Cricut For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Want to try using a Cricut, but feeling intimidated? No worries! This Cheat Sheet provides essential tips on must-have supplies, vinyl decal sizing, and mat usage to help both beginners and experienced crafters equip themselves with the necessary tools and knowledge to confidently tackle any Cricut project.

A checklist of must-have Cricut supplies for beginners

If you’re new to Cricut crafting, you may be wondering, What do I really need to get started? Because so many tools and materials are available, it can be tough to know which ones are essential. To help you out, the following checklist includes only the most important items for popular projects using vinyl, heat transfer vinyl (HTV), paper, and Cricut’s Print Then Cut feature. This checklist covers all the basics, from picking the right Cricut machine to getting the right materials and tools. Whether you want to customize clothes, make unique stickers, or craft beautiful paper designs, the following essentials will help you start creating your Cricut projects right away:

• Cricut machine: Choose a model that fits your needs (Cricut Maker 4, Explore 4, Cricut Joy Xtra, and so on).
• Compatible device
  • Windows: Version 10 or later, dual-core processor, 4GB RAM, 2GB free disk space, USB or Bluetooth, minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768.
  • macOS: Version 11 or later, 1.83 GHz processor, 4GB RAM, 2GB free disk space, USB or Bluetooth, minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768.
  • iOS: Version 16 or later, compatible with newer iPhones and iPads.
  • Android: Version 10.0 or higher, compatible with select devices from Samsung, Google, LG, Motorola, and OnePlus.

 Note: Cricut Design Space is not supported on Chromebooks or Unix/Linux computers.

• Fine-Point Blade: Typically included with all Cricut machines, this blade is used for cutting most thin materials like vinyl, HTV, and cardstock.
• Cutting mats
  • LightGrip Mat: Best for lightweight materials like standard paper and thin vinyl.
  • StandardGrip Mat: Ideal for medium-weight materials like cardstock and vinyl.
  • StrongGrip Mat: Perfect for heavy materials like thick cardstock, fabric with stiffener, and poster board.
  • FabricGrip Mat: Specifically designed for fabric and felt.
• Must-have tools
  • Brayer: For smoothing materials on mats.
  • Pens and markers: For Cricut’s drawing and writing features.
  • Ruler: For precise measurements.
  • Scissors: For cutting materials and trimming edges.
  • Scraper: For cleaning mats and applying vinyl smoothly.
  • Spatula: For carefully lifting delicate cuts from the mat.
  • Tweezers: For placing and adjusting small pieces accurately.
  • Vinyl trimmer: For making straight, precise cuts in vinyl.
  • Weeder: For removing excess material from designs.
• Cleaning supplies
  • Lint-free wipes (coffee filters): For cleaning surfaces without leaving residue or lint.
  • Lint roller: For removing hair and lint from fabrics before applying HTV.
  • Rubbing alcohol: For prepping surfaces before applying vinyl.
• HTV projects
  • Heat press: For transferring materials like HTV or Infusible Ink to fabric blanks. Consider portable options like the Cricut EasyPress, the EasyPress Mini, or an iron. For professional-quality results, opt for a swing-away, clamshell, or automatic heat press.
  • HTV (also called iron-on vinyl): For designing custom apparel, tote bags, and other fabric projects.
  • Teflon sheet or parchment paper: To protect the fabric and HTV during heat application.
• Paper projects
  • Bone folder: For creating sharp folds in paper.
  • Cardstock: For crafting rolled paper flowers, greeting cards, and scrapbooking elements.
  • Craft glue: For various paper crafting needs.
  • Double-sided tape: For layering paper crafts without the mess of glue.
  • Quilling tool: For rolling paper flower petals.
• Print Then Cut projects
  • Inkjet printer: For printing designs on printable materials.
  • Printable vinyl or sticker paper: For creating custom stickers and decals that can be cut with your Cricut machine.
• Vinyl projects
  • Adhesive vinyl: For creating decals for windows, walls, glassware, and more.
  • Transfer tape: For moving adhesive vinyl designs from the backing to the project surface.
• Basic craft room setup
  • Crafting table: A large, sturdy table with plenty of room for your computer, Cricut machine, and all your project materials.
  • Chair: A cozy chair that keeps you comfy during your crafting marathons.
  • Storage solutions: Shelves, bins, and drawers for organizing your tools and materials.

Recommended vinyl decal sizes for Cricut projects

Getting the size of your decal just right is key to making your Cricut projects look polished and professional. Remember the saying measure twice, cut once, and always use a ruler or tape measure to check your blank surface (whether it’s a T-shirt, mug, sign, or any other surface) before cutting your design. For a quick reference guide, here’s a handy table to help you size your Cricut decals perfectly.

Making sure your decal is the right size for your shirt is crucial for creating professional looking T-shirts. A decal that’s too small on a large shirt can look awkward, while one that’s too big can be overwhelming. To help you get the perfect size, the following tables include recommended measurements (in inches) for various shirt sizes. (These sizes are found in the United States; please check measurements for sizes in another country if needed.)

Here are sizes for baby T-shirts.

The following table has size guidance for toddler T-shirts.

The following provides size guidance for youth T-shirts.

The following has size guidelines for adult T-shirts.

Need help with other decal sizes related to clothing? Check out the following table.

Checking out different types of Cricut mats

Cricut machine mats have an adhesive surface that holds your materials in place during cutting and allows for easy removal once the job is done. These mats come in different grip strengths — LightGrip, StandardGrip, StrongGrip, and FabricGrip — to best suit various materials. However, these are general recommendations, and as mats wear over time, they lose their stickiness. For instance, a StandardGrip mat with reduced tackiness will essentially function like a LightGrip mat. On the other hand, new mats can sometimes be extra sticky, making them feel more like the grip strength of the next level up, so you may need to adjust accordingly.

Use a LightGrip Mat for the following materials:

• Construction paper
• Copy paper
• Lightweight cardstock
• Thin scrapbook paper
• Vellum
• Washi sheets
• Wrapping paper

Use a StandardGrip Mat for the following materials:

• Acetate
• HTV, also known as iron-on vinyl
• Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets
• Kraft Board
• Matboard
• Medium-weight cardstock
• Pattern paper
• Textured paper
• Vinyl

Use a StrongGrip Mat for the following materials:

• Aluminum sheets
• Basswood
• Chipboard
• Corrugated cardboard
• Fabric with stiffener
• Glitter cardstock
• Leather or faux leather
• Magnet sheets
• Matboard
• Poster board
• Thick cardstock
• Wood veneer

Use a FabricGrip Mat for the following materials:

• Bonded fabrics
• Crepe paper
• Felt
• Unbacked fabrics

Want even more handy tips? Check out the following:

• Always replace the mat’s clear cover when it’s not in use to protect the adhesive.
• Rotate and flip mats regularly to distribute wear evenly.
• Keep your mats clean by scraping off debris, using a lint roller to pick up small particles, and washing them with warm soapy water for a thorough clean.
• Store mats flat, or hang them on the wall to keep them in good shape.
• When placing your material down on the mat, be sure to match the placement of your design on the Prepare screen (the screen that pops up after you click Make) to the placement on your mat. Design Space automatically places your design in the upper-left corner of the mat, but you can drag it anywhere on the mat preview screen. This makes the design cut exactly where you want it and prevents wasting material.