Many crafters who own a Cricut machine are confused about which materials are compatible with their machine. Most crafters stick to the three basic materials- paper, vinyl, and HTV or Iron-on-vinyl. But by sticking to these basic materials, you won’t be able to unlock the true potential of your Cricut machine. Whether you have a Cricut Maker, Explore, or Joy, it’s important to know what your machine is capable of to get the best crafting results. This blog will review various materials you can use with Cricut Maker. We will also discuss the type of Blade and cutting mat you’ll need to cut and craft each material. Visit at- cricut.com/setup.
Paper and Cardstock
It is one of the most commonly used materials used by Crafters. You can make various projects using paper and cardstock, such as gift tags, bookmarks, party decorations, home decor, gift tags, 3D boxes, paper flowers, and more. Cricut also has a line of cardstock and paper that you can use. Cut paper and cardstock using a blue LightGrip mat and a fine-point blade.
Set the cut settings according to the type of paper and cardstock and its weight. You will find many paper choices in the cut settings, so finding the right setting may take some time. Remember to run a test before you start the actual project. Blue LightGrip mat works best with paper and cardstock projects since they are delicate materials, and the blue mat is best at releasing these materials. After cutting, do not try to pull the paper project by the corner from the mat. The paper can tear if you are not careful with it. Bend the mat slightly, so the adhesive gets loose, and then pull the mat away from the paper.
Fabric
With Cricut Maker 3, you can cut regular, non-bonded fabric using the Rotary Blade and pink FabricGrip mat. Aside from fabric pens and accessories, Cricut doesn’t make fabric materials. But you can purchase the fabrics at the local hobby craft store.
To cut the fabric, place it right-side down on the Cricut mat; this is how the patterns are imprinted. It also makes identifying more complex patterns and washable pen marks on darker fabrics easier. The machine will cut the fabric, then remove it carefully from the mat using a pair of tweezers with broad-tip so that you won’t stretch the fabric while pulling it out. If a few threads of fabric get stuck on the mat, place the next piece on top of it. The rotary Blade will cut through it. If the mat is new, lightly press the fabric onto the mat with your fingers. In case you are using an old mat, use a brayer to stick the fabric to the mat.
Bonded Fabric
It’s a fabric with a stabilizer ironed onto its back, but with Cricut Maker, you won’t need a stabilizer to cut fabric. Because instead of using the fine-tip Blade that can pull the fabric and mess up the cuts, the Maker uses the Rotary Blade. You must use a pink LightGrip Mat and Bonded Fabric Blade to cut the bonded fabric.
Place the bonded side of the fabric onto the mat, and use a brayer to secure the fabric onto the mat. When the Cricut is done with cutting the fabric, use a pair of broad-tipped tweezers to remove the fabric from the mat.
Visit at- Cricut Mini Setup
Vinyl
Adhesive vinyl is a type of material that has a sticky adhesive on its back. It can be applied to non-porous materials such as plastic, metal, painted wood, and glass. These are some of the popular types of vinyl.
- Permanent vinyl
- Removable vinyl
- Dry erase vinyl
- Chalkboard vinyl
- Shimmer Vinyl
- Holographic Vinyl
- Mosaic Vinyl
You will need a fine point blade and a green StandardGrip Mat to cut such adhesive vinyl. Place the color side up of the vinyl on the mat. Cut the design and weed out the extra or residual material using a weeding tool. When you finish that, use transfer tape to adhere the vinyl to the blank.
Heat Transfer Vinyl/Iron-On Vinyl
HTV is a type of vinyl with a heat-sensitive adhesive that is applied to fabric and other materials such as paper, metal, or wood using heat and pressure. These are some of the popular types of HTV or Iron-On vinyl.
- Everyday Iron On
- Express Iron On
- Mesh Iron On
- Mosaic Iron On
- Patterned Iron On
- Smart Iron On
- SportFlex
- Holographic Iron On
- Mesh Iron On
For HTV projects, you will need a heat press to apply the iron-on vinyl design to the material. Although other heat presses will work, the EasyPress 3 is the best. You will also need a fine point blade and a green StandardGrip Mat. Before cutting the image:
- Mirror it to ensure that it is transferred onto the blank correctly.
- Place the HTV face-down on the mat.
- Cut the design, and weed the extra or residual materials using the weeding tool.
Genuine Leather
If you look forward to creating something deluxe or durable projects, genuine leather is an excellent option. If you have a hard time finding genuine leather, then worry not. Fortunately, Cricut offers sheets of genuine leather. These sheets are thin enough to be cut with a Deep Cut Blade of the Cricut Maker. That deep-cut Blade can cut the leather with the utmost precision. Use a purple StrongGrip Mat and a deep-cut blade for leather projects. Place the leather face down on the mat. You can use a brayer or your hands to adhere the leather to the mat so that the leather won’t shift around.
FAQs
Can Cricut Maker thicker materials such as balsawood and basswood?
Yes, among Cricut’s lineup, the models of the maker series are the most powerful. They have a cutting force of 400 gm. You must use a knife blade and a purple StrongGrip Mat to cut much thicker materials. Cricut does not own its balsa wood, and they are very hard to find.
For wood projects which are better, balsa or basswood?
The opinions may vary, but most people prefer basswood over balsa. Because the sheets of balsawood are tough to find, and they also tend to crack. When you search online for balsawood, google will show you other results like chipboard, basswood, and plywood. But it is a great option for lighter wood projects.
Can Cricut Maker cut smart materials?
Yes, Cricut Maker can smart materials without using a cutting mat. It’s similar to regular adhesive vinyl but a great choice for larger projects. Cricut offers the following types of Smart Vinyl.
- Permanent Smart Vinyl
- Removable Smart Vinyl
- Writable Smart Vinyl
- Shimmer Smart Vinyl
- Metallic Smart Vinyl
- Holographic Smart Vinyl.
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