Cricut
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You can use the Cricut cutting machine for a variety of projects. To get started, just walk in during our open hours in Rose Library.
About the Cricut
- The Cricut is great for smaller projects, and can draw on and cut through a variety of materials including paper, fabric, thin leather, even thin balsawood. We have a variety of blade types for the machine, as well as ink pens of many colors, including fabric pens.
- There are some tutorial videos on this page. Feel free to ask our staff for advice and help!
- The Graphtec cutter/plotter excels when cutting vinyl and is up to seven times faster than the Cricut while also being more precise and capable of much larger projects. Learn more about using the Graphtec here.
Safety Considerations
Safety is the number priority while operating and maintaining the cutter/plotter machines.
Both the Cricut and the Graphtec machines have moving parts and sharp blades. Caution is advised both during setup and while the machine is in operation. Be sure to keep all clothing and body parts away from the machine while it is in operation.
Similarly, many of the tools used to process or weed the cut designs (such as dental picks, tweezers, and scissors) can be dangerous if used improperly. Always use care when handling and keep any sharp edges pointed away from your body.
How to Use the Cricut Maker
The Cricut Maker is connected directly to one of the computer workstations, which has the Cricut Design Space software installed already. To cut or plot a design with the Cricut, follow the steps below:
- Make sure the Cricut Maker machine is on. Install the selected material on one of the provided mats. The blue “LightGrip” mats work best for most cardstock or construction paper.
- Open the Cricut Design Space application and create a New Project.
- Upload an .svg (Scalable Vector Graphic) design file using the panel on the left and select the “Insert Images” button to add it to the canvas.
- Use the provided tools to adjust size, positioning, number of copies, etc.
- If the design has multiple disconnected components, select them all and click the “Attach” button that says to make sure they will all retain their position relative to each other.
- When the design is ready, press the “Make It” button in the upper right corner. The Cricut app will automatically sort different shapes by color and assign them to different cutting steps.
- Click “Continue” and follow the on screen instructions to finish the project.
Cricut Tips
- Make sure there’s space in front of and behind the Cricut Maker for materials to move around.
- Supplies for creating a vinyl label/sticker are in the cabinet near the cutter/plotter.
- Feel free to bring your own material to use with the Cricut Maker. So much can be done with the Cricut Maker that we may not have everything! Just be sure to use the correct blade for your selected material.
- Cricut Maker Manual
Troubleshooting & Common Issues
“The Cricut moved my design away from where I had it!”
By default, the Cricut app automatically positions designs on the cutting area to use the least amount of material. You may need to reposition your design on the mat at the “Make It” stage if, say, you are cutting a design out of the front of a card. If you need certain elements of your design to retain their position relative to each other, select them all and use the “Attach” tool at the bottom of the main design space.