# Free design software for the Cricut Explore 3

The Explore 3 is a vinyl and iron-on machine first. Most of what goes wrong with it goes wrong at the design stage, unwelded script, a forgotten mirror, a layout that wastes half a sheet.

## Specifications

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Max cut width | 11.7 in (297 mm) |
| Max cut length | 12 ft with Smart Materials |
| Tools | Fine-point blade, deep-point blade, scoring stylus, pens |
| Cutting force | 400 gf |
| Import formats | SVG, PNG, JPG, DXF, BMP, GIF |

## Export formats from CricutCraft

SVG, PNG, PDF, DXF

## Workflow

1. **Set the mat.** Match the studio mat to your physical mat, 12″ × 12″ for standard, 12″ × 24″ for the long one. Everything downstream inherits real inches from this.
2. **Weld the script.** Cursive fonts overlap. Weld before export or the blade cuts the letters apart at every join.
3. **Mirror for iron-on.** HTV cuts face-down. Flip horizontally before exporting, and check the preview reads backwards, that is how you know it is right.
4. **Export and upload.** Export SVG, upload to Design Space, set the material and cut.

## Handoff to the machine's software

Export an SVG from the studio, then in Design Space choose Upload → Upload Image → browse to the file. It arrives with layers and colours intact, ready to place on the mat and cut. Design Space is the only software that can send cut instructions to a Cricut, so this handoff is the last step no third-party tool can remove.

## Questions

### Does the Explore 3 need Cricut Access to cut my own designs?

No. Uploading and cutting your own SVG is free. Access is for Cricut's own image and font library.

### How do I stop iron-on cutting the wrong way round?

Mirror the design horizontally before export and load the HTV shiny-side down. The studio's flip tool does the mirror in one click; the preview shows the reversed text so you can confirm before you cut.

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Canonical page: https://www.cricutcraft.com/machines/cricut-explore-3

CricutCraft Studio is independent software and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Cricut, Silhouette America, Brother, Glowforge or xTool. Product and machine names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used here only to describe compatibility.