HOW TO USE A CRICUT SNAPMAT

iPhone with Snap Mat screen, plus mat with vinyl scraps and Cricut Explore 3

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Cricut SnapMat allows you to capture a photo of your material on a cutting mat, and then reposition images over a material preview so they cut or write exactly where you want them!

Keyword: Cricut, SnapMat

Author: Cori George

Instructions

Note: For this project, an iPhone is being used for all of these screenshots, but you can use an iPad if that's what you have.
Using Cricut SnapMat to Cut Scraps
1. Create Your Design Space File
Upload or insert any images or text you want to use for your project. Resize them to fit your project. Even though in this instance we are cutting several different colors of vinyl, you want to make them all the same color.
Click Make It in the bottom right.
2. Place your scraps on your mat
Vinyl is being used for this project, but it will work with any Cricut material that can be cut on a mat. Place your scraps on your mat—they don't need to be perfectly spaced or anything. Just make sure they are large enough for your images.
3. Use Snap Mat to cut your scraps
On the Prepare Screen, click the little button in the bottom corner labeled SnapMat. If you haven't already, your iOS device will ask you to allow Cricut Design Space to access the camera.
Next you'll see a camera screen and instructions telling you to center your mat in the screen from directly overhead. It is easiest to put the mat on the floor vs. trying to hold your phone camera above your head if the mat is on a table.
Once your mat is centered, Cricut Design Space will automatically snap a photo of it! Now your mat and your scraps are in Cricut Design Space.
From here Design Space will add your images and you can tap one and use your finger to drag it over the scrap you want to use. Do this with all your images. You must tap to select each image before you can drag it.
If you are looking for your Prepare Screen options, click the mat in the upper right. Here you can mirror your image if you are using iron on vinyl or another material that needs to be reversed before cutting.
Then click Continue in the bottom right.
After that, you'll see the normal Cricut Make Screen where you can select your material. Insert your mat into your machine and your Cricut will cut your project on your scraps!
Using Cricut SnapMat to Fussy Cut Patterns
Another reason you might want to use SnapMat is for "fussy cutting" patterns. This means you target a particular area on a design for cutting, vs just cutting wherever Cricut Design Space positions your images. In this example, I want to cut circles around some birds on a piece of tropical scrapbook paper. SnapMat makes it easy!
Start by creating your shape in Cricut Design Space. Four 3" circles were made so that four birds could be cut out from scrapbook paper. You can do this with any shape you'd like.
Follow the same instructions above to start making your project and photograph your mat. Then place your shapes over whatever you want to fussy cut in the SnapMat screen.
Continue, select your material, and your Cricut will fussy cut your paper! This also works well for fussy cutting fabric if you're cutting using the Cricut Maker's rotary blade.
Writing on the inside of a card using Cricut SnapMat
You can try and move your image to the right location using the Move tool in Cricut Design Space (see this post How to Fit More on a Cricut Mat and Save Material!), but it's much easier using SnapMat.
Write your sentiment in Cricut Design Space using a writing font and resize as needed. If you need help with fonts, check out All About Cricut Design Space Fonts and The Ultimate Guide to Cricut Pens for more help.
Then click Continue and follow the instructions above to start making your project and photograph your mat.
From there, you can place your sentiment exactly where you want it on your card so that your Cricut will write it properly.