Why do my badges turn black when I upload the SVG to Cricut?

Because Cricut reads every uploaded SVG as a cut file, and it can't print an embedded photo — so it converts the image to a solid black shape. It's how Cricut treats all SVGs, not a broken file. For Cricut, upload the badge as a transparent PNG and use Print Then Cut; the photo prints and Cricut cuts the circle.

So which file do I upload to Cricut — SVG or PNG?

PNG. Cricut prints photos only from raster images (PNG/JPG). Download the badge as a transparent PNG, upload it as a Print Then Cut image, and Cricut auto-cuts the circle from the transparent edge. The SVG and DXF cut files are for Silhouette and other vector cutters, not Cricut.

How do I cut a whole sheet of badges on a Cricut?

Two easy ways. Upload the WHOLE sheet as one transparent PNG (leave a small row/column gap so the badges don't touch) and Cricut auto-cuts every circle in one pass — as long as it fits Cricut's Print Then Cut size limit. Or upload one badge and duplicate it in Cricut. There's also 'Cut Lines Only (SVG)' for the studio's exact layout: it imports as clean, separate cut circles you pair with your PNG art.

Do I need to add cutting or registration marks?

No. Cricut adds its own registration marks during Print Then Cut, so you should not bake any into the file — a second set confuses the sensor. The Cricut option under 'Show Cutting Mark' prints none on purpose.

It imported smaller than my A4/Letter sheet — why?

Cricut limits Print Then Cut to its own printable area and scales larger designs down to fit. Ignore the imported size and set it manually after uploading — type your real badge diameter (e.g. 2.28 in for a 58 mm badge) so it prints and cuts at the correct size.

Can I cut fridge magnets this way too?

Yes. Upload the badge as a transparent PNG, print it onto a printable magnet sheet with Print Then Cut, and the Cricut cuts each shape to size — then peel and stick.

Cut Badge Templates with Cricut

A Cricut can print your badge artwork and cut perfect circles around it — no hand-trimming, no wobbly edges. The catch is that Cricut is fussy about which file you give it. Feed it the wrong one and your badges turn into solid black shapes. This guide shows you the file that actually works, and the exact Print Then Cut steps.

The one rule: don't upload the artwork SVG to Cricut

Here's the thing almost everyone hits first. Cricut Design Space reads any uploaded SVG as a cut file — pure vector geometry. When an SVG contains a photo, Cricut can't print it, so it converts the image into a solid black shape. That's why an artwork SVG shows up as black badges with faint outlines.

It's not a broken file, and it's not something we can "fix" in the SVG — it's how Cricut treats every SVG. Cricut prints photos only when you give it a raster image (PNG or JPG). So for Cricut, the photo travels as a PNG, and the circle is cut either from the PNG's transparent edge or from a separate cut-lines file.

Quick rule of thumb: PNG = for Cricut (it prints the photo). SVG / DXF cut files = for Silhouette and other vector cutters. Never upload the artwork SVG to Cricut.

What you'll need

A Cricut (Maker or Explore — any model with Print Then Cut).
A home inkjet or laser printer.
Your material: printable sticker paper, printable magnet sheet (for fridge magnets), or cardstock you'll assemble into pin-back button badges.
A badge design in My Badge Studio.

The easy method — transparent PNG (recommended)

This is the cleanest path and needs no SVG at all. Cricut auto-detects the cut line from the transparent edge, so a single badge does everything.

In My Badge Studio

Design a single badge and set its Badge Shape & Size (Cricut will duplicate it, so one is enough).
Click the ▾ next to the Download button and choose PNG.
Turn on "Transparent background (PNG)", then download.

In Cricut Design Space

Start a New Project, then click Upload → Upload Image and pick your PNG.
Choose operation type "Complex" → Continue → Apply & Continue.
Select Print Then Cut image → Upload, then click the badge and Add to Canvas. It arrives with a cut line already around the circle.
Set the size. With the badge selected, type the real diameter in the Size box — e.g. 2.28 in for a 58 mm badge (use your outer size; keep the aspect ratio locked).
Duplicate it (Ctrl/⌘ + D) as many times as you need and arrange them in a grid.
Make It → On Mat → Continue → Send to Printer, and print the sheet at home.
Load the printed sheet on the mat (top-left corner), set your material, and press Go. Cricut reads its own registration marks and cuts every circle.

Or cut the whole sheet at once

Don't want to duplicate a single badge? Upload the whole sheet as one transparent PNG and Cricut cuts every badge in a single pass. When a PNG has a transparent background with separate opaque shapes, Print Then Cut draws a cut line around each one — a 12-badge sheet becomes 12 circle cuts, automatically. Two things make it work:

Leave a small gap between badges. If they touch, Cricut merges them into one blob. Add a little Row Gap / Column Gap in the studio so there's transparent space between each badge, and Cricut reads them as separate circles.
It has to fit Cricut's Print Then Cut size limit. Standard Print Then Cut tops out around 6.75 × 9.25 in; newer machines have a "larger Print Then Cut" setting (up to ~8.5 × 11 in or more). If your sheet is bigger, Cricut shrinks it to fit — so turn on the larger setting, use a less-full sheet, or fall back to the single-badge method above.

Then it's the same flow: download the sheet as a transparent PNG, upload it (Complex → Print Then Cut), set the size, and Make It → Print Then Cut.

The precise method — Cut Lines Only (SVG) + PNG

Want the studio's exact multi-badge layout instead of Cricut's? Use the Cut Lines Only (SVG) download (under Paper Size & Layout). It contains only the vector cut circles — no artwork — so Cricut imports them as clean, separate, movable cut shapes with nothing black to delete. Then bring your badge PNG art in as Print Then Cut images, position one under each circle, and Make It → Print Then Cut. More control, a little more fiddly than the single-PNG method above.

Don't add your own cutting marks

Whichever method you use, don't bake registration marks into your file. Cricut adds its own during Print Then Cut, and a second printed set confuses the sensor. That's why My Badge Studio's Cricut option under "Show Cutting Mark" deliberately prints none.

Using Silhouette or another cutter?

Then the vector cut files are for you. The Cut File (SVG) (artwork + cut lines) and Cut File (DXF) (cut lines only, for Silhouette Studio's free edition) import into those machines properly. It's specifically Cricut that treats SVG images as black shapes; vector cutters print-and-cut them fine.

Troubleshooting

My badges show up black in Cricut. You uploaded the artwork SVG. Cricut turns every SVG image black — download the transparent PNG (and use Print Then Cut), or the Cut Lines Only (SVG) for just the cut circles.
It imported smaller than my A4/Letter sheet. Cricut caps Print Then Cut to its own printable area and scales the design down. Ignore the imported size and set the size manually after uploading — type your real badge diameter so it cuts at the correct size.
The print looks blurry. That's the source image's resolution, not the export. Use a photo of at least ~700 px (ideally 1000 px+) for a 58 mm badge.
Design Space rejected my PDF. Cricut doesn't take PDF at all — upload the PNG instead.

Which plan do I need?

PNG/JPG downloads are available on every paid plan. The vector Cut File (SVG/DXF) and Cut Lines Only exports unlock on the Business plan and above (see pricing); die-cut sticker cut files stay on Business Plus and Business Pro. You can design and preview on any plan.

Selling badges at events? Pair this with the Event/Client portal so guests design on their phones while you print and cut on the spot. Open the studio, design a badge, and let your Cricut do the trimming.

How to Cut Button Badge Templates with a Cricut