A couple months ago my mother found a Cricut expression at a yard sale. She bought it for $30 and it came with 12 cartridges and no power cord or blade. Either way I am so happy to have bought this machine and can’t wait to see what my crafting future holds.
Cricut Design Space
Enjoy total creative freedom over your next DIY project with Cricut Design Space™. Create from anywhere, any time inspiration sparks with cloud-based syncing across devices. Experience brand-new features like kerning, spell check, right-to-left text & more by upgrading your device to iOS 14 or above.
For fun or functional projects in 15 minutes or less, use the companion Cricut Joy™ app. • Design home & party decor, jewelry, and fashion accessories • Access images & projects and make purchases on cricut.com or Design Space with Cricut ID.
The best tablets for Cricut in November 2023
Our reviewers also test the latest tablets, from iPads to Android devices, so this guide combines the best of both experts views. While most of the entries below are Apple, Windows and Android tablets if you’re looking for something more affordable then read my guide to the best Chromebooks for Cricut. Why you can trust Creative Bloq Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.
The iPad 2022 features a new larger, brighter display as well as USB-C support and a set of new accessories, including colourful cases and Magic Keyboard. For Cricut use the screen is great and the support for Apple Pencil is excellent for tweaking your detailed designs with accuracy. A new processor, the A14 Bionic chip, and expansive 64GB or 256GB of memory options ensures Apple’s entry-level tablet is well-capable of most tasks, and perfect for using with Cricut.
In our iPad 2022 review our tester loved our adaptable this model is to most creative tasks, and easily handles Design Space and Procreate, writing: “I don’t need the power of the M1-charged iPad Air, but would like a tablet to be able to handle more than that of the standard model”. The new iPadOS also means multitasking and multi-view windows are an option, handy when you’re designing but need to search for fonts, photos and more online on in folders. When we reviewed the Surface Pro 8 we found it can stand its ground against multiple excellent laptops, yet is far more portable and lightweight. Users will be carving out beautiful decals in no time, as long as they are willing to shell out – though as this model has been on sale for almost a year you can pick up a Surface Pro 8 for around 20 percent off. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite The best small screen Android tablet for Cricut Our expert review: Average Amazon review: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Specifications Weight: 476g Dimensions: 244.5 x 159.5 x 5.7 mm Screen size: 10.4-inch Storage: 64GB / 128GB Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon View at very.co.uk View at Currys Reasons to buy + S Pen stylus included + Good battery life + Great display Reasons to avoid – Not as powerful as the Galaxy Tab S7 The battery life can last around 15 hours on one charge, which means it is perfect for designing on the go, and packing in a briefcase or handbag to use on the move.
05. iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M1, 2021) The best large screen, powerful Apple tablet for Cricut Average Amazon review: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Specifications Weight: 641g Dimensions: 33 x 8.2 x 26.3 cm Screen size: 12.9-inch Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB Today’s Best Deals View at Laptops Direct View at Currys View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Incredibly powerful and fast + Large, sharp screen for designing + Built to last Reasons to avoid – A little overpowered for just Cricut Currently Apple’s best iPad this tablet features an M1 processing chip, which guarantees it has a lot of the same qualities as a Macbook, a classic yet expensive option for any art and design lover.
This new model really is a powerhouse and has some standout features, notably the large, glossy 14.6 inch display – bigger than the iPad Pro.
The only downside in comparison to the iPad Pro is the Samsung’s screen is a little less vibrant and Apple pips Android when it comes to broader design apps. Read our in-depth Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra review for a complete breakdown as to why this new tablet is the best Android device around. 07. iPad Pro 2022 (M2) The best high-end tablet for Cricut Our expert review: Specifications Weight: 0.6 kg Dimensions: 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.25 inches Screen size: 12.9 inches Storage: 128GB – 1TB Reasons to buy + Superb and vibrant display + Apple’s most powerful chip + Excellent Apple Pencil support Reasons to avoid – Overpowered for just Cricut
In our iPad Pro 2022 (M2) review, our tester loved the M2 processor and found it speedy and dynamic, and the new iPadOS 16 offers all sorts of impressive features, such as multi-screen, multi-app workflows. The Apple Pencil 2 support is excellent and the new Magic Keyboard turns the iPad Pro into a laptop, though it does add to the overall weight of the tablet.
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook 10.1 The best Chromebook tablet for Cricut Our expert review: Average Amazon review: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Specifications Weight: 430g (tablet only), 920g (with full cover & keyboard) Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.7 x 0.7 inches Screen size: 10.4-inch Storage: 64 GB / 128 GB Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon View at very.co.uk View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Great design + Good battery life + Keyboard and stand included Reasons to avoid – Isn’t the most powerful tablet This tablet is fast, lightweight and comes with great security features and automatic backups, which is vital when designing something that takes time. Although there isn’t a huge amount of on-device storage space you don’t really need it as this is a Chrome browser tablet so everything is in the Cloud. It can take some getting used to but the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook 10.1 is an affordable option with great features, and an added keyboard and stand.
HP Chromebook x2 The best cheap ChromeOS tablet for Cricut Our expert review: Specifications Weight: 1.99 kg tablet, keyboard and stand included (0.56 kg tablet only) Dimensions: 25 x 17 x .7 cm Screen size: 11-inch Storage: 128 GB eMMC Flash storage Today’s Best Deals Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Superb display and performance + Excellent keyboard + Compact design Reasons to avoid – ChromeOS lacks broader design apps The HP Chromebook x2 is small enough to fit on top of a Maker 3 or Explore 3, or the stand that magnetically adheres to the back is a perfect alternative. Dragon Touch Max10 Tablet The best budget tablet for Cricut Our expert review: Average Amazon review: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Specifications Weight: 926g Dimensions: 24 x 17 x 1 cm Screen size: 10.1-inch Storage: 32GB Today’s Best Deals Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Very affordable + Good performance Reasons to avoid – Not particularly fast – Lacks a good camera Whilst the Dragon Touch Max10 Tablet doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that come with the likes of the iPad Pro or a Samsung Galaxy tablet, it is certainly a brilliant option for those looking for something that still offers most features that you’d need to work with Cricut Design Space, and for a fraction of the price.
The display is very good and a surprise at this price-point; the Dragon Touch Max10 Tablet features high resolution and brightness levels you expect from a more expensive device. This tablet is now compatible with Apple Pencil 2nd Generation, making it a match made in heaven for designers.
With Apple’s A15 Bionic processor and a Liquid Retina IPS LCD screen, this tablet has a brilliant spec, and fast performance. And, although it isn’t possible to plug your headphones in to block out the world whilst you work, you can become the next Picasso with the Apple Pencil (if you’re looking to purchase one), that attaches magnetically to this iPad.
Weighing less than 300g and super sleek in design, users may assume that this tablet couldn’t pack a punch, but they’d be wrong. Again, like many at the tail end of my guide this tablet has a small-ish screen, so it’s great from basic pre-designs but you’ll need one of the larger devices in numbers 1-5 for creating your own projects in Design Space.
The new Apple iPad is a good choice, for example, but if you prefer Android the the Samsung Tab range is an option, and if you want a Chromebook, the HP models are excellent and cheap.
How to use Cricut Design Space on your Ipad
But now, it is time for Apple users to say bye-bye to this problem because Cricut Design Space can now be used on your phones as well as your iPad. You will notice this first on the topmost panel where it says (Home – Canvas – Make) on the iPad you will always see the names but on your phone, sometimes you will see a rectangle that is divided into three equal parts.
Another thing to keep in mind is that since Cricut is built for desktops, you won’t find the same level of convenience on your phone. Since space is also limited on your phone, the layers button will be deactivated multiple times when you tap on the other features.
The options available to you here will be Measurements, Selection, and Smart Hand Gestures which are going to be extremely helpful when you work on your iPad.
How To Use Cricut Design Space On An iPad — Vinyl Decal School
I also have an Apple pencil but you don’t necessarily need that unless you want to draw your own designs.
How to use Cricut Design Space on your iPad & Phone – Full Tutorial
Using the Cricut Design Space App is a great way to enjoy your machine. If you are already familiar with the Desktop version of Design Space, you will find this app very easy to navigate. On the other hand, if you have no experience, this is the best place; this article will take you to every little icon the app has.
I understand that learning a new skill can sometimes be a little frustrating, but when you take the time and are patient with it, you can become an expert.
I don’t want you to break your head trying to find those features on the app so let me list them for you: a button that allows you to select all of the elements and layers you have on the canvas area.
The feature that allows you to curve text can only be found and used in the desktop version. SnapMat (Only on the App): finally, something extraordinary that the desktop version doesn’t have!
This option allows you to choose the exact location – on your mat – you want your Cricut to cut. I have a full Cricut Design Space Desktop version tutorial, and I recommend you check it out! The only tiny difference between the app for iPhone and iPad is SPACE MANAGEMENT. On the iPad, you see the entire mat preview, but on iPhone, you need to tap on the upper right corner to display other options (covered later on).
Something to keep in mind is that most of the time, when you tap on something, the menus are very long, so with the phone, you will have to slide them to the left and right to see all the options – sometimes, with the iPad too. Also, since space is so limited on your phone, the layers button will be deactivated multiple times when you tap on other features. Is there any difference between the Design Space app for iOS and Android Users? When I started my crafting journey, Cricut didn’t even have an app for Android users! iOS is more advanced and allows you to use your machine without the internet, and it has the offset tool, photo canvas, SnapMat, etc. I bought an Android (a cheap one) to look at how the app behaves compared to iOS, and most icons are identical.
I do know that for the app to function fully; you need to have specific requirements; that’s why I think that my cheap Galaxy A12 doesn’t show particular features. According to the app description on the google play store, if you have the system requirements and the latest software update, you should have SnapMat, kerning, etc.
So if there’s an icon you can’t find on your device but can see on the screenshot, the feature most likely doesn’t exist for that particular phone or Android users altogether. You can also set up your machine from this menu, and if you plan on using the “Print Then Cut” tool, you can calibrate your device, so everything goes smoothly. I won’t go into detail about them because I want to focus on the designing aspect of the app. When you tap on “New Project” – the green square – you will be on the CANVAS; this is the area where we will put most of our efforts into learning.
When you have a clear concept of what every icon and panel is for, you can truly dig in and start exploring further and further. BTDT – But knowing your work area will help you take your creativity to a new level. When you send your project to your machine, you will be prompted to choose how to load your materials; the amount of options depends on the Cricut you own. At the bottom, there’s a little icon called SnapMat, a tool that allows you to visualize and then choose where to cut your designs precisely.
When you are ready to cut, tap on continue to choose your materials and see the specific blade and other accessories you need. You can change the measurements from inches to cm and turn the grid on and off when you tap on the “Settings” icon on the bottom panel of the app. Note: Depending on the app version you have installed, you may be able to perform different actions like deleting the layer, unlocking the proportions, resizing, 3d perspective, etc. Note: depending on your device’s size, you need to swipe left and right to see all icons. Note: I noticed that on Android, you couldn’t have layers and other icons activated. The bottom panel is grey and has 13 essential menus that allow you to edit your project.
Images are perfect when you are putting together your projects; with them, you can add an extra touch and personality to your crafts. Cricut has terrific filters, you can type a keyword on the search bar, or if you tap on the upper-right corner, you search by categories, free images, operation types, etc.
You need the internet to find an image, but (for iOS users) you can download it and use it later on for an offline project. If you just want images with text or find quotes or sentiments to go on your project, tap on “Phrases.” After you tap, you will be prompted to choose the font you want to work with; then, a little box will appear on the canvas area for you to type in your text.
You can change the operation of this line and set it to “Score,” “Engrave,” etc., if you want to make boxes cards, etc.
Cricut allows you to upload files and images you want to use on your projects. When you tap on “Upload,” you will have the opportunity to choose the location of your image or even take a photo.
The internet is filled with files for Cricut; tons of bloggers create projects for free. If you have no idea where to find images or cut files, I have a growing library that you can access when you subscribe to my newsletter and become a daydreamer!
This option will delete any selected elements on the canvas or layers panel. This setting is handy when you have different layers that make up a complex design. Most likely (and if this is an SVG or cut file), the elephant will be composed of different layers (the body, eyes, legs, trunk, etc.). If you want to incorporate different shapes or text, most likely is that you will be moving your elephant across the canvas area a lot.
Therefore, by grouping all the elephant layers, you can ensure that everything stays organized and nothing will get out of place when you move them around the canvas. Check out this graphic to understand Weld, Attach, Slice, Flatten, and Contour. However, the shapes are connected, and this attachment will remain in place when I cut my project. The “Slice” tool is perfect for cutting out shapes, text, and other elements, from different designs.
When you have “Print Then Cut” activated, that change applies to just one layer at a time. When you are done with your design, select the layers you want to print together as a whole, and then tap on “Flatten.”
Hide Contour The Contour tool allows you to hide unwanted pieces of a design, and it will only be activated when a shape or design has elements that can be left out. When you tap on contour, a new window will pop up with all of the pieces on the design you can hide on the left.
However, if you don’t have Cricut access, Make sure you use your system’s fonts; otherwise, you will be charged when you send your project to cut. – Regular: this is the default setting, and it won’t change the appearance of your font. – Writing: font style design to use pens, foil tips, etc. Remember that you will have different options depending on your machine (Maker, Explore, or Joy).
Unless you uploaded a JPEG or PNG image to the Canvas, “Basic Cut” is the default operation that all of your elements on your canvas will have; this means that when you tap on “Make it,” your machine will cut those designs. If you need help learning about the Cricut Blades and the differences, I recommend this ultimate guide and tutorial.
Getting curved lines in Design Space is quite complicated, so this tool will come in handy if you like these effects.
The Perforation Blade is a tool that allows you to cut your materials in small and uniform lines to create perfect and crisp tear effects like the ones you see in raffle tickets, coupons, tear-out cards, etc.
When you select a particular design, the layers on the canvas area will be outlined with the color of the pen you picked. With “Pen,” when you tap on “Make it,” your Cricut will write or draw instead of cutting.
This tip will push the material in and create beautiful and detailed designs. Imagine debossing a beautiful gift box with flowers, hearts, stars, etc. I design tons of printables for kiddos and adults, and for taking photos – for my posts – I had to cut every little thing!
Position This tool shows you where your items are on the canvas area when you tap on a specific layer. When you work with multiple images, text, and designs, the new creations you add to the canvas will always be in front of everything. Something great about this function is that the program will know what item is on the front or back, and when you select it, Design Space will activate the available options for that particular element.
– Send Backward: This option will move the selected item one step back. This setting allows you to align all elements, and it’s activated when selecting two or more pieces. The furthest top and bottom designs will determine the distribution length; the items in the center will be distributed between the most distant top and bottom elements. Note: As far as I tested, for Android users, the layers panel will pop open and has to be closed when wanting to use other tools.
Layers represent every single element or design that is on the canvas area. So, for a freezing day, your layers would be underwear, pants, shirt, jacket, socks, boots, gloves, etc.
The point is that all the tiny designs and elements that are part of that project are layers. The little eye at the end of the layers panel represents the visibility of a design on the canvas.
When you are unsure whether an element looks good on the canvas area, tap on the little eye instead of deleting it to hide that design. This option will delete any selected elements on the canvas area or layers panel.
When you tap on “Settings,” you can choose whether you want to use metric or imperial units. Also, you can turn it off if you prefer to work with a clean canvas – no grid whatsoever.
Last but not least, you have the Smart Guides setting; I leave them on all the time because they help you position and align new objects with those you already have on the canvas area. Do you know it takes me over 25 hours to complete a single Cricut article? I would appreciate your support on Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / as I am trying to grow my audience to keep producing great content!
12 Best Tablets for Cricut Design Space (Artist Guide) | 2023
It’s no surprise that the best tablet for Cricut design Space require a moderately strong processor, larger size screen, and reliable battery life. Our guide covers everything from budget-friendly models to high-end devices, so you can find the perfect tablet for your creative projects.
This means Cricut Design Space runs best on Microsoft Surface Pro 8 due to the extra features it gives users. Below are the features that the desktop version of Cricut Design space allows for that iOS and Android don’t have:
The iOS and Android versions will still work, but you won’t be able to use Pattern fills, Templates, offset, curve text, and other features. It has an Intel Evo platform that offers high performance, great graphics and top-notch battery life.
The 13’’ touchscreen is perfect for drawing small details without zooming on your canvas and proves to be ultimately accurate when it comes to color palettes. If you’re looking for the best Cricut Design Space experience on a Windows tablet/laptop, the Surface Pro 8 is simply the best way to go.
Accessing the app’s pre-made design libraries happened instantly and importing images, shapes and fonts was 100% lag-free too.
The 10.9-inch, Liquid Retina display has the perfect size and quality for editing and drawing apps and Cricut is no exception.
I didn’t face any compatibility or lag issues when using the Cricut Design Space app on the iPad Pro with the latest Apple Pencil 2. In a few words, the iPad Air is the best tablet to have if you want an optimal Cricut experience on a noticeably more affordable device than Apple’s or Microsoft’s flagships.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+: Top Android Tablet for Cricut Design Space (powerful) Let me explain: Samsung’s flagship has a top-notch 12.4 inch screen, a super-fast 128GB SSD and one of the best battery autonomies on the market. The S7+ is also very powerful and has no problem handling all Android apps available, including, of course, the latest Cricut Design Space.
Even though the Cricut Android app misses some of the Windows version features, most toolboxes and premade templates are there.
If you’re a fan of the latest iPadOS but don’t want to spend an enormous amount for your next Cricut device, the iPad Standard is a great solution. The Standard iPad is great choice for those looking after their budget, especially if you grab a slightly older model that has the specs to run Cricut.
With a Quad-core CPU, 32GB of internal space and a HD 10-inch screen, Win Sing has everything that’s needed to run the Cricut app. The 32GB storage isn’t the best, but it is easily expandable (SD card up to 128GB) for anyone who creates large or numerous Cricut designs. If you want to stay on a budget but need your tablet to be designed by a reputable manufacturer, the Tab A8 is the best Win Sing alternative. With the most powerful mobile processor on the market (M1) and the best Retina HDR display, the iPad Pro offers the ultimate Cricut experience. The 11-inch Liquid Retina comes with a 2388 x 1668 resolution and combined with the HDR10 technology and 600 nits brightness, the iPad Pro offers a top-tier viewing experience. There’s a reason why the iPad Pro is one of the best tablets for other design focused apps like procreate – it makes sense that works well for Cricut too.
In fact, the new XP Pen Artist 12 Pro is a graphics drawing tablet created for beginners and professionals. The device has one of the best screens we’ve ever seen on a drawing tablet (11.6 inch, adjustable via the included stand) and the active pen has 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. Another interesting feature is the 8 customizable shortcut keys that allow you to quickly access certain Cricut tools and functions.
If you don’t need a standalone tablet for Cricut, the XP Pen Artist 12 Pro is the perfect choice.
The 10.1’’ FHD display has a 1920 x 1200 resolution and integrates the latest HUAWEI ClariVU technology for improved clarity, viewing angles and brightness. Finally, the 7500mAh battery allowed us to work on Cricut continuously for more than 7 hours, which is pretty impressive for a low-cost tablet like the M5. It is very impressive how such an inexpensive device can offer a good and precise experience on editing and drawing apps like Cricut. The 32GB storage is expandable (up to 128GB Micro SD card) and the quad-core processor had no issues running the Cricut Android app.
The battery lasts around 5 hours and the device comes with a USB 2.0 port that allows you to connect any accessory (mice, keyboards, etc). Contrary to what its price suggests, the Dragon Touch K10 offers all the essential features a beginner needs to start designing on Cricut.
The latest Asus ZenPad follows the brand’s elegance design rules and is fully compatible with the Cricut maker app for Android devices. The 10.1 FHD, IPS display provides the color accuracy and viewing angles someone needs when working on Cricut.
With its high resolution, decent viewing angles, good color accuracy, and fast refresh rate, images and text will look sharper and more detailed. I wouldn’t use this tablet if I was a photographer or professional video editor; but it does run most light-weight design softwares with ease when I tested them. The Surface Pro 9, like its predecessor, is fully compatible with the Windows version of the Cricut app, offering users a seamless experience. Thanks to its Intel-based architecture, the Surface Pro 9 runs the full version of Windows, ensuring that users aren’t restricted by the limitations of Android or iOS platforms.
With Intel’s 12th Generation Core chips, it promises unmatched speed and efficiency, ensuring that the Cricut app runs without any hitches. For those who often compare stylus capabilities: The Surface Pen’s precision and responsiveness are on par, if not superior, to Apple’s Pencil, making design work on Cricut a breeze.
Boasting a 13-inch touchscreen, the Surface Pro 9 ensures that every detail in your design is visible without unnecessary zooming. In conclusion, the Surface Pro 9, with its advanced features and powerful performance, is undeniably the best choice for those seeking an unmatched Cricut Design Space experience on a Windows tablet. I would definitely recommend using a good laptop for Cricut if you’re experienced with other desktop drawing and editing software like Photoshop, Krita or Illustrator. You don’t need a dedicated graphics card to run Cricut Design Space, so keep that in mind!
This is because the operating system is a bit different from what the Cricut software was aimed to work smoothly on. You can use an app like a Adobe illustrator, or web-based image creation software such as Canva and you can save it as a supportive format that Cricut allows for..
It’s worth noting that Cricut Design Space also supports other file formats, including JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, and several others like DXF. These can be found primarily on creative focused websites, Etsy, and other sites that allow free downloads SVG files for Cricut.
Fortunately there is also a search function if you have uploaded a significant amount of template, which make it easier to browse and locate your digital designs on the fly. Each tablet was tested hands-on, using Cricut Design Space extensively to gauge real-world performance.
Tablets are a good choice because they are simple, convenient, and get the job done without being distracted by notifications; which is a common issue with phones. This includes the standard basic iPad, which had zero lag, delays, or stuttering when running the design space app. As far as RAM, ports, internal storage, and processing speed, all iPad models are compatible and worked extremely well during my hands on tests for this review. Tablets, including the iPad, = don’t have keyboards… which may help users who plan on using Cricut for longer periods of time and also want to multi-task with work.
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