Tips for Operating the Cricut Cutter
“You just put your paper on the sticky cutting mat, hit a button to load, type in your word or shapes, and hit cut. You pull it out and peel off your beautifully cut items” said an avid Cricut user.
Review the Cricut Cutter Manual
Let’s face it, not everyone has it operating perfectly right out of the box! Don’t despair. Before you start punching buttons and getting all frustrated, you need to take 30-60 minutes to review your manual. You’ll save time later on and it will be a lot more fun. Follow guidelines in the Quickstart Manual for proper set-up.
The Cricut Cutter Is Simple to Use With These Helpful User Tips
Avoid Wasting Paper
• Avoid wasting expensive paper trying to figure out what orientation and size your cut out will be. Test it by setting the blade depth to 1 and the pressure dial to 1. This is called an “air cut” since the blade will not cut anything on those settings. Load your mat and paper as you normally would, press CUT, remember you won’t actually be cutting it, just watching the outline of the blade as it moves through the air. Make any adjustments as necessary before you set the blade for an actual cut.
• Use the “Paper Saver” function if you want to optimize space.
Blade Settings
• Getting the cutting depth correct takes practice. Most consumers cut Bazzil cardstock easily by setting the blade depth to 6 and the pressure to the maximum settings.
• For 65lb cardstock (medium thickness) the preferred pressure setting is 4
• Review page 16 in the manual for recommended speed and pressure settings.
Cutting Blades
• Blades will need to be replaced often but they are inexpensive and easy to change. If you cut a lot of thick paper, expect this to be the case.
• Keep extra blades handy.
• Paper pieces in the blade holder may affect results.
Cutting Mat Tips for Prolonged Use
• Press paper down firmly. If paper doesn't cut properly, change mats.
• Rotate the mat each time you cut for extended use.
• If paper is ripping the cutting mat needs changing.
Ideas for Crafting with the Cricut Expression
Whether you are an avid scrap booker, an activities enthusiast or a teacher, you'll love the new Provo Craft Cricut Expression Cutting Machine. Cutting heavy cardstock to vellum is now easier and quicker. You can cut pieces as small as .25" and as large as 12"x24". You also have the option of choosing from virtually thousands of designs. Here are just a few of the many simple yet beautiful projects that can be completed using the Cricut Expression.
Scrapbook Layouts
You've just returned from a family ski trip and you have the arm cast and pictures to show how unforgettable an experience you all shared. Or, your grandmother just came to visit and you were able to capture a keepsake picture of four generations within your family tree. Now, it's time to create that beautiful scrapbook page to forever commemorate the occasion. The possibilities are endless. So, if scrap booking is your forte, adding the Cricut Expression to your hobbying tools is a must.
Gift Bags
Creating gift bags with the Cricut Expression is simple and easy whether it is a baby shower or a birthday, or simply a gift to say thank you. And, with the new Cricut, you can now cut up to size 12"x24", so even the biggest gift bags can be uniquely decorated. You're only bound by your imagination.
Gift Card Holders
During the holidays with lots of family and friends to buy gifts for, it can become quiet a challenge. Gift cards are quickly becoming the gift of choice. And now, with the Cricut Expression, you can create your own gift card holders. Each holder can be specifically designed to match the personality or likes of the receiver. This quick project, which only takes about 30 minutes, is a beautiful way to add your own signature to a gift.
In the Classroom
The Cricut Expression also has a Classmate line of educational cartridges which can potentially save your school money over time. Designed for early childhood teachers, instead of educators purchasing materials over and over, this line of cartridges can not only let them create their own basic lettering and shapes for bulletin boards and room decorations, but can also be used in several subjects such as social studies and language. For instance, the Word Builders cartridge helps with phonics, spelling and language skills. The 50 States cartridge, which creates cut outs of the states, can be used to create games in which the students are having fun, as well as learning their geography and social studies.
A Look at New Cricut Cartridges
The Cricut Cartridges allow crafters who currently use the Cricut Original or Expression Machine to cut letters and shapes from 1" to 5.5" high as well as phrases, titles and borders up to 11.5" long. When you’re a scrapbooker, much of the fun comes from selecting and purchasing the brand new Cricut Cartridges.
New Cricut Cartridges: Original
The Cricut Cartridges that most crafters are familiar with have 100 designs and 6 creative features. New releases through September 2008 on the original cartridges include:
• Sesame Street Friends
• Sesame Street Fonts
• Pooh and Friends
• Pooh Font set
• Disney: Cars
• Disney: Fairies
• Graphically Speaking
• Hello Kitty Greeting
• Hello Kitty Font
• Storybook
• Wildcard
New Cricut Cartridges: Cricut Solutions
Provo Craft, the creator of the Cricut, has recently started distributing a second type of cartridge. These new cartridges are called Cricut Solutions. They are cheaper than the original or “classic” cartridges, about $49. Here are some of the features:
• New style and packaging, they do not come in a box.
• 50 designs and 2 creative features (mostly Shadow and Blackout/shadow blackout)
• Shape cartridges:
Baseball
Soccer
Wedding
Camp out
Home Accents
Indie Art
Christmas (new)
Basketball (new)
Blackletter (new)
• Font cartridges
Stone Script
Street Sign
Sans serif (new)
Creative Projects and Uses for the New Cricut Cartridges
Many of the new titles are pretty self explanatory as far as to what type of project would be appropriate. For example, Disney characters or the Pooh and Friends shapes and fonts cartridges are great for children’s birthday invitations or decorating nurseries, playrooms and classrooms. Some new cartridge names don’t communicate the theme as clearly, so here are a few ideas for creative projects for those.
• The Blackletter shape cartridge has a traditional Old English–style font and would be great for creating graceful monograms or adding a bit of sophistication to scrapbook pages or home decor.
• Graphically Speaking has lots of titles and phrases and would be a great addition for designing posters with titles or phrases for home décor. These are terrific for layering.
• Sans serif will come in handy when you need a basic font collection for creating posters, signs and fun projects using phrases like “Life is Good”, “Think Big, and “Handle with Care”.
• Storybook comes with lovely borders and frames for all of your magical fairytale projects. It’s loaded with romantic style fonts as well as birds, butterflies and crowns.
• Wildcard is especially nice for the cardmaker. This cartridge includes shaped cards and envelopes for mixing and matching.
So look for the New Cricut Cartridges and bring your imagination to life. The possibilities are endless.
Cricut Cartridges
Cricut cartridges are available in different themes to suit any type of project.
Cricut Jukebox
Utilize more than one cartridge at once with the Jukebox.
Cricut Design Studio
Work with your cartridges on your computer and design unique layouts.
A General Guide to the Cricut Family of Products
Learn about the various Cricut products and which ones are right for you. Learn more »
Cricut Expression
The Expression works just like the original Cricut. Both models use the same cartridge and blade system. The Expression is larger, which allows to you to cut bigger pieces for your projects. It also offers other advanced cutting options, along with an LCD screen that lets you preview your next cut. Learn more »
Cricut Machine
The Cricut personal electronic cutter is the original Cricut cutting machine. With the Cricut, you can cut different fonts and designs at the touch of a button for use in your scrapbooking projects. Learn more »
