It’s tutorial time again! Last year, I created a tutorial on how to design mandala patterns in Adobe Illustrator. Since then, I’ve received some questions about how to turn these lovely mandalas into cut files. While the process to do this is fairly simple, there are a couple steps that, if skipped, can lead to a lot of unnecessary frustration. So, today I’m sharing a video tutorial I created to walk you through the process, and help you become a die cut mandala master! Check it out, and download the die cut mandalas I made.
The main tools you will be using:
Break Link to Symbol
Window>Symbols>Break Link to Symbol
Outline Stroke
Object>Path>Outline Stroke
Magic Wand
Window>Magic Wand
Shortcut: Y
Unite/Add
Window>Pathfinder>Unite/Add
Ungroup
Object>Ungroup
Shortcut: ⇧⌘G
Compound Path
Object>Compound Path>Make
Shortcut: ⌘8
Minus Front/Subtract
Window>Pathfinder>Minus Front/Subtract
I can’t even tell you have nervous I get when I make these videos—I don’t know why—I’m not even in front of the camera. But It’s always worth the anxiety to know that I’m helping people grow their design skills (at least that’s what I tell myself before I start filming).
Designing cut files can be tricky, but, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be amazed at the possibilities! It’s always important to keep the application in mind when designing cut files: mandalas or otherwise. If you’ll be cutting out of paper, you need to make sure that all the objects are connected in one way or another, otherwise the loose pieces will get left behind when you cut. But, if you’re working with vinyl/transfer paper, you don’t have to worry about that.
To learn more tips on preparing SVG cut files, be sure to check out this tutorial I made on the subject.
I hope you enjoyed the new video tutorial! And have fun designing your own, beautiful die cut mandalas!
Mandee is a professional graphic designer, amateur bird watcher, and rollercoaster enthusiast. She is a wife to hardworking high school teacher and mommy to three adorable little humans. She fell in love with graphic design when she started working on a comedy website with a guy she met her freshman year of college. Design wasn’t the only thing she fell in love with, and they were married a year and a half later. She created Designs By Miss Mandee to be a place where she could merge her passion for design with her lifelong love of crafting. 6 Comments on Die Cut Mandalas – Tutorial & Freebie
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Sue
April 21, 2017 at 7:18 am (7 years ago)You are SO talented and I’m amazed are the files you create !
Mandee
April 21, 2017 at 9:08 am (7 years ago)Aww, thank you Sue! That makes me very happy. ^_^
Linda Gandara
April 24, 2017 at 1:30 pm (7 years ago)I resized these to 4″ in Cricut DS and they cut brilliantly! Thank you for sharing your talent, this is so generous of you. P.S. love all your lanterns as well.
Linda G.
Mandee
April 24, 2017 at 4:33 pm (7 years ago)Good to know that they can cut that small! And thank you Linda! That makes me so happy to hear. ^_^
Paul Cummins
January 24, 2018 at 12:33 pm (6 years ago)Hi Mandee.
I’m totally new to this whole design thing. I just wanted to let you know that I find websites like yours really uplifting and motivating. Thank you for all the time and effort that you put into this process, it is amazing!
Loving kindness,
Paul
Mandee
January 24, 2018 at 4:37 pm (6 years ago)Why thank you Paul! I really appreciate hearing that!! It’s great to know that people like you are progressing in their design journey because of my little videos. ^_^