Learn How to Download & Unzip SVG Files!
So you’ve found some awesome SVG designs from my Creatables shop, or from another trusted site. But how do you download them and open them in your cutting software?
Read on to learn how to download SVG files and in just a few clicks, you’ll be ready to use them with your Cricut or Silhouette cutting machine!
Downloading SVG Files to Your Computer
When you order an SVG from Printable Cuttable Creatables and most other sites, you’ll see a download link or button for the design. I highly recommend to right-click on the link / button, and choose “Save Link as”, “Save Linked File as”, or similar option (the wording will vary depending on the browser you’re using.
This will open a navigation window that allows you to specify where you want the file to be saved on your computer. Choose where you want the file to go, and click “Save”. Be sure to choose a location that is easy to find. I usually save to my Desktop or Downloads folder.
The file will be downloaded to your chosen location.
Unzipping SVG Files
Most SVG designs include several filetypes in addition to SVG format, so the files will usually download as a zip (compressed) file. Zipped files look like a folder or file with a zipper on it. Zip files need to be unzipped (extracted) before you can view and open the files inside.
On a Mac, you can just double-click the zip file and it will unzip. A regular folder icon will appear next to the zip file icon.
On PC, you’ll need to right-click the zip file, choose “Extract all” and follow the prompts.
In the Extraction Wizard, choose where you want the file to be saved on your computer. By default, it should unzip in the same location as the original zip file. Click “Extract”.
The file will unzip, and a regular folder file will appear next to the zip file.
After unzipping, you can move the regular folder to a different location on your computer; for example a folder specifically for cut files. You don’t need the zip file anymore, so you can just delete it.
That’s it! Now when you open the design folder, you’ll see all the different filetypes included with the SVG, such as DXF, PNG, and JPEG. The designer may also include instructions, licensing, and contact info (often in PDF or .txt format).
Where’s the SVG File?
Some computers may display SVG file thumbnails as web browser icons (Internet Explorer, Chrome, etc), however they are actually SVG files and should still upload correctly in your cutting software.
You can check the file extension for “.svg”. You can also check the File Type or File Properties and they should show as “SVG Document” or “Scalable Vector Graphic”.
Now you can head to your cutting software to upload the SVG files!
Note that double-clicking will not work to open SVG files unless you have specified which program you want your computer to associate SVGs with.
See one of the articles below to learn how to open SVG files in your cutting software:
- How to Upload SVG Files to Cricut Design Space
- How to Open SVG Files in Silhouette Studio
- How to Import SVG Files to Brother Scan N Cut Canvas Workspace (Coming Soon)
Happy Crafting!
Affiliate Disclosure: I may be an affiliate for some products recommended in this post. This means that if you purchase items through my links I will earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I have personally used and enjoy and when you order through my link, it helps me continue to offer you weekly free SVG files, digital papers, scrapbook sketches, tutorials, and other fun things. Thank you in advance for your support!
6 thoughts on “How to Download SVG Files”
I received the free design 2019 but I was trying to download it to my IPad and it didn’t work and now it says no more downloads left 🙁
Hi Cindy,
I have just re-activated your link so you can try downloading again. If you need help downloading the files to your iPad, feel free to email me at [email protected] and I’ll be happy to walk you through it! 🙂
I tried to download this and the watermark is still across?
Hi Beckey, It sounds like you are looking at the Preview file which is the only one that has a watermark. As explained in this post, some computers may display SVG file thumbnails as web browser icons (Internet Explorer, Chrome, etc), however they are actually SVG files and should still upload correctly in your cutting software. If you are still having trouble finding the SVG file, please email me a screenshot of what you see in your download folder and I’ll be happy to help!
Is that the only option, download to cruicut and silhouette? Can we download to our MAC and use it from there
Hi Valerie,
This tutorial explains how to download SVG files to your computer (MAC or Windows). Once they have been saved to your computer and the zip has been extracted, you can certainly open the files in any program that supports SVGs, such as Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, Corel Draw, etc.