Text Cutting Instead of Printing in Print Then Cut
Your text should print on the image, but Cricut is cutting around each letter? Here's the fix.
⚡ Quick Fix
Select BOTH your image AND text together, then click Flatten (not Attach). This combines them into one printable layer that cuts as a single shape.
🔴 The Problem
You've created a beautiful Print Then Cut design — maybe a sticker or label with text on top of an image. But when you go to cut, the Cricut:
- Cuts around each individual letter
- Cuts the text separately from the image
- Creates multiple cut lines instead of one outline
Why this happens: Design Space treats your text and image as separate layers. Each layer has its own cut line. You need to merge them into one layer.
✅ The Solution: Flatten (Not Attach!)
Step 1: Position Your Design
Arrange your text exactly where you want it on top of your image. Make sure everything looks correct before flattening — you can't easily undo this.
Step 2: Select ALL Layers
This is the critical step most people miss. You must select:
- Your background image
- ALL text layers
- Any other elements you want included
Tip: Click and drag to select everything, or hold Shift/Ctrl and click each layer in the Layers panel.
Step 3: Click Flatten
With everything selected, click the Flatten button at the bottom of the Layers panel.
⚠️ Important: Use FLATTEN, not Attach. Attach keeps layers separate (they'll still cut individually). Flatten merges them into one printable image.
Step 4: Verify It Worked
After flattening, you should see:
- Only ONE layer in the Layers panel (instead of multiple)
- The layer type shows as "Print Then Cut"
- One single cut line around the entire design
🆚 Flatten vs Attach: What's the Difference?
✅ Flatten
- • Merges layers into ONE printable image
- • Creates a single cut line
- • Text becomes part of the image (not editable)
- • Use for: Print Then Cut
❌ Attach
- • Keeps layers separate but positions them together
- • Each layer still has its own cut line
- • Used for keeping multi-piece designs aligned
- • NOT for Print Then Cut
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Flattening layers separately
If you flatten the text by itself, then flatten the image by itself, you'll have two separate Print Then Cut layers. Select everything at once, then flatten.
Mistake 2: Using Attach for Print Then Cut
Attach is for vinyl or cardstock projects where you want pieces to stay positioned together on the mat. It does NOT merge layers for printing.
Mistake 3: Making duplicates before flattening
If you need multiple copies, use the "Project Copies" option on the Prepare screen AFTER flattening. Don't duplicate on the canvas — it can cause alignment issues.
Mistake 4: Forgetting to include the background shape
For stickers, you need a background shape for the cut line. If your image doesn't have a solid background, add a shape behind it, then select all three (shape + image + text) and flatten. See our complete sticker-making guide for more details.
📱 On Mobile/iPad?
The process is the same in the Design Space mobile app:
- Tap and hold, then tap "Select All" or manually select each layer
- Tap "Actions" at the bottom of the screen
- Choose "Flatten" from the menu
Still Not Working?
If you've flattened correctly but still have issues:
- Check the Layers panel — you should see only ONE layer
- The layer should say "Print Then Cut" or show the printer icon
- If you see multiple layers, Undo and try again, making sure ALL layers are selected
- Close and reopen Design Space if it's behaving strangely