How To Use a Cricut Machine? [The Ultimate Guide]

  Just got a new Cricut machine? And wondering how to use a Cricut machine. You’re in the right spot. Consider this post as your ultimate guide to Cricut for beginners. We’ll look at how it works, what you need to use, and some of the best tips on getting started with your first Cricut project. After reading this post, we hope the Cricut learning curve will not be so steep.

Cricut machines are simple and easy to use. They take some getting used to, especially if you’re a beginner. After opening the box, you’ll wonder what I do now? How do I get started? What should I make first?

We will cover the basics of Cricut machines: how to use a Cricut machine, what kind of materials Cricut machines can cut, how to set up a Cricut machine, and how to download and install Cricut Design Space.

What is a Cricut?

A Cricut is a DIY cutting machine that cuts various materials, like paper, adhesive vinyl, card stock, and heat transfer vinyl (HTV).

You can use a Cricut machine to cut anything you’d normally cut with scissors or a craft knife but with too much speed and precision; you can never do it by hand.

Which Cricut Machine Should You Get?

Three Cricut machines are available on the market: Cricut Explore 3, Cricut Maker 3, and Cricut Joy.

  • The Cricut Explore 3 is a mid-range option and the best-selling Cricut machine. It cuts different materials and creates a variety of projects. (This machine replaces the previous Cricut Explore Air 2.)
  • The Cricut Maker 3 is a more powerful machine that cuts various materials, including thick materials like balsa wood and leather. This machine is also compatible with more tools, such as the scoring wheel, engraving tip, rotary blade, and knife blade.
  • The Cricut Joy is a compact, portable machine that is easy to use and set up.

What Kinds of Materials Can Cricut Machine Cut?

Cricut machines cut such a wide variety of materials that it would be difficult to list them all. Since the Cricut community is constantly trying out new materials, you can expect this list to grow over time. Some of the most popular cutting materials include:

  • Aluminum foil
  • Butcher paper
  • Vellum
  • Washi tape
  • Wrapping paper
  • Iron-on vinyl
  • Faux leather
  • Felt
  • Card stock
  • Chalkboard vinyl
  • Construction paper
  • Printable sticker paper
  • Removable vinyl
  • Natural wood veneer
  • Parchment paper
  • Smart material
  • Stencil film
  • Glitter cardstock
  • Glitter vinyl
  • Copy paper
  • Cardboard
  • Craft foam
  • Infusible ink sheets
  • Magnetic sheet
  • Permanent vinyl

Each of the three Cricut machines cut a slightly different selection of materials.

  • The Cricut Explore 3 cut over 100 different materials, including vinyl, cardstock, iron-on vinyl, glitter paper, and bonded fabrics.
  • Cricut Maker 3 cuts over 300 various materials, including paper, fabric, vinyl, paper, wood, and leather.
  • Cricut Joy cuts over 50 materials, including paper, vinyl, iron-ons, and some thinner faux leather.

How To Set Up a New Cricut Machine?

After you have opened the box and plugged it into your Cricut machine, you will need a computer, a phone device, and the Internet to set it up. We recommend setting up your Cricut machine with a laptop or computer if you have the option.

Cricut Machine Setup with a Computer

To set up your new Cricut machine with a computer, follow these steps below:

  1. First, open your Internet browser, and visit cricut.com/setup.
  • Next, download and install the Cricut Design Space app for your computer.
  • After that, follow the on-screen steps to create an account and sign in with your Cricut ID.
  • Then, on the next screen, choose the Cricut machine you will be using.
  • Now, plug in your Cricut machine with the power cord and tap the Power button to turn it on.
  • Use the included USB cord to connect your Cricut machine with a computer, or pair it through Bluetooth. (Cricut Joy must use Bluetooth.)
  • At this point, the Cricut Design Space app may ask you to wait for the Cricut machine to update.
  • Now, the Cricut Design Space app will prompt you to register your Cricut machine and ask if you’d like to try the free trial of the Cricut Access subscription.
  • Lastly, we have to make the first cut! Follow the rest of the procedures to create your first Cricut project.

How To Download and Install Cricut Design Space?

As you see in the above section, the first part of the setup process is downloading and installing the Cricut Design Space software.

Cricut Design Space is a design software (App) that you will use to make the pictures you will cut out of your Cricut machine. You can download it to your computer or laptop or use the Cricut Design Space mobile app on your smartphones, iPad, iPhones, and Android devices.

The Design Space is free to download and easy to use. It has many free pictures, fonts, and pre-created projects. For an extra fee, you can use photos and fonts from the Cricut Access library, which you can find within the Cricut Design Space.

In order to download and install Cricut Design Space on your computer, follow the steps below:

  1. First, open your Internet browser, and visit cricut.com/setup.
  2. Next, download and install the Cricut Design Space app for your computer.
  3. After that, follow the on-screen instructions to create and sign in to Cricut ID.
  4. Then, on the next screen, choose the Cricut machine you will be using.
  5. Now, plug in your Cricut machine with the power cord and tap the Power button to turn it on.
  6. Use the included USB cord to connect your Cricut machine to the computer, or pair it through Bluetooth. (Cricut Joy must pair with Bluetooth.)
  7. At this point, Design Space may ask you to wait for your Cricut machine to update.
  8. Lastly, Cricut Design Space will prompt you to register your Cricut machine.

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