PNG for Cricut Design Space

Cricut and PNG, the short version

PNG is the format Cricut Design Space treats best for non-SVG uploads. It supports a transparent background (which is what you need for clean Print Then Cut and layered HTV designs) and it's a lossless format, so the edges of your shapes stay sharp instead of getting JPG smudges.

Common starting points

• iPhone HEIC. Most photos taken on a recent iPhone are HEIC. Design Space won't accept them directly. Drop them here and you get PNG.
• WEBP from a website. Right-click-saving from Chrome or Edge often gives you a WEBP — same deal, Cricut doesn't accept it.
• JPG from your camera. Works in Design Space, but converting to PNG first means you can use the Remove Background tool more reliably and you don't lose quality on subsequent uploads.

Backgrounds and Cricut's free background remover

This tool converts the format from JPG/HEIC/WEBP to PNG, which is the part that requires technical conversion. The original file has whatever background was in the photo. Once you upload the PNG to Design Space, hit "Remove Background" — Cricut made that feature free for everyone in 2023, so you don't need Access.

For best cut results

• Start with the highest-resolution version of your image. Bigger PNG = smoother edges in Design Space.
• If you have control over the source, photograph or scan on a contrasting background (a white object goes on a dark surface, dark on light). That makes the background remover's job easier.
• Test cut on cheap material before committing to expensive HTV.

Nothing uploads to us

The format conversion runs in your browser. The image stays in this tab until you choose to upload it to Design Space. That matters for original art and licensed designs.