When you have a Cricut machine, there are a few tools that you would need, which would make your crafting project easier and manageable. All these different tools help with cutting materials. The tools that you would need are:
Cricut Cutting Mat
For every Cricut Machine you have, the must-have item every crafter need is a cutting mat. This cutting mat enables you to hold any material you use while the machine goes through cutting it. These mats come in different grip strength and varying sizes. You can differentiate it by the colors it comes in based on the grip, so you do not confuse them. Some projects would require you to use the sturdy grip mat, whereas some projects work better using a mat suitable based on the materials you are using, such as fabric.
The outcome of your project depends on the kind of mat you use, so choosing the right mat is imperative. The different types of mats available are the Light Grip Mat, Standard Grip Mat, Strong Grip Mat, and the Fabric Grip Mat.
Cricut Bright Pad
This Bright Pad includes a five-brightness setting adjustable LED light. It makes your crafting easier, and it aids in illuminating fine lines for tracing. It is advantageous when you are weeding so if you do find that weeding is a challenge, then the Cricut Bright Pad will solve this issue for you as it makes this process easier.
Cricut Pens
Cricut Pens come in different colors and a variety of sets that make DIY projects such as gift tags, cards, invitations, and banners so much more creative and beautiful. Crafters usually use these pens when they need to Write and Cut. You can get the Metallic pens, Candy Shop pens, the Classic set, Gold set, and even one called the Seaside set.
Lint Roller
Yes, you read that right, get yourself a lint roller. It is useful for removing any unwanted pet hairs, dust or excess materials from your mats. Animal hairs are big problems as they stick to the adhesive mats like there is no tomorrow, but a lint roller works great if you want to get rid of them.
Scoring Stylus
Add a scoring stylus to your cart as soon as possible if you are a paper crafter. The tool is excellent for making paper baskets and boxes. It gives the products the professional, store-bought finish and makes them so easy to fold as the stylus already creates the grooves for folding your paper projects.
Easy Press
Invest in an Easy Press. It is perfect if you are interested in printing T-shirts or customizing pillowcases. Anything you want to have printed; you are going to need one of these bad boys to do it. There are lots of bundles available on the Cricut website, and they can range from $119.99 (only the Easy Press) to $389.99 for a large bundle with everything you need to get started on your printing journey and so much more. The prices change depending on the size of the Easy Press, as well as the size of the bundle you wish to take.
Complete Starter Kit
The Complete Starter Kit is great if you don’t feel like purchasing tools individually or if you’d instead follow protocol and purchase what you need. The kit comes with all the essential items; that’s why it is an excellent purchase. However, if you’re tight on cash, buying the bare necessities will be best. It includes the materials you may require starting crafting, so you don’t have to worry about any list of items that need to be bought.
Cartridge
Cartridges are designed to help with the keyboard overlay that is needed for designs. The Design Studio that is downloadable on the computer will help with developing the design that you are finding. Each cartridge is designed to have a booklet to help you with how to use it. Each cartridge will only work for that specific overlay; however, a company called Provo Craft designed a universal overlay cartridge that will help with this single-use overlay issue. It allows the DIY crafter to only must learn one keyboard overlay instead of multiple, giving them a much better chance of being able to learn the Cricut machine quickly. Each Cricut, whether a cake version or a paper version, has a specific set of parameters that will be set to use for cutting. It makes each one of the Cricut machines specific to their use and a unique tool to have.
Sharpies
Sharpies – you will not be sorry that you have them. Yes, the Cricut pens are cool, but they are overpriced. Purchasing some extra Sharpies–or any form of pens that can be manipulated into fitting into the pen holder–will work correctly. You will have a variety of colors and save a couple of bucks in the process.
Doors
The door on your Cricut Cutter machine protects the machine when not in use. On many Cricut Cutter machines in various models, there is a compartment on the inside of the door to place any needed tools for crafting. If the doors on your Cricut cutter machine are not staying shut, make sure that you have taken out or unloaded any accessories in the machine’s accessory clamp which can cause the doors to remain open.
Spatula
For lifting a cut piece of papers from the cutting mat, a spatula is used. Other related things like some stuffed card can be used. But, as spatula is not expensive and specially designed tool, so its use is recommended. It does not harm your cutting mat. Removing gross and sticky material from spatula is easy.
Adhesives
Glue, gums are adhesives, choose adhesive of your choice from any wellknown brand. Adhesive material like adhesives should not be the ordinary, purpose of sticking two things together must be fulfilled through your selected adhesive. Different sizes of glue coffee cups are available. Select any jumbo pack or coffee cup or according to your requirement. The drying time of glue also matters, so go for some excellent adhesive.
Tapes
Without tape completing a task is almost impossible. Consideration Points for selecting tape are it should be chemical or acid-free, and it should be very sticky. Glue is alternate for tape, but sometimes glue also does not work like tape.
Scissors
Keep a pair of sharp scissors with you. Sharp Enough to cut cards, ribbons and papers. Must buy a cover for scissors. Place it above the reach of children and in a place where humidity does not affect it. Neat paper or card cutting affect your decorative work.
Tweezers
Sometimes you need to deal with very tiny papers. Tweezers work efficiently in holding that small piece of papers which usually turns, curves and tear during use. Sometimes further use of glue sticks, two papers which are difficult to get separate tweezers are perfect helper at that time. Keep it while doing the crafting you will need it.
Trimmers
Blades and trimmers are an essential thing it helps in cutting papers very neatly and in the desired shape without putting additional effort to create a neat effect.
The stock of paper and cards Card is comparatively thicker than paper. They are different things. Buying a stock makes you tension free, either you do test cuttings or throw it in making unusual shapes for the trail. They should be enough for until your whole tasks get complete.
Blades
The blades are designed to cut specific textiles when using the Cricut. Every single Cricut machine that you can buy comes with your specific blade for that machine. You can purchase other blades that would be even more useful for specific textiles. Many of them come with a German fine point carbide blade. It is a useful blade for all projects. However, you may want to invest in a deep cut blade eventually. This one provides an effortless cutting of a much thicker textile such as leather and wood. There is an individual housing that will be used for this specific blade that is different from the one that comes with your machine, so keep that in mind. There is also an option or a fabric blade that is bonded. It is used to cut fabrics that are already stabilized with some sort of heat-pressed bonding. In the Cricut Maker, you will get a knife blade and a rotary as well. These do not work in other Cricut machines though.
Keypad
The keypad allows you to input phrases and words to tell the Cricut what to cut out using the font in the cartridge.
Buttons
For the most part, all buttons are self-explanatory the on button turns the machine on, the Cut button tells the machine to Cut once the design is already in place. The Stop button tells the Cricut machine to stop cutting once the design has been entirely cut. It is essential not to try to Cut or press the Cut button without a cutting mat in place and without a design and cartridge ready to go. Select the STOP button if you’ve made a mistake during the cutting process, the blade will stop cutting, and from there you can correct your mistake. The Off button turns the machine off.
Roller Bar
The roller bar piece of the Cricut Cutter machine has wheels called star wheels. Star wheels allow materials not to shift when cutting. However, when cutting thick materials like felt and foam, the star wheels can leave marks and indents in the material. To avoid this marking from the star wheels moves the star wheels to the right side of the rubber bar one by one. If the cartridge is in the way of this man oeuvre turn your Cricut Cutter Machine off by selecting the OFF button and gently move the cartridge over to either side. To make sure that the material still is not passed over by the star wheels make sure the material has at least one inch away from the right side of the rubber bar where the star wheels are now located.
Display Screen
The display screen on your Cricut Cutter machine shows the design in which the machine will be cutting. The design can be edited on the display screen. Settings for your Cricut machine are also accessible through the display screen, such as: calibrating the screen and resetting the machine. A few common problems with the Display Screen include the LCD being unresponsive, the screen stuck on the End User License Agreement, the display screen being pixelated, and the screen stuck on the Tap to Zoom message. If you have any of these issues, turn your machine off, then perform a hard reset. It is essential to take care of your Display Screen as it is a vital part of your Cricut Cutter machine.