Cricut Tips And Ideas

Considering Buying A New Cricut Or Upgrading To A Newer Model?

One of the questions that we frequently get asked is which Cricut is right for me? There are no straight answers for that one, because it largely depends on you uses, needs and budgets.

One of the things that I love about Provocraft (the makers of the Cricut line) is that they are constantly changing their line to fit the needs of the crafting community. But not all upgrades may be right for you. So let's review the basics about Cricut machines.

First thing to know about buying products from Cricut is that they most always bundle their machines. That means, not only are you going to get the machine itself, but you are going to get mats, sample products , a pen and more (depending on the type of bundle you purchase)
* We have listed what comes with each machine. This is subject to change by the company. There are also bundles available by some sellers that may include additional materials.

The Cricut Explore 2

This is currently the most basic machine. Cuts, writes and scores over 100 materials. Has a fine point blade. You can use the Cricut Design Space software for ios and android devices , windows and Mac computers as well as the new offline software. You can load Cricut cartridges to this software. You can get this machine by itself or in several bundle configurations.

The Cricut Explore 2 Features

This is the workhorse in the Cricut line. You can do a lot with this one machine. This is the only machine where you can load your old Cricut cartridges

Cuts 2 times faster than the Cricut Explore.
Cuts over 100 materials,
Has a fine point blade.
You can use the Cricut Design Space software for ios and android devices , windows and Mac computers. as well as the new offline software.
It can be used with wireless connection to your Bluetooth technology.
Has a double tool holder.

What You Get With The Cricut Explore 2

Cricut Explore 2 machine
Premium fine point blade and housing
Light grip mat
USB cable
Power adaptor
Free trial membership to Cricut Access
50 ready to make projects
Welcome book
Materials to make projects

The Cricut Maker

Mobile device dock to hold ipad or android device
10 times more power to cut materials.
Cuts, writes and scores 100 materials.
Has wireless Bluetooth connectivity.
Has a double tool holder.
It has up to 2 times faster cutting and writing.
There is a rotary blade available to cut fabric.
Has adaptive tools like the knife blade and the single and double scoring blade
The knife blade cuts materials up to 2.4 mm
It also has a special blade to cut thicker materials.
No smart dial, you chose your material from Design Space

Cricut Maker Blades And Wheels

These blades are only available for use with the Cricut Maker. They increase all your potential and go way beyond any possibilities of other machines. These are usually an extra purchase over your starter package, depending on the purchase.

Scoring Wheel- on the other models of Cricut, the scoring line was sometimes difficult to see. This new scoring wheel provides a much easier way to see it Comes as a single and double wheel

Perforation Blade- 2.5 mm teeth / 0.5 mm gaps. Creats perfect tear-offs and easy peel-aways using paper, cardstock, acetate, poster board, and more. Requires QuickSwap™ Housing (sold separately)

Wavy Blade-Wavy Blade, 2.0 mm L / 0.8 mm H. Quickly create a fun wavy edge on a variety of popular materials. Requires QuickSwap™ Housing (sold separately)

Debossing Tip-Fine Debossing Tip, 2.0 mm
Customize projects with crisp, detailed debossed designs – no folders necessary! Requires QuickSwap™ Housing (sold separately)
Engraving Tip-Engrave unique and permanent designs on a variety of materials.
Includes Engraving Tip and QuickSwap™ Housing or you can buy the engraving tip without the housing. Make intricately engraved dog tags (human or canine), name plates, inscribed art and decor, jewelry, monograms, and keepsakes
Knife Blade- 12 mm carbide blade and Drive Housing. Create puzzles, models, leather goods, toys, and moreNot recommended for cutting images or details smaller than ¾”
Requires computer with Design Space®; not compatible with mobile apps.
Bonded Fabric Blade- Bonded-fabric cutting blade made from premium German carbide steel plus blade housing For longest life, use for cutting bonded fabric or fabric with an iron-on backer. Blade and housing are a distinctive pink color to match FabricGrip™ Mat

What You Get With The Cricut Maker

Cricut Maker Machine
Rotary blade and drive housing
Fine point blade and housing
Fine point black pen
12" x 12" light fabric mat
USB cable
Power adapter
Free trial membership to Cricut Access
50 ready to make projects including 25 sewing projects
Materials for practice projects
Welcome book

Cricut Joy

The Cricut Joy is the newest model in the Cricut line. It was released in 2020, Only comes in one color. You can make custom decals and labels. You can cut without (using smart material) or with a mat. It will make projects up to 20 feet long. It can also make the quickest greeting cards with card making kits.

Smallest in size of all the Cricut models.
Weighs 39 lbs.
Cuts 50 plus materials including iron-on, cardstock, vinyl, paper,and and Smart Materials™ – super-easy, super-long cuts without a cutting mat
Draws any shape and writes in a variety of styles
Cuts individual shapes up to 4 ft long or makes repeated cuts up to 20 ft long
Bluetooth technology
Design Space software for IOS, Android. Windows and Mac

What You Get With The Cricut Joy

The Cricut Joy Machine
The Blade Housing
Fine Point Black Pen
Standard Grip Mat
Power Adaptor
Free Trial membership for Cricut Access
50 Ready to make Projects
Materials for practice cuts

Smart Materials For Cricut Joy

Because of the size of the machine, The Cricut Joy has it's own line of materials. There is special vinyl, pens and smart material vinyls that cut without a mat. There are also insert cards that will print greeting cards in 5 minutes.

Setting Up Your Cricut Machine

You will want to consider a few things when you place your Cricut in your craft space. As they say, location, location, location ! You will want to place your machine near your computer or tablet. That makes it so much easier ! You will be taking less steps and it will be easier to connect your machine. You also need to place it near a power source. I have my machine on a rolling cart where I also store all my Cricut tools and my vinyl.

Keeping it in arms reach as you make projects makes it easier and saves time, even if you have a Bluetooth or wireless connection. You still have to get up and press buttons and load and unload the machine. Make it easier on yourself !

You also need to think about the space in front of your machine as well as the back. The mat moves forward and backward as the mat moves. So you need space behind the machine so the mat will clear. This is especially true when you are dealing with the larger mat.

The Cricut needs to be on a flat surface that has clearance in the front of the machine . AS the mat moves forward if there is no clearance, the mat may flop down and not cut properly.

Remove your Cricut from the box carefully. Remove the protective wrapping and the cardboard from around the machine.
Remove the tape that is keeping the lid closed and the material around the dial
Press the open button on the machine. In the case of the Maker model, there is no open button, so just open the lid and the rest will follow !
Remove the plastic wrapping from around the pens and the cutting blades
Now remove the paper at the bottom of the box that has a direct link to your setup instructions. You will need your computer or tablet for this step. If you do not have that paper, that paper , here is the link Set Up Link For Your Cricut Machine
Now it is time to attach the power cable. It will be located at the bottom of the box and will have a brick symbol on it. Follow the directions to attach this cable to the power source as well as to the Cricut machine.
Your blade should already be installed in the B clamp (B stands for blade) which is the right clamp. The left clamp is the A clamp or the accessory clamp which is the left clamp. This is where your pens and other accessories fit in.

Connecting to Your Computer

If you have a Cricut Explore Air 2 or a Cricut Make, you can connect your Cricut to your computer wirelessly. You need to have a Bluetooth enabled computer or ipad,

Press the Power button that is located on the upper right hand of your Cricut machine,
Open your Bluetooth settings on your computer-you may have to enable it.
You will see your Cricut Air or Cricut maker on the list of devices.
Select it
Click Pair
Enter the code oooo

If for some reason, you do not have Bluetooth or you have a Cricut explore, you still have the option of using the USB cable that is included with your machine. The square end goes in the back of your Cricut. The rectangular end goes into the USB port of your computer.

Cricut Quick Tips And Ideas

Mats

Be careful when cleaning your fabric mat(the pink one). Scraping bits of fabric and thread off these mats can affect the stickiness and wear your mat faster. Instead use a tweezer or transfer tape to clean them.
Turn your mats frequently when using so that you get even wear.
You can make two 12 by 12 inch mats out of one of the 12 by 24 inch mats
If your mat is very worn, you can extend the life of your mat by using painter tape or other low tack tape to attach your paper to the mat. This may not work for all materials.
Use the Cricut scraper or an old credit or gift card to get left over paper off your Cricut mats

Cricut Pens

Always store your pens with the tips down so that the ink will flow right away
Other pens that will work in your pen holder include the Bic Round Stic, Crayola Fine Line Marker, Steadler Tri Fine Liner Markers, and even a Bic Mechanical pencil.