How to Use a Cricut Machine

What You’ll Need to Get Started

• Cricut Machine
• Cricut Cartridge (+ Keyboard Overlay, and Handbook, as included.)
• Cutting Mat
• Cricut card stock or paper
• A Great Creative Mind that’s willing to explore and experiment.

Step-By-Step Instructions on How to Use a Cricut

• STEP 1: Installing your cartridge. Your Cricut machine comes with a cartridge. (There are many more fun cartridges to buy and eventually you will built up your own little collection.)   Put this cartridge into the slot.  Place the keyboard overlay that comes with the cartridge on the face of your Cricut machine.  Your cartridge installation is now done.

• STEP 2: Now plug  in your Cricut machine, and turn  it on. You should have placed it securely on a solid surface, btw.

• STEP 3: Next, put the material to be cut, e.g. paper, onto your Cricut cutting mat, and make sure it’s firmly adhered to the cutting mat.  Now, load it into the die cutter by firmly holding it against the feeder and pressing the "Load Paper" button.

• STEP 4:  There is a size selector dial that allows you to select the size of die cuts you wish to make.

• STEP 5: Using the keyboard overlay, select a design. Using the Shift key and/or the creative features will offer you different designs. Use the handbook that comes with your cartridge to pick a design, before you begin cutting. You can select multiple designs to cut at the same time, but you must first cut these before you can select a different size.

• STEP 6: After selecting the size and design(s), press "Cut". The cricut machine will now do its  magic, and cuts your great designs.

• STEP 7: When your Cricut machine is finished, simply press the "Unload Paper" and the cutting mat will eject, with your die cuts on it! Most likely, this is your moment of great excitement. (However, adjust the depth of the cutting blade, in case your material is not cut properly.)

• STEP 8: Last step is to carefully lift your cutouts from this mat. Most cuts are easy to remove, but have a craft knife or Cricut tool handy to help you out, just in case.

See, it’s fairly easy to use a Cricut  Machine.

Which Cricut Machine is Best for YOU???

Which one to choose depends on the size of the die cuts you wish to make, amongst other things:

Cricut Model Variances The Cricut Expression can make die cuts ranging in size from 1/4 to 23-1/2 inches, The Cricut Create Machine can make die cut ranging in size from 1/4 to 11-1/2 inches, and The Personal Electronic Cutter can make die cuts from one inch to 5-1/2 inches in size.

Click each model link to learn more about that particular Cricut machine.