or even leave a helpful tip I may have forgotten or did not think to include in this post!

Let’s all help each other and “create with love”.

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I appreciate your sharing and support ♥

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