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How to Open SVG Files in Cricut Design Space

Learn how to Open SVG files in Cricut Design Space!

Did you know that you can find cut file designs for your Cricut machine outside of Cricut Access Library? SVG files (short for Scalable Vector Graphics) are a type of vector file that can be used by most cutting programs, including Cricut Design Space.

If you’re new to your Cricut machine, or just new to using SVGs, here’s an easy to follow tutorial that will show you how to open SVG files in Cricut Design Space so you can get busy crafting!

SVG cut files are widely available from many craft bloggers, design marketplaces, and graphic designers, with many even offering free SVG files for Cricut (like yours truly). Using SVG files from around the web opens you up a whole new world of designs that you might not find in the Cricut Library.

Most SVGs will download as a zip file. After downloading, you will need to unzip to use the files inside. (Learn how to download & unzip SVG files).

Then you can head to Design Space. Sign in and click New Project to open up the Canvas.

Click the “Upload” button on the bottom of the right side menu.

On the Upload page, choose “Upload Image”.

Then click the “Browse” button to navigate to where you saved the SVG file on your computer (or drag & drop the file).

Be sure to choose the SVG format file. Some computers may display SVG files using web browser icons (Internet Explorer, Chrome, etc), however they are actually SVG files and should still upload correctly in Design Space.

You can check for the .svg file extension, or look at file type for “SVG Document” or “Scalable Vector Graphic”) and click “Continue”.

On the Upload Image page, you can name the image, and add tags. When you are ready, click “Save”.

Add Name and tags to SVG file in Cricut Design Space

The uploaded image will then appear in your “Recently uploaded images” section, where you can click on the thumbnail and choose “Insert Image” to place the design on your Canvas.

Cricut Design Space - insert Image into Canvas

The SVG design will now open in your new blank canvas. In the right-hand “Layers” panel, you will see a separate layer for each shape/element in the design.

SVG File open in Cricut Design Space Canvas

By default, the design will have all design elements grouped together. You will need to right-click on the design and choose “Ungroup” to work with parts of the design, and their corresponding layers separately.

Cricut Design Space - Right Click to Ungroup SVG file

That’s it! Make any desired changes to the design for the project you are creating, and when you’re ready to cut, click “Make it”.

Cricut Design Space - Make it button to cut SVG

Now that you know how to open SVG files in Cricut Design Space, take a look at my Creatables shop, which has a growing selection of original cut files -including over 275 Free SVG Files for Cricut Design Space!

How to Upload SVG Files to Cricut Design Space

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!

15 thoughts on “How to Open SVG Files in Cricut Design Space”

Susann

January 16, 2023 at 12:32 pm

After multiple days and many hours plus lots of arguments and tears I found your blog on Pinterest and downloaded my first svg!! thanks for the truly step by step instructions with pictures that are actually large enough to read!!!!!! Susann
Reply
- Kristin
  
  January 16, 2023 at 6:10 pm
  
  Yay! Congrats Susann! I’m so glad I was able to help! Enjoy crafting with SVGs!! 🙂
  Reply
Joel

June 21, 2022 at 6:14 pm

Cricut is so complicated , first I can’t work offline , every time you open the software you need to connect and sign in , then you can switch off the conexión , secondly I can’t upload any file because upload button is just disabled “faded” grey because I think you need to connect again even if the file is in your computer
Reply
- Kristin
  
  June 22, 2022 at 9:15 am
  
  Hi Joel, I’m sorry to hear about your frustrations! I do not work for Cricut so I have no control over how their software functions, but there is an option to save your projects so that you can use them Offline. You are correct that you do need to have an internet connection to upload files, but once they’re uploaded, you can save those projects to your computer so they’ll be available to you when working offline. Here’s a tutorial that shows how: https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033894014-Design-Space-for-Desktop-Saving-for-Offline-Use
  Reply
Patricia

April 17, 2022 at 4:23 pm

I have the same problem. When I select a file from my computer, it says “ unsupported file” I don’t k know any other way to fo this.
Reply
- Kristin
  
  April 20, 2022 at 6:11 pm
  
  Hi Patricia,
  As mentioned, if you’re using the Design Space mobile app, sometimes re-installing can help resolve this issue. However, if you’r seeing this problem on desktop or even after re-installing the app, there could be an issue with the SVG file itself. SVG files need to be designed in a specific way to be compatible with cutting software, just being SVG format doesn’t necesarily make a file cuttable.
  Reply
hong

March 18, 2022 at 12:01 am

Design space changed my svg file, what is the rule of design space? btw, my svg is vector lines.
Reply
- Kristin
  
  March 18, 2022 at 9:23 am
  
  Hi Hong,
  Thanks for reaching out. You say your SVG is vector lines- it sounds like you might need to “expand” your vector lines, which will turn them into actual shapes for Design Space to cut. In Adobe Illustrator, this can be done with Object > Path > Outline Stroke (Path > Stroke to path in Inkscape, or Layer > Expand Stroke in Affinity Designer). If you’d like to send a picture of your file, or the SVG file itself, I’m happy to take a look and see what is needed to make it cuttable in Design Space.
  Reply
gem.geb

December 20, 2021 at 11:19 pm

all I keep getting is the actual script for the file and not the sag file….. I’m using my ipad which I use for cricut design space
Reply
- Kristin
  
  December 21, 2021 at 4:18 pm
  
  Hi there,
  Have you tried following along with the instructions in this tutorial which shows how to open SVG files in Design Space on the iPad? Give it a try and let me know if you’re still having trouble!
  Reply
mlleathe@yahoo.com

November 12, 2021 at 3:31 pm

I’m also having the problem with Cricut DS upload. I have just uploaded from another location with no issue. But, the svg I downloaded keeps opening up in “file” and it will not let me use it. What’s going on with the download? I have extracted several times(Window 10) and it still winds up saying “file”. Please help. Thank you, Martha
Reply
- Kristin
  
  November 14, 2021 at 12:24 pm
  
  Hi there! It sounds like the file hasn’t downloaded completely. Maybe try downloading the file again and see if that helps!
  Reply
Christina Miller

May 11, 2021 at 2:01 pm

why does my cricut design space say “You have selected an unsupported file” when i try to download an SVG?
Reply
- Kristin
  
  May 11, 2021 at 2:58 pm
  
  Hi Christina,
  
  Thanks for reaching out!
  Are you seeing the “You have selected an unsupported file” when trying to open SVG files in the Design Space mobile app or the desktop version? If you are seeing this in the mobil app, try checking if there’s an update available, which should fix the issue.
  
  If you are seeing this problem in the desktop version of DS, it might be an issue with the SVG file.
  Reply
  - Pearl
    
    August 5, 2021 at 1:10 pm
    
    I’m having the same problem. That’s how I ended up here on this blog looking and hoping to find answers. It’s on my computer and I’m paying for the cricut monthly subscription. I have a cricut maker. If any of that matters. Please help
    Reply