Using text in Cricut Design Space is possibly the most common function you will use as a Cricut crafter. So you want to make sure you're doing it right… right?
Unfortunately, some crafters skip past the basics. That's when you end up seeing posts of t-shirts and tumblers that just look wrong. The letters are stretched too far apart, or they look like they should connect but they are not even touching!
This two-part intro to using text in design space starts at the very beginning. Learn how to insert a new text box, and where to find the menu options. Change font styles and sizes.
Then, understand when, why and how to change letter spacing like a pro!
If you prefer to learn through video, scroll to the bottom of the post where you can watch a step-by-step tutorial.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you find my content valuable and purchase through my links, I may make a small commission. It comes at no cost to you and helps me keep this blog going, so I can help you even more! I only recommend products I trust and/or use myself, and all opinions expressed are my own. Read full disclaimer here.
Page Contents
Starting with Text in Cricut Design Space
Start by opening a new blank canvas. Click on the lefthand menu to open a new “text” box.
I will start by typing “Welcome”, but if you are following along, feel free to type whatever you want.
I always recommend following along step-by-step because learning while you make always helps solidify the lesson a little better, but do whatever works best for you!
The horizontal and vertical grids map out the size of the text and graphics you are designing.
For this project, I am ignoring the size of the text on the canvas, and focusing on the technical pieces of building it. I just want it as large as possible to show off the steps we are working with… but make sure you pay attention to the size and proportion before cutting any project!
- To add text: Use the lefthand menu, click “Text” and use the text popup box to type your text.
- To change the font: Highlight a text box, and use the “font” option on the top horizontal menu. Use the drop down menu to select one of hundreds of text options (especially if you have Cricut access or have uploaded your own fonts!)
- Font styles with a Green “A” next to the font are for premium subscribers to Cricut Access.
- If you know the name of your font, you can use the search bar to type it in. Otherwise, you can scroll through the options for previews of the right font style for your project.
Font Letter Spacing in Design space
Luckily, Cricut Design Space is a fully-intuitive design software, and recognizes that not all fonts are created equally.
Along the top toolbar, you will see an option for “Letter Spacing.”
Select your text and use the Letter Space option to adjust the white space between letters.
Once they connect, click “Weld” on the bottom right of the Layers menu. This will make sure when you are ready to cut your project, you don't get awkward cut lines in the areas where the letters overlap. Instead, the letters will be bonded together and treated like one single image.
If you do not click Weld, each connection line between the letters will be cut out. In the image above, the Cricut blade is prepared to cut by tracing the entire black outline around the letters.
By Welding the letters together, Cricut will still cut by tracing the black outline showing around the letters in the picture below. However, this time each letter will be molded together and not cut separately.
Watch The Cricut Text Spacing Video Tutorial
Cricut Coach Wrap Up
Using the automatic letter spacing menu saves a ton of time and energy in Design Space. You don't have to enter individual letter by letter and try to drag and drop entire phrases.
Plus, your projects now look THAT much more professional, don't they?!
Sometimes the font style works perfectly with this technique and you can stop here. But what if the font has certain letters that don't line up nicely? Certain letter combinations might have larger gaps in between others. Or capital letters space themselves oddly far from their lowercase counterparts.
Don't worry, we've got a quick-fix for that too. Head to Letter Spacing Part 2 to add another tool to your toolkit!
