Final Information to Cricut Instruments and Equipment

Final Information to Cricut Instruments and Equipment

Research each half there could also be to seek out out about Cricut hand devices and use them to create stunning creative duties.

This weblog article will educate you regarding the many types of Cricut devices, along with weeding devices, scraper devices, and additional, along with let you decide which ones you’ll need in your mission.

Final Information to Cricut Instruments and Equipment

In case you’re a Cricut beginner, likelihood is you may be overwhelmed by the variety of explicit Cricut devices out there in the marketplace. It could be laborious to find out exactly which devices it’s advisable get started.

Nevertheless don’t worry – you don’t need to buy every instrument on the shelf to make beautiful crafts with Cricut.

After learning this textual content, you’ll know further about each kind of Cricut hand instrument, what they do, and use them. You’ll examine which Cricut devices you really need, and the best way to resolve on the right instrument for the job.

Mannequin new to Cricut? You might must be taught this Data to Cricut for Novices, or start with this textual content about which Cricut is greatest for you.

Data to Cricut Hand Devices

I’m optimistic you’ve noticed that there are many completely completely different Cricut hand devices. These embody weeding devices, scrapers, tweezers, spatulas, and additional.

  • Weeding devices to remove further supplies out of your design
  • Scraper devices to remove scrap objects from the decreasing ma, or burnish supplies onto your mission
  • Brayer to stay the material to the decreasing mat
  • Spatula for lifting supplies from the mat
  • Tweezers for eradicating or placing small objects
  • Scoring devices in order so as to add fold strains to a mission
  • Craft knife for trimming provides or ending cuts
  • Paper trimmer for decreasing large sheets of cloth all the best way all the way down to measurement
  • Rotary instrument
  • Rulers
  • Further Chopping Mats, along with machine mats and self-healing mats.

After learning that itemizing, you could actually really feel overwhelmed! Nevertheless don’t worry – you don’t must exit and buy every single instrument on this itemizing.

You possibly can start out with only some major devices – like a weeder instrument and a scraper instrument – and add to your assortment as needed.

Take into consideration the types of duties you favor to make.

When you’re deciding which Cricut devices to buy, consider the types of duties you make most continuously.

For instance, must you uncover out that you simply simply love making vinyl duties, then you definately definately might must get some additional vinyl weeding devices and a Cricut EasyPress.

Or, must you uncover that you simply simply making cardstock and paper duties, you could must get a scoring instrument and certainly one of many XL scraper devices.

Observe: This article is going to cowl hand-held devices solely. To be taught further regarding the machine devices – along with all blades and scoring devices – click on on proper right here: Remaining Data to Cricut Blades for Novices

What devices does your Cricut embody?

Your Cricut machine will embody quite a few gives, along with a machine blade. Nevertheless, you probably have to purchase quite a few additional devices to benefit from your Cricut.

Proper right here’s what comes throughout the area whilst you buy a Cricut:

  • The Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Uncover 3 machines embody a Premium Advantageous-Stage blade and adequate provides to make your first apply cut back. These newer machines do not ship with a decreasing mat.
  • The older machines, just like the distinctive Cricut Maker and the Cricut Uncover Air 2, bought right here with blades and decreasing mats.
  • The Machine + Provides Bundle packages embody a set of hand devices and a group of provides.

As on a regular basis, check the merchandise description particulars for the overall itemizing of included objects.

Keep in mind that most devices and tools – similar to the True Administration Knife, further decreasing mats, spatulas, and scraper devices – are provided individually.

cricut scraper tool, weeding tool, and craft knife on a green and blue cutting mat

Which devices do you really want?

Like I mentioned above, you solely need quite a few further hand devices to get started. On the very least, you’ll need a scraper instrument and a weeding instrument (must you plan to work with vinyl.)

In case you may, I counsel you resolve up the Elementary System Set, a craft knife, and a few further decreasing mats to make your crafting experience a whole lot less complicated and additional pleasant.

Ought to-have devices

When you’re merely starting out, these are the devices I’d advocate.

  • Elementary System Set, which includes a weeding instrument, spatula, tweezers, small scraper instrument, and scissors
  • A craft knife, such as a result of the True Administration Knife or an X-Acto blade.
  • LightGrip and StandardGrip decreasing mats, in case your machine didn’t embody them.

Good-to-have devices

As you do further duties, likelihood is you may decide to spend cash on quite a few further devices.

  • Brayer instrument, which is good for adhering provides to the mats
  • XL Scraper instrument, which is manner sooner and extra sensible than the smaller scraper.
  • Additional weeding devices. You might uncover you prefer completely completely different shaped devices for varied provides.
  • Rotary System and self-healing mat, which might be good for trimming greater objects of paper, vinyl, or material.
  • EasyPress 2 to help apply iron-on vinyl (moreover generally known as heat change vinyl) and Infusible Ink.

What regarding the completely completely different blades?

Every the Cricut Maker 3 and the Cricut Uncover 3 embody one blade: the Premium Advantageous-Stage blade. All completely different machine blades are purchased individually.

You most likely have the Cricut Uncover 3, I wish to suggest getting the Deep-Stage blade as a technique to cut back thicker provides. Equally, if in case you’ve gotten the Cricut Maker 3, I wish to suggest shopping for each the Deep-Stage blade or the Knife Blade.

For further particulars in regards to the completely completely different machine blades, click on on proper right here: Remaining Data to Cricut Blades for Novices

What about scoring devices?

You most likely have the Cricut Uncover 3, I wish to suggest shopping for the Scoring Stylus as a technique to make ranking strains in your duties. Equally, if in case you’ve gotten the Cricut Maker, I wish to suggest shopping for each the Scoring Stylus or the Scoring Wheel.

The place to Buy Cricut Hand Devices

In case you don’t have any of these devices however, I wish to suggest starting with the Elementary System Set or the marginally greater Necessary System Set from Cricut. Each of those kits has adequate devices as a technique to get started crafting collectively along with your machine immediately.

The three places I favor to seek for Cricut gives are:

  • Cricut.com – Cricut pretty typically has product sales on their devices, tools, and provides on Cricut.com. You most likely have a Cricut Entry subscription, you’ll moreover get a discount on purchases you make on Cricut.com.
  • Amazon – In case your merchandise is out of stock on Circut.com, check Amazon. They’ll usually have what you’re looking for – and may normally have further color selections, as properly.
  • 143Vinyl – This retailer has an incredible assortment of vinyl and crafting devices. They carry just a few of the non-Cricut mannequin weeding devices, similar to the Siser EasyWeeder and the Pin Pen Weeding System.

Detailed Data to Cricut Devices

Now that you simply simply’ve gotten an overview of the Cricut hand devices, let’s bear each of them in further component.

Weeding Devices

Weeding devices are used to remove further supplies out of your design after unloading it from the Cricut machine.

You’ll most continuously see weeding devices used with adhesive and iron-on vinyl. Although, they’ll nonetheless be helpful for intricate paper and Infusible Ink duties.

Weeding devices can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes. The elemental Cricut weeding instrument, as an example, has a hook-shaped metallic tip with a sharp degree.

Completely different weeding devices have barely completely completely different shapes concepts. Cricut affords a pack of 5 weeding devices, along with Advantageous Tweezers, Hook Tweezers, Weeder, Piercing System, and Hook Weeder.

Completely different trendy wedding ceremony devices embody the Siser EasyWeeder and the Pin Pen Weeding System, which appears just like a ball-point pen.

Cricut weeding tool with a floral vinyl decal on a blue cutting matCricut weeding tool with a floral vinyl decal on a blue cutting mat

Scraper Devices

Scraper devices are used for quite a few completely completely different crafting duties.

  • eradicating small supplies scraps from decreasing mats
  • burnishing change tape onto provides
  • burnishing a design onto the mission ground

Cricut affords two sizes of scraper devices. The smaller measurement is obtainable throughout the toolsets, and the XL scraper is obtainable individually.

I notably similar to the XL scraper for making use of vinyl to large surfaces and clearing large areas of the mat.

Completely different non-Cricut scraper devices embody the squeegee-style scraper devices with tender vinyl edges. The squeegee-style scrapers have thinner, further versatile edges which could be very good for burnishing vinyl on curved surfaces.

Cricut brayer tool with a teal vinyl rectangle on a blue cutting matCricut brayer tool with a teal vinyl rectangle on a blue cutting mat

Brayer

A brayer is a roller instrument that you need to use to stay provides to your decreasing mats firmly. It is best to use the brayer to press down all sorts of material, along with material, paper, adhesive vinyl, iron-on, and picket sheets.

It’s an incredible instrument for guaranteeing that the material is firmly and evenly caught all the best way all the way down to your mat, so it doesn’t switch spherical while you cut back it. It’s moreover good for smoothing out wrinkles and bubbles which may intrude with a transparent cut back.

Spatulas

Spatulas let you carry designs off the decreasing mat quickly and efficiently. I normally use the spatula to help loosen small paper objects from the mat to remove them with out bending them.

Tweezers

It is best to use tweezers to tug up an edge, take away small objects of cloth, and even place small objects of cloth in a great place.

You will discover quite a few completely completely different sorts of craft tweezers.

  • Reverse Tweezers (throughout the Elementary Toolset)
  • Advantageous Tweezers (throughout the Weeding Toolset)
  • Hook Tweezers (throughout the Weeding Toolset)
  • Broad Tip Tweezers (throughout the Applicator/Remover Set with the Brayer instrument)

The Reverse Tweezers take some getting used to, nonetheless I really like them. The default place is closed, and likewise you really squeeze to open them. This protects your hand muscle mass from having to pinch your complete time.

Don’t actually really feel like you have to purchase any explicit tweezers in your craft duties. Any tweezers will work, as long as they’re cosy to utilize.

Cricut scoring stylus on a white backgroundCricut scoring stylus on a white background
Image credit score rating: Cricut.com

Scoring Devices

There are a variety of completely completely different scoring devices that you need to use collectively along with your Cricut to make fold strains in your duties.

Scoring Stylus

The first scoring instrument is the Scoring Stylus, which is appropriate with every the Cricut Uncover and Maker machines.

The Scoring Stylus matches into Clamp A, just like a pen. The nice issue about using the scoring stylus is that your Cricut can preserve every the stylus and a blade on the similar time. That strategy, you probably can ranking and cut back the mission with out stopping to alter out a blade.

You should buy the Scoring Stylus individually or as part of the Necessary System Set.

Scoring Wheel and Double Scoring Wheel

The Scoring Wheel and the Double Scoring Wheel are part of the QuickSwap instrument system, which is barely appropriate with the Cricut Maker and Cricut Maker 3.

The cool issue about these scoring wheels is that they use as a lot as 10x the stress of the Scoring Stylus, as a technique to make greater fold strains in thicker provides.

To utilize the Scoring Wheels, you’ll have to purchase a QuickSwap housing and the Scoring Wheel concepts. (You solely need to buy a single QuickSwap housing because of your complete QuickSwap concepts are interchangeable.)

To check further regarding the completely completely different scoring wheels, click on on proper right here.

Cricut metal ruler and craft knife on a dark blue self-healing cutting matCricut metal ruler and craft knife on a dark blue self-healing cutting mat

Craft Knife

A craft knife, just like an X-Acto blade or the Cricut True Administration knife, is a helpful instrument to take care of spherical your craft room.

If you already have a craft knife you need, you don’t must run out and buy a model new one. Nevertheless, must you’re on the market for a model new knife, I undoubtedly advocate the Cricut mannequin craft knife. I notably like its tender, cushioned grip and the best way the cap prevents the blade from rolling off the desk.

Paper Trimmer

A paper trimmer is helpful for trimming large sheets of cloth all the best way all the way down to measurement. You most likely have hassle decreasing objects of vinyl off the roll, a paper trimmer can help you make actual, straight cuts.

Rotary Cutter

A rotary cutter is a hand instrument that you need to use to cut material and completely different provides on a self-healing decreasing mat.

In case you’re a quilter or a sewer, you’re probably accustomed to rotary decreasing devices. They seem like a pizza cutter, with a spherical blade that rotates to slice by way of layers of fabric.

You most likely have hassle using scissors or a craft knife for extended portions of time, a rotary instrument is prone to be further cosy so as to use.

Ruler

A ruler is a vital instrument to take care of in your craft room. I favor to have quite a few completely completely different rulers spherical, counting on what kind of mission I’m making.

Acrylic rulers

Acrylic rulers, normally generally known as quilting rulers, are made out of clear plastic. You can see your supplies by way of the ruler, so it’s easy to line up actual cuts.

Metallic rulers

I really love using the Cricut metallic ruler to make cuts with my craft knife. This ruler, particularly, has a non-slip grip on the underside and a raised guard edge to protect your fingers from decreasing devices.

cricut metal ruler and craft knife on a dark blue cutting matcricut metal ruler and craft knife on a dark blue cutting mat

Chopping Mats

And, actually, you’ll want quite a few decreasing mats to protect your work ground.

Cricut machine decreasing mats

You’ll need just a few machine decreasing mats to utilize collectively along with your Cricut machine. The Cricut mats can be found in 4 completely completely different grip strengths and a few completely completely different sizes.

I wish to suggest starting out with a blue LightGrip mat for paper duties and a inexperienced StandardGrip mat for a lot of completely different provides.

Be taught this put up for further particulars about Cricut decreasing mats and use them.

Self-healing mats

You may also want a separate self-healing decreasing mat to utilize collectively along with your decreasing hand devices. An atypical measurement self-healing mat is eighteen″ by 24″, nonetheless it is also potential to find them in greater sizes.

Any such mat doesn’t go in your machine. Instead, it protects your tabletop whilst you’re decreasing paper with the craft knife or whilst you’re decreasing material with the rotary cutter.

Cricut EasyPress heat press and a EasyPress mini heat press on a gray backgroundCricut EasyPress heat press and a EasyPress mini heat press on a gray background

Larger Cricut Gear

Listed under are just a few of the larger Cricut tools you may take note of together with to your craft room.

EasyPress 2

In case you favor to make duties with iron-on vinyl, take note of shopping for a Cricut EasyPress 3. The EasyPress 3 is a heat press that’s great easy to utilize and provides you professional-looking outcomes. It’s obtainable in three sizes: 12×10, 9×9, and the EasyPress Mini.

Whereas you need to use a household iron for iron-on duties, I favor to utilize the EasyPress. I actually like how quickly the EasyPress heats up, and the best way it holds a relentless and proper temperature.

You’ll moreover must resolve up an EasyPress mat, which may defend your tabletop and give you a company, even ground for pressing.

Observe: For those who want to do Infusible Ink duties, you’ll need to make use of an EasyPress or industrial heat press. Proper right here’s some further particulars about use Infusible Ink.

Mug Press

The Cricut Mug Press is a curved heat press for mugs. It’s the instrument you’ll must make personalized mugs with Infusible Ink.

BrightPad

The Cricut BrightPad is a slim LED lightbox that you need to use to gentle up your duties and make tough duties like weeding and tracing less complicated.

Further Cricut Guides and Tutorials

To check further about craft with Cricut, check out these related articles.

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