Make Craft Game

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The Cricut is a great machine for cutting, drawings, and creating adhesives for a multitude of projects!

This week, I am going to do something I don’t normally do which is talk about a machine that I often use: the Cricut. I am doing this to outline the uses for the Cricut and create a guide for myself. Having all the information in one place just seemed like a good idea. Especially since I am such a forgetful person. I am not being paid to write this article, I just wanted to.

Cut out things easier that might be difficult for scissors or craft knives. Or repetitive projects to make life easier. There are also options to deboss, engrave, and add accents to projects depending on the machine and compatible tools.

I will take a quick look at the different types of machines before moving onto capabilities, tools, and materials. This article does not really cover which machine does what but there are plenty of good resources out there that do.

Check out the Craft section of MCG for more fun patterns in strings and things or more unlimited ideas.

Different Types of Machines

From what I can tell there are four different lines of Cricut machines: Joy, Explore, Maker, and Venture.

The Cricut Joy is the smallest of the machines as has the most limited usage but can handle quite a bit. The Explore is the next model up in terms of usage and size. The Cricut Venture is the super large version of the explore but it does go faster.

The Cricut Maker has the most range of usage out of the machines (from what I can tell) with an adaptive tool system that can handle 13 different tools and 300 different materials so long at they are 2mm or thinner. I know this one the most because it is the series that I own. 

What Can it Do?

The primary function of the Cricut is cutting materials. This can range from cardstock to adhesives to fabric. I have found this function to be really helpful when it comes to projects with intricate detail or repetitive cuts.

One function I really want to try and play with more is the “Print then Cut”. This name is a little misleading because the Cricut is not a printer. However, when using the right software, an image can be printed from an inkjet printer and then the machine can do a precise cut around the printed image.   

The Cricut is also capable of handling markers and drawing outlines, words, or even doing some coloring depending on the needs of the project. I have also found the scoring tool to be quite helpful as it makes perfect fold lines for cards. There a quite a few function that I have yet to try including perforation, foiling, debossing, and engraving. Engraving in particular caught my attention.

Tools

Keep in mind that not all tools are compatible with all machines. And I am sure there are a lot of tools that I missed. Be sure to find the tool that is compatible with your Cricut machine, or you’ll end up doing a lot of returns…

Fine Point Blade

Materials: Adhesive Vinyl, Infusible Ink, Iron-On, Metal (thin-gauge), Paper (Cardstock), Plastic (Acetate), Wood (Veneer)

The fine point blade is one of the classic tools as I believe it naturally comes with each Cricut. It has the most compatible materials and I feel like it is a major component of any project. The fine blade can do detailed design but is limited to thinner materials.

Deep Point Blade

Materials: Fabric (Leather, Faux Leather), Paper (Heavy Cardstock), Metal (thicker gauge)

The Deep point blade is another fine detail blade that is used with thicker materials. This blade is good for slicing and getting accurate shapes. One major use for this blade is when working with heavy cardstock or poster board.

Bonded Fabric Blade

Materials: Fabric (with Bonded Backing)

This fabric blade is made specifically for bonded fabric or fabric with an iron-on backing. Using these materials only will help keep the blade sharp. I honestly feel like fabric should always have dedicated blades. This blade does one thing but sometimes it’s better to be dedicated than versatile.  

Foiling Transfer Tool

Materials: Foil Transfer Sheets

The foiling transfer tool takes a foil transfer sheet and transfers that foil onto the surface below with a range of pressure. There are three different tips of fine, medium, and bold. This tool adds some glitz and glamour to any project. Definitely something I want to get.

Knife Blade

Materials: Fabric (Leather), Paper (Chit Board), Wood (Balsa & Bass Wood)

The knife blade is good for slicing through thicker and dense materials. This is a blade I am really excited to get because working with chitboard is something I always want to do. Because this is working with a thicker material, it’s not really recommended for cutting images smaller than ¾“

Rotary Blade

Materials: Fabric (Without Backing, Cotton Batting), Paper (Tissues), Metal (Thin Guage)

The rotary blade is an extremely versatile blade covering light fabrics from silk and cotton to heavier fabrics like denim and burlap. I love how it can go from delicate materials to thicker. This blade is my go for fabric projects.

Scoring stylus / Scoring wheel

Materials: Paper (Cardstock)

The scoring tools are great for projects that require folds. They score the paper and to give projects perfect folds. I found this really good for cards, gift boxes, and 3D paper art.

Perforation Blade

Materials: Paper (Cardstock)

Some projects requiring tearing (booklets, raffle tickets) and the perforation blade basically outlines and assists with those tears. Cricut also has different blades for different types of perforation from basic to stitching to dots.

Debossing Tools

Materials: Fabric (Leather, Faux Leather), Paper (Cardstock, Poster Board), Metal (Thin Guage), Wood (Bass)

The debossing tool is does the opposite of embossing. This creates and indent details on a project. From the projects that I have seen, the debossing toll just adds a little more dimension to the project. Depending on the pressure or material, and embossing effect can sometimes appear on the other side. But no promises.

Engraving Tip

Materials: Paper (Cardstock), Plastic (Acylic), Metal, Wood  

The engraving tip was a new find for me when I was researching for this article. The engraving tool basically etches into the project. I have seen most of the engraving on acrylic projects but I am excited to get this tool and see what else I am able to do since it’s advertised to work with iron-on, vinyl, paper, cardstock, and fabric.

Markers

There is a range of markers and I have not explored all of them. My one piece of advise before using markers is test them to make sure they are producing the desired effect. I am always worried the markers will smudge when not used with the right materials.

Machine Mats

The Machine Mats are used to put a back against materials and keep them in place while they are being cut or drawn on. There are a range of sizes that the mats are available in: 12 by 12 inches, 12 by 24 inches, 4 by 6 inches, and 4 by 12 inches.

There are also different mats to hold down different materials. The green standard grip mat that is good for cardstock, iron-on, and infusible ink. While the blue the light grip mat is good for printer paper, thin cardstock, construction paper, and vinyl. And finally, the purple strong grip is good for thick card stock, chitboard, poster board, and stiff fabrics. The pink fabric mat is for, well, fabric.

Materials

One important thing to note when it comes to Cricut materials is that nothing larger than 2mm will fit inside of the machine. That’s important to keep in mind. A lot of the purchasable materials will be provided in 12 by 12 inches or in 4.5 by 12 inches.

Adhesive Vinyl

Tools: Fine Point Blade

There are two major types of adhesive vinyl: permanent and removal. These are sticky vinyl’s much like stickers. They can fray after a long, long time but they will stay on well especially when handled more gently. This material can be used on mugs and other items that are washed. They are also good for stencils when doing etching, painting, and wood burning projects.

Fabric

Tools: Deep Point Blade, Bonded Fabric Blade, Knife Blade, Rotary Blade, and Debossing Tool

There are a variety of fabrics that can work a variety of tools. This includes cotton fabrics, cotton batting, leather, faux leather, and fabric with bonded material.

Foil Transfer Sheets

Tools: Foil Transfer Tool

This material is foil that goes on top of other materials. This is easily available in silver, gold, and bronze.

Infusible Ink

Tools: Fine Point Blade

Infusible Ink infuses the ink into the material itself instead of sitting on top of the material. This type of ink works well with fabric, metal, and wood. Although metal and wood is more of an experimental material as it is not a blank provided by Cricut. But I am never afraid to test the unknown. This is applied by using heat.

Iron-On

Tools: Fine Point Blade

Iron-On fused to the fabric by using heat. The iron-on sits on top of the fabric and it available in so many colors, glitter, and holographic colors. There are a lot of fun options!

Paper

Tools: Fine Point Blade, Deep Point Blade, Knife Blade, Rotary Blade, Scoring Wheel (or Stylus), Perforation Blade, Debossing Tool, Engraving tool, Markers

Paper is one the most versatile materials as it comes in make shapes and forms. There is the standard paper, cardstock, poster board, tissue paper, chitboard and so on. The thickness of the material will really determine the blade that needs to be used.

This is the favorite material of the Cricut as I think the Cricut was originally designed around cutting paper. And there is a surprising number of projects that can be done with paper alone!  

Plastic

Tools: Fine Point Blade, Engraving Tool

There are only two types of plastics I have seen used in projects. One is acetate for making a faux window type look in paper projects. The other is a thin acrylic plate. I have mostly seen this material used in engraving projects. Something I really want to try.

Metal

Tools: Fine Point Blade, Deep Point Blade, Rotary Blade, Debossing Tool, Engraving Tool

I will say, none of these tools are recommended to be used with metal. But they can be used although the material might dull the blades a little. I have seen a lot of other crafters use metal and I am very excited to try this out myself. I already have an idea…

Wood

Tools: Fine Point Blade, Knife Blade, Debossing Tool, Engraving Tool

Wood is one I hadn’t thought about before doing this article but then I found Cricut even sold wood material to be cut by the machine! The biggest limitation really is that 2mm thickness. Especially on this material. But there still is a lot that can be Balsa and Bass wood.