SnapMat in Design Space for iOS

SnapMat helps you visualize image and text placement by capturing a photo of your material on the cutting mat. You can see the layout as a virtual mat preview. Images and text can be repositioned over the photo for ideal placement.

SnapMat takes the guesswork out of image placement on the mat preview by showing you where your images and text will be cut or drawn. With SnapMat, you can:

1. Cut around a specific location of a photo, patterned material, stamped page
2. Write in specific locations on envelopes, gift tags, or greeting cards
3. Use scrap materials with greater economy and confidence

SnapMat is available only with the Cricut Design Space iOS app.

No. SnapMat works with one mat at a time. A separate photo is taken for each mat in your project.

No. SnapMat will only be an option when cutting on a mat.

SnapMat photos are not saved as part of your project, so we recommend using SnapMat when you’re ready to cut.

SnapMat helps you visualize where your project will cut in relation to your mat and material. This is usually accurate within a few millimeters of the actual cut.

We recommend using LightGrip, StandardGrip, StrongGrip, or FabricGrip mats for best results. SnapMat may not work well with older Cricut cutting mats.

Important: Using Cricut Imagine mats is not recommended, since the black border may prevent the capture from working properly.

No. SnapMat is available for Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker projects only. It is not available for use with Cricut Joy or Cricut Joy Xtra projects. Additionally, SnapMat can only be used when cutting on a mat. It is not available when cutting Smart Materials without a mat. 

When using SnapMat in the Design Space iOS app, a photo of the mat will automatically be captured when the mat is detected within the frame. This requires proper positioning of the camera. If you are having difficulty capturing a photo of your mat when using SnapMat, follow the troubleshooting steps and tips below to resolve the issue.

Important: Ensure that you are using Cricut LightGrip, StandardGrip, StrongGrip, or FabricGrip mats for best results. SnapMat may not work well with older Cricut cutting mats. Using Cricut Imagine mats is not recommended, since the black border may prevent this image capture from working properly.

1. Place the mat with material on a contrasting and neutral background for best results. If needed, you can create a contrasting background for the mat using a sheet, pillowcase, or other material you may have at hand. 
2. Adjust the ambient lighting to allow for better contrast between the mat and the background (i.e. re-position bright direct lighting, or ensure that there is enough lighting on the mat for the app to detect the mat against the background).
3. Ensure that the mat is flat and edges are not curled; SnapMat looks for a rectangle that is the same proportions as the cutting mat.
4. Hold the mobile device parallel to the mat, with steady hands, when taking the picture.
5. Ensure that your material does not hang off the edges of the mat.
6. Ensure that mat edges are close to but within the white frame edge on the app. You should see a green rectangle when the mat is detected. 
7. The blue circles can help indicate if the device is parallel to the mat. If needed, tilt the device slightly until the blue circles are centered.
8. If you are using a 12 in. x 24 in. mat, be sure to set your material size to 12 in. x 24 in. before tapping the SnapMat button.

Note: Ensure that you are not using printable images. SnapMat does not work with Print then Cut at this time. 

Try resting your device on a flat surface, such as a desk. We recommend a desk that is 28"-30" high.

1. Place your cutting mat on the floor slightly underneath a desk.
2. Rest your iPhone or iPad face down on the edge of the desk with the camera hanging off the edge, pointing towards the mat.
3. Make sure the mat is positioned within the frame of the SnapMat window.

The photo should be captured automatically within a few seconds.

Note: While SnapMat is not intended to be an exact positioning tool, the cut or write result is usually accurate within a few millimeters of the virtual mat preview. Once SnapMat has captured an image of your mat, you can pinch to zoom in on the mat to more precisely place your images or text.