How Does a Cricut Maker Work and More!
Are you trying to decide if you should buy a Cricut Maker? Get answers to all your questions – how does a Cricut Maker work, what can you make, and more!
Ever since I got my Cricut Maker, I have been using it almost every week.
Even when you don’t see them on the blog, I am making little crafts with the kids, labeling items, making cards and more!
Every time I share about it, I get questions from my readers who are trying to decide if they should buy the Cricut Maker or not.
Today, I am answering 5 of the most frequently asked questions about the Cricut Maker.
I hope this will give you insight into the Cricut Maker, its uses and help you make your decision.
Table of Contents
- How does a Cricut Maker work?
- What materials can I cut?
- Is it easy to use a Cricut Maker?
- What add-ons do I need to use the machine and how expensive will it be?
- What kind of DIY projects can I make?
- Pin this to Pinterest
How Does a Cricut Maker Work?
A Cricut Maker is an electronic cutting machine that can be programmed to cut out shapes from a variety of materials.
It is basically a printer but instead of just printing with ink, it can cut the shapes for you in the material of your choice!
The basics of how a Cricut works is as follows –
- You program the design you want into the Cricut Design Space. Don’t let that intimidate you! The Cricut Design Space is extremely intuitive and has hundreds of designs and patterns you can you choose. You can even mix and match to make your own!
- Load the appropriate tool into the machine. More on that later.
- Load your material on the corresponding mat. There are many options to choose depending on the type of material you are using.
- Hit run and watch the Cricut do its magic.
Is It Easy to Use the Cricut Maker?
YES! It is extremely easy to use!
To be honest, before I got my Cricut Maker, I used to see projects and get intimidated by all the mats and tools and technical names.
But once I got my Cricut and a starter pack, I discovered it was not at all complicated.
I wrote all about setting up a Cricut Maker and making the first projects as a complete Cricut newbie.
True, there are multiple mats and tools to juggle but the Cricut website has easy guides telling you exactly what to use and how to use for every material. If you are ever in doubt, just check that out!
What Materials Can I Cut?
The simple answer – hundred of them!
The Cricut Maker has an adaptive tool system. This makes it super easy to switch out blades to cut different materials for different projects.
The Cricut Maker can cut a huge range of products – ranging from paper and cardstock to vinyl, fabric, PLUS leather, chipboard, and wood up to 3/32″ thick!
Knowing me, I am the most excited for the latter set of materials!
What Add-Ons Do I Need to Use the Machine and How Expensive Will It Be?
Out of the box, the Cricut Maker comes with everything you need to get started with making your first project.
Here is what is included in the box –
- The fine-point blade (used to cut all the standard material – paper, cardstock, vinyl etc)
- A fine-point pen for drawing
- A Rotary blade (used to cut fabric)
- A LightGrip Machine mat (typically used for paper and cardstock)
- A FabricGrip Machine mat (used for fabric)
With the above, you could already make a huge number of projects.
Apart from the above, there are a few accessories that make using the Maker more fun –
- The knife blade (approx. $45) – allows you to cut thick material – I am talking balsa wood, veneer, chipboard, and leather!
- StrongGrip Machine Mat (approx. $11-$21 depending on size) – to use with materials that need the knife blade
- StandardGrip Mat (approx. $10-$32 depending on size) – to use with vinyl etc.
- Scoring wheel (approx. $40)- to create nice crisp score lines.
- Pens and markers (starting at $12 for a pack of 12) – come in many many styles!
- Weeding Tools, Brayer, etc (approx. $10-$25) – to help weed your designs, pick them up, etc.
- Various raw material (prices vary) – vinyl, paper, chipboard, etc.
Most importantly, remember that you do not have to buy all of these right away.
You can get started with the materials that come in the box and build your collection slowly as needed.
The Cricut Design Space is an essential part of using the Cricut. It is free to sign up and you get access to a LOT of free images and fonts.
However, there are many images and fonts that are available for a nominal fee.
You do have the option to sign up for Cricut Access – the monthly subscription service which gives you access to over 100,000 images and 400 fonts!
- The standard membership is $9.99/month or $95.88/year and also gives you 10% off products and premium licensed fonts/images.
- The Premium membership is $119.88/year which gives 50% off on licensed fonts and images.
I highly recommend signing up for Cricut Access. You will open up a whole new world of design possibilities!
What Kind of Projects Can I Make?
The sky is the limit!
Here is what I have made with it till now –
- Labels for ALL the things
- Personalized gifts ( like the DIY cork coasters)
- Custom t-shirts (I made one for my daughter’s birthday)
- Custom Home Decor (like this DIY wood slice cake stand)
- Cards
- Home decor using paper (it was one of my first projects)
- Home decor using mixed materials (like the Cheers sign)
- Holiday decor (like these DIY Christmas trees!)
- Decals
- Face masks (I cut fabric on the Maker using the Cricut Design Space patterns)
- Custom backpacks
This literally a teeny tiny sampling of all that is possible with the Cricut Maker.
RELATED: 27 Creative Cricut Wood Project Ideas
What will you make with the Cricut Maker?
More Resources About the Cricut Maker and Project Ideas –
- The Cricut website
- Practically Functional – Jessi is amazing with the Cricut and has lots of tutorials and project ideas
- Hey Let’s Make Stuff – Cori has a free beginner’s course on using the Cricut
Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"
