Let's Talk About Layers

If you are in any of the Cricut Facebook Groups you will see people asking about layers and layering images.  I am doing this post specifically to try to address everyone's questions and concerns on those topics.

If you are using an image from Cricut Design Space, each color in that image will already be separated into its own layer.  You then cut each one of those layers, out of cardstock or vinyl or whatever material you choose, and then you put all of the colored pieces back together to assembly the final image.  Sometimes it is like making a puzzle.

Here are examples of layered images, with more details below the images.

Layering is about cutting the colors and then putting them back together to make the image. I start with the background color and then build up. It is like a puzzle.
The first one of Lady and the Tramp is layered cardstock.  I started layering with cardstock first just to get the hang of the process. HERE is a tutorial with cardstock . .. the idea is the same with other materials.
The second one, of Mickey and Minnie on the laptop, are from vinyl.  HERE is the tutorial for that project.

The last two pictures are showing examples of layered HTV/iron on vinyl.  Same idea as working with cardstock or the vinyl on the laptop . . . start with the background color and then do a short press so that the vinyl sticks, and add the next color. Keep going until all colors are on the shirt.  For both of these I used a Multi Layered Font to type up the word.  Then I set each layer as a different color.  HERE is my tutorial on using the filter when choosing a font.  This will help you find Mulit Layered Fonts.  

The very last image also shows how you can combine using HTV/iron on vinyl along with a Print then Cut image on printable iron on vinyl.  The team mascot was created with printable iron on vinyl since he has so many colors . . . I did not want to try and layer all of those.  If you want to see my tips and tutorials on Print then Cut click HERE.

Now let's take a closer look at the layers panel in Cricut Design Space.  I think this might help a lot of people to really understand layering.  For this I am going to use images from my Donald Duck Larger than Mat project, which can be found HERE.

When I insert Donald Duck from Cricut Design Space this is how the canvas will look

We are going to really focus in on the layers panel on the right hand side.  This is where you see one layer for each color of this Donald Duck image.

If we look at each layer/line item in this list, the first one is the white of Donald's scarf.
The second layer/line item is the red of Donald's scarf.

The third layer/line item is white on the cuffs of Donald's sleeves and his buttons.

The forth layer/line item is Donald's had and shirt, which I changed to blue for the final project.

The fifth layer/line item is the white of Donald's body.

The sixth layer/line item is the yellow of Donald's feet and beak.

The seventh layer/line item is the black, which is a full image piece.  This would be your base layer and you set this down first and the build the other layers on top of this.
The eighth layer/line item is a second full image piece.  (I am not really sure why Cricut includes 2 background pieces with some images . . . maybe to give it more depth)
The ninth layer/line item is a shadow layer, so if you wanted to have this whole image outlined or shadowed in another color you could do that.  If you look to the right of this layer, you can see that I have they eyeball icon turned off.  The Cricut will not cut any layers where the eyeball icon is turned off.

When you click Make It for this image, Cricut Design Space will prompt you on the color of material you should have on the mat.  Load that in and let it cut.  Unload and remove from the mat and load the next color until you are done cutting all of the pieces.  Then piece them together to build your image.

Layers are a big reason that I recommend that people use images from Cricut Design Space or from other high quality svg companies.  If you are buying on a site like Etsy, read the reviews first.  If you see bad reviews or the store has only been in business for a short time, you might want to think twice.  I have helped people to fix a bad svg file, that was created with way too many layers.  If you would like to see the tutorial on how I fixed it, click HERE.  I knew it was a bad svg right away since the image only needed 8 colors, but there were over 100 layers in the image!

Another great site for svg files is LoveSVG

I have also had some people ask me how to make their own layers, in other words how to take an image and divide it up into layers for different colors.  If you have an image that has multiple colors in it, you can upload that image and clean it up once for each color you want to cut.  Here is an example of a mulit colored image.

I have a full tutorial on how upload a multi colored image for cutting HERE.

Another way to create layers is to upload a coloring book style image, and then use the Duplicate and Contour functions to create the various colored layers that you want for the image.  Using this method you can take an image like the one on the left and transform it into an image like the one on the right.  If you want to see the full tutorial for a Duplicate and Contour project, click HERE.



I also put together a video showing you an example of a two layered iron on vinyl project from start to finish

Here is another question I have been asked. What if you type up someone's name and then want to make every letter a different color or layer. How would you do that?  And how would you tell the Cricut to cut all of the red letters from the same mat of red cardstock?

 You would type up the name, and then use the Ungroup button to separate the letters so instead of being one word/name they are now separate individual letters.  Click on each letter and change it to the color you want it to be.  If two of the letters are red, the Cricut will sort out your letters for you by color when you click the Make It button.  It would then cut all of the red letters at the same time from the same piece of red material. Keep following me and join my Teach Me Cricut Design Space group on Facebook!

Thanks!
Shawn's Teach me Cricut Design Space Group
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