Creating Delicate Lace Wedding Invitations With Cricut

If you're looking to save money on your wedding invitations, a Cricut machine is a great option. Cricut machines are a type of electronic cutting machine that allows you to cut a variety of materials with precision, making them perfect for creating elegant and unique wedding invitations. With the Cricut Design Space app, you can design your invitations from scratch or use pre-made templates. You can also add intricate details, such as lace sleeves, and cut out accompanying pieces like RSVP cards. The Cricut Explore Air is a popular choice for wedding DIY projects, as it can cut a wide range of materials, including paper, vinyl, leather, and craft foam. With its various functions and ability to cut different materials, the possibilities for customisation are endless!

Designing the invitation

If you're using the Cricut Design Space app, you can choose from a wide range of fonts, graphics, and templates or create your own unique design. You can also upload your own design into the app. If you're using a different editor, you'll have to cut the design by hand.

When using Cricut Design Space, be sure to select "complex" when uploading a transparent PNG to preserve the details of the design. You can then duplicate, rotate, resize, and layer the graphic elements as you see fit. Use the square shape tool to create a rectangle and size it to your preferred dimensions. Select "Print" as the fill and colour it white. Place the rectangle over the graphics and slice two elements at a time, deleting the extra pieces outside the rectangle. Select all the internal white pieces of the rectangle and weld them back together, then send the rectangle to the back and flatten the graphics together.

Use the text tool to create a text overlay, selecting your preferred colour and font. Remember to attach all the text and "Flatten" it; otherwise, the Cricut will attempt to slice all the letters. Attach the text and graphics together and flatten them.

You can also add extra elements to your design, such as decorative layers, embossing, or accompanying pieces like RSVP cards, information inserts, or belly bands.

Preparing the Cricut machine

Before you start designing your wedding invitations, it's important to prepare your Cricut machine to ensure a smooth and accurate cutting process. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Set Up the Machine

Begin by setting up your Cricut machine. Place it on a flat surface and connect it to your computer or mobile device. Ensure that the machine is turned on and linked to the same wireless network as your device if it supports wireless connectivity.

Load the Cutting Mat

Load the appropriate cutting mat into the Cricut machine. The type of cutting mat you need will depend on the materials you plan to use for your invitations. Cricut offers various cutting mats designed for different types of materials, such as light grip, standard grip, and strong grip. Choose the one that best suits your chosen material.

Select the Right Tool

Cricut machines offer various tools for cutting and writing. Make sure you have the correct tool installed in the machine. For cutting paper or cardstock, you'll typically use the Fine Point Blade. If you plan to write or draw on your invitations, you might use the Cricut Pens or Markers. Ensure the selected tool is securely inserted into the machine's tool holder.

Adjust Machine Settings

Adjust the settings on your Cricut machine to match the type of paper or cardstock you're using. This step is crucial to ensure accurate and precise cuts without damaging your material. Factors such as material thickness and texture will determine the appropriate settings. Refer to the Cricut user manual or online resources for specific instructions on setting adjustments.

Test Cut (Optional)

Consider performing a test cut, especially if you're using a new material or adjusting the machine settings. This step will help ensure that the machine is calibrated correctly and that your cuts will be accurate. You can find the "Test" feature within the "Settings" menu on the Cricut machine or the Design Space software.

Prepare the Design File

Before placing your invitation material on the cutting mat, ensure that your design file is ready. Create or upload your design into the Cricut Design Space software. Adjust the design as needed to fit the size and layout of your invitations. You can find various design templates and ideas online, specifically designed for Cricut machines.

By thoroughly preparing your Cricut machine and following the recommended steps, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful and precise lace wedding invitations. Remember to refer to the Cricut user manual or online resources for detailed instructions specific to your Cricut machine model.

Loading the design and adjusting settings

Once you have your design ready, you will need to load it into Cricut's Design Space. This can be done by importing your invitation design from another design software like Adobe Illustrator or directly creating it in Design Space using the wide range of fonts, graphics, and templates available.

After loading your design, the next step is to adjust the settings to match the type of paper or cardstock you will be using. This is an important step as it ensures that the Cricut machine cuts accurately without damaging your material. The specific adjustments will depend on the material you are using, so refer to the Cricut instructions or user guides for the optimal settings for your chosen material.

If you are using the print-then-cut feature, you will need to select "Save as a Print Then Cut Image" after uploading your transparent PNG graphic. This will ensure that your design is printed and cut correctly.

Additionally, if you are using the bleed setting for Print and Cut on the Cricut, it is turned on by default. This setting adds extra-coloured padding around the cut line to ensure a clean cut, but it can result in a weird extra line around the perimeter of your design.

Once you have adjusted the settings, you can proceed to place the cardstock or paper onto the cutting mat and load it into the Cricut machine. Follow the prompts on the Design Space to initiate the cutting process.

Adding additional elements

Once the main invitation is cut, you can elevate it with additional elements. This could include layering the invitation with decorative paper, embossing, or using the Cricut machine to cut out accompanying pieces such as RSVP cards, information inserts, or belly bands.

You can also add embellishments like ribbons, bows, or gemstones. If you're feeling extra creative, you can make your own wax seals with a hot glue gun to finish your wedding invitations.

If you want to add an intricate floral sleeve to your invitations, you can find a separate tutorial on how to cut these using a Cricut, along with a set of free templates.

For a unique look, you can also engrave clear or mirrored acrylic for your wedding invites using the Cricut Maker or Maker 3.

Assembling the invitations

Once you have your design ready and have gathered all the materials, it's time to start assembling your lace wedding invitations. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Preparing the Components

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary materials, such as the cardstock or specialty paper for the invitation, envelopes, ribbons, bows, gemstones, or any other embellishments you want to include.

Cutting the Design

• Set up your Cricut machine and ensure it's connected to your computer or mobile device.
• Load the appropriate cutting mat based on the materials you're using.
• Import your invitation design into Cricut's Design Space. Adjust the settings to match the type of paper or cardstock you're using to ensure precise cutting without damaging the material.
• Place the cardstock or paper onto the cutting mat and load it into the Cricut machine.
• Follow the prompts on the Design Space to start the cutting process. The Cricut machine will cut out your invitation design, including intricate details and shapes.

Embellishing the Invitations

• Once the main invitation is cut, enhance it with additional elements such as decorative layers, embossing, or laser-cut details.
• Cut out accompanying pieces like RSVP cards, information inserts, or belly bands using the Cricut machine.
• Carefully assemble all the components of your invitation.
• Use glue, double-sided tape, or other adhesives to secure the pieces together.
• Embellish the invitations with ribbons, bows, gemstones, or any other decorative elements of your choice.

Quality Check and Finalisation

• Before finalising, perform a quality check on each invitation.
• Ensure that all elements are securely attached, the design is aligned properly, and there are no visible flaws or imperfections.
• Repeat the assembly process for each invitation to ensure consistency across all your wedding invitations.

Sending Out the Invitations

• Once your invitations are ready, prepare the envelopes and address them.
• Add any final touches or embellishments to the envelopes before mailing them out or handing them to your guests in person.

Your lace wedding invitations are now ready to be sent out, showcasing your creativity and style to your guests!

Frequently asked questions