Free 3D Layered Mandala SVG For The Cricut

I’ve discovered a whole new category of paper crafts to do with my Cricut the other day, and I’m sharing these 3d layered SVGs for free.

I’ll admit, I had seen a couple of these on Pinterest and vinyl mandalas are hugely popular but to be honest, I’ve never been super into that whole bohemian vibe unless it’s the more modern boho-chic beach look so I wasn’t super motivated to design a mandala.

But then, I was flipping through the Restoration Hardware catalog which is like my version of window shopping and I saw this piece of wall art that was almost $1000. I looked closer and realized, I can make that!

If you’re interested in this art piece, here it is from RH.


You see, I like to really step up my DIY game. I’m not into slapping together some art project that looks like my kids did it. I want the real deal, I want to make $1000 art pieces that look like I shop at Restoration Hardware but in reality only spend like $10 on cardstock.

Who’s on board?

Ok, full disclosure, I haven’t gotten around to replicating this look just yet. I only practiced on some smaller cardstock with different colors so I can see the shadow effect more clearly. It still looks pretty neat though.

free layered svg for cricut

I used the designs from RH as inspiration but the basic concepts are the same for making layered mandalas in general.

The key difference between a 3d layered mandala intended for the Cricut versus a regular mandala drawing is in the simplicity of the design. It is best to make 3d mandalas from medium to heavy cardstock and if you have a bunch of floating pieces or thin lines in your mandala designs, you’re going to end up with a shredded mess.

The actual layered mandala from Restoration Hardware has way more layers to it. I reduced the number of layers. I felt like it didn’t add much to the look of the end piece and it was just too much work to cut 20 some layers of paper and clean up the scraps. Plus, if you are not going for a monochromatic look, then I’m not sure I can find 20 shades that go together for one piece.

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Materials for 3D Mandala

Cardstock – I would recommend cardstock that is at least 60lbs/m^2 which is the standard medium weight cardstock. You’re going to need a lot, my designs have 8 layers each. Here are some of my favorites:

  • Assorted Starter Pack – Basic assorted colors, great starter pack, perfect weight for most papercraft projects
  • Cricut Joy Insert Card Packs – You don’t have to use these with the Cricut Joy, they are nice material kids for cardmaking.
  • Cardstock Warehouse Brand on Amazon – I love the quality of all the matte-colored cardstock with Cardstock Warehouse. It is my go-to brand for individual matte colors that I might need
  • Poptone Assorted Variety Pack – This is the perfect peppy assortment of colors of heavy cardstock. It’s a heavy cardstock assortment with colors I actually use frequently for cardmaking.
  • Seasonal Assorted Variety Pack – This is a slight variation on the Poptone assortment and has a quite few neutrals that complement almost any accent color.
  • Stardream Metallics Line – For paper crafts, the Stardream line is the go-to for a metallic shimmer finish. It is the perfect sheen to make any project pop. The core is also colored is which hard to find for metallic paper.

Adhesive – My preference is the adhesive dot rollers and especially the Scotch brand one because it has the best dispenser. You could also use a glue pen or just regular pen, I just feel like it doesn’t stick as well and it’s harder to use. I also tried rubber cement which worked well but it smells so I don’t like to use it. Just don’t use polymer glue because it warps the paper.

Lint Roller – This is an absolute necessity in my book for this project for clean up.

Cutting Machine – I use a Cricut. Check out my recommendations for Cricut machines and accessories for beginners for more info.

Template – I made 2 shadow box versions of the layered mandala and one standard 3d mandala. All of them are available for free in my resource library.

How to assemble 3D layered mandala SVGs

Step 1: How to cut mandalas on the Cricut

I prefer to use a fresh light grip mat with a fresh blade. Even though the design is not as complicated as a regular mandala, it is still a lot of cuts. And even worse, it’s a lot of little scraps to clean up. I find the standard grip green mat a pain to clean.

After I make the cut, I peel the mat away from the design, not the other way around. It minimizes the warping of the piece. I also find if you flip the cutout over, it sometimes looks a bit cleaner. There is something about how the Cricut blade turns corners that makes it fray the paper just a little bit for more intricate designs. It mostly looks fine but if you are picky about details or couldn’t get your hands on some cardstock with a colored core, I would consider either mirroring the design before cutting or flipping the finished piece to show on the other side (the side facing the mat). Regardless, just be consistent. I did align and make the design symmetrical but just in case, it will align better if you use it all on the intended side.

I then use my lint roller and pick up the scraps. It takes like 5 seconds with the lint roller. It takes me about a couple of minutes picking things off with tweezers.

Alternatively, you can bend the mat backwards and sort of flick the scraps off. Try to do this with tweezers or a scrapers. Don’t use your hands, there is residual oils on your hands and it will make your mat less sticky faster.

Step 2: Assembling the layered mandala

I like to use an old magazine flip the piece I’m gluing over and just roll my dispenser around with the magazine in the back to catch the overflow.

I would recommend putting the adhesive on the back side of the layer your are attaching. If you put it on the already layered stack, you risk getting excess glue on exposed parts which then collects dust and other debris.

free layered svg for cricut

Step 3: Option spacers to create a more 3D effect

I didn’t do this because I thought it looked 3D enough but some other tutorials will tell you to use spacers.

There are a couple of ways to create spacers. First, you can just cut each layer multiple times.

The second way is to use foam or mounting tape.

Both methods seem quite tedious so I’m not sure which one I’d recommend. I prefer getting a more dimensional effect by using different colors and shades.

One last thing, I made 2 of the designs as cutouts for ma square and the third as a stand-alone mandala. I did this because I thought each design looks better for its chosen shape. If you want to turn the stand-alone mandala into a square one, you will need to take each layer and contour hide the outermost outline and attach it to a square background. Make sure the contoured layer is centered in the same position on the same square for all layers or else the layers will not align properly.

free layered svg for cricut

Interested in related project SVG designs? Check out my Premium SVG Membership:

free layered svg for cricut

3D Layered Mandala SVG Free Templates

3D layered mandala SVG templates are perfect to make homemade wall decor, cards, and flowers. To get started, you can download my multi layered mandala SVG for free from my Resource Library. Then, you can import them into the Cricut Design Space or whichever software you use with your cutting machine.

Importantly, all of these files use fine, detailed cuts to achieve their 3D effect. Whether you are making a 3D unicorn, owl, or flower mandala, you should try to use a premium blade and a fairly new mat if possible. This is best to get consistent, clean cuts for your project. Additionally, you should turn the mat over when removing your paper. I find that this can prevent the fine cuts from curling.

Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to access your mandala SVG templates!

Related Articles:

All Rolled Paper Flowers

Paper Silhouette Art

All Cricut Cards

3D Mandala Cricut Project
3D Layered Mandala SVG
3D Mandala

29 thoughts on “Free 3D Layered Mandala SVG For The Cricut”

  1. Kim

    Where can I find the free mandala SVGs?

  2. Mary Waiboer

    I’m unable to locate the link to download the SVG.

    1. Rafia

      I can’t find it either. Perhaps someone could share the link?

      1. All my free SVGs are in my free resource page (see link in menu bar). Hope that helps!

  3. Patty

    Unable to request your newsletter

  4. DONNA M HAGER

    Love the shadowbox mandala design. Could you explain how you take a mandala svg and add square shadowbox shape around each mandala layer? ( I hope that made sense) I use cricut design space. Any help would be appreciated. Donna

    1. I think I understand the question…. so if you want it to be a cut out from a square, and not the free standing shape, you need to use the contour function on each layer to hide the outer most outline. Then each layer needs to be attached to the same square shape. Hope that makes sense!

  5. Vicki

    where is the download link for the mandala? I have scoured the website and can’t find one. Help!!!

  6. Jess

    Your site is a bit difficult. Everytime I go to your resource library, it asks for a password. Haven’t been able to find this file. Perhaps it would be best to link it within the article so people don’t have to go searching?

    1. I’m sorry about the inconvenience. It is on my to-do list to make the resource library a little bit easier to navigate but that cost resources and I’m barely covering costs as is. Thank you in advance for your patience 🙂

  7. Sherri Noseworthy

    HI. I have printed out the mandala but can’t figure out why the last layer is a box format. Is there any way of showing me how to assemble the mandala as I haven’t done one before and was really excited to use your design! Thanks in advance.

    1. Ah, yes, the last layer is meant to be a background. You can probably use any background you’d like. I just included it as the same size as all the other layers for convenience. I need to do a video tutorial…definitely on my list.

  8. Kay

    Thank you so much for your free designs, would love to have more of the Mandala, these are so cool. Right now, they are very hard to find.
    Again, thanks, Kay

  9. Trisha Fagerlin

    Will I get an email with the links to the designs? I purchased the extra guide, but still haven’t gotten access to the free downloads?

  10. Kathy King

    Hi and thank you for the Mandala ideas and designs! I just got my Maker in October, been making leather earrings and bracelets. I’m an artist, watercolor, acrylic and pastel, so the Mandala art just struck me! I can hardly wait to try your designs.
    btw didn’t know you could cut leather with the rotary blade, don’t know why i didn’t think of it, leather is like a fabric.
    Your site is so full of information, can’t thank you enough.
    Kat

  11. Sandra Fry

    I tried to get a copy of your Free 3D Mandalas, but was unable to figure out how to download the files. They are beautiful. Thamk You

  12. Diane Moore

    Thank you so much! You have really inspired me. I didn’t have any trouble finding the file, downloading it and working with it. I am in the process of making the larger version now. I am so excited!

  13. linda

    hi, i signed up for newsletter but dont have password to get into your library for 3d mandala , so looking forward to making it . thanks in advance

  14. Natalia

    Hello
    I’m looking for where to register to receive the password, but I can’t find it. How do I sign up for your newsletter?

    1. Elf @DomesticHeights

      Hi,
      You will find the newsletter sign up box by scrolling to the bottom of the page. However, If the box does not come up for you, please write to us atinfo@domesticheights.com and our elf will help you out.

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