Cricut Offset: How to Use in Design Space

Have you ever wanted to add an offset to your text or image in Cricut Design Space? The Cricut Offset feature allows you to add an outline around text, images, and so much more. I will walk you through how to use it today so you can get started using offset on your Cricut machine. If you want to learn more about the other features of Design Space, be sure to read our Cricut for Dummies guide.

Cricut Offset

I want to note that at the time of writing this blog post, Cricut offset is still in BETA. Cricut does this to gather data about new features so they can tweak them as needed. This means that there may be glitches, but I find it very functional and love using it for my projects. So, let’s take a look at how the function works on a variety of projects. You can actually watch me use offset in the video below if you just click play.

This post and images were updated in June 2024. As of this update, the Cricut offset feature is no longer in Beta.

Can’t watch the video or missed some of the information? I have all of it below for you as well, so just keep reading!

System Requirements

The Cricut Offset feature is supported on systems running Windows 10 (64-bit only) and higher and macOS 10.15 and higher. It is also available for the iPhone/iPad app for iOS 15 or later. If you have trouble accessing Cricut Offset, make sure you are running the right operating system and that you have the latest version of Cricut Design Space installed.

What is an offset?

So, what exactly is an offset? If you have never heard of this term before, you may be confused about why you would need it. An offset is simply an outline around your text or image. If you have ever tried to outline text yourself, you know that it can be impossible to do neatly and cleanly. Well, the offset function solves all of that for you!

Why do you use an offset?

Now that you know what an offset is, why would you want to use one? The most common reason for offset is making stickers with print then cut, but you can also use an offset as a design element. Maybe you want to put a light color HTV on a white shirt? A dark offset around it would really make it POP! I am sure once you see how to use this function, you will think of a variety of ways to use it for your Cricut crafts.

How to Make an Offset in Cricut Design Space

So, let’s get down to it and start making some offset designs. I am going to walk you through making an offset on a variety of objects below with different elements. Pick and choose from all of these ideas for your particular project, and make it your own!

External Offset

The most common type of offset is external. This is where the offset goes around the outside of your object. Click on any text or image and then you will see an offset button at the top of your screen. Pull this down and you will have a slider. Moving that slider to the right makes an external offset. You can play around and make it as large or as small as you like.

Then click apply, and your new offset will be a new layer on your canvas. Please note that the offsets are not attached or grouped to anything else on your canvas. You’ll need to select both the image and offset if you need to move or resize them. The offset will always show up as black when you first create it, but you can change the colors to whatever you like to get a better idea of how it will look when you make it.

Internal Offset

You can also make an internal offset in Cricut Design Space. So, instead of an outline around the outside, you will get lines inside of your image or text. Once again, you will pick your object and click offset in the top toolbar. Then slide the slider to the left this time until you get the look that you want.

Click apply once again and change the colors to whatever you like.

Square Versus Round Corners

When creating your offset, you can also choose between square and round edges. Once you click the offset button, you will see the square and round options below the slider. Pick these to see what each will look like.

Then once you are happy with the look, click apply once again to add your layer. I will say that the square offset is a bit glitchy with some fonts, so you may want to play with this a bit to see what looks best for the offset that you want to create. I use round most often.

Welded Offset

In the offset dialogue box, you also have the option to weld the offset or not. The box is checked automatically when you start.

You would uncheck this box if you wanted an individual cut around each letter or object. A welded offset is one where all of the outlines join. Then click apply as you would with any other offset once you get it how you like it.

Offset in Cricut iOS App

The Cricut offset feature works the same in the iOS App. The biggest difference is that you need to be in the edit menu (bottom of the canvas) and scroll to find the offset feature. Then, you select the size of your offset, just like in the desktop version of Cricut Design Space.

Making Stickers Using Cricut Offset

This is probably the most helpful project for this feature. Imagine being able to cut a white outline around your stickers right in Cricut Design Space. Just add your images or text for stickers and make the outline how you like it. Click apply to get your two layers.

Then, pick both layers and click the flatten button. This will make a print then cut image that you can print on sticker paper. Remember, you will not be able to do this with the original Cricut Joy. You can use the print then cut feature with Cricut Maker, Explore, Venture, and Joy Xtra machines. Flattening to your offset will allow your sticker to print and then ONLY cut around that outside line. Update: Since writing this, Cricut has released a Create Sticker option that Cricut Access members can use.

Slice, Attach, Group, Etc

We just talked about how flatten works with offset above, but what do the other functions do? Let’s take a look! Slice will remove your object from the outline. Do this for things like HTV, where you may not want to layer the designs on top of one another but still want the look of an offset.

Attach will cut the inside piece out of your offset piece. This is useful if you want a project with just an outline and perhaps want to use the color of your blank as your inside layer.

Group will make the offset and the original object move as one piece on your canvas.

Welding the offset to your original object will actually remove the original completely, so you probably do not want to do this.

Contouring Your Offset

Sometimes, when you use the offset, you will get areas cut in the center of your object or text, and you may not want those to be there.

Contour is perfect for removing those cuts and making a solid background. Just pick the offset and click “contour,” then click any cuts that you want to remove from the final project.

Click the X when you are done and you should be left with a solid offset for your project with no cuts in the center. NOTE: When I contour an image that is already a print then cut, the offset comes in as a print then cut when created. You will need to change this to a cut only for the contour feature to work.

Adding Multiple Offsets

Not only can you offset an object or text, but you can also offset an offset! So, you can do multiple offsets on one image to get a layered look. Use this feature to make amazing designs that really stand out! Just click the offset button while the first offset you created is highlighted, and you will be able to add a second layer. Repeat for as many layers as you would like! (In the taco shirt below, I used three offsets.)

Applying to More than One Image at a Time

All of the steps above can be done on one image or word at a time or multiple. To offset multiple images, just pick them all before clicking the offset button. Once you get it how you want it, you will want to click apply as always!

FAQ:

I know you all will have several questions and you can feel free to ask those in the comment section below. Here are just a few that I have been seeing over and over again.

Why can’t I see the offset button?

Check the system requirements section above and be sure your Cricut firmware is current.

Why doesn’t offset work for me?

Check the system requirements section above and be sure your Cricut firmware is current.

When will offset be available on Android devices?

I am unsure at this time when/if this will happen.

How can I adjust the offset after making it?

Once you click apply, the offset becomes a layer on your canvas. You cannot alter it to make it smaller or larger. Just delete it and remake another offset.

What is the maximum offset size?

One inch is the maximum offset size.

Why is my offset always a certain dimension?

Once you make an offset, your next one will be that same dimension as it remembers what you did previously.

Projects with Offsets

Now that you know how to use the Cricut Offset feature, here are some projects to use those skills.