Cricut Engrave Tool and Adhesive Vinyl
Got kids in kindergartner that is learning to write? I’ve got an awesome practice sheet for them!
I know it is such a weird time for all of us. And just like many of you, we are trying to stay as normal and positive about it as possible. Some school districts just started this week and some started early. As for my kids, they started early. Online Learning 2020, here we are!
We have 3 kids and they all have their own designated area where to do their online learning. Although my kindergartner was struggling to write and that is when an idea came up that I’ve seen online. And that is engraving one of those Dollar Tree cutting mats, which it can be used as a practice sheet for writing. Along with a combination of using Dry Erase Markers. I thought “wow, that is a brilliant idea!” Thanks to whomever came up with that hack and shared it with us.
So in case you haven’t seen it, I created my own file and wanted to share this project with all of you. In hopes that may be helpful to you and your child to help guide them practice their own writing. I thought making it look fun will encourage them to write on it.
So you’re going to engrave and cut all the pieces with your cutting machine using my free cut files (they are in my free resource library — request and get the password at the bottom of this post).
Let me show you how I did this project step by step on how to make these Kindergarten Practice Sheet with your Cricut machine. But first don’t forget to grab my free svg file in my resource library.
You can also watch the video tutorial on my YouTube channel.
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure.
SUPPLIES USED:
Cutting Mat
These cutting mats are sized to 11 x 14 in inches.
Design Space
Once you downloaded the svg file from my resource library.
Go to upload, upload again and find the file where you downloaded the file, then double-click the file.
It will take you to this screen (see below) and this is where you save the file.
You can put tags on it also if you prefer.
Click on the file and click insert.
Grab a shape and use that as a reference.
Resize the shape to 11 x 14.
Place the image on top of the shape, so you know how much you would like to stretch the image by dragging the arrow on the right bottom of the image (see image below).
Select the image and click Ungroup under the Layers tab.
Once you ungrouped an image, you will see all the layers has been separated (see photo difference).
Keep in mind, that some of the layers may still need additional ungrouping, such as the name (which you can change it to your child’s name).
Select image and ungroup 
Ungrouped layers
Select the grid line layer/image and change it from cut to engrave.
There’s no need to change the other layers if you are using adhesive like myself. If you decided that you wanted to engrave the entire image. Just got to each layer and change it all from cut to engrave.
Feel free to move the pieces around to your own liking.
If you decided to cut the letters just the way it shows above.
Make sure to select all of the letter images/layers, and click attach (attaching layers, will keep the letters all together and it will cut at the same mat).
You can repeat the same process if you want to do the same for the other layers. Or, you can keep it the way it is if you prefer.
Once you’re ready to engrave and cut, just click “Make it“
Preview page/screen
This is the preview screen, and see the curve arrow on the top right of the grid? I’m going to grab that and rotate the image, just by dragging.
Grab the curve arrow
Change the material size to 12 x 24.
Change the material size to 12 x 24
And then turn on the mirror.
Select the grid and I’m going to move it down and a bit to the right where I want to be engraved (see image below).
Then on Mat #2, there are 2 layers with the same color which it is also movable.
You can do what you prefer, but I’m going to move the other image down to the 4th inch of the grid to be cut.
See how I moved the image
Turn on the mirror.
(Repeat the process to all of the remaining mats)
Once you are done turning on the mirrors on all of the mat.
Just go back to Mat #1
Change the settings, by going to Browse all materials.
– Choose Kraftboard (for engraving).
– Place the Engraving tool into Slot B.
Browse all materials
Tools and Materials
Get the tools ready, as well as the materials to load.
This is the Cricut Engraving Tool and insert it on Slot B (so sorry for my poor photo).
Place the Dollar Tree cutting mat shiny side down. Which means the rough side should be facing up.
Gently guide the mat in, as it’s being fed into your machine and hit upload.
Once “C” starts blining. Click “C” to start.
Once it’s done engraving, you will see a check mark on the mat.
Next, go to Mat #2.
I am using an adhesive vinyl for this image.
– Change setting from Kraftboard to Vinyl (to cut the adhesive vinyl).
– Remove the Engraving tool and place the Fine Point Blade into Slot B.
Upload the mat.
Once the “C” starts blinking, press the start button.
Once it’s done cutting, unload the mat.
(Repeat the process, till all vinyls are all cut).
Weed the vinyl
I start to weed all of the vinyls.
I even cut some of the bigger images, due to it’s easier for me to place. This is what works for me, but it is completely up to you if you choose to place the vinyl as a bigger piece.
See the engraved grid? I will be placing the vinyl images in between these solid lines.
Place the transfer tape on top of the vinyl, and then burnish.
Flip the vinyl over to remove the backing of the vinyl.
Place and line up the alphabets in between the solid lines.
Burnish the vinyl letters, so the vinyl sticks to the cutting mat.
Then, gently remove the transfer tape.
Repeat the process, till you are done.
More photos for reference.
(Forgive me, but I just noticed that I forgot the letter Ww. Don’t worry, I fixed the svg file for you guys).
Now that I’m done placing all the vinyls.
I just grabbed one of my dry erase markers to see how it writes onto the cutting mat.
How awesome is this?
Write with Dry Erase Markers
Just grab a wet paper towel and wipe the dry erase marker off of the cutting mat.
This is so cool! I love it!
And that’s it! Let me know what you think about this project. I hope that this is helpful and useful to you, as it is to me and my boys. Happy online learning and always stay safe!
