Dingbat Fonts Decoded: How to Unlock Free Graphics in Cricut Design Space

🖋️ Creative Dingbat Fonts in Cricut Design Space: Step-by-Step Guide to Using Dingbats, Symbols & Flourishes

If you've ever scrolled through fonts in Cricut Design Space and stumbled upon some that look more like tiny images than letters, congratulations—you’ve found dingbats! 🎨
Dingbat fonts are packed with creative potential. They’re actually symbols and illustrations assigned to letters, and they can be used just like any other design element in your Cricut projects. Whether you're making cards, custom t-shirts, or home decor, learning how to work with dingbat fonts will seriously boost your crafting game.
In this post, you’ll learn:

✅ What dingbats are and how to find them
✅ How to preview them with tools like Wordmark.it and MainType
✅ How to bring dingbats into Cricut Design Space
✅ How to edit, color, and customize them for cut, draw, engrave, and print-then-cut

🔤 Step 1: Understanding Dingbats and Where to Find Them

Dingbat fonts are collections of images or icons mapped to characters on your keyboard (A–Z, 0–9, etc). For example, typing the letter “A” might show a heart instead of a letter.

Where to Find Dingbat Fonts:

Google Fonts or Font Bundles: Look for freebies or themed dingbat fonts.

• Font Management Tools (like MainType) can show hidden characters and glyphs.
• Your own computer! Many symbol fonts are already installed (e.g., Webdings, Wingdings).
• Cricut Fonts - search through the fonts Cricut provides.

💻 Step 2: Use Wordmark.it to Preview Fonts Easily
Before jumping into Design Space, preview what’s already on your system.

Visit Wordmark.it

1. Type in a word (like “LOVE” or “GIFT”)
2. Click Enter — this shows every font on your system, including dingbat fonts
3. Select the ones you like for your project (great for comparing styles!)
   
   

📝 Tip: Save your favorites with the plus button to compare later.

🎨 Step 3: Start a Project in Cricut Design Space

1. Open Cricut Design Space and create a New Project
2. Click on Text and type any letter
3. Click the Font dropdown
4. Choose System Fonts and search for a dingbat font (like “Webdings” or “DB Irish Gnomes”)
   
   

🛠️ Step 4: Customize the Dingbat Character

Once your dingbat symbol appears, you can:

• Resize it like any other image
• Change it from Cut to Draw, Foil, Deboss, or Engrave
• Add Offset for shadows or borders
• Flatten it for Print Then Cut projects
• Change the Color to suit your design palette

🧩 Step 5: Extracting Hidden Glyphs & Flourishes Using MainType

 Some fonts come with swirls, hearts, and swashes—called glyphs—but Cricut Design Space often won’t show them.

To unlock them:

1. Download and install MainType (Windows only) from HighLogic.com
2. Open the font (like “Elation Script Italic”) in MainType
3. Scroll through the extra glyphs—click and Copy to Clipboard
4. Paste directly into Cricut Design Space text box

🖼️ Step 6: Turning Dingbats into SVGs or Printable Designs

If you want even more control:

• Paste the symbol into Canva, color it, and export it as a PNG. You can also take a screenshot inside of Design Space and then import it to Canva.
• Upload the PNG into Inkscape, trace it, and save it as an SVG
• Bring the SVG back into Cricut Design Space

🧠 Bonus Tip: Keep a Dingbat Cheat Sheet

Because dingbats aren’t labeled with what image matches which letter, create your own cheat sheet:
Type the full alphabet in Cricut Design Space using your dingbat font

Resize and screenshot or print it

Keep it handy so you always know which letter gives you what icon!

🛍️ Recap: Dingbats Open a Whole New World for Cricut Crafters

Dingbats are more than quirky fonts—they’re mini image libraries at your fingertips. By using Wordmark.it to preview, MainType to extract glyphs, and Cricut Design Space to customize, you’ll create eye-catching projects with ease.

Here’s your Cricut Dingbat Toolkit:

Ready to give it a try? Grab a font, pick a letter, and let the creativity flow! ✨

You can grab an Access membership at anytime to use this feature.