Hello again !

Now that you’ve learned how to download and unzip SVG files, you've probably looked in your download folder and found several different files.

You might be thinking “Why are there are so many files??" or "Which one do I use??"

My goal is to help you create with designs that cut and assemble beautifully. I put a lot of care into designing files that cut cleanly, and are ready to use, but all that is meaningless if you aren’t sure how to use them!

So let's walk through the different files you can expect to find with a Printable Cuttable Creatables design, so you know which files will work best for your project!

With most of my designs, you’ll see the following in your download folder:

• Assembled SVG
• Separated SVG
• DXF (Separated)
• PNG 
• PDF Assembly instructions
• Preview image (png)
• PDF License & Copyright file

SVG Files

The term “SVG” gets thrown around a lot in craft groups and YouTube videos, so it has started to become a blanket term for any design that can be used with cutting machines.

Actual SVG Files (Scalable Vector Graphics) are made up of vector lines called paths. Cutting software, like Cricut Design Space and Silhouette Studio, essentially “reads” vector paths, which tells the machine’s blade where to cut. 

In cutting software, these paths are called “cut lines”.

If you’re using a real SVG cut file, it will already have cut lines, so you DO NOT need to trace OR clean up!

High quality cut files will also have minimal edit points meaning that designs will cut cleaner, faster, and use less memory from your software (sweet!).

There's No SVG File in My Download!

Some computers may display SVG files as web files (Edge, Chrome, Safari etc), however they are actually SVG files and will still upload correctly in your cutting software - promise! 😉

So Why Are There 2 SVG Files?

Assembled SVG: SVG files with the design layers fully assembled to form the finished design. Assembled files are ideal for:

• Print & Cut projects, adding registration marks to vinyl projects

Separated SVG: SVG files with the design layers separated by color. Separated files are ideal for:

• Paper craft projects, HTV & vinyl projects where you want to see the layout of a design by color.
• When you want/need to position the pieces on your cutting mat.

Layering Options:

When you open one of my multi-color designs, you’ll see what looks like 2 copies of the same design in 1 file. 

But they are actually different layering options for different materials - all the prep work is already done for you!

Option 1: (top, or left side of the page) is designed for layering with cardstock.

• It has stacked layers, which are easier to assemble using cardstock. (Smaller details and too many pieces can make designs hard to assemble with cardstock.)
• Stacked layers are also great for adding dimension to your paper crafting projects like card accents and cake toppers.

Option 2 (bottom or right side of page) is designed for layering with vinyl or HTV. 

• Stacking too many layers of vinyl or HTV can cause unwanted bulk which can lead to your vinyl or HTV peeling or just not looking good! 
• With Option 2, overlapping layers have already been subtracted for you, so each color fits together like a puzzle-piece, without the bulk!

Feel free to hide or delete the option that you don't need. If you're in Design Space or Silhouette Studio, the original SVG file will remain in tact if you need the other version later!

You can also borrow shapes from the other option. If you're layering with vinyl using Option 2, but prefer to have a solid base layer, go ahead and grab the base layer shape from Option 1! 

DXF Files

DXF files are intended for Silhouette Studio users using Basic Edition, since the Designer Edition or higher upgrade is needed to open SVG files. 

My DXF files always have layers separated by color, since DXF files can be tricky to work with, especially for multi-layered designs.

I VERY highly recommend the Designer Edition upgrade, since the ability to work with SVG files, along with the features it includes are well worth the one-time payment cost!

You can grab an instant upgrade code for Designer Edition from Swing Design

(Seriously though, SVG files are SOOO much easier to work with than DXF!!)

PNG Files

Png images are pixel-based; there are no vector lines for your cutting machine to “read”, so some extra work needs to be done to create cut lines that your cutting machine can follow. 

Silhouette Studio and Design Space can both “trace” or “clean up” png images to add cut lines, but if you have an SVG of the same design, that should be your first choice.

You can still use PNG files with your cutting machine, usually for Print & Cut projects. 

I usually include multiple PNG files with my designs, with some color or design variations or an offset - perfect for stickers!

If you open a file in Silhouette Studio, and don't have the option to Ungroup, then you've probably uploaded a PNG, not an SVG.

If you see this screen in Design Space, you've uploaded a PNG, not an SVG.

PDF Instructions File

You’ll also find a PDF Instructions file, which shows the layers of a design and how they should be assembled. Assembly for all layering options are included, along with a preview of the completed design.

My email is also included in case you have any questions about using a file.

PNG Preview image

I've gotten my share of messages from people who are upset that the file they paid for has watermarks. So just to be clear -  this is a preview image of the completed design, which includes my logo, file information and watermark. This is the only file included with a watermark. All other files are clean and ready to use!

PDF License & Copyright Info

This PDF info card includes a handy link to my License & Copyright terms if you ever have any questions about selling your items using my designs.

A link to my email is also included in case you have any questions while using a file!

Whew! I know that was a lot of information, but I hope I was able to set you on the right path to choosing the right file to use for your project! 

Still have any questions - hit reply and ask away!