DIY Planner Paper Clips + How to Deboss!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE DESIGN FILES

Get Design #264 which are my free Debossed Animal Paperclip SVG designs from my free resource library (get the password to the library by filling out the form at the bottom of this post).

There are two SVG files in the Zipped folder. One is for cutting and debossing the paperclips on a Cricut Maker (animal-paperclips-deboss-jennifermaker-SVG.svg), and the other is for cutting and scoring the paperclips on a Cricut Explore (animal-paperclips-score-jennifermaker-SVG). If you are using a Cricut Joy you may upload either file.

Upload the Debossed Animal Paperclips SVG file appropriate for your specific machine into Cricut Design Space. If you're not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made. If you're on an iPhone or iPad, here's how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app.

STEP 2: SET UP THE FILE TO DEBOSS AND CUT

First, check to make sure the SVG file imports correctly. Each paperclip has two attached layers. In the file for the Maker the first layer of each paperclip should automatically be set to Fine Deboss. In the file for the Explore this first layer is set to Score. The second layer in both files is set to Cut. This is what the SVG file looks like when it is imported into Design Space for a Maker:

This file is set up so each paperclip has decorative accent lines that we will deboss (push the material INWARD, which is the opposite of emboss). This requires using a Fine Debossing Tip on a Cricut Maker or a Scoring Stylus for a Cricut Explore.

TIP: If you don’t have a Cricut Maker or Explore you can still cut the paperclips without the debossing feature! To do this, turn off the deboss (or score) layers for each paperclip by clicking on the eyeball on every layer that says Fine Deboss (or Score). Once they are all hidden, your file is ready to cut without debossing. Skip to Step 4 if you are using a Cricut Joy.

Now, you have eight paperclips ready to Deboss (or Score) and Cut. Select your machine from the list on the top bar next to the Make It button.

STEP 3: LOAD THE MATERIALS AND TOOLS

Click Make It and you will be prompted to select your material settings and place your Kraft board pieces on your cutting mat.

I made eight paperclips from four different colors (two of each color). To cut multiple colors of paper using only one mat, I needed to position each paperclip element into a different corner or section of my cutting mat in the mat preview screen. I did this by clicking and dragging each paperclip element to move them around the mat.

TIP: I used the corners to line up the elements and paper on the mat, but the ruler measurements can come in handy here if you are using multiple pieces of paper.

Once the Cricut knows where to deboss (or score) and cut everything, I placed my pieces of Kraft board onto a green cutting mat and used a burnisher to smooth it down and adhere it to the mat. Make sure each piece of paper is appropriately sized. Refer to the Mat Preview for the placement and size needed by clicking/hovering over it as you place your material. See my video tutorial about placing multiple colors onto a single mat for more detail.

For this project, I used Cricut Holographic Foil Kraft Board, so in the Materials section, I selected this type of paper in the Art Board section.

I then loaded my Fine Debossing Tool (#21) into my Cricut Maker (Scoring Stylus for the Cricut Explore). The debossing tip has a small rollerball in the tip, which presses down on the material to give the debossed look.

Now follow the prompts to load the mat into your Cricut and press the Go button when you’re ready to begin.

Your Cricut Maker will use the Fine Debossing Tip or Scoring Stylus to deboss the Kraft paper. When it’s done, it will prompt you to change your tool to the Fine Point Blade.

Click the Go button, and the Maker will now cut out the paperclips.

When finished, gently remove the paper and paperclips from the mat.

Congratulations! You’ve debossed and cut your paperclips! These are the pieces you’ll have when you’re done:

STEP 4: HOW TO CUT THE PAPERCLIPS USING A CRICUT JOY

If you don’t have a Cricut Maker or Explore, you can still cut out the paperclips using the Cricut Joy. To prepare the file, you’ll need to turn off the deboss or score layers by clicking on the eyeball on every layer that says Fine Deboss (or Score). Once they are all hidden, your file is ready to cut without debossing.

When you're ready to Cut, select your Joy from the top bar next to the Make It button.

Click Make It and you will be prompted to select which type of mat to use (for Joy machines).

To cut multiple colors of paper using only one or two mats, I needed to position each paperclip element to a different corner or section of my cutting mat in the mat preview screen. I did this by clicking and dragging each paperclip element to move them around the mat. I used the corners to line up the paper, but the ruler measurements can come in handy here.

On the Joy, if you have a 4.5” x 12” mat you can cut all pieces using one mat, even if you are cutting multiple colored papers. But I used a 4.5” x 6.5” mat so had to arrange the paperclips on two different mats. To do this, I clicked the three dots on the upper left corner of an element and selected Move object.

I then selected the mat I wanted to move it to.

Then I clicked and dragged each element around the mats until they were positioned where I wanted them.

Once the Cricut knows where to cut everything, I placed my pieces of Kraft board onto a green cutting mat and used a burnisher to smooth it down and adhere it to the mat. Make sure each piece of paper is appropriately sized. Refer to the Mat Preview for the placement and size needed by clicking/hovering over it as you place your material. See my video tutorial about placing multiple colors onto a single mat for more detail.

Now, select the Art Board material. I selected Foil Poster Board.

Follow the prompts to load the Fine Point Blade and mat into your Cricut.

Press the Go button when you’re ready to begin.

Your Cricut will cut the Kraft board. When it’s done, it will prompt you to unload the mat. Check your paperclips before unloading the mat and Rerun as many times as necessary until the paperclips are fully cut and pop off the mat easily. I had to Rerun each mat three times.

When the pieces are fully cut out, gently remove the paper and paperclips from the mat.

These are the pieces you’ll have when you’re done cutting, without the debossed detail:

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF

How do you use your Debossed Animal Paperclips? To bookmark pages in your favorite novel? Perhaps in your scrapbooking designs?