Quickly learn the difference between Group vs Attach on the Cricut Design Space!

What is a ‘Group’ on Cricut Design Space?

• When using this function, you can select multiple layers and select the option ‘Group’.
• This essentially tells the design space software, for design purposes, that you want these layers to stay together.
• This function allows you to move the group of layers around and resized them all together.
• This is an awesome feature if you want to make something where you want everything to stay in the same ratios.
• *However, this is just for design purposes! The layers will be cut separately. So you will have 2 separate sheets- one with the cut project layer and the other with the score layer.

  • **NOTE**

    • One may think that you can just use the same paper, on the same mat after it is cut and it will just score over it. Logically you would think that it prints and cuts in the same design/order. Wrong! The Design Space is designed in a conservative manner – to waste as little of your materials as possible. The layers will be adjusted on the mat accordingly. This is problematic when you want to score and cut the same layer/piece of material. These layers are technically not seen as the same layer when they in a ‘group’. It is like they are two separate layers and will not be scored/cut in the places that they seem to be.
    • To cut and score them all together, you will need to use the ‘Attach’ function.

What is the ‘Attach’ function on Cricut Design Space?

• The Attach function is very similar to the Group function (as discussed above).
• In comparison, when you ‘attach’ layers, Design Space interprets that these layers need to be made as they are shown on the canvas. The cut lines and score lines as you see them on the canvas ‘attached’.
• This function is useful for many reasons.
  • It tells the software that you want to cut this image on the cut lines shown. Then it will score the project in the exact places that the score lines are.
  • If you want a specific design with multiple layers and you want it exactly in a certain spot, you can ‘attach’ the layers. They will be cut exactly as you ‘attached’ them.

  • This is most beneficial when-

    • You are using multiple functions of the Cricut. This is when you use any combination of ‘Cut’, ‘Score’, and ‘Write’ options. So, if you use more than one of these actions/commands, you will want to use the “attach” function. This way Design Space recognizes that the actions are to be done exactly where you want them on the same layer.
      • Please note that this is the only way possible (that I know of) that you can cut, score and/or write on the same layer.
    • If you want to apply a design in a specific manner using the same material/color, using “attach” would be a suitable solution. 
      • For example, if you design a t-shirt with different layers to be cut as a whole logo. “Attach” will see all the layers as an individual layer. It will also keep them in the exact place that you attached them. This will change all the layers in the ‘”attachment” to be the same color because it sees it as one whole layer.
    • When you want to ‘attach’ multiple layers together to cut, but do not want to make this permanent. You would be able to “detach” and “attach” again. Alternatively, for a more permanent solution, you might want to try the “weld” function.

• • With previous versions of the Design Space, I would use this function to arrange the layers to fit on one sheet. My issue was that I had oddly shaped layers- I could fit 2 cuts on one sheet when positioned them angled. The old Design Space wouldn’t allow you to rearrange how the file would be cut. So the workaround was to use this ‘Attach’ function. However, the new version actually allows you to rotate, move and rearrange how everything is situated on your mat. It is pretty awesome.

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Please note that all information provided here is editorial. I am a participant in the Cricut Affiliate Program. Although this post may contain affiliate links and ads, this post solely based on my experiences and is 100% my honest opinion. I have not received any free items for this post. This post is for informational guidance and furthering education only and is based solely on my experience and research. Read more.