How to Make Rhinestone Template on Cricut? (Complete Tutorial)

 As a Cricut expert, I would like to guide many beginner-level or experienced crafters through creating rhinestone templates. In Cricut, you can easily transform a simple design into an impressive masterpiece. You can create your own rhinestone template and add sparkle to your crafts.

I’ve worked on many rhinestone template projects, and it’s always an exciting and enjoyable process. First and foremost, it is important to be ready with all the necessary tools and supplies to help achieve better results. I will show you how you can show your crafting abilities and get deserved appreciation. Let me share the steps to make a rhinestone template on Cricut, but before that, I want to tell you how you should prepare.

What to Keep in Mind When Making Rhinestone Template?

When you are about to start designing your rhinestone template on Cricut, you may already be excited. However, keep certain key points in mind, which are:

Collect all the essential tools and supplies, such as rhinestones, adhesives, template material, and more. You must also have tweezers and a pick-up tool for handling tiny pieces.

On the Cricut Design Space application, select the right size and effect for the rhinestones according to your design’s requirements. You must also select the correct font or image and see whether it fits perfectly on the material you are using for the template.

Designing the template with precision is crucial. Transfer your pattern or image onto the template material using methods like tracing, iron-on transfer paper, or carbon paper. Check that all the lines are clear and accurate for optimal results.

Secure the rhinestones to the template material. Then, apply adhesive to the rear of all the rhinestones and carefully place them on the template. Let the glue dry before you proceed further.

Always use durable and versatile materials to cut rhinestone templates. The materials should last long, work well with various kinds of stones, and be easy to store. Consider vinyl sheets, as they are durable, flexible, and cost-friendly.

Steps to Make a Rhinestone Template on Cricut

Making a rhinestone template with Cricut can be a fun and exciting DIY project. But you must learn the right steps to get clean, accurate templates for sparkling designs:

If you are not aware of “How to create a rhinestone template on a Cricut Machine“, here are the steps:

Design Rhinestone Template in Cricut App

Step 1: On the Cricut Design Space app, download and install a rhinestone font.

Step 2: Click the Text tool on the left-hand side of the screen.

Step 3: Now, click the font drop-down menu, search for a rhinestone font, and select your preferred font.

Step 4: Next, navigate to the Shapes tool, select a circle, and resize it to match the size of a rhinestone.

Step 5: With the circle selected, click the color watch button in the Operation section and change the color.

Step 6: After that, you must resize the design to match the circle in the design to the rhinestone circle you just created.

Step 7: Zoom in, place the design over the circle, and see whether the size matches.

Step 8: Duplicate the design and place it onto the mat. This way, you’ll double-check the circle’s size.

Adjusting and Preparing a Design for Cutting

Step 1: Click the Shapes icon and select another circle. After that, resize that circle.

Step 2: Place the circle on the corner of the design. Make sure that it covers one dot.

Step 3: Select the duplicated design and the circle you just created. Then, click the “Slice” tool.

Step 4: Go to the Layers tab and click the Delete icon to delete all the slice results excluding the circle. After that, check the size of the circle from the toolbar.

Step 5: Resize the design till the circles are the correct size.

Step 6: If the design is too large for the surface, select it and, at the bottom of the screen, click the Combine and Unite icon. Then, you must edit the design.

Step 7: Once the design is ready, click the Make It button at the top right of the screen. Then, set it to On Mat from the Material Load Type section.

Step 8: Now, reposition the design on the mat and click Continue at the bottom of the screen.

Create Custom Material Settings

Step 1: Click “Browse all Materials” and then click Material Settings to create a new material cut setting for Rhinestone Flock.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap the Add New Material button. Give it a name, and click the “Save” option.

Step 3: Scroll to locate the new material, set the pressure to 275, and turn off multiple passes. Select the Fine-point Blade from the list and click the Save button.

Step 4: Click on “x” at the top to close the Custom Material window. Then, click the “Browse All Materials” option again, find and select the new cut settings, and click the “Done” button.

Step 5: Set the Pressure to More and check the “Remember Material Settings” box to save your preferences. 

Step 6: Place the flock material on the LightGrip cutting mat with the liner side facing down.

Step 7: With a brayer tool, smooth it down on the mat.

Step 8: The next step is to load the mat on your machine. Just press the Load/Unload button on the machine and then the Start button to begin cutting.

Weeding, Applying Rhinestones, and Heat Pressing

Step 1: After you are through with the cutting, remove the mat and peel off the material from the mat.

Step 2: Take a piece of strong grip transfer and place it over the flock material. Burnish it down well.

Step 3: After that, peel off the transfer tape to weed out the small circles.

Step 4: Use a weeding tool to weed out the remaining design.

Step 5: From your design, peel the back sheet off. Next, stick it to the felt mat.

Step 6: Sprinkle the rhinestones on top of the design. Brush them all over your design.

Step 7: Carry on brushing until the rhinestone starts filling the circles right-side up.

Step 8: After you have set most of the rhinestones, fill the rest of the circles with a tweezer tool and flip the upside-down rhinestones.

Step 9: After setting all the rhinestones, place a piece of heart transfer mask over the design.

Step 10: Get a scraper tool and lightly scrape over the stone to ensure it sticks to the transfer mask.

Step 11: Remove the transfer mask gently and ensure that the stones stay on the mask.

Step 12: Get the Cricut Heat Press machine and set the heat press settings. Prepare the material.

Step 13: Pre-press the material to get rid of the wrinkles.

Step 14: Press the rhinestones on the surface for a few seconds at a medium-pressure setting.

Step 15: If needed, press once more, and then peel off the transfer mask.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Should I Do If Some Holes Do Not Cut Cleanly?

If some of the holes in your design are not cutting cleanly, it means your blade is dull, or you have entered unfitting material settings. You may also not be using a strong grip mat. To avoid this, you must always test cut before you proceed with the full project.

Are Smart Materials Suitable for Creating Rhinestone Templates?

The short answer is no. Smart materials are not intended to create rhinestone templates. They don’t have the thickness, texture, and adhesive properties required to hold rhinestones in place during application. If you want the most optimum results, stick to recommended materials like flock HTV. 

Is It Possible to Reuse the Same Rhinestone Template?

Only if you are using durable flock material can you reuse your template multiple times. This is a great alternative for those looking to create designs in bulk or for small businesses with a minimal budget.

Can I Create a Rhinestone Template Using Cricut Joy?

The answer is yes. Cricut Joy allows you to make “Rhinestone templates“. You can use it to cut permanent adhesive vinyl and apply rhinestones. The Cricut Joy is an appropriate machine for creating rhinestone templates, which involve cutting the template material and then applying the rhinestones.

It is crucial to know that Cricut Joy is incompatible with cutting flock material (a preferred material for traditional rhinestone templates). Also, for excellent results, you must check that the rhinestones are flat back and the vinyl is positioned on a smooth, non-fuzzy surface.

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