We're going to learn how to fill in text and images using Cricut pens. As a bonus, I'll also go over how to achieve similar effects using your debossing and foiling tools (not perfect but works!). This tutorial is simpler than you might think, and it can add a professional touch to your projects.
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Getting Started with Cricut Pens
First, let's talk about the Cricut pens. When you change your text or image over to pen in Cricut Design Space, it typically just gives you an outline. If you want that filled-in look, it’s not as complicated as you might think. In fact, setting it up only takes a couple of minutes in Cricut Design Space. The longest part of the process is waiting for your Cricut machine to fill in all the spaces.
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Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Shop Pens and Adapters
Choose Your Design:
Open Cricut Design Space and choose the text tool or image you want to work with. For this tutorial, I chose a retro text design because it’s big and has plenty of space to fill in. I tend to not use Cricut fonts because I do not subscribe to Cricut Access. I download a lot of free fonts from Creative Fabrica or DaFont. You can find some of my best free fonts for writing with pens in this blog post! As a tip: for free writing fonts I tend to look up fonts with the words monoline, line, or handwritten.
Adjust Your Text Size
Make your text or image as large as possible initially. This helps when you use the offset tool to create the filled-in effect. For example, I made my text 18.5 inches wide. We will shrink it back later. The larger your text or image is, the better and closer you can get with the offset feature.
Change to Pen
Set your design to pen mode at the top. This technique works for both pens, debossing, and the foil tool, so we’ll test out all three. For the pen, I used a fine point (0.4mm) pen and Crayola markers, which are closer to 1-2mm. When it comes to the debossing and foiling, these results vary and I find this true no matter what I am making, even if its just the outline of the letters. I just don't love these two tools. I want to state that different pens are going to give you different results so it is a good idea to test this out before creating a whole project. Practice and trying things out (even if they are fails) is the best way to master your crafting.
Create Insets
Use the offset tool to create multiple close insets. Start with the smallest possible inset (e.g., -0.0025) and gradually increase it. I ended up feeling like the -0.03 was the best. It was close but also not ontop of the individual letters. Apply the inset, then repeat the process without taking your mouse off. You will not need to change the initial inset size. Continue this until you can’t create any more insets. This will fill in the space with lines very close to each other.
Attach, Don’t Weld
Once you’ve finished creating the insets, select everything and attach it. Do not weld or combine; attaching keeps the offsets in place. If you accidentally do this make sure to undo it immediately. It will remove all the work you just did.
Resize
Resize your design to the final desired size. For example, I resized mine to 5 inches. The smaller the closer those lines are going to be.
Send to Your Cricut Machines:
You can use the foil tool, debossing tool, and the pens with all of the Cricut machines however, you will not be able to use the debossing tool with the Cricut Explore and Joy series.
Here are my results:
Fine Point Pen
The 0.4mm fine point pen filled in the text well, with only a few tiny holes. You can easily touch these up with your Cricut pen if they bother you after you are done.
Crayola Marker
The Crayola marker, with its thicker line, filled in the text even better, with no visible holes. These markers are a great alternative if you want a more solid fill.
Using the Foiling Tool
The foiling tool gave a unique effect but didn’t work exactly like heat foiling. The foil took a bit longer to process and didn’t give the thick, solid look of heat foil. However, it created a cool, vintage-looking foil effect that some might find appealing.
Using the Debossing Tool
The debossing tool was the least effective for this technique but still worth experimenting with. The debossing tool made the paper thin and even ripped it in one place. It didn’t achieve the deep, consistent look that an embossing folder would. However, it still created an interesting texture.
Final Thoughts and Tips
After testing all these tools, I found that the Cricut pens and Crayola markers worked the best for filling in text and images. Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:
Text Size Matters:
The bigger your text or image, the better the fill will be. Smaller designs might not offset properly, making it harder to fill in.
Multiple Insets
Don’t be afraid to create multiple insets. The more you create, the more filled-in your design will look.
Attachment Over Welding
Always attach your offsets instead of welding or combining them. This keeps the offsets in place and ensures your design is filled correctly.
Experiment with Tools
While the pens and markers worked best, don’t hesitate to experiment with other tools like the foiling and debossing tools. You might discover a unique effect that suits your project.
I hope this tutorial helps you master the technique of filling in with Cricut pens. Whether you’re using pens, markers, foiling, or debossing tools, this method can add a polished look to your projects. Remember, crafting is all about experimenting and finding what works best for you.
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