How to make elegant thank you cards on Cricut (+ FREE Template and Video)

Instructions

Step 1: Download and Upload the Origami Thank You Card Design

First, you're going to need to grab this project from my resource library. You can sign up for it by clicking here or filling out the form in this blog post. Once you get into my resource library, just look for design #C23 and download it.

Once you have it downloaded, you'll want to extract the ZIP file and save the SVG somewhere.

Then in Design Space, you're going to open a brand new canvas, click Upload 9on the left side, then browse and select the SVG you just downloaded.

This will add the SVG to your Design Space Library.

Now you're going to select the design from your library and click the green button on the right to load it to your canvas.

If you need more help with this process, you can watch my video on how to use my SVGs and Library here.

Step 2: Setup the Operations

When you open the project, you'll see three main pieces.

The envelope on the right, and the 2 components of the card on the left. We'll call the big part of the card the card casing and the other part (the square with text on it) the card insert for now.

The inner part of the card is a square with text that says "Thank You" on it. This is the part you will be writing on. I would keep this piece white so that you can write on it and the text will show best.

Since Design Space doesn't let us program the operation of each piece into the SVG, you're going to have to add those now.

First, click on the design and select "ungroup".

Now, select the squares inside the envelop and the card casing and then click on operation on the top right and select "Score".

Now select the filigree on those same pieces. There should be two on the card casing and two on the envelope. Once they are selected, go to operation and click "Deboss".

Now, select the text and go to operation and select "Foil" and then "Bold".

Last, you're going to need to attach all your components. Select everyting on the envelope and right click, then "attach". Now do the same for the card casing and then the same for the card insert.

If you've never done this before, make sure to watch my video in this post or on Youtube to see all the steps and get some tips.

If you want to write on both sides of this piece you can! Just leave "free" and don't glue it down. You can however glue it down and just write on the one side if you like that looks better!

Also, if you're going to use this for an invitation, you can use the print then cut function to print on the cards, then foil and then cut! Read my Print Then Cut tutorial here!

A note about the operations used in this project

In this project, if decide to do everything as I have, you will be scoring, debossing, foil transferring, and cutting. You don't HAVE to do all of these though if you don't want to or don't have all the tools.

If you are brand new to using different operations in Design Space, I strongly recommend watching my video so you can see everything better.

The debossing tool indents your paper to create really beautiful, elegant and delicate detail to any project. It really elevates this card so I really recommend using the debossing tool if you have it - or getting it if you don't!

They're not that expensive and there's just so many things you can use with them. You're going to see just how really pretty it makes the paper look.

If you don't have a Debossing Blade and you really don't want to buy one, you can either remove that detail and instead use patterned card stock or change the operation of that design from deboss to write and draw the design!

To change the operation, select the debossed detail on the card and envelope (there are 4 different debossed elements) and click on Operation on the top left and then on "pen". You can only use this if you have pens that fit your Cricut Machine though.

Alternatively, you could use your Foil Transfer Tool to foil these details if you prefer! We will be using foil for the "Thank You" letters on this Thank You card, so it could make the process simpler if you don't have the Debossing Tool but do have the Foil Transfer Tool!

Now moving on to the Thank You text, this is in Foil. As with the other elements in this Cricut Thank You Card, you can change this if needed! You an use vinyl, Cricut Pens, Debossing... what ever you like! It's set to foil though.

You can also easily change the text to say whatever you like! You can change the font, the size, change it to "Save The Date"... whatever you like!

The last customization you may want to consider if for the envelopes! I wrote our addresses on them because I was making a lot and didn't have much time. If you want though, you can add your addresses right on the envelope using either Print then Cut or Pen!

If you're new to changing operations, adding text, picking fonts, etc... be sure to check out my video!

Step 3: Pick a size!

When deciding how big to make your card and envelop, it's important to keep in mind the size of your paper. Most pretty card stock will come in either 12"x12" or 8.5"x11". While you can get cardstock in 12"x24", your options are much more limited for that size. I suggest picking out your cardstock first so that you know what your constraints are.

To resized your project, select everything (for example, CTRL+A on PC) and then drag it while looking at the grid in design space to estimate size of your components. Then click anywhere on the canvas to unselect all, click an item, and check the size at the top of the screen. Use this method to make sure that you're not exceeding your paper size.

To find out how big your final card will be, select the inner square with the Thank You text and check that for an approximate final size.

Step 4: Sending your Thank You Card to Your Cricut Machine

All right, now let's click "make it" on the top right and then select the "regular mat" if prompted. You can also choose the size mat at this time and change it from the default 12x12 if needed. Then click "confirm".

At this point you're going to see that we have the base of the card going on one mat, the little square insert on another, and then our envelope as a third.

You're going to need three pieces of cardstock per card.

If you want to make multiple Thank You Cards with Your Cricut at once, the best way to set this up is to go to project copies, on the top left and click apply. This will help you save cardstock because it will put as much cuts on one sheet as possible!

Now click continue.

At this point your computer will look for your Cricut Machine. Once it connects to it, you'll be prompted to pick your material.

For this project I recommend at least 65lb cardstock so I use the "medium cardstock" material and default pressure. I don't find that I need to change the pressure at all on this one, so we're just gonna go with that.

Understanding "Load Tools and Materials" in Design Space

The next step is to check the Load Tools And Materials section. This part is really key. We are using many different tools and this will tell us which to put in first and where!

By default it's going to ask you to insert your Scoring Wheel into Clamp B. I happen to have the Scoring Stylus too which fits in Clamp A. If you also have the stylus, this is a benefit! That's because you'll be able to put it in Clamp A and put something else in Clamp B saving you a tool change!

To do this, click on Edit Tools, and then select the Stylus.

As you progress with this project, you'll see similar boxes pop up to tell you what to do next, so watch for those! Never unload your mat until Design Space tells you to because it may be pausing just to tell you to change tools.

Note how on the bottom it says coming up Deboss tool and fine point blade tool at the bottom. This his helpful so you can prepare the blades you need!

Step 6: Now Load Your Machine! Yay!

Now all you need to do is insert the tools into your Cricut Machine per the instructions in Design Space.

Then add your cardstock to a Standard Grip Mat and make sure to really press the paper into the mat. You don't want it to shift at all.

Then load your mat under the little brackets, click on the double-sided arrow button, and then click on the flashing C when it's ready.

It's going to start debossing and scoring (or just scoring if that's what you have in clamp B). Then when it's done, the machine will pause and you'll get a pop up in Design Space that looks like this.

As it says, you are going to want to want to chance the tool in your machine. Be careful when you do the step, you don't wanna click on the double sided arrows. You just wanna change up the blade, not move the mat at all and then press the C.

Then it will continue working! Just continue this process until it finishes and you get a message telling you to unload the mat.

Then repeat the process for the rest of the mats!

A note about removing your cardstock from your mat. Make sure to peel back the mat from the cardstock - not the other way around. Watch my video if you haven't done this before!

Are you using foil for the first time? Watch my video to see how to deterine how much you need, where to put it, and how to use it!

Step 7: Assemble Your Cricut Thank You Card

Okay now our card is embellished and cut out! Yay! Now it's time to put it together. This step is super easy!

You'll have a little square insert, this is what you're going to write on. You can write on both sides like we did for our thank you cards. And then when you put it in, you just don't glue it down. However, if you're just going to use one side, you can absolutely glue it down and that's totally fine.

Then we have our origami card casing - I can't think of any other name for it! Isn't it pretty? And then of course, we've got our envelope and it's all ready for us to fold and glue together.

You're going to need some glue - and while a glue and brush works okay (like I did in this TikTok), I love using a little glue applicator bottle with a fine needle tip so that I can use as little glue as possible and really control where it goes.

The Thank You Card Casing

Let's start with the card casing. We are going to need to fold along the score lines. Except there's a catch! Since we debossed and scored on the same side, your piece is going to want to fold in the wrong way and hide the debossing!

To fix that, fold it inwards like it wants to, and then fold it back! The easiest way to fold along the score line is to place your thumb nails in the score line and then fold!

Once you've done this to all four sides, it's time to practice folding it all together! To do this fold one side, and then the next going in a circle (in either direction). When you get to the 4th side, it can be slightly tricky but you'll want to make sure to tuck it under the first side. Watch my video to see it in action!

The Envelope

Now it's time for the envelop! Again we are going to want to fold along all the score lines and then fold those same sides backwards. Next You need to add some glue. Take a look at the photo to see where to add the glue. Be sure not to add too much - you don't want to accidentally glue your envelope shut!

Once you apply the glue, just fold it togethe

r and you're done!

I love this glue I'm using because it doesn't come out tacky at all but it dries fast enough that I can lift up the envelope almost as soon as I finish putting it together!

That said, give it a few minutes before you insert your card!

That's it! You did it! Now all that's left to do