Creating a mini flag banner with the Cricut is very easy. I recently made a mini flag banner as the title for my page called “hello sunshine”. This method saved me time from cutting out each flag, plus I was able to use my Cricut Scoring Stylus Pen for this project. I will show how to easily create a mini flag banner in Cricut Design Space in this tutorial. I also have a Cricut Design Space quick reference sheet that you can get at the bottom of this post.
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Supplies Used to Create Mini Flag Banner
- Cricut Explore Air 2 (If you want to learn more about the Cricut, check out my Cricut review here)
- Cricut Scoring Stylus
- Cardstock in two colors (yellow and black)
- Baker’s twine in yellow and white
How to Make a Banner in Cricut Design Space
All of the shapes, fonts, and objects I used for this Cricut Design Space project were free. No Cricut Access subscription or other cartridges are necessary (unless you want to use different fonts). I have the project link shared in my FREE resource library. Find out how to get access at the bottom of this post, plus you’ll get a Cricut Design Space quick reference printable. Now lets get started with making the mini flag banner!
1. Add Your Banner Title to Design Space
First I added the title of the banner using a free font in Cricut Design Space. The name of the font I used is called “Cricut Sans”. I wrote out “hello sunshine” and made sure that the height of all the letters were no more than 1 inch tall to fit my layout. I also made sure that these letters in Cricut were black or dark gray. This tells Cricut Design Space that these letters will all be cut on the same color paper.
2. Create a Flag using Basic Shapes
MEASURE
Since I was working with a limited amount of space and lot of letters, I did some measuring and calculations. You could eyeball this part if you have more room or a shorter title. For me, every letter is no more than 1 inch tall and all of the letters range in width from 0.5 to 0.6 inches wide. So, I decided to make the width of the rectangle 0.8 inches. For the height, I needed space for the letter (1 inch), plus room to make the flag end portions and fold the flag in half. I found that at 3 inches tall was the perfect height.
To change the size of the square, first I “unlocked” the size dimensions. I did this so I could enter the exact dimensions and make the shape a rectangle instead of a square.
ADD LAYERS
Next I used the Pentagon shape to cut out the top and bottom of the rectangle. This gives it the flag look instead of a straight edge.
To do this, first I changed the size of the pentagon’s width to 0.8 inches to match the width of the rectangle I just made. Then I aligned the top half of the pentagon at the bottom of the rectangle. Then I did the same to the top edge of the rectangle with an upside down pentagon. I zoomed in for this part since it does take a little bit of patience and precision to line up the pentagon.
Tip: Click on the rectangle to show its outline will help you see where the edges cross over the pentagons.
CUT OUT FLAG SHAPE
After adjusting the placement of the pentagons, I highlighted one pentagon and the rectangle. Then I clicked on Slice. I did this again with the other pentagon by clicking on it and the rectangle at the same time. (For some reason, I wasn’t able to select more than two shapes to slice at the same time. This is why I did each one individually). The Slice button cuts out the overlapping parts of the shapes.
After the Slice was done, I deleted all of the excess parts that won’t be needed and just keep the banner shape.
3. Add Score Lines in Cricut Design Space
The last item to add to the banner shape is the score line so that the flag can be easily folded in half.
Tip: To easily identify the banner flag compared to the text, I changed the color of the shape to yellow.
Since the shape is 3 inches long, the score line should be put at 1.5 inches inside the banner flag – the exact middle of the shape. First, double check that the banner flag is still 3 inches in height. Some may have been cut off, but it can be easily adjusted. Simply click on the shape, then click the unlock button above the Size box, then change the height to 3.0 inches.
POSITION THE BANNER FLAG
The best way to do this is first to force the exact position of the banner flag. To do this, I clicked on the banner flag then changed the position coordinates. It’s easiest to set the x-axis at 3.0 so I could see it. Then I set the y-axis to 0.0 so the shape would be pushed all the way up to the top edge of the design area.
ADD THE SCORE LINE
Next I created a score line. When a score line is first added to the design area, it is vertical and much longer than what I need. I adjusted the Size, Rotation, and Position of the scoreline so that it is positioned on the banner properly. The Size is 0.0 Width, 0.8 Height (once the rotation is changed, Design Space will automatically flip the Height and Width so it will say 0.8 Width, 0.0 Height). Next, I changed Rotate to 90. Then, I changed the position to 3.0 inches for X and 1.5 inches for Y.
ATTACH THE SCORELINE TO THE BANNER
The last, but most IMPORTANT step is attach the scoreline to the banner flag. This will assure that the line will score exactly where you want it be on the banner flag. If you don’t attach the scoreline, then it will be randomly placed on the cutting mat.
4. Duplicate Your Flags
Before making the project, you need to duplicate the flag for each letter. I made sure that I had the score line attached to the flag shape, then I selected the object and clicked “Duplicate” in the right hand pane. The button is in the top panel and you can click 13 times to duplicate the object for the “hello sunshine” phrase.
5. Cutting the Final Project
Now you can Make the Project. Your Cricut should show you that you need to prepare two mats with each mat showing the colors needed. If you don’t have two Cricut cutting mats that’s ok. Cut your first mat as shown, take the pieces off the mat, then move on to the next color paper and prep the mat.
Once it has finished cutting, you can attach the letters to one end of the banner. Then, you will fold each flag in half along the score line and place them over the bakers twine. Then you can attach the ends of the flag together so they lay flat.
Final Tips to Make Your Mini Flag Banner
- Be sure that the letters are a different color in Design Space than the banner flag shapes. This how the Cricut knows you are cutting on two different color papers. I used the colors of the paper to organize the shapes and letters in Design Space to avoid any confusion.
- Double check that the score line is attached to the flag so that it scores in the proper place.
- You can use these same techniques to make a large banner for home decor! Just increase the size.
Learn More about Cricut Design Space
If you are new (or maybe not so new) to Cricut Design Space, it’s always helpful to know what each function does. I created a handy Quick Reference cheat sheet that you can keep right by your Cricut. It will help you remember what Slice, Weld, Flatten, Attach, and Group mean.
Let me know if you have any questions in the Comments below. I would also love to see your finished projects – tag me on social media @craftyjulienow so I can see them!
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