Last updated on January 3rd, 2020 at 10:48 am
Having problems with the Cricut Print then Cut Calibration? Is your Cricut Explore not reading the Print then Cut sensor marks? Here’s the fix to one possible problem.
You all know that I seriously love my Cricut Explore. But as with all relationships, sometimes we hit a bump in the road. Today that bump was calibrating my Cricut to work with the Print then Cut feature. Print then Cut allows you to print a full-color image on your home printer, and then have the Cricut cut around the edges of that image.
The first time you use this feature, you’ll be asked to calibrate your Cricut Explore (the Cricut Air and Cricut One come pre-calibrated).
Here’s the general calibration process:
- In the Cricut Design Space, select a Print then Cut image, and click “GO.”
- If this is your first time using Print then Cut, it will prompt you to calibrate.
- Print the calibration sheet provided by the software.
- Place the printed sheet on your Cricut cutting mat and hit the GO button on your Cricut.
- The Cricut will read the sensor marks and make a test cut on the paper, and ask you some questions about it.
- Then it will make a few more cuts, and ask a few more questions.
- Calibrated!
For me, the process completely shut down at #5. No matter what I did, the Cricut would NOT read the sensor marks.
This is not a new problem. There are lots of posts and videos of people who had a similar issue, and the Cricut site itself addresses it. If my method doesn’t work, feel free to Google something else. It sounds like there are a few different fixes. Based on other peoples’ answers, I thought it might be that the light in my room was too bright, or my cutting mat was dirty, or I didn’t have the sheet aligned on my mat properly.
Nope.
What actually happened was that even though I didn’t touch the settings for my calibration printout sheet (as advised by the Cricut software), it didn’t print correctly. You can see in this photo that the sensor marks on the top sheet (the one I printed first) were cut off. The correct sheet is the one that’s on my mat — it has the full sensor marks.
I’m not sure why the software and my printer couldn’t get along and print the calibration sheet correctly. Instead, you can download the calibration sheet directly here. I didn’t have to change any settings for it to print properly — just make sure that the entire sensor marks are showing.
Once I got the correct calibration sheet into my Cricut Explore, it calibrated perfectly! Tomorrow I have my first Print then Cut file for you (here it is!) — I am so happy with how it turned out and can’t wait to share!
Other Helpful Cricut Tips and Tricks:
- Inspirational SVG Bundle for Cricut & Silhouette - May 29, 2020
- How to Make a Cricut Phone Case with Vinyl - May 28, 2020
- Funny Golf SVG Files - May 22, 2020
anu zlato says
Great website and your work is great. i like it a lot. there are lots of information on your website,we are providing information on how to fix HP Printer not printing on the left side of the page .To know more visit our website.
Brother Printer Offline says
nice post. thanks for sharing.
Pamela says
hi i uploaded an image to print and cut on my Cricut/Explore Air 2 and when i send it to my printer, the color of the image comes out black and white, i’ve tried everything that i could think of, but i just can’t seem to figure out what the problem is, Can you help me when this please?
Autumn says
I had to uninstall all instances of my printer in my computer and then re-install my printer to fix this color issue.
Kathy says
I’ve done a print and cut and it cut fine, but then for some reason, it’s now way off the marks. I’ve recalibrated the machine and everything worked fine. For the life of me, I can’t figure out what’s wrong!
Amy Motroni says
Hi Kathy,
That is so frustrating!
I would call Cricut support for that one. I’ve had the same issue lately and I think it’s a software glitch!
Hopefully they can help!
Amy, HLMS Reader Support
Kathy says
I think I figured out the issue! Apparently, clear coat can throw off your sensors. If you cover up the registration lines with painters tape or paper when you spray it with clear coat, it senses the proper cut lines. I’ve had no issues with cutting since doing this!
HANNAH KESSEL says
Ever have the problem with the printed image when you go to cut it, the cricut only cuts across the very top of the paper and that’s it?
Pamela Snow says
thank you for your post. It is helpful. I just got a new explore 2. I have calibrated it but of the 3 pages that were print then cut, it will only cut 2. I get an error message on the 3rd that says it cannot read the cut sensor lines. I have NO clue why and have reprinted several times. I’m very familiar with print then cut so this is so frustrating :-( any ideas from anyone??? :-) thanks