Cricut Tools and Instructions
Available Tools & Materials
There are two Cricut Cutters, one Cricut Iron Press, and two Cricut Brightpads available for educational and research purposes, one set up to cut vinyl and one set up to cut cardstock. ETIS can provide materials such as vinyl, cardstock, felt, glitter papers, iron on, etc. for smaller projects. Users must provide their own materials for large scale projects.
One Cricut Cutter is available in the Main ETIS Studio along with available cardstock. To access the other Cricut Cutter, Cricut Iron Press and vinyl materials, please stop by the ETIS helpdesk.
Cricut Cutter
The Cricut Cutter is a useful tool that can cut various tools including, vinyl, cardstock, fabric and much more! Designs are made through their Cricut Design Space software and then uploaded to the Cricut Cutter. Designs that others have made can also be found in the Design Space for you to use.
The Cricut Cutters available in the ETIS Studio are also equipped with the ability to draw. Just insert one of the many markers available into the slot to draw!
Safety
While the Cricut Cutter is a relatively safe machine, there are some concerns that you should keep your eye out for. The main hazard when using a Cricut Cutter is the various blades that are available. The blades are very sharp which can lead to injury. It is necessary that the blades are covered when carrying the blade.
Setting up the Cricut Cutter
Ensure that the Cricut cutter is plugged in. First plug in the white power cord to the back of the Cricut cutter followed by the USB cord. Both wires should be found in the gray bag containing the Cricut cutter. Make sure that when plugging in the USB wire that you plug it into the correct outlet. The outlet on the right will connect to the computer on the right in the makerspace and the outlet on the left will connect to the computer on the left. Refer to the image below. You could also just plug it into the computer itself.
Turn the power on for the Cricut cutter by pressing the power button (
) on the Cricut cutter
Make sure that you locate the correct blade that will be necessary for making your cut. Refer to the chart in the FAQs below for assistance.
Lift the top lid on the Cricut cutter and insert your selected blade into Slot B. This can be done by moving the white tabs and inserting the blade in and then closing them so that they are secure and shut. The blade is always inserted into slot B, while slot A can be used for other tools. If there is a blade already in the Cricut be sure to remove it first and place it back into the gray bag. When ready be sure to close the lid.
Cutting Your Project
Open the Cricut Design Space app on the computer or your laptop and ensure that it is connected to the Cricut cutter itself. To connect using your laptop, go to settings → Machines → Start New Product Setup. Select “Set up a cutting machine” and then “Cricut Maker 3”. Follow the steps on the screen to complete the setup.
After successfully logging into the app select “New Project” which can be found on the top right corner of the page or open an existing project.
Setup your file on the Cricut app ensuring that you have the correct dimensions set for the image that you are looking to cut and that you have the correct quantity that you want to make. You can use the copy and paste command on objects in the app. The app also allows you to upload images you would like to cut. Appropriate file types for images include JPG, PNG, GIF, SVG, DXF, HEIC & BMP.
When you are ready to cut your project, select MAKE IT which can be found on the top right corner of the page.
Select the correct size of mat you wish to use on the tab which indicates mat size and ensure that you are happy with the quantity and placement of your images on the mat preview shown. If you are not, reposition your images to the appropriate size and quantity and try again.
When ready select CONTINUE and when prompted select the type of material you wish to cut. The pre-programmed materials automatically sets the cut pressure on the machine depending on the selected material. Select Browse all Materials to view all available pre-programmed materials. Materials with the Cricut logo next to them are Cricut brand materials.
If using vinyl, take a close look at the preview before the cut to identity how much vinyl will be needed for the cut so that no material is wasted. After identifying the amount of vinyl needed by measuring, Slide the vinyl roll into the cutting tool ensuring that it sits secure and slide the tab to cut the desired amount. After the cut is made remove the vinyl and the roll from the cutting tool and ensure that the tool gets put back where you found it and that the vinyl roll gets put back into the cabinets in the sound booth.
Identify the appropriate size of mat necessary for the cut and have it ready. Identify which type of mat is best for your material (purple mat sticks the best):
Standard Grip (Green)
Ideal for use with cardstock, patterned paper, embossed cardstock, iron-on, vinyl, etc.
Light Grip (Blue)
Ideal for use with common office paper, light cardstock, vellum, etc.
Strong Grip (Purple)
Perfect for securing heavyweight materials such as specialty cardstock, glitter cardstock, vinyl, chipboard, and fabric with stiffener
Place the material that was cut to length onto the mat, ensuring that it sticks to the mat and sits flush to it. Remember that when placing the material onto the mat it should align with the square marked outlines on the mat and should be as straight as possible.
Ensure that there is adequate room behind the Cricut cutter for it to slide in the Cricut mat for tracing. Slide the mat into the inserts on the Cricut cutter, under the whiter rollers, and hold the mat so that the top of the mat is aligned with the rollers.
Press the insert button (
) with the flashing light on the Cricut cutter and wait until the Cricut cutter has finished tracing.
When you see the flashing play button (
) on the Cricut cutter press it and the cutting should begin.
Wait and monitor the cut while it is occurring
After the cut has finished press the flashing insert/unload button (
When unloading the materials from the mat, it is a good idea to gently start peeling/separating from one of the corners on the mat. This way all the cut pieces will fall out properly and no piece gets ripped or damaged in the unloading process. It is important to adjust the speed at which you are removing from the mat for the best results.
After you have successfully removed your cuts from the mat, it is best to put all your cut outs into a bag/envelope to ensure that you do not lose any pieces. Put away the Cricut mat back where you found it along with any Cricut tools you may have used.
Remember to save your work once you are done with the Cricut cutter and exit out of the app.
Be sure to power off (
Cricut Iron Press
The Cricut iron press is used to transfer designs onto a range of materials including canvas, cotton, and wool. There is a limited amount of iron-on vinyl available for educational/research purposes. Please read all safety instructions below prior to using the iron press
Safety
The biggest safety concern while using the cricut iron press is burns. The iron press can reach very high temperatures of more than 300°F so it is very important to take proper safety precautions while using the tool.
Ensure iron press is placed at an appropriate location, away from all materials
DO NOT touch the bottom of the iron press or holder while it is on.
Never place the iron press anywhere except for its stand when you are not using it.
When finished turn the iron off using the power button and wait for it to FULLY cool before touching it to put away.
Cutting Your Design
The process for cutting out your design is the same as the sections above using the Cricut cutter. Except for a few modifications when setting up the cut listed below:
When selecting the base material in the Cricut app, make sure to select "everyday iron-on"
Before cutting ensure you have selected "mirror" so that your design will be the right way once transferred onto your material. You can set this on the left sidebar by selecting Edit.
Ensure you place your vinyl sheet with the glossy side DOWN onto the mat before cutting.
Now you are ready to cut out your design using the circuit cutter. Once it is cut you may cut off any excess vinyl and peel the matte surroundings away from your design. You should now be left with the sticky (glossy) transfer sheet sticky side up with only your design as the matte vinyl.
Ironing On Your Design
Once you have your design cut out and have peeled away the excess matte vinyl to reveal the sticky side of the transfer sheet, do not place the design on the fabric yet! Continue to follow the steps below to ensure you get the best quality possible.
Observe what material the fabric you will be transferring your design on to is made out of.
Go to Cricut Heat Guide (or look up “Cricut Heat Guide” if link is not working) and you should find a website that looks like this:
Ensure that the "Cricut EasyPress 2" is selected.
Now select the heat transfer material which will be "everyday iron-on". Additionally, select the base material which is the material that you will be transferring your design on to.
Once your selections are complete you should press apply and it will give you all the information that you need for heating the iron to an appropriate temperature. For example, selecting 100% cotton and everyday iron-on lets you know to heat the iron to 315°F and hold for 30s with firm pressure.
Before turning the iron on, place the Cricut heat mat beside the iron and lay your fabric flat over top (make sure there are no wrinkles so that your design transfers flat).
Following the information you received from the website you can now turn the iron on using the power button and heat it to your given temperature.
Additionally, you can set the timer on the iron for the amount of seconds you will need to hold it on your material.
Before placing your design onto the fabric you must "pre-heat" your fabric using the iron for the specified time from the website. To do this pick up the iron using the handles and place it on the fabric for the desired pre-heating time in the location where you would like your design. Then place the iron back on its stand.
When placing your design onto the fabric BE CAREFUL as it will be hot after pre-heating. To avoid injury make sure the fabric cools just a little so it is safe for you to place your design onto your fabric. Place the design with the sticky side facing your fabric so your design appears the correct way.
Once ready, place the iron over your design and hold for the designated time with the recommended pressure.
After the time is up place the iron back on its stand and turn it off. Do not touch it and allow it to cool where it is before putting it away. Additionally, wait for the transfer to cool down completely before removing it to reveal your design.
When it comes time to remove the transfer make sure to do so gently and slowly to ensure you do not peel your design off with it! Once the iron has fully cooled unplug it and put it away.
Support & FAQs
There are various different types of blades that the Cricut Cutter, each having their own uses. Please take a look at the chart below to assist you in choosing what blade you may need to use.
The operation setting in the edit bar while designing in the Cricut app will determine how the Cricut Cutter will interact with the material on the mat. You can also select a different operation for each layer within your design
Below are all the available operation options for the Cricut Maker 3:
Cut
Basic - The layer will be cut with a Fine-Point, Performance, or Deep-Point blade.
Wavy - The layer will be cut with a Wavy Blade.
Perforate - The layer will be cut with a Perforation Blade.
Draw
Pen - The layer will be drawn with a pen.
Foil - The layer will be embossed using the Foil Transfer Tool.
Score - The layer will be scored using a Scoring Wheel or Scoring Stylus.
Deboss - The layer will be debossed using the Debossing Tip.
Engrave - The layer will be engraved using the Engraving Tip.
Print Then Cut
The layer will be setup to print in a home printer and then cut by the Cricut machine. For more information on setting up a Print then Cut, please follow the how to guide here.
Guide
The layer will not be cut, but will show on the Canvas to be used as a guide
For additional support regarding the Cricut Tools, please submit a Jira ticket here and we will respond as soon as we can.
If you have technical issues, Please submit a request to the ETIS Jira Queue. If you need help after hours or on the weekends, contact IST Service Desk.