The BEST Sites for Free Cricut Designs and Silhouette SVG Cut Files

I compiled a list of the Best Sites to Download FREE Cricut Designs and Silhouette SVG Cut Files that I know you’re going to love. If you’re a total newbie to the electronic cutting machine world, this is the post for you. Here you’ll get a HUGE list of sites that offer FREE Cricut designs. In addition you find out exactly what an SVG is and how to use them. Let’s get started.

If you are the owner of a Silhouette Cameo or a Cricut Explore then no doubt you are also a collector of free svg cut files. 

Even though I create my own svgs and share them for FREE in my shop, I’ve been known to download a few new svgs myself. If I’m working on a quick craft project but I don’t have time to create new designs, the search for a free svg gets underway.

RELATED:Free Mockups for SVGs and Digital Designs

As a first time user of the Silhouette cutting machines or a Cricut Joy, words like file type and SVG may be foreign to you. You might be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. This post will help break things down for you as well as serve as an amazing resource for free designs.

WHAT IS AN SVG CUT FILE?

SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphic. An SVG can also be referred to as a digital cut file. In the DIY world, digital cut files (or SVGs) are used most commonly with the Silhouette and Cricut machines. They can also be used with the Brother ScanNcut machines.

These files can be uploaded to the corresponding design software that comes with either machine and are used to cut out designs on various mediums such as vinyl, paper, cardstock, heat transfer vinyl (htv) and more.

What’s great about SVGs is that you can size them up or down and the integrity of the graphic will not be compromised.

WHERE CAN I FIND FREE FILES WITH A COMMERCIAL LICENSE?

A commercial use license allows you to sell finished products made with purchased or free designs. If you run a small business with your Cricut Maker, there is no doubt that you will be on the look out for free commercial use files.

The Girl Creative

If this is your first time visiting The Girl Creative blog, I’m excited to tell you that we offer FREE commercial use SVGs for our subscribers. (HINT: Sign up HERE)

By joining our email list you get access to exclusive free commercial use designs. I’m proud to say that these free designs are some of our best. Be sure to subscribe using one of the many subscribe boxes on the site. Doing so will give you access to our free commercial use SVG library.

If you aren’t interested in making products to sell, then you’ll definitely want to visit our free SVG library. You can find them on the blog HERE and in our free shop HERE.

Creative Fabrica

One of my all time favorite sites that has a free SVG library is Creative Fabrica. Not only can you find amazing premium files and popular svgs but you can also find an abundance of free fonts. All downloads from Creative Fabrica come with a commercial license.

If you love to create your own designs, this is the place to find that perfect free font to design with. Looking for clip art? No problem. Use the PNG files that come with almost every SVG download.

Design Bundles

Similar to Creative Fabrica, Design Bundles is another great site that has a huge free SVG library. There are many listings for SVG bundles which, in my opinion, is the best type of freebie. All free downloads and purchases come with a commercial use license.

While not every designer will offer a commercial license with their free svg, almost every Etsy shop that sells svgs will. You can literally pick up an svg bundle on Etsy for pennies when it comes down to it and you can make and sell DIY projects to your heart’s content with them.

Etsy

While not every designer will offer a commercial license with their free svg, almost every Etsy shop that sells svgs will. You can literally pick up an svg bundle on Etsy for pennies when it comes down to it and you can make and sell DIY projects to your heart’s content with them.

Many Etsy shop owners offer discount codes as well as subscriber perks for joining their email list so while you might not get a design for free, you can come pretty close.

If you are a CRICUT user and just want to check out FREE SVGs from other Cricut users AND learn how to use your machine, head to this post: FREE CRICUT DESIGNS AND TUTORIALS

WHERE CAN I FIND THE BEST FREE SVG FILES?

Above I mentioned my favorite sites for free designs that come with commercial licenses. These are so useful if you plan on selling items you make with SVGs. If you are just a gal who loves crafting for fun, then you will want to save, bookmark, pin this post.

You’re about to have your socks wowed off with this amazing list. It is your one stop resource for where to find the best free svg files.

If you’re looking for something specific, I guarantee a google or Pinterest search will direct you to one of these amazing sites.

If you’re a Silhouette owner and just want to make home decor projects like DIY doormats, there’s no shortage of free svgs with a personal use license.

THE BEST SITES FOR FREE CRICUT DESIGNS AND SVGS

To help narrow things down for you I’m sharing with you an exhaustive list of sites where you can snag SVG Cut Files for FREE!

Some of these sites may already be your favorite go-to sites but I guarantee you that you’ll be armed with a whole new set of sites and resources for digital cut files.

All you need to do is search the free svg sections on any of the sites and you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. To make things easy, I’m linking to those libraries for you.

Some of the free svg designs you’ll come across might be flash freebies. Flash freebies are usually free for a limited time. While it’s a bummer at the time, you can subscribe to various email lists so that you never miss another flash freebie again.

Other free designs might only be available for email subscribers. Keep that in mind when visiting these sites.

After you comb though this amazing list of free svgs, be sure to read the next section. There I’ll be covering various design software and machines and the file types each program uses.

In addition I’ll be sharing with you my experience with various supplies like vinyl and HTV.

THE BEST SITES TO DOWNLOAD FREE SVG CUT FILES FOR SILHOUETTE CAMEO AND CRICUT EXPLORE

RELATED: If you are a CRICUT user and just want to check out FREE SVGs from other Cricut users AND learn how to use your machine via video tutorials, head to this post: FREE CRICUT DESIGNS AND TUTORIALS

WHAT CAN I MAKE WITH FREE CUT FILES

I think the real question should be “What CAN’T I make with free cut files?”. You can make literally anything you can dream up with crafty svgs.

There are so many ways that SVGs can be used but let’s talk about how a crafter like yourself can use them. Here are some of my favorite project ideas for using cut files.

Wood Signs and Door Hangers: To make signs you will need a wood craft blank, vinyl, transfer tape, weeding tools, paint, cutting mat and your Silhouette or Cricut machine.

Tumblers and Water Bottle Decals: If you want to add this design to a tumbler or water bottle you will need a drink blank which you can pick up at Target, Michaels, etc. and the same items from the wood sign.

Tote Bags: We’re living in a time where reusable bags and totes are a must have when going shopping. To make a tote bag, you will need a blank tote bag (the canvas ones from Michaels or Hobby Lobby would be perfect), HTV (heat transfer vinyl), heat press or home iron, weeding tools, cutting mat and of course your Silhouette or Cricut.

Shirts, Hoodies and Hats: Using these SVGs on fabric is one of the most popular ways to use it. To make a shirt, hoodie or tote bag you’ll need HTV (heat transfer vinyl), heat press or home iron, weeding tools, cutting mat and of course your Silhouette or Cricut.

I share step-by-step instructions in this post. I go over how to use your Silhouette Studio software to get your SVG ready for cutting including mirroring the image and cut settings.

Sublimation: If you have a sublimation printer, use the PNG file along with the craft blank of your choice and get creative. Note: colors on your screen might vary from the printed version.

Stickers: I love stickers and they are easier to make than you think. To make stickers you will need to use the PNG file sized way down, full sheet labels, cutting mat and your machine.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH FILE TYPE TO USE?

If you’re a new Cricut & Silhouette user you might be unsure what file type you need. You just downloaded a bunch of free cricut designs but there are all these different file types and you don’t know where to begin. I can help. Just find your Software below and check out the file types it uses.

Cricut Design Space Software, any one of these file types will work: SVG, PNG, JPG, DXF, GIF, and BMP. 

Silhouette has various versions of their Silhouette Studio Software. See specifics below.

Basic Silhouette Studio: STUDIO, DXF, PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PDF

Silhouette Studio Designer Edition: SVG, GSD, STUDIO, DXF, PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PDF

Silhouette Studio Designer Edition Plus: SVG, PES, DST, EXP, JEF, XXX, GSD, STUDIO, DXF, PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PDF

Silhouette Business Edition Plus: SVG, EPS, AI, CDR, PES, DST, EXP, JEF, XXX, GSD, STUDIO, DXF, PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PDF

WHERE CAN I BUY CHEAP SUPPLIES FOR MY CRICUT EXPLORE, MAKER AND JOY AND SILHOUETTE CAMEO AND PORTRAIT?

Now that you know where to find FREE SVG cut files I bet you’re itching to get going on some projects. Before you do that though you’ll need to know where to shop for your crafting supplies.

Below I’m sharing my favorite shops and sites buy supplies for the Silhouette Cameo and the Cricut Explore.

I know there are many shops and sites that sell supplies for your cutting machine. There’s definitely  no shortage of supplies.

Here are links to sites I’ve purchased from and that I’ve had an excellent user experience with.

Expressions Vinyl

You’ve probably heard of Expressions Vinyl. Not only is it a great site to purchase Silhouette and Cricut supplies from but it’s a great resource for beginners.

One of my favorite features is their Machine Settings page.

This page gives you the run down on all of the various supplies and the settings needed to cut successfully using both the Cricut and the Silhouette.

I’ve referred to this page many, many times and it’s a resource you’ll want to save and bookmark.

I’ve also found Expressions Vinyl to be one of the cheapest sites to purchase vinyl and HTV. My favorite htv is the Siser Easyweed. Oh. Em. Gee. I never want to use any other htv other than easyweed.

I noticed a big difference between that and regular htv.

Crafter Depot

My last big vinyl and HTV purchase was from Crafter Depot on Etsy. I had a great buying experience with them and their prices are very competitive.

There are many Etsy shops that sell Cricut and Silhouette supplies but this is one that I can personally vouch for.

If you don’t find what you need at Crafter Depot, feel free to continue searching Etsy.

Amazon

Amazon is a great resource for Cricut and Silhouette supplies. Somehow I don’t think you’re surprised.

You’ll find plenty of supply bundles so just scroll through and search until you find what you need.

WHAT BRANDS OF VINYL SHOULD I AVOID?

Cricut Vinyl – When this post was originally written, I had terrible experiences with Cricut brand vinyl.  Maybe it was my settings but I’ve done plenty of projects on my cutting machine and I wasted an entire roll of Cricut vinyl. I swore I’d never use it again.

Then I was in a time crunch and decided to try it again. This time I purchased Cricut Smart Vinyl which I found to be better quality. It cut like a dream. I had major transfer issues though. I got it to work after many frustrated attempts.

So, the jury is still out on this one. If you’ve tried it and have a hack for transfer issues, I’d love to hear it.

The Paper Studio – This brand is sold in Hobby Lobby and I have not had good experiences with it at all.

I have found that it wrinkles when trying to lay it flat. That in itself is an issue. If you are using it a small project then you may be okay. I do not recommend it for bigger projects.

WHAT IS THE BEST VINYL TO USE FOR MY CRICUT CRAFTS?

I highly recommend Oracal 651 vinyl. You can even purchase it in 12″ squares at Michaels. This is a permanent vinyl and should be used for outdoor projects.  Oracal 631 is great for indoor use.

Recently I picked up a few sheets of Siser Vinyl and I’m now a huge fan. You can pick up individual sheets at Michaels.

I highly recommend Siser Easyweed Heat Transfer Vinyl for all of your HTV (heat transfer vinyl) projects. I’ll choose this brand over any other 10 times out of 10.

Now that you’re fully versed on all things SVG and Free SVGS, take a look at these awesome FREE Cut Files for Christmas. It’s never the wrong time to start collecting Christmas svgs.