Learn How to Make Inkscape SVG Files

I get asked a ton about making Inkscape SVG files. I know that some of you are looking to make SVG files to sell and Inkscape can be a great option for that. It is a free program that allows you to create digital cut files for Cricut, Silhouette, Brother, and more. However, it would take me many blog posts and videos to do a full tutorial on using Inkscape as it is a powerful program. So, instead, I have a course review below where you can learn all about designing SVGs in Inkscape. See what you get with the course and if it is for you!

Inkscape SVG

I get asked all the time about making SVG files, and it is a more complicated process than it might seem from the outside. There are quite a few elements to actually creating your own SVG files correctly. And you want to do it correctly, especially if you’re thinking about selling those SVG files or if you want to make your own shirts or merchandise with your own designs.

As part of my small business series, I thought it would be a good idea to review a course that goes into how to make your own SVG files. You can actually watch my full video below where I review an Inscape SVG course and give you an inside look.

Can’t watch the video or missed some of the information? You can also keep reading below!

What is Inkscape?

Inkscape is a free program that you download to any computer. This includes PC and MAC. Please note that Inkscape is not available for any mobile devices so this course and post would not apply to those of you that do not have a computer. Inkscape is a great option for getting started creating SVG files as the cost for getting started is minimal. You can then move on to more advanced programs in the future if you desire.

Inkscape Course

If you’re ready to jump into Inkscape and get started making your own SVG files, I would recommend the course from SVGandme.com. I thought we would take a look behind the scenes at the course and how it’s structured.

What Do You Get When You Enroll

First, what do you get when you pay your fee to enroll in this course? Here is a list of

• Inkscape course
• Design Space for Beginners course
• Silhouette Studio for Beginners course
• Canvas Workspace for Beginners course (note this is for Brother cutting machines)
• Members-only Facebook group
• SVG library (100s of SVG files already created some of which have commercial licenses)
• SVG dropbox (this is where members can share their SVG files with other members)
• Design challenges (monthly to practice your skills)
• Tutorial videos (140 videos for education after you have completed the courses)
• Workbooks
• Discount to her add on course Mastering your Cricut
• Regular office hours to ask questions

Getting Started

When you sign up, you get a new member checklist which is extremely helpful. This has everything you need including a link to the membership portal and the members-only Facebook group. It tells where to begin and gives you links to other things. This is a great resource to keep handy after enrolling so you always have access to the links.

Facebook Group and Community

I do recommend joining the Facebook group. I feel like it always helps when you have like-minded people around to bounce ideas off of. You can see what other people are doing and get feedback, ask questions, that type of thing. So I think that the Facebook group is going to be something that you’ll want to join and be active in.

Membership Portal

This is where you access your course and other membership benefits. You can create a profile and everything you need is linked in the left hand side bar. I find the structure of the back end of this course easy to use and navigate which is extremely important when you are taking any type of online course.

Inkscape SVG Course

The course is called how to create SVGs using Inkscape and when you enter the course you will see a list of lessons. You can also print a workbook to accompany the course if you like that sort of written instruction or just a place to take notes. The Inkscape course itself is 45 lessons that are all video-based. I love that the course starts literally at the beginning with installing Inkscape.

Once you click on a lesson, you will find a video and sometimes you will find a quiz to take as well. You can mark the lessons complete as you go but you can go back at any time to a past lesson to review something you may have missed.

I do love that the lessons have video time stamps on them. That way if you do need to go back to a lesson, you can easily find the portion of the video you are looking for without needing to watch the entire thing.

You can see a few of the lessons included in the screen shot below but there is literally everything you need to know about creating SVG files in Inkscape.

At the end, you will even cover export options so you can convert your files appropriately for use with a Cricut, Silhouette, Brother, or other cutting machines.

I do love how the lessons are broken up with practice sessions. This is where you can put what you learned into practice. When you complete that practice session, you’re encouraged to post what you’ve designed in Inkscape to the Facebook group. And that helps you get feedback, ask questions, or even get help if you need it. So even if I am just on design practice one and I’m having trouble, I can head to the Facebook group and get that feedback and help if I need it.

My Impressions of the Course

I think it’s a super-comprehensive course for anyone that wants to make SVG files. While you’re learning to make the SVG files, you have access to that SVG library. So you get all those commercial licenses for SVG files that are pre-made. That means you can start using those right away. I feel like everything you need to know about making your own SVG files is included and the Facebook group is invaluable. You can only get access to that through the course membership.

Then if you have questions about things like Cricut design space, Silhouette studio, or the Brother software, all of those courses are included with your membership. I so think it’s important to understand all of those programs if you’re going to sell files. You’re better able to answer questions when people ask you about using the files you’ve created. I love that those are included with the Inkscape course so you can learn all about those before you dive in.

My favorite part, hands down, is that you have the lessons to apply what you’ve learned. So you have those projects to make, post to the Facebook group, get feedback, and ask questions periodically throughout the course. This way you don’t get all the way to the end of the course and then start trying to do the challenges. In a way, you have challenges within the course that lets you apply what you learned right in Inkscape.

Why is this better than YouTube?

The reasons I like a course for things like making Inkscape SVG files are as follows:

• The course is all laid out in a way that walks you through the process. As I said, it started with even downloading Inkscape and installing it to your computer, then the next topic and the next. So it’s all laid out in a way that makes sense and where each lesson builds on the past lesson.
• The challenges that are included to apply what you learned. You would not get that with a YouTube video.
• The Facebook group to put those designs into, to get feedback, and to ask questions.
• The office hours to ask questions of Erica are also invaluable.
• Buying a course makes you accountable. What generally happens is, you start watching YouTube videos and then life happens and you stop. But if I’ve paid for a course, I feel obligated to complete that course. Like there’s something in my mind that puts an obligation on it. And I will actually fulfill that obligation if I’ve paid money or have something invested into it.

The bottom line is I did really enjoy the SVG and Me course. I think it’s an amazing way to learn Inkscape and learn how to design your own SVG files.

How do you enroll?

With one membership fee, you get access to everything I discussed above. There are no hidden monthly fees. You pay one time for a lifetime of access. Currently, membership is at $197 or there are options to pay in monthly installments as well. You can click here to read more and enroll! There is a seven-day satisfaction guarantee. Once you enroll, if you get in there and find that it’s not what you were looking for, you do have seven days to ask for your money back.

I hope this helps you understand a bit more about Inkscape SVG files. If you are interested in using this program to make your own SVGs, I highly recommend taking the course so you learn everything there is to know. You can do this!