How to Create a Custom Photo Puzzle with Cricut

Have you ever wanted to make a custom photo puzzle? In this tutorial we will show you how to create a puzzle in Cricut Design Space.

Step 1. Upload your Files

Today I'll be uploading and using a jigsaw puzzle template by MintyMarshmallows. This file comes with 9 different templates in several formats. I'll also be adding a pink watercolor background , but there are lots of great graphic backgrounds to choose from on Design Bundles to tie your project together.

Step 2. Resize and Align Artwork

Once you have inserted  your items to the canvas screen you can now resize and adjust each item to fit the print and cut feature which is 6.75" by 9.25". You can resize your items by selecting the item and using the circle on the lower right-hand side.

Make sure that your image and puzzle template aligns well together. You can easily to do this by selecting both items, and then clicking on the Align button within your top toolbar. Finish aligning your items by clicking the Center Horizontally button.

Step 3. Slice Unwanted Print Area

After you have resized and aligned your items, you may notice that your artwork is still a little bit too big for your puzzle template. To reduce the amount of ink used in this project, remove the unused areas.

To do this open your shapes tool on the left side of your screen and locate the square. Unclock sizing and resize square to fit to fit over your unwanted area.

Select the unwanted area and the square and click on the Slice button on the lower right-hand side of your screen. Pull unwanted areas apart and delete.

You will be left with a preview of how your puzzle will look.

Step 4. Send Puzzle Template to Back

Before you can print and cut you have to place the puzzle template behind your artwork or image. You can do this by selecting the puzzle template and clicking Arrange on the top toolbar. A small box will appear and you can now select Send To Back. Once you have done select everything on your canvas screen and Attach.

Step 5. Print and Cut

The design process is finished and you are ready to use the Print and Cut method. To start select a sticker paper that will work well for this project and make sure your print settings are correct to print.

After printing your image, adhere the sticker paper to the chipboard material. To cut, I recommend using the knife blade along with the heavy chipboard cut settings to get the best results. Load materials into Cricut Cutting Machine and wait for cut to finish.