How to Print then Cut Laminated Sheets on Cricut
Print the cut is one of the best things a Cricut beginner can learn. It saves so much time in having to hand cut things traditionally with scissors. It will also always cut more precise than cutting things by hand. Let me show you the basics of print then cut as well as some hacks to cut laminated sheets.
With the world in quarantine, I found it difficult to educate my toddler. I challenged myself to create a learning binder or busy book so she could continue to learn in our current environment. But preparing printables is so time-consuming, so I challenged myself to find a way to use my Cricut to do some of the work for me.
One of the biggest problems I ran into was cutting laminated sheets. Cricut can print then cut but what about cutting laminated sheets? They are just as difficult and precise to cut. So I set out to find a way to make it work.
This tutorial is divided into two parts.
First is the print then cut basics. Then I show you my Cricut hack for cutting laminated sheets.
If you liked this tutorial, join our Facebook community where I post my free SVG files and resources! I’d love to craft with you!
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MATERIALS TO MAKE A LEARNING BINDER
- Light Grip Cutting Mat (the 12″x 12″ size)
- Printer (I love my colour laser printer)
- My free SVG and PNG design file (available in my free resource library – get the password by filling out the form on the sidebar or below).
HOW TO PRINT AND CUT ON CRICUT
If you’d rather watch a video on how to make it step by step, take a look at this video here (highly recommended!):
STEP 1: GET THE FREE SVG AND PNG FILE
Get the free SVG and PNG design file from the free resource library.
STEP 2: UPLOAD AND PREP THE FILES INTO CRICUT DESIGN SPACE
Open up and upload the file into your Cricut Design Space
For this step, we want to load the PNG for our print then cut. Upload the file farm_animals_pieces.png into Cricut Design Space:
Select “Complex” when uploading the file.
Click “Continue”.
Click “Continue” on the next screen.
Select “Save as a Print Then Cut image“.
Resize it to 9.25″ in width.
STEP 3: PRINT THE IMAGE
Click on “Make it“.
Follow the prompts to print your image out on your printer.
On the Print Setup screen, add the bleed (this should be the default).
STEP 3: CUT IT OUT
Now it is time for us to cut it out on the Cricut!
Put your printed image on the mat.
I used the regular paper settings for these (print then cut default).
Tip #1: I am using a standard green mat. You should use a light grip mat (blue) when cutting paper but my green mat has been used so much it has lost most of its stickiness.
Tip #2: Always use a roller or your scraper to smooth out the paper on your mat. This will help stop it from rising in the middle of the cut.
You just completed your print then cut!
Move on to the next part if you want to see my cutting laminated sheets hack.
STEP 4: UPLOAD THE LAMINATED FILE
Head back over to Cricut Design Space and upload the farm_animals_laminated.svg file.
You DO NOT need to make any adjustments to this file.
Click on “Make it“.
Put a PLAIN PIECE OF WHITE PAPER on your mat.
I cut this out on 8.5×11 paper since this was the cheapest. If you are using 8.5x 11, adjust the Material Size in Cricut Design Space before you cut.
If you want to make your own laminated cut file, I show you how you can do that here:
STEP 5: CUT OUT THE TEMPLATE
Cut out the SVG on your mat.
This will be your template. DO NOT THROW THIS OUT UNTIL TOLD TO.
Weed the pieces out so you have a template.
STEP 6: MAKE THE LAMINATED CUT
Place a sheet of lamination on top of the template. Laminated sheets are a bi-fold. Place one side down. You will be placing the pieces in between the two sheets.
Put your pieces from part 1 onto the template. Be sure to leave space around each one so the lamination will provide a good seal.
DO NOT THROW OUT THE TEMPLATE!
Run this through your laminator.
Take the laminated sheet and line up the animals again.
Hold the laminated sheet down and carefully remove the top half of the template.
Now hold down the top half and carefully remove the bottom half of the template.
Cut it again on your Cricut. (Using the same cut you just did to make the template).
I used the HEAVY CARDSTOCK setting to make my laminated cut.
Yay! all done!
I used velcro pieces to stick these to my learning sheet. (Learning sheet can be printed separately and is included in the file package.)
If you’d like the rest of the learning binder, I’ve made this available for you. It includes an ever-growing list of pages and includes customizable covers! You can learn more about it here.
What setting are you using to cut the laminated paper?
I used heavy cardstock, but it might have been overkill. You can always run it through once and BEFORE you unload the mat, check to see if it cut all the way through. If it didn’t, press the Cricut (green button) and run it through again.
Where did you get the rest of your daughter’s book from?
Thank you for this SVG.
Hi Katey,
I made the rest of her book! I’ve had a few people ask about it. If you are on my mailing list (you are if you requested access to the free resource library), I’ll send out an email when it’s available.
Thanks!
Good job! Can you tell me how to made the animals you cut on the plane white paper, the ones that have the animals the boarder? Thanks in advance
Hi Emma!
I cover that in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlDPjTabJBA
Hi! Will the rest of the book be available soon?
Hi Ashley,
You can preview and purchase the rest of the binder here: https://products.pocketwonders.ca/courses/cricut-learning-binder/
Thanks!
You are my hero! honestly I teach three and four year olds and love lamination, and have the same ocd problem with borders. This just changed my life! Thanks for the tutorial. I have a CRICUT that just stays at my classroom I use it that much. I can’t hardly wait to give this a go! You have a new fan!
Thank you Carol! I’m so glad this was helpful!
wow mind blown thank you so much! as a Teacher this is great! Thank you