How-To•5 min read•Updated October 15, 2026

How to Use Birds of Paradise in Cricut Design Space (and Weld It)

Getting a script font to cut cleanly on a Cricut takes two extra steps: tightening the spacing and welding. Here is the full process for Birds of Paradise.

Editorial team · First published October 15, 2026.

Quick answer

Install the Birds of Paradise .ttf on your computer, restart Cricut Design Space, and select it from the System fonts list. Type your text, reduce letter spacing until the letters touch, then select the text and click Weld so it cuts as one connected piece. Keep it at least about 2 inches (5 cm) wide so the thin strokes don't tear.

Step 1: Install the font on your computer

Cricut Design Space uses the fonts installed on your computer (it calls them System fonts). Windows: unzip the download, right-click the .ttf file and choose Install. Mac: double-click the .ttf file and click Install Font in Font Book. Then close Design Space completely and open it again. It only reads the font list at start-up. On iPhone or iPad you need to install the font through a font installer app first (for example AnyFont or iFont), then restart Design Space.

Step 2: Find it in Design Space

Click Text, type your words, then open the font menu. Switch the filter to System (instead of All or Cricut) and search "Birds". You should see Birds of Paradise. If it isn't there, restart your computer. That fixes it most of the time.

Step 3: Close the gaps

Design Space often adds a little space between script letters, so the word shows up as separate pieces. Select the text and lower Letter Space until each letter overlaps the next one slightly. Zoom in and check the joins one by one. Some pairs need Advanced > Ungroup to Letters so you can nudge a single letter.

Step 4: Weld

Select the whole text and click Weld (bottom-right panel). This merges the overlapping letters into one shape, so the machine cuts the outline once instead of cutting every letter separately. If you skip this, you'll get a pile of loose letters and cut lines through the middle of your word. Weld is permanent for that layer, so duplicate the text first in case you want to edit it later.

Birds of Paradise SVG generator with the name Amelia ready to download as a single vector — Shortcut: our SVG generator exports the word as one connected vector you can upload to Design Space.

Sizing tips so it actually cuts

The hairline strokes are the weak spot. For vinyl, keep each word at least around 2 inches (5 cm) wide. For cardstock, go bigger, around 3 inches or more. For iron-on (HTV), avoid tiny sizes because thin bits peel during weeding. If it still tears, try a heavier free script like Alex Brush, or use our SVG tool to export your text as a single vector shape you can upload to Design Space.

Birds of Paradise font at different sizes showing thin strokes fading when small — The hairlines are the weak spot, so don't go small.

A note on selling

Making a decal for your own car or a sign for your own home is personal use. Selling Cricut projects (shirts, decals, tumblers) is commercial and needs a Herofonts license.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Birds of Paradise not showing in Cricut Design Space?

Design Space only loads system fonts when it starts. Install the .ttf, fully close and reopen Design Space, and set the font filter to System. Restart your computer if it is still missing.

How do I connect cursive letters in Cricut?

Lower the letter spacing until the letters overlap, then select the text and click Weld. This turns the word into one shape that cuts cleanly.

Can I sell Cricut projects made with Birds of Paradise?

Only with a commercial license from Herofonts. The free version is personal use only.

See your own text in Birds of Paradise

Preview names and words, or export them as an SVG for Cricut, Silhouette or a tattoo stencil.

Preview SVG Generator

Related guides

How-To

How to Install Birds of Paradise on Windows, Mac and iPhone

Font Alternatives