In the most basic terms SVG means you can increase or decrease the size of the file without loss of resolution (it won’t look blurry or pixelated).

An SVG cut file is a graphic format that stands for scalable vector graphics. Let’s talk about what an SVG is and how isn’t different from a PNG or Jpeg image. How many of you think that the only way you can cut out a shape on Cricut is by having an SVG file WITH layers to upload? And how many of you have seen an image you would love to use in a layered file but have no idea how to make that happen? What is the difference between a layered SVG and a PNG or Jpeg image? I will give a step-by-step explanation with photos and then at the very bottom there are TWO videos for Inkscape and I want you to start with the first one because I will ease you into the process before jumping into more advanced techniques like cleaning up your blended images. Why? I want to offer you variety and also show you the contrast of working in Inkscape versus a one-click converter which is convenient but doesn’t offer a lot of control over the final outcome.

First I will show you an online converter, and then I will show you two images inside Inkscape which is my favorite software for creating layered SVG files. In this post, I will show you two ways to convert images or clipart to SVG files. There are a few free programs out there that are one-click wonders for converting images to SVG files but they don’t offer you the ability to clean the image up in the way you may want. Usually, around the time a Cricut user starts to feel confident using their machine they may ask, how can I convert an image to SVG? It’s easier than you think and soon you’ll be making SVG files on your own. Learning to create your own SVG files is an amazing skill to have.

How to use inkscape for beginners