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    Home » DIY Crafts

    What is a Cricut machine and what does it do?

    Published: Aug 18, 2022 · Modified: Oct 29, 2022 by Christina Dennis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 53 Comments

    What is a Cricut machine and what does it do? I'm answering all your most frequently asked Cricut questions in this blog post and video!

    I'm answering all your most frequently asked Cricut questions in this blog post and video!

    My Cricut machines are some of my favourite tools in my craft arsenal. I get lots of questions about Cricuts whenever I feature one in a DIY blog post or a video. Whether it's making personalized gifts, vinyl decals, unique home decor or clothing, my Cricut is one of my favourite tools to use.

    Floral Valentine Hoop Wreath - make the paper flowers with your Cricut!

    Today, I'm sharing all about the Cricut: what it is, how it works, which Cricut you should purchase in 2022, and so much more!

    Table of contents

    • Watch my 2022 video on What is a Cricut
    • What is a Cricut machine?
    • How Cricut machines work
    • Can Cricut cut fabric, wood, and leather?
    • Which Cricut should I buy?
      • Cricut Joy
      • Cricut Explore 3
      • Cricut Maker 3
    • Cricut's Older Machines
      • Cricut Explore Air 2
      • Cricut Maker
    • Who sells Cricut machines?
    • Are Cricut machines hard to use?
    • How to get started using a Cricut
    • Cricut How-To Videos
    • Are Cricut machines worth it?
    • Cricut Project Ideas

    Watch my 2022 video on What is a Cricut

    What is a Cricut machine?

    A Cricut is a cutting machine that can cut a wide variety of materials for your craft projects like paper, vinyl, HTV (heat transfer vinyl) and cardstock. Some Cricut machines can even cut thin wood, leather, fabric and more. 

     I'm answering all your most frequently asked Cricut questions in this blog post and video!
    These t-shirts, crepe paper flowers, and this sign were all made with my Cricut

    How Cricut machines work

    You can connect a Cricut to your computer wirelessly via Bluetooth, create or download designs onto your computer, and them send them to your Cricut for cutting. Cricut has software called Design Space. It's available for Windows, MAC, tablet & iOs, and Android smart phone. Design Space allows you to create and import designs to cut with your machine. The Cricut houses a tiny blade (or rotary cutter, or pen, or scoring tool) inside. Once you have a design ready to cut in Design Space, you can fasten your desired material onto a 12 inch wide cutting mat. Then, send your design from your computer to your Cricut wirelessly, and then load your material into your machine. With the press of a button, your project will begin cutting.  Click here for a quick overview on the Cricut website about the Cricut machine experience.

    Learn how to cut thick material with the Cricut Maker knife blade

    Can Cricut cut fabric, wood, and leather?

    Yes, along with paper, vinyl & cardstock some Cricut machines can cut materials like fabric, leather and even wood! Read on to see which machines can cut thicker or more delicate materials.

    Which Cricut should I buy?

    There are currently 5 types of Cricut machines on the market: Cricut Joy, Cricut Explore 3, Cricut Maker 3, Cricut Explore Air 2, and the Cricut Maker,. Choosing which machine to buy will depend on what types of project you'd like to make. All machines come with Cricut's free Design Space software, and they all cut different types of materials.

    5 ways to organize your kitchen with Cricut Joy - DIY spice jar labels, pantry labels & tea towels

    Cricut Joy

    The Cricut Joy is a more compact machine than the other two for quick, everyday DIY projects. It can only cut materials up to 5.5 inches wide, but you can purchase material that is very long (up to 20 feet). It cuts over 50 materials, it's very portable, and it can use 2 tools for cutting and writing. You can also use the Card Mat with the Joy to create quick and beautiful greeting cards. I'd recommend this machine if you are a beginner crafter, want to spend less, and want to create simple projects like vinyl signs, cards and small iron-on designs. Shop the Cricut Joy here.

    Get everything you need to know about the new smart cutting machine in this Cricut Explore 3 Review

    Cricut Explore 3

    The Explore 3 is similar to the Explore Air 2 in that it will cut most materials that you'll want to craft with like vinyl, iron-on material and paper. The main difference is that this machine can use Smart Materials. Smart Materials do not require Cricut's mat to cut them, and your machine can cut up to 2x as fast when using these materials. The Explore 3 also has a sleeker design than the previous version (Cricut Explore Air 2). Shop the Cricut Explore 3 here. This is the machine I recommend to most crafters because it can cut a variety of materials. Plus, it's less expensive than the Maker 3.

    What is a Cricut Maker 3 and what can it do?

    Cricut Maker 3

    The Maker 3 does everything the Explore 3 does, with the addition of being able to cut thicker or more delicate materials like leather, thin woods and fabrics. You can cut over 300 materials with this machine, and you can use over 12 tools for cutting, writing, scoring and other pro-level effects. The knife blade and rotary blade tools are exclusive to the Maker machines. You can also use the Print then Cut feature with the Maker. I'd recommend this machine if you want to venture into more complicated projects and experiment with a wider range of materials. It's like the Explore 3 in that it can use Smart Materials that don't require a mat and can cut up to 2 times as fast as the previous model. This is a more versatile machine for a pro-level crafter. Shop the Cricut Maker 3 here.

    Cricut's Older Machines

    Cricut Explore Air 2 Wild Rose Edition

    Cricut Explore Air 2

    The Explore Air 2 will cut most materials you'll use for a wide variety of DIY projects like vinyl, paper, cardstock and chipboard. You can cut over 100 materials with this machine, and you can use 4 tools for cutting, writing and scoring. The Explore Air 2 also features the Print then Cut feature where you can use your printer to print designs onto printable vinyl and then cut them with your Cricut. This is a great way to make custom stickers. Even though it's an older machine, you can still use Design Space with the Explore Air 2, and it's a more affordable than the Explore 3. Shop the Cricut Explore Air 2 here.

    Learn how to cut thick material with the Cricut Maker knife blade

    Cricut Maker

    This machine does everything the Cricut Explore Air 2 does, with the addition of being able to cut thicker or more delicate materials like leather, thin woods and fabrics. You can cut over 300 materials with this machine, and you can use over 12 tools for cutting, writing, scoring and other pro-level effects. The knife blade and rotary blade tools are exclusive to the Maker. You can also use the Print then Cut feature with the Maker. I'd recommend this machine if you want to venture into more complicated projects and experiment with a wider range of materials. Shop the Cricut Maker here.

    Who sells Cricut machines?

    You can buy Cricuts directly from Cricut's website (here), or Amazon is another good place to purchase the machines and accessories. Click here to shop Cricut on Amazon. Major craft retailers like Michaels and JOANN also stock Cricut machines and supplies.

    DIY Floral Laptop, Phone & Notebook Stickers with Cricut

    My favourite place to buy Cricuts, materials and accessories is right from the Cricut website. They often have sales and I especially like their bundles which are always a good deal.

    Are Cricut machines hard to use?

    Cricut machines come with a thorough online manual and there are a lot of other Cricut resources online, so they are fairly easy to learn how to use. Design Space and the Cricut machine itself are both designed to be very user-friendly. You don't need lots of graphic design experience to use them (though it does help if you want to create your own designs from scratch). There's a library of images and designs in Cricut's Design Space that are simple to import as a new project. Some are free, and some can be purchased at a low cost. You can also purchase a Cricut Access subscription for a monthly fee to access all of the Cricut Design Space fonts and images.

    What is a Cricut and what does it do?

    How to get started using a Cricut

    To start using a Cricut right out of the box, follow along with the guide that's included with your machine. Type in a URL, and the guide shows you how to connect your Cricut to your device via USB or Bluetooth, and how to setup Design Space. I've created a step-by-step tutorial video on how to setup a Cricut Explore Air 2 right from the box and you can watch it here for a visual example:

    Learn how to set up a Cricut for the first time + beginner project recommendations with this visual guide

    Cricut How-To Videos

    Watching video tutorials is a wonderful way to learn how to use a Cricut. I have many Cricut video tutorials on my YouTube channel, and you can find them here. You can also find all of my blog posts with Cricut DIYs and inspiration right here. You can also find many helpful video tutorials on Cricut's website here.

    DIY Watercolor Mixer Decal with Cricut

    Are Cricut machines worth it?

    If you love to craft - especially with paper and vinyl - a Cricut machine is a good investment. It will make your cut projects look crisp and professional, and once you are confident using it, your crafts will be much quicker to create. There are also may ways you can make money with your Cricut like selling custom t-shirts, mugs, decals etc. online or at craft fairs. I have definitely used my Cricut machines a lot, and continue to get more and more ideas on things I could create with them!

    Here's what a Cricut machine is and what it can do to amplify your DIY crafts

    Cricut Project Ideas

    Click on one of my blog posts below to start making fun DIY projects with your Cricut.

    • How to Make Money with your Cricut in 2023
    • How to Set Up a Cricut for the First Time (Step by Step!)
    • DIY Beer Can Glass for Fall & Halloween
    • 15+ New And Exciting Homemade Gifts For Teachers
    • How to use Cricut for FREE (uploading your own images & fonts!)
    • How to make Personalized Socks with a Cricut
    • How To Make A DIY Acrylic Keychain (Step By Step Instructions)
    • DIY Dollar Store Gift Basket Ideas with personalized details!
    • Cricut Explore 3 vs Cricut Explore Air 2: Which One is Right for You?
    • Create an Easy DIY Advent Calendar - with crystals inside!
    • An Easy DIY Gift Idea: Pumpkin Spice Themed Gift Box
    • DIY Fall Cutting Board with a Cricut
    • Cricut Explore 3 Review (everything you need to know about this new smart cutting machine!)
    • Make a Canada Day S'mores Caddy
    • How to make Throw Pillows with Cricut Infusible Ink
    • How to Make a Wood Sign with Cricut
    See all of my Cricut project ideas

    Tell me: Would you ever buy a Cricut? If you have one, what do you use it for?

    PIN ME:

    Here's what a Cricut machine is and what it can do to amplify your DIY crafts

    This post was originally published March 2020 and has since been updated.

    More Inspiration

    • Easter Basket for Teens: A Self-Care Themed Idea
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    • Turn an IKEA SORTSO rug into a gorgeous pillow
    • DIY Dollar Tree Heart Shaped Wreath

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julie

      June 13, 2020 at 7:18 pm

      Hi, I have a Cricut but have been very disappointed in that I live in Australia and as such can’t purchase anything from design space as they don’t have provisions say like PayPal to do so. I have had my Cricut for 2 years now and have only just been able to obtain a particular blade from our craft dealer (a big chain) as there is never much to chose from. Cricut keep saying they are hoping to open here but still haven’t. Please don’t misunderstand, I love the machnine but it makes it, as a beginner, very frustrating.

      Reply
      • Fiona

        July 06, 2020 at 6:04 am

        Thanks for sharing Julie - as a fellow Aussie just tyring to learn what I might buy that tips me to look at other options than the Cricut.

        Reply
      • Margaret

        November 02, 2020 at 4:05 pm

        It's not what I would make with it, its what wouldn't I make with it?? Lol.
        I'm crazy into wood signs this year.
        The big "Welcome Summer" or "HOME" signs and heartwarming sayings for the wall.
        Thanks for all the videos!

        Reply
      • Gloricelly

        November 03, 2020 at 6:56 pm

        I watched the video and loved all your great ideas. I can't wait to start crafting for the holidays. Thanks.

        Reply
      • Moira Feeley

        November 05, 2020 at 6:20 pm

        Thanks for all the info. It was very helpful 🙂

        Reply
      • B

        December 17, 2020 at 6:47 am

        Your site is so ridiculously loaded with ads I couldn't even read your content!! Refuse to scroll past all of them. Give it up.

        Reply
      • Julie

        January 08, 2021 at 5:21 am

        Hi Julie,
        Fast forward to January 2021 are/have you had any more luck re supplies? Am thinking of purchasing but if getting extras etc is problematic I’m not sure I want to outlay the money 🤔
        Cheers

        Reply
    2. Sophie

      July 27, 2020 at 5:24 am

      So is it useless for us to buy one in Australia ?

      Reply
      • Sarah - The DIY Mommy

        August 05, 2020 at 1:40 pm

        Hi Sophie, We're from Canada and I see the comment above about having difficulty buying Cricut supplies in Australia, so I'm not sure but I have found Cricut support to be really helpful, so perhaps reach out to them directly to see what's available in your country.

        Reply
    3. Sophie Byron

      August 05, 2020 at 6:06 pm

      Thank you Sarah will do xxx

      Reply
    4. Krista Blakemore

      August 18, 2020 at 9:34 am

      Want to know so much more.

      Reply
      • Sarah - The DIY Mommy

        August 19, 2020 at 12:06 pm

        Check out Christina's YouTube Channel, Here's a great video that talks about the difference machines: https://youtu.be/kJB2-4jpIZM

        Reply
    5. Anthy

      August 24, 2020 at 5:08 pm

      Can I use Cricut to make tags for my jewelry that I make and sell?? That would have my business name and contact info on it, and a border design??

      Reply
      • Sarah - The DIY Mommy

        August 27, 2020 at 5:49 pm

        You sure could!

        Reply
    6. Teetine

      September 04, 2020 at 9:55 am

      Great. I want it.

      Reply
    7. Angelica

      September 23, 2020 at 8:21 pm

      Wonderful article. I looked for an article and jus t found yours by chance and it was a big help as I am thinking of buying one.

      Reply
    8. Angelica

      September 24, 2020 at 7:51 pm

      Hi!! Thank you so much for your review/blog about the Cricut machines. This was soooooo helpful and answered every question I could every possibly have!!

      Reply
    9. Amy Buchert

      September 27, 2020 at 9:59 pm

      I’m trying to decide which machine to purchase. I obviously want to use vinyl, paper and card stock but I also would like to cut fabric for adding an Appliqué to masks. Which would be a better purchase for me? Thank you

      Reply
      • Sarah - The DIY Mommy

        September 29, 2020 at 3:15 pm

        For fabric, the maker is your best bet! If you weren't cutting fabric, you could do the rest of it with the Air 2 🙂

        Reply
        • Amy Buchert

          September 29, 2020 at 5:26 pm

          Thank you so much! In your opinion, is there a retailer that is more reliable than others?

          Reply
    10. Rachel

      October 04, 2020 at 3:16 pm

      Can the Cricut be used to print on acetate or cut acetate (clear thin plastic)? I’m working with resin and would like to custom print or cut clear /printed acetate to set into resin? `I believe that one of the machines is able to etch vinyl which would be interesting too.

      Reply
      • Lori Dunne

        October 15, 2020 at 3:03 pm

        Hi and thanks for the great info! I'm wondering...if I find a tile design that I like could I creat a matching stencil with the Cricut? Thx again🤗

        Reply
        • Sarah - The DIY Mommy

          October 20, 2020 at 1:44 pm

          Yes, you could! Christina made a stencil for a door mat in this post but it would be a similar process: https://thediymommy.com/how-to-make-a-door-mat-with-a-cricut/

          Reply
    11. Diana

      October 10, 2020 at 6:27 pm

      I have always wanted to buy one of these but never knew which one was best. My 11 year also has wanted me to buy one for a few years but I find them a little expensive for our budget. It is definitely on my Christmas/ birthday list

      Reply
      • Melissa

        January 26, 2021 at 7:01 am

        Do these only cut the material? Do you need other equipment to make the shirts?

        Reply
        • Sarah - The DIY Mommy

          January 29, 2021 at 3:10 pm

          The cricut cuts vinyl, which is what you'd use to iron on to your shirts 🙂

          Reply
    12. Dandre

      October 15, 2020 at 7:43 pm

      Just bought my daughter a new Cricut machine. Excited to see what we can do with it.

      Reply
    13. Lisa

      October 30, 2020 at 1:36 am

      Ideal to be a craft mommy! Want to have one.

      Reply
    14. Paulina Zelik

      November 02, 2020 at 6:37 pm

      I would love to play with one!

      Reply
    15. Audrey

      November 03, 2020 at 3:53 am

      I absolutely love this machine. I would make labels for my pantry, craft room etc... Signs for every occasion and then I would tackle my Mom and Sisters home...lol...now I just need to find it in South Africa...

      Reply
    16. Christina Faria

      November 04, 2020 at 9:53 am

      Oh my goodness this is on my wishlist ! I’d make shirts, seasonal labels and prints, art, baby labels the endless possibilities!

      Reply
    17. KimberlyAnn

      December 12, 2020 at 4:41 pm

      This was a very helpful article .I'm thinking I could definitely find uses for it. I assume you would buy different blades for different materials. Thank you for sharing this info!

      Reply
      • Madeleine

        November 12, 2021 at 7:05 pm

        Hi-
        I purchased some personalized mugs from a crafter & placed in the dishwasher- turns out it was some type of vinyl that was just glued to the surface- disaster,
        ,is there a permanent paint or something so that mugs can go in the dishwasher.

        Reply
    18. Daniel's Mamma

      December 15, 2020 at 6:23 am

      I make g-tube pads for my grandson, by hand, and the shapes suck so badly for him. I use 2 layers of cotton and 1 layer flannel and roughly 3x3. Could I use a Cricut to cut the cloth, and if so, which one would be best?

      Reply
      • Sarah - The DIY Mommy

        December 15, 2020 at 8:58 am

        The cricut maker is best for fabric 🙂

        Reply
    19. Susan Dubose

      December 20, 2020 at 8:09 pm

      Very detailed information! No wordy, no confufions. Thanks for your sharing!

      Reply
    20. Prairie Girl '69

      December 27, 2020 at 7:21 am

      Thanks for this informative video! And nice to see a fellow Canadian doing it! 🙂 I have been interested in what the heck the buzz is all about with the Cricut, so this was helpful. My question is regarding transfers that go on t-shirts and other to-be-washed fabric items. In the 90's, local organizations went a bit mad with making their own tshirts with iron-on transfers. Sadly, the designs only lasted about three washes max. I love designing on shirts (I've done a few on Zazzle) but I would never want to give or sell a design that wasn't going to last. Is the Cricut that much better than the old iron-ons?

      Reply
    21. Rita landsgaard

      January 01, 2021 at 6:40 am

      You explained everything I needed to know. Thank you

      Reply
    22. rona

      January 17, 2021 at 9:12 am

      HI
      just want to know about the blade, do change it when it become dull? how do you create and cut a design which has multiple colors in it? do you need a ink like the printer?

      Reply
      • Sarah - The DIY Mommy

        January 19, 2021 at 8:44 am

        Yes, you may to change your blade out depending on how much cutting you do and how often. For designs with multiple colours, if you're talking about vinyl, each colour is cut separately 🙂

        Reply
    23. Giftbasketworldwide

      January 28, 2021 at 1:16 am

      Helpful one! Thank You so much.

      Reply
    24. Brenda Miller

      January 30, 2021 at 1:52 pm

      Hi ... Thinking about purchasing a Circut ... your page is very helpful. I would like to make labels to put on my Tupperware Modular Mates that go in my kitchen cabinets. Will the labels stick to the containers?

      Reply
      • Sarah - The DIY Mommy

        January 31, 2021 at 1:46 pm

        Yes! Cricut has both removable and permanent vinyl that you can use on plastic containers 🙂

        Reply
    25. Cheryl

      February 15, 2021 at 1:34 am

      Wow, I didn't realize you could cut so many things with a cricket! One day I hope to buy one of these! Think of all the possibilities!! Thanks for the helpful info! Pinning!

      Reply
    26. Rozelyn

      March 26, 2021 at 12:45 am

      How is the Circut with making logos for things??

      Reply
      • The DIY Mommy

        March 29, 2021 at 8:24 am

        If you're talking about adding your logo to something like a mug, absolutely - it works well for that. Depending on your logo, some will be more difficult to cut / weed than others and it may take some practice 🙂

        Reply
    27. julie karge

      February 07, 2022 at 10:58 am

      I can't wait to try this. You make look like its user friendly. Thank you

      Reply

    Trackbacks

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      March 10, 2021 at 4:54 am

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