Procreate To Cricut: Make Stickers Step-by-Step

Hey everyone! Are you ready to dive into the awesome world of DIY stickers? I'm going to walk you through how to make stickers in Procreate for Cricut! It's seriously one of the most fun and rewarding projects you can do. We'll be using Procreate, which is a fantastic app for iPad, and then sending our designs over to a Cricut machine for cutting. This guide is perfect for beginners, so don't worry if you've never done this before. I'll break it down into easy-to-follow steps. So, grab your iPad, your Apple Pencil (or your favorite stylus), and let's get started. By the end of this, you'll be creating your own custom stickers for your laptops, water bottles, or to sell! Let's get creative, shall we?

What You'll Need

Before we jump into the how to make stickers in Procreate for Cricut process, let's make sure you've got everything you need. First up, you'll need an iPad and the Procreate app. Procreate is a powerhouse of a drawing app, and it's super user-friendly. You'll also need an Apple Pencil (or a compatible stylus) to make drawing and designing a breeze. Then, of course, you'll need a Cricut machine. Any Cricut model will work, but I'm using the Cricut Maker for this tutorial, as it cuts a variety of materials, including sticker paper. You'll also need sticker paper, which you can find at most craft stores or online. I recommend using printable vinyl sticker paper for the best results, as it's durable and waterproof. Finally, make sure you have the Cricut Design Space app installed on your computer or mobile device. This is where we'll upload our designs and tell the Cricut what to do. Got all that? Awesome, let's move on to the fun part!

Designing Your Stickers in Procreate

Now, the fun part! Let's start designing your stickers in Procreate. Open up Procreate on your iPad and create a new canvas. I usually start with a canvas size of 3 x 3 inches, at 300 DPI. This size is great for most stickers, but you can adjust it depending on the size you want your stickers to be. Now, it's time to unleash your creativity! You can draw anything you like – a cute animal, a motivational quote, a fun illustration, or even your own logo. Use the various brushes, colors, and layers in Procreate to bring your ideas to life. When designing, keep in mind that the Cricut will cut around the outline of your design. So, if you want a white border around your sticker, make sure to draw a white outline around your artwork. You can also add a transparent background if you want the sticker to be cut in the shape of your design. Once you're happy with your design, it's time to prepare it for the Cricut. To do this, you'll need to make sure your design has a transparent background. This ensures that only the design is cut. If your background is white, the Cricut will try to cut around the white space, which isn't what you want! So, turn off the background layer or make sure the background is transparent.

To create the transparent background, make sure to toggle off the background layer. Next, you'll export your design as a PNG file. A PNG file format supports transparency, so this is important! Click the wrench icon to open the Actions menu, and then select 'Share.' Choose 'PNG' from the available options. The PNG file will be saved to your iPad. You can then save it to the Files app or directly upload it to your Cricut Design Space app, and from there, to your Cricut machine. Remember, the key here is to have a well-designed sticker image with a transparent background to avoid cutting errors with the Cricut machine.

Preparing Your Design in Cricut Design Space

Okay, so now that you have your design saved as a PNG file with a transparent background, it's time to prepare it in Cricut Design Space. Open the Cricut Design Space app on your computer or mobile device, and start a new project. Click on the 'Upload' button and select your PNG file. Design Space will ask you how you want to upload your image. Choose 'Complex' for detailed images. This will help Design Space better interpret the details of your sticker design. In the next step, you can edit the image. You may need to remove any unwanted background elements. The most important part is to ensure that the image has a clean outline with no unnecessary spaces. Design Space will show you the outline of your design that the Cricut will cut. You may need to manually erase any extra background elements, and this is where you'll ensure the Cricut only cuts around your design. Then, click 'Apply & Continue.'

After that, you can choose whether you want to 'Print then Cut' or just 'Cut'. Because we're making stickers, select 'Print then Cut.' This tells Design Space to first print your design and then cut around it. Now you can adjust the size of your sticker to your liking. If you want to make multiple stickers, you can duplicate the design as many times as you like. Arrange your stickers within the printable area, making sure they are not overlapping. Once you're happy with the layout, click 'Make It'. This will send your design to your Cricut machine, ready for printing and cutting. Remember, accurate preparation in Design Space is crucial to achieving professional-looking stickers. It ensures a clean cut around your designs and a beautiful finished product.

Printing and Cutting Your Stickers with Cricut

Alright, guys, here comes the grand finale! Once your design is prepared in Cricut Design Space, you're ready to print and cut your stickers. Make sure you have your sticker paper loaded into your printer. Most printers will work, but I recommend using a printer that can handle thicker paper for better results. Follow the prompts in Design Space to print your design. The Cricut will print registration marks around your design. These marks help the Cricut machine know exactly where to cut. Make sure your sticker paper is loaded correctly in your printer. Once your design is printed, place the sticker paper on the Cricut cutting mat. Ensure it's properly aligned with the top left corner of the mat. Select the correct material settings in Design Space. For printable vinyl sticker paper, choose the appropriate setting, such as 'Printable Vinyl' or 'Sticker Paper'. Different Cricut machines have different settings, so adjust accordingly. Load the cutting mat into your Cricut machine, and press the 'Go' button. The Cricut machine will scan the registration marks, and then carefully cut around your sticker designs. Once the cutting is complete, carefully remove the stickers from the cutting mat. You may need to use a scraper tool to help lift the stickers. And there you have it – your very own, professionally-looking stickers. Now you can stick them anywhere you like!

Troubleshooting and Tips for Perfect Stickers

So, you've followed all the steps, but things didn't go as planned? Don't worry; it happens! Let's troubleshoot some common issues and share some pro tips to help you create the best stickers in Procreate for Cricut. One common problem is the Cricut not cutting correctly. Make sure your blade is clean and in good condition. Dull blades can cause tearing or incomplete cuts. Ensure your sticker paper is compatible with your Cricut machine and the material settings are correct. Another issue is the registration marks not being read correctly. Make sure your print settings are set to the highest quality, and the printer has enough ink. Clean the Cricut's sensor if the machine struggles to read the marks. Also, ensure that your cutting mat is sticky enough, as old or worn-out mats can cause the sticker paper to move during cutting. For perfect stickers, you can use high-quality sticker paper, such as vinyl sticker paper. This will make them more durable and waterproof. If you are using clear sticker paper, make sure to fill in the white space around your design to ensure the Cricut cuts around your sticker correctly. Also, consider adding a laminate layer over your stickers. This will make them waterproof and protect them from scratches. Finally, take your time and practice. The more you make stickers, the better you'll get. Don't be afraid to experiment with different designs, materials, and techniques. That is the key to mastering the art of making stickers with Procreate and Cricut.

Conclusion: Unleash Your Creativity!

And there you have it! A complete guide on how to make stickers in Procreate for Cricut! From designing your artwork to printing and cutting with your Cricut, we've covered everything you need to get started. It may seem a little intimidating at first, but with these steps, you'll be making your own custom stickers in no time. Remember to have fun with it. Procreate is a fantastic tool for unleashing your creativity, and the Cricut allows you to bring your designs to life. Experiment with different designs, colors, and materials. Create stickers for yourself, your friends, or even to sell. The possibilities are endless! So, go ahead and start creating. I can't wait to see what you come up with. Happy sticker making!