Must-have Cricut supplies for beginners

Want to know what Cricut supplies are essential for beginners? This post will tell you exactly what Cricut tools are essentials and which Cricut machine to buy by type of project!

This question must be the one I hear most often: Which Cricut machine should I buy and what other products are essential for Cricut projects for beginners?

And the first thing I always say is: What kind of project are you interested in?

It’s the most important thing to know when you want to make the leap into the Cricut world. As a matter of fact, someone whose passion is scrapbooking will not need the same products as someone who sews.

So, instead of just explaining the difference between each Cricut product, I decided to tell you what are the essential tools and materials according to the type of project you want to make.

This list can also be a great gift guide if you know someone who owns a Cricut!

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Cricut Machines

To avoid repetition, I will describe here the differences between the 3 main families of Cricut machines: The Cricut Joy, The Cricut Explore, The Cricut Maker.

Further down, in the types of projects, I’ll just name what machine I think is better.

You can also see the comparison table for a quick visualization of the characteristics of each machine.

Update 2021: I also added the new Maker 3 and Explore 3 in the table below to really see the difference. But if you want to know more, you can check out the following post.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience and at no extra cost to you. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

The Cricut Explore Air 2 / Explore 3

The Explore Air 2 is in my opinion the basic Cricut machine. It’s perfect for everyday DIY. By adding the deep point blade to your purchase, you can increase the number of materials you can cut and get up to 2mm thick.

For more information on the different blades, you can see my post on the different Cricut blades, wheels and tips.

The Explore 3 is the newest and basically, will also allow to cut “Smart Materials” without a mat and at a higher speed. See this post or the table below to see all the details.

The Cricut Maker

The Maker is perfect for the crafter who always wants to try new things. It is 10 times more powerful than the Explore and offers a wide variety of blades and tips.

To see clearly the difference between all the blades, wheels and tips available, you can see this post.

The Maker 3 is the newest and basically, will also allow to cut “Smart Materials” without a mat and at a higher speed. See this post or the table below to see all the details.

The Cricut Joy

I end with the Cricut Joy since it is the least versatile of the Cricut machines.

It can cut repetitive shapes up to 20 feet (unique shapes up to 4 feet) (but you need to get Cricut’s “Smart” materials, just like the Explore 3 and Maker 3).

Also, it has a special mat to make cards quickly (but you must also get the mat that is sold separately and use the card templates available on Cricut Access that require a monthly subscription).

In addition, Cricut now has a new 2 x 2 card mat available for the Explore and Maker series. So the making of pre-folded cards is no longer exclusive to the Cricut Joy.

Also, it is important to note that it does not support the “Print and Cut” feature.

As you can see, there’s a lot of “but.” Personally, I would go with the Explore unless I want to craft very occasionally and in a limited way or unless I want a Cricut that is easily transportable and takes up very little space.

My first Cricut also had, like the Joy, a 6-inch wide mat and I found myself very limited by this feature.

I also want to point out that the Joy’s blades and pens are exclusive to it. In other words, do not think about using the Cricut Pens of the Explore or the Maker with the Joy, they are not interchangeable.

Cricut Design Space

To run your Cricut, you need to use Cricut Design Space. And it is free. But, if you subscribe to Cricut Access, you will have free access to projects, images and fonts.

But I repeat, it is not mandatory to be subscribed to Cricut Access in Cricut Design Space to operate your Cricut.

Comparison table

Features	Cricut Joy	Explore Air 2	Explore 3	Maker	Maker 3
Ideal for	Quick, everyday projects	Pro DIY performance and great versatility	Pro DIY performance and great versatility	Professional-level performance and versatility	Professional-level performance and versatility
Maximum material width	13.9 cm (5.5 inches)	30.5 cm (12 inches)	33 cm (13 in.)	30.5 cm (12 inches)	33 cm (13 in.)
Maximum cutting length	1.2 m (4 feet)	61 cm (2 feet)	3.6 m (12 feet)	61 cm (2 feet)	3.6 m (12 feet)
Material compatibility	50+ 300+ Materials	100+ 300+ Materials	100+ 300+ Materials	300+ 300+ Materials	300+ 300+ Materials
Maximum material thickness	Limited to what the Joy’s fine-point blade can cut	2.0 mm (Limited to what fine and deep point blades can cut)	2.0 mm (Limited to what fine and deep point blades can cut)	2.4 mm (Limited by the metal bar under which the carpet fits)	2.4 mm (Limited by the metal bar under which the carpet fits)
Tools/ Capabilities	2 (for cutting & writting)	4 (for cutting, writing, scoring)	4 (for cutting, writing, scoring)	12+ (for cutting, writing, scoring & other pro-level effects)	12+ (for cutting, writing, scoring & other pro-level effects)
Double tool holder		X	X	X	X
Commercial-grade cutting technology				X	X
10X more power to cut hundreds of materials				X	X
Works with “Smart” materials for long, continuous cuts without cutting mat.	X		X		X
Works with card mats for quick custom cards	X	With the card mat 2 x 2	With the card mat 2 x 2	With the card mat 2 x 2	With the card mat 2 x 2
Print Then Cut capability		X	X	X	X
Connectivity	Bluetooth® only	Bluetooth®, USB	Bluetooth®, USB	Bluetooth®, USB	Bluetooth®, USB

Paper / Cards

To learn more about the 2 x 2 card mat, check out this post.

Scrapbooking

Foil transfer can be performed on multiple materials and Cricut now has its own tools. And what’s great is that it fits on the Maker, Maker 3, Explore Air 2 and Explore 3.

The Cricut Joy also has its own foil tip. But, once again, this tip is particular to the Joy and can not be used with other Cricut.

Are you passionate about adding vinyl to fabrics like sweaters or bags? I admit that it’s more addictive than I might have thought!!! You can see the t-shit I made as well as the trick to layering several colours of vinyl here.

Note on the EasyPress:

When I bought my EasyPress, I wanted to make sweaters to go to Disney and I really didn’t think I would like to make more. I just bought the Easy Press 9″ x 9″ and told myself that I would never do anything wider than that. Well, that was a mistake!

Since the Cricut can cut up to 11.5 inches, it wasn’t long before my 9″ Easy Press was not sufficient. Well, with vinyl, you can still press twice, but my advice to you is not to hesitate and take the 12″ x 10″. It’s not true that you’re only going to make baby bodysuits ?.

Unlike vinyl, the Infusible Ink is very hard to work with. You will need blanks with a very high percentage of polyester or those sold by Cricut. Also, as it is absolutely necessary that the Easy Press does not move a hair during the application and that we can absolutely not make a second press, the Easy Press 12″ x 10 “and the heat resistant tape become essentials.

You can read my full post on Infusible Ink.

Check out my article on making Halloween mugs with the Cricut Mug Press.

Felt is special because it all depends on what kind of felt you use. The one sold by Cricut is very thin and is easily cut with the fine point blade (basic blade). The same goes for wool felt, which is more expensive.

If you use the craft felt (acrylic), found in Dollar stores or Michaels, for example, you will need the rotary blade of the Maker. This one will be able to cut all types of felt perfectly. That’s why I’m going to consider it essential.

Check out the post on making felt crocuses to have the details about the different felts and all the tricks to cut them.

Engraving

Oh! When you start having fun with it, it quickly becomes addictive. You can see the LED lamp I made as well as my post on metal engraving.

Here is also a test I did with a picture of my dog ?.

You are really interested in engraving but don’t know where to start?

I have a course just for you. By following these videos, you will realize 3 engraving projects: plastic, wood and metal!

Check out this page for all the details!

Sewing

Sewing is not one of my qualifications! But I’ve made a nice collage by cutting small triangles of fabrics with my Maker. It’s a gift I made for a friend. You can see the tutorial here.

I really wouldn’t have wanted to cut all of these by hand!! Whoa!!!

If your passion is fabric and sewing, it takes the Maker (or Maker 3)! Yes, there is a fabric blade for the Explore Air 2, but you will need bounded fabric (i.e., that is glued to a rigid material). It can do the trick, but it’s not ideal. That’s why I recommend the Maker that comes with the rotary blade.

• Cricut Maker (or Maker 3)
• Rotary blade (included with the base Maker, but not with the Maker 3)
• Pink carpet (included with the Maker, but not with the Maker 3)
• Spatula and scraper
• Brayer
• Fabric

I want to make everything!

Haha! Then you’re like me! Obviously, it will take you the Maker or the Maker 3! But no need to buy it all at once! Unless you can get the“Everything material bundle” that will save you a lot of money when you’re starting.

Then refer to the types of projects above to add the essential tools depending on what you want to do.

An essential for all types of projects

No matter what type of project you want to do, you’re going to have to learn how to use Cricut Design Space.

Indeed, it is only this free program that can send the projects to your Cricut.

Many people think they have to watch tons of videos before they can finally understand Cricut Design Space and use their Cricut. But this is not the case, because I have the solution for you!

If you have any other suggestions for project types or questions, please leave them in the comments below.

Don’t forget to pin it!