How to download fonts to Cricut

It is not something that I do all too often, but when the seasons change and the holidays are Every now and then, I need a new font or two for my crafting projects. And that is where learning how to download fonts to Cricut comes into play. So, let’s get started!

How to download fonts to cricut

How to download fonts to Cricut

I use my iPad and desktop as my primary platforms for designing. Downloading on both platforms is the same and fairly simple. The challenge is often finding the best font. Once you have found a font, you will need to download it. Depending on what site you use to acquire your fonts, the download button will either be on the far left of the screen or near the middle of the font display window. Or somewhere in the section designated to that font.

how to download fonts
how to download fonts

Once you click the download button, the file will save to your Downloads Folder in your Folders file on your iPad/iPhone or in the selected folder on your desktop. Remember where you stored it.

1. IPad And IPhone Instructions

How to install Downloaded font onto your iPad or iPhone

Once the file is downloaded, it is not as simple as finding the file and clicking on it to open. You need a font installer. Several apps that do the trick, but I like iFont. It has a free version that allows you to do all of the installations quickly and easily.

Once the app is downloaded and installed on your iPad or iPhone, select the Import… key at the top of the left menu part. This will allow you to pick the font file that was downloaded.

importing downloaded fonts

Once selected, this new font file will appear on the left menu bar. Typically, the left menu sorts files with the most recent file on top, so your file should be the first on there. If not, scroll down and find your desired font. Keep in mind, some fonts have several files to include for different thicknesses, bold, italics, so there may be more than one file. If you want all of them, you will need to install each separately.

Click the Install button next to your selected font.

installing downloaded fonts

The Installer will now try to start installing the font. You will get a message asking to allow or ignore the request. Click Allow

installing downloaded fonts

Once you have clicked Allow, you will get a message saying that the Profile has been downloaded. Click the Close button.

how to download fonts to cricut

Now it may get a bit tricky. Sometimes the app will provide detailed steps about what to do next, but sometimes it doesn’t. So, here’s what you do. Jump out of the app and go into your iPad or iPhone Settings.

how to download fonts to ipad

You will notice, near the top, just below your Apple ID, there is now a new section called Profile Downloaded in your left tool back. Click on it to get into the profile to finish the installation.

how to download fonts to ipad

Finally, a new window pops up asking if you want to Install that Profile. Click Install, and then on the next screen click install again, and then one more time, click install on the next pop-up window. This will finally lead you to a screen that says your font is installed, so click the Done button. And you’re done!

In the end, there seems to be a lot of clicks to install, but that’s just Apple trying to make sure you know what you’re doing.

Your Font is fully installed!

How to download and install fonts quickly on IPad or IPhone

If you have the iFont app I mentioned above, you can just search and download fonts straight through the app, but click on the Font Finder search button located on the bottom toolbar. This will save you a few steps at the front end, but you will still need to follow the last parts to finalize the installation as detailed above.

how to download fonts in ifont

Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletters!  You’ll get inside tips on upcoming posts and additional behind the scenes details about what’s happening on the site!


.

2. Desktop Instructions

How to Install fonts to Cricut on to your Desktop

Find the file that you downloaded. I have a file where I save all my fonts to keep it simple. The first thing you need to do is unzip the file, as it is a compressed data file. Once the file is unzipped, you will typically have the following files:

  • Read Me file – it’s a good idea to read this. This contains details about the rights to use the file and provides details about accessing the glyphs (special characters)
  • Image Folder – will show some images of what the font can look like. This is not always included.
  • Font Files – These are Open Type files. There can be one file or several files. This all depends on the font, and how many versions the designers have created. These are the usable files. 

Double click the font file – it is an Open Type font file.

Once the file loads, there will be an Install button on the top menu bar. Click that button. This will start the install process. It takes only a few seconds.

how to download fonts to circut

Your font is now installed and can be used in Cricut Design Space. It can also be used in any other program on your desktop that has fonts.

My Downloaded fonts are not showing up in Cricut Design Space

Like with all apps and programs, sometimes changes don’t show right away. Here are the steps I take after installing a font that isn’t showing up in Cricut Design Space

Downloaded font not showing up on iPad

  1. Turn off the Cricut Design Space App. Just turn it off and then turn it on again. This typically does the trick.
  2. The font may be in Cricut Design Space, but it may show up at the very bottom of the list and not alphabetically, so make sure you scroll to the bottom of the list.
  3. Make sure that you have fully installed the font. Sometimes when installing several fonts at a time, and the process isn’t fully finished, the font will not install.

If none of those suggestions work, try reinstalling the font.

Downloaded Fonts Not Showing up on Desktop

  1. Make sure you log out of Cricut Design Space and log back in.
  2. The font may be in Cricut Design Space, but it may show up at the very bottom of the list and not alphabetically, so make sure you scroll to the bottom of the list.
  3. Turn the computer off and then on again.

If none of those suggestions work, try reinstalling the font.

Where to get Free fonts to download

There are lots of sites that have fonts. Some are better than others. All of these sites have built-in review features. This allows you to display the fonts with any phrase. Here are a few of my favorite sites, in order of my preference:

  1. Dafont.com – This site has more fonts than I can imagine. At the time of writing this article, there are over 62,000 different fonts. Fonts can be found by sorting through categories, themes, authors, looks, and more. Although it can appear small on the screen, each font shows you if the fonts are free for personal use or if a commercial license is required. Although this site doesn’t have the most fonts, it is my go-to.
  2. 1001freefonts.com – although the site is called 1001freefonts, they do have more fonts, about 65,000 at the time of writing this post. The nice thing about this website is that it shows you right away if the fonts are free for personal use, if you require a commercial license. They also provide bundles to buy large quantities of fonts licensed for personal and commercial use.
  3. Fontspace.com – I have not used the site much, but they have a whopping 87,000+ fonts available for download. Their search features are similar to that of Google Fonts, with more versatility and options for filtering in/out what you are looking for. You can also become a member of their site to help keep track of your fonts, and downloads. Although this is not required to download files.
  4. Google Fonts – This site has a lot of fonts but is sorted into families. These families are then subdivided into additional font styles. The sorting features aren’t the greatest, as you need to have a good idea of what you’re looking for before starting. Their main sorting categories are Serif, Sans Serif, Display, Handwriting, and Monospace. These categories don’t help me narrow down my search results, but if I knew more about the basics of fonts, maybe it would. The display results are a bit too boxy for me, as they literally are in boxes.

Can I use any free font?

Although these websites tote that the fonts are free, it is important to remember that not everything is free. Make sure you read the fine print! All websites will show what is actually free. But you may have to search for it. Sometimes you can only use the font for personal use, so as a crafter you can’t sell anything with that font without purchasing a license. Some fonts are public domain and are free for commercial and personal use. Some fonts require you to purchase a license, regardless of personal or commercial use, although very few require a purchase for personal use. And finally, some fonts will only allow you a certain number of uses before your commercial license expires.

Make sure you read the fine print! The last thing you want to do is be fined or worse over a font that isn’t entirely free.

Did you find this Post helpful?

Did you find this post on how to download fonts to Cricut Design Space Helpful? Let me know in the comments below.

Also, be sure to check out some of my other Tips and Tricks Here.

Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletters!  You’ll get inside tips on upcoming posts and additional behind the scenes details about what’s happening on the site!


.

Leave a Reply