how to make shadow letters in cricut design space
Bonus: Print then Cut tutorial
The Cricut Offset features is a game changer for your crafting projects. What is it, what does it do and how do you use it? All valid questions and keep reading for the answers.
Want to see the Cricut Offset Feature in action? Scroll to the bottom of the post for a video walk through of this tutorial. Also, Links to the fonts and products used in this tutorial are at the bottom of this post.
Not sure how to use any of the tools in Design Space's top menu bar? Download this quick reference guide which explains how to use each feature in the Edit bar.
What is the Cricut Offset Feature?
The offset feature in Design Space allows you to quickly and easily add a shadow to letters, words, titles and objects. You can use the Distance slider bar to increase or decrease the size of the shadow. You can even select the shadow and create a shadow for the shadow.
To activate the Offset feature, first click on a word, letter or image to highlight it. Then select the Offset feature. It is symbolized as a pentagon shape with dashed lines around it and is located between the Edit and Align features in the top tool bar. Once the Offset feature is highlighted, the Offset menu will appear. Use the Distance slider to increase or decrease the size of the shadow. The corners can be round or square depending upon which radial button you select. It defaults to round corners.
Weld will combine any lines that touch or overlap to create one larger shape. In the image above, the shadow for Hello is welded and it will cut as one piece. If you uncheck Weld, you will have a shadow for each letter, not one shadow for the full word. This is further illustrated below.
What does Only Kerned Fonts mean?
Only Kerned Fonts is a new option in the Font search box in Design Space. While you can use any font with the Offset feature, kerned fonts have optimized spacing and are more visually pleasing which compliments the offset or shadow.
Kerning is the distance between letters. This differs from tracking or the Letter Spacing tool in Design Space's top tool bar. Tracking or Letter Spacing adds or subtracts an equal distance between letters. Instead, kerning adjusts the spacing between letters for a more visually pleasing look. Kerning is found in the pop up menu when you search for a font.
However, if you are searching for a font and cannot find it, don't panic. Un check the Only Kerned Fonts box and all of the fonts will appear.
How do I use the Cricut Offset feature in Design Space?
Glad you asked! Here are 5 different ways you can use that one feature. Stick around to the end and you will see how easily it is to use the offset shadow to create a Print Then Cut Sticker.
#1 – Add a shadow to each letter
To get a shadow around each letter, select Offset and then uncheck Weld Offsets, if it is checked. A line will appear around each letter. Use the distance slider bar to make the shadow larger or smaller.
#2 – Add a shadow to a word or phrase
To add a shadow to a word or phrase, select the Offset feature from the top tool bar and make sure Weld Offset is selected. This will merge all individual shadows that are touching or overlapping into one shadow. There may be some holes in your shadow. If that happens, select Countour from the bottom right corner of the Layers panel and click on the areas you want filled in on the shadow.
#3 – Create a double shadow
Next, select all of the pieces including the shadows to create another shadow layer. Adjust the size using the distance slider to increase or decrease the shadow size. Use the countour feature to fill in any holes. Note, the countour can only fill in areas that are connected. In this example, the back shadow would need to be increased in size to get a solid shadow connecting the "FUL" and BOW" at the end of the title.
#4 – Create a shadow around an image
The Cricut offset feature isn't only for text. It can also be used to create shadows on images that you create, import or use from the Design Space library.
This rainbow is from the Design Space library. After you select the rainbow, the Cricut offset feature is activated. You can now select offset and adjust the size of the shadow. Again, use the contour feature if you have any holes you would like to fill in.
#5 – Create a shadow around an image and title
The Cricut offset feature can create shadows around images and text, whether or not they already have a shadow layer. Position all of the pieces as you'd like them for your design, highlight everything you want to create a shadow for and select the offset feature. Again, you may wish to use the contour feature to fill in any holes.
All of the shadows are black or grey. Can they be a different color?
Yes, shadows are going to default to black or grey depending on whether it's a first or second or even third shadow layer. You can select the shadow, this is usually easiest by selecting it from the layers panel, and select the colored square in the Operation feature of the edit bar/top tool bar to select any color.
What do I do with it now?
I just showed you 5 different ways you can use the Cricut offset feature for your next project. The next logical question is, what type of project do I use it on?
You can use your new creations as titles or graphics for scrapbook pages or cards. Another option is to cut them from vinyl and add them to the front of a picture frame and fill the frame with a patterned paper for a quick sign. It can be cut from heat transfer vinyl and added to a t-shirt or tote bag.
Bonus – Print Then Cut Sticker
Those are just a couple quick suggestions. However, have you ever made stickers with your Cricut?
For this, I turned the back layer from grey to white because I wanted the spacing around the rainbow and title, but didn't necessarily want to "see" it. However, this still works if the back layer is any color, Select all of the layers, even the white back layer, and then Flatten from the bottom of the layers panel. Now, it's a Print then Cut image.
Resize it and duplicate it, if you would like to create multiples. Once ready, select Make It. The cutting mat will appear with a thick black line around your image. Cricut automatically adds this box and needs it to print on your image so it can guide the cutting process.
Load your sticker stock into your printer and select Continue. Cricut will now send the image to your printer to print. After it prints, take your sticker stock or paper and put it on your Cricut mat. Select the proper material and start cutting.
Even though Cricut cutting mats are 12×12 and larger, the largest area you can use for a print then cut is 9.25″ x 6.75″ regardless of whether it's one large image or mulitple smaller images. That is the largest size you can use for any print then cut.
Conclusion
Do you see how easy everything flows together for great looking designs using the Cricut Offset feature? How are you going to use it? I'd love to hear all about it!
Do you still have questions about what all of the features do in the Edit bar/top tool bar in Design Space? Download this handy reference guide. It's free in the Resource Library. To get the password, complete the form below:
Fonts and Products Used
- Sticker paper used for the Print Then Cut – Avery 03383 8-1/2″ X 11″ Ink Jet Sticker Project Paper 15 Count (Pack of 2)
- Fonts used were purchased from Creative Market – Modern Farmhouse Font Bundle by KA Designs
Additional Cricut tutorials for you
Here are some more Cricut tutorials you may enjoy.
Summer Vibes: How to Upload Zip Files to Cricut Design Space
How to Create Custom Journal Cards in Cricut Design Space
God Bless America 4th of July Scrapbook Layout – Free Pattern
How to Create a Flower Pot Gift Card Holder – Free Pattern
Thank you and happy crafting!
MollyQ
how to make shadow letters in cricut design space
Source: https://mollyqcreates.com/5-ways-to-use-the-cricut-offset-feature/