Use the Cricut Engraving Tool with a Free SVG
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If you have a Cricut Maker and want to try the Cricut Engraving Tool, download this FREE Harry Potter Single Line SVG to use with Cricut Pens or the Cricut Engraving Tool. It is perfect for engraving, drawing, and other Cricut Maker projects!
The Cricut Engraving Tool is part of the QuickSwap tool system that can be used with the Cricut Maker, and I have a FREE Harry Potter SVG that you can use with it! I made a super cute monogrammed necklace with the engraving tool, but this time I tried a Cricut Aluminum Sheet to make Harry Potter decor for my office!
I will walk you through exactly how I made the engraved drawing and tips and tricks I learned along the way! Plus, the FREE SVG I’m going to share with you is designed to work ESPECIALLY WELL with the Cricut Engraving Tool – you will love the results!
What Do I Need to Use the Cricut Engraving Tool with a Free SVG File?
The Cricut Maker is the only machine that is compatible with the Cricut Engraving Tool.
- Cricut Maker
- Cricut Aluminum Sheet (I used 5×7″ for this project)
- Cricut StrongGrip Mat
- Cricut Engraving Tool with QuickSwap Housing
- Painters Tape or Masking Tape
- Lint Roller or Cloth (to remove metal fragments to finish)
- Enamel Metal Stamp Marker
*If you have an Cricut Explore Air 2 or Cricut Joy, you will not be able to insert the engraving tool. But don’t worry, you can use this design to draw with one of those machines! So go ahead and head to the end of the post to download the Free Hogwarts Single Line SVG design.*
What is the Cricut Maker Engraving Tool?
The Cricut Engraving Tool is part of the QuickSwap tool system that includes the debossing tool, wavy blade, and perforating blade. As long as you have the QuickSwap housing you can remove and exchange any of those tools on the tip!
The tip of the Engraving Tool looks like a sharp point. You can use it with metal sheets (must be soft), leather, acrylic, paper, and more!
I am pretty impressed with the projects I have made with the engraving tool, but this Hogwarts one is definitely my favorite so far!
How to Make an Engraving with a Free SVG
If you’re new to using SVG files with your Cricut machine, make sure you read my full post on How to Upload an SVG to Cricut Design Space.
The first step after uploading your file is to make sure that you change the cut type from “Cut” to “Engrave.” Make sure your machine is set to “Maker” (in the top right hand corner of Cricut Design Space), then select your image. In the menu bar, click on the drop down box for cut settings and select “Engrave.” Your design will be ready to go!
Resize your image to fit your engraving metal. I sized the short side of the image to 4.5″ to fit nicely on the 5×7″ metal engraving sheet.
At this point, you need to prep your cutting (engraving) mat. Place the metal on a StrongGrip cutting map, and use masking tape to secure the edges. I placed my metal sheet towards 1″ down and 1″ in on the mat (lining up with the 1″ lines) so I had more room for the tape.
Then go back to Design Space and click “Make It.” Using the location of the sheet on your mat as a guide, move and center the design on the screen to match your mat.
Select the aluminum sheet as your material by clicking on “See All Materials” on the cut setting screen in Design Space.
Insert the engraving tool into your Cricut Maker (the engraving tip is marked with “41” to differentiate it from the other tips.)
Then proceed to engraving!
I designed this Harry Potter Hogwarts SVG to double and triple engrave the design onto the metal to make sure that you get a deep engrave! If you notice the machine repeating areas of the engrave, that’s why! It will take a little longer than a single pass, but the results will be so much better.
Once your engrave is finished, it will look a little messy – that’s normal.
Use a lint roller and roll multiple times over your design. It will remove all of the small metal shavings.
There are a ton of small pieces on there! You don’t want to get those in your fingers!
You can technically leave the engraving as-is, but I decided to take it one step further to make the Hogwarts design stand out! I used a black enamel marker (used for metal stamping and engraving) that I grabbed at the craft store, but it’s also available on Amazon!
Just use the marker to go over all of your engraved lines, making sure to cover them completely.
It is pretty cool how the ink will start to fill the engraved areas!
It will look a little sloppy, but don’t worry. Just let it dry for 1-3 minutes (according to the marker packaging).
Then use a paper towel to just wipe off the excess ink! I used a couple of paper towels – one to take off the bulk of the ink and another to remove what ink was left and polish the metal sheet.
I absolutely love how this design turned out!
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Download Free Cricut Engraving Tool SVG
This file is DOWNLOAD #231 in my FREE DOWNLOADS LIBRARY.
Get the password below! (If you have the password, head over to the library to download the file.
You will NOT receive an email with the download file. SVG files can be used with Cricut Design Space and upgraded versions of Silhouette Studio.
Pin Cricut Engraving Tool Project
so excited about this project! thanks so very much!