Graduation Cricut Cake Topper Shaker (With Free SVG Files)

Created on:

April 9, 2022

Updated on:

January 20, 2024

Written by Kelsey Sergi

It's already Graduation Season for 2022! Time to make some graduation party decor. Let's go step by step in creating a cake topper shaker in Cricut Design Space with FREE graduation SVG files for 2022 grads!

If you are new to Cricut or a beginner cake topper maker - follow along as we make a shaker all in Design Space WITHOUT Cricut Access. Note: You will have to work on the Desktop version of Design space to use inset and offset.

graduation cake topper shaker for cricut free svg files

First let's grab our FREE Graduation SVG Files here - you can sign up for my newsletter and grab the password for free (I add new SVGs every week!!)

If you are having any trouble - learn how to download and upload all of the free SVG files on my website here.

*Disclaimer: I may earn a small commission through some of the affiliate links found in this blog post.

We are ready to build our graduation cake topper in Cricut Design Space

Step One: Upload our Graduation SVG Files

free graduation svg files for cricut 2022

These are ready to go - you could literally change nothing and send to your Cricut machine but we want to build a layered cake topper shaker and you can build this all with the free version of Cricut Design Space.

I personally don't pay for Cricut Access - I tried it for two months (I forgot to cancel) and it has a lot of great images but over all, I find you can find a lot for free, including fonts.

Step Two: Grab a Circle

free graduation svg files in cricut design space

We are going to build our shaker from this one shape! You can do this with any shape you choose. I am going with a circle because the class of 2022 SVG file is curved.

Step Three: Inset

free graduation svg files in cricut design space

Make an inset (this is only doable on the desktop version of Design Space). I ended up doing -.2 to make my inner circle

Don't worry about colors yet, we have a lot of slicing and layering still to come!

Step Four: Offset

free graduation svg files in cricut design space

I went with .2 again for my offset on the original circle- this larger circle is now going to be my back piece of my shaker topper.

making a cake topper shaker in cricut design space

Step Five: Slice

We have our three circles - all equal in distance from each other size wise. We need to slice those top two pieces (black and grey) to create a ring which will be used for our foam.

Note: If you have a Cricut Air or Joy you can't cut foam, so you can use this as a guide with paper for your foam mounting tape. You still need this circle to create the top ring to hide the foam.

graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space

You can delete the extra pieces from the slice to leave just the ring. I changed mine to purple so it sticks out!

Step Six: Offset our Ring

This is important! We offset this again to make the top to cover the foam - it makes the shaker look clean.

graduation svg files for free in cricut design space

You can use your judgement on the offset you like here but give enough so you aren't worried about foam peaking out!

You can change the color to match the background or you can keep it a different color - make this your own!

2022 graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space

Step Seven: Add another Circle (Acetate Layer)

We need to add back in another whole circle (not a ring) for our clear acetate.

creating a cake topper shaker in cricut design space

You want this circle to be slightly bigger than your foam layer, but slightly smaller than your cover ring!

I changed mine to blue so you can differentiate the acetate layer. This layer is to keep all your glitter and sequins inside. All Cricuts can cut this material but you may need to find the right setting. I use the Transparency material setting with more pressure and run it twice for my Cricut Explore Air 2.

You have all your layers for your shaker topper!

creating a cake topper shaker in cricut design space

You can see they will fit together like a puzzle. I like to cut my purple layer twice on my foam sheets to give some height. You can right click and hit duplicate to do the same. This way your shaker actually shakes!

Step Eight: Layer and Size

finished graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space

Now you can move your SVGs and resize as needed to complete your shaker. Don't forget you can duplicate layers to add more height or use the offset feature again.

Tip: Grab a your grads Senior pic and use print and cut to add their photo to the middle of the shaker.

Step Nine: Cut Your Layers

cricut design space layered mats for cake topper shaker

Don't forget to check your materials and settings.

If you are using an Air or a Joy - make sure to cut the purple ring on paper to use as a guide for your foam. If you want to leave this out you can always hide the layer before sending to your machine.

Step Nine: Assemble Your Cake Topper Shaker

Materials Needed:

  • Paper - I use 65 lb weight and glitter paper
  • Glue - I use Bearly Arts (This link can save you 10%)
  • Acetate - I have 12 x 12 sheets from Michaels or You can grab these on Amazon
  • Glitter or Sequins
  • Cake Sticks
  • Foam Sheets
  • Heat Transfer Vinyl - OPTIONAL

Build the Base

I like to start with the base of my shaker - this way the glue has time to dry around the foam and acetate and your glitter/sequins don't fall out.

bulding a graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space with free svg files

I start with my two layers of foam and glue with my Bearly Arts precision glue.

Then I add my sparkles! Be generous with your inserts, you want to have a good amount of shake. This is a perfect time to customize colors.

Tip: Use the grads school colors or college choice colors for the shaker insides.

bulding a graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space with free svg files

Next, we seal in our bits with a sheet of acetate.

bulding a graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space with free svg files

Finally, cover up the foam with our outer ring! You should not be seeing any white (or whatever color your foam is) at this point.

bulding a graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space with free svg files

Now, we can set this aside to dry completely. Double check yourself that you don't have any open sides where glitter and sequins can escape.

Build our Accent Pieces

I started with my Class of 2022 - I decided to go with Heat Transfer Vinyl because it's easier than glueing each letter individually.

bulding a graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space with free svg files

To give some height, I love using foam mounting tape squares. They make your project have more dimension but you can use any adhesive of your choice.

bulding a graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space with free svg files

Next, I assembled my graduation cap SVG.

bulding a graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space with free svg files

And a good pair of tweezers goes a long way with paper crafting for those small pieces. It is one of my favorite tools!

Finally, I assembled the diploma!

bulding a graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space with free svg files

I always line everything up on my cake toppers before I glue down permanently. That is my last step. You can also opt for tape in this situation if you want the ability to move things around a bit!

bulding a graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space with free svg files

Attach Your Cake Stick

You can find some super cute personalized cake topper sticks now on Etsy but I use a small dowel from Michaels.

I set mine with a generous amount of hot glue and allow to to dry completely.

bulding a graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space with free svg files

You've now successfully created and assembled a cake topper shaker in Cricut Design Space! Congratulations!

graduation cake topper shaker in cricut design space with free svg files

And congrats to the Seniors of 2022! Let's celebrate!

Happy Crafting!

Kelsey Sergi - the owner and crafter at Dinosaur Mama.

Hi crafters! I'm Kelsey and I am here to bring you new original craft projects and free SVG files for your cutting machines every week!

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