How to Use a Cricut Machine (Beginner's Quick Start Guide)
Just unboxed your Cricut and staring at it like it might bite? That's completely normal among new Cricut users. It looks like serious equipment, but once you know the steps, the whole process is genuinely straightforward. Most beginners cut their first project within 30 minutes of setting up.
This guide walks you through everything from plugging it in to holding a finished piece in your hands.
What You'll Need
Before you dive in, round up these basics:
- Your Cricut machine (any model: Maker 3, Explore 3, Joy, etc.)
- A computer, tablet, or phone to run Cricut Design Space
- Cutting material — cardstock is the friendliest starting point; vinyl works great too
- A cutting mat — holds your material flat while the machine cuts, comes included with most machines
- Basic tools: a weeder tool for removing small bits of vinyl and a scraper
Every Cricut model runs through Cricut Design Space, a free app you download to your device. You don't need to buy any separate software — it's included.
Step-by-Step: How to Use a Cricut Machine
Project Card: Your First Cricut Project
Quick Troubleshooting
Blade pressure is set too light. In Design Space, select "More Pressure" for your next cut. Also confirm the blade is fully clicked into its clamp — a loose blade is the other common cause.
You're pulling the material off instead of bending the mat away. Hold your material flat and curl the mat backward away from it. This is especially important for thin cardstock and delicate papers.
You forgot to mirror your iron-on vinyl. In Design Space, after clicking Make It, toggle Mirror ON before sending the job to the machine. This is required every time you cut HTV (heat transfer vinyl). See our Cricut iron-on vinyl guide for the full workflow.
Try a different USB port, or if you're on Bluetooth, unpair and re-pair the device. Restarting both the app and the machine clears most connection issues.
Where to Go From Here
Once your first cut is done, here's what most beginners tackle next:
Iron-on vinyl (HTV) on a t-shirt or tote bag. The cutting process is identical to regular vinyl — just remember to mirror your design and use a heat press or iron to apply it. Our iron-on vinyl complete guide covers heat settings, peel types, and the shiny-side rule in full.
Print Then Cut. Print an image from your home printer and have the Cricut cut precisely around it. Great for stickers, gift tags, and labels.
Design Space's free image library. Thousands of designs are ready to cut at no extra cost. A good place to browse while you're building your skills.
A LightGrip mat (blue). Handles delicate papers and lighter materials better than the standard green StandardGrip mat.
Your own custom SVG files. Once you're past the basics, making original designs is where the real fun begins. Read How to Create SVG Files for Cricut for every method ranked from hardest to easiest — or use CutMagic to generate a cut-ready file from a text description in about 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a subscription to use a Cricut machine?
No. Cricut Design Space is free to download and use. Cricut Access is an optional paid subscription that unlocks Cricut's built-in image and font library. You can use the machine entirely without it by uploading your own SVG files and using free designs.
What is the easiest material to start with on a Cricut?
Cardstock. It requires no weeding, no transfer tape, and no mirroring. Load it, cut it, and lift the pieces off the mat. Once you're comfortable, vinyl is the next step — slightly more involved, but very satisfying.
Can I use a Cricut without a computer?
Yes, with some limitations. The Cricut mobile app for iOS and Android lets you design and cut from a phone or tablet. However, custom fonts and some advanced features only work in the desktop version. For most beginner projects, a phone or tablet works fine.
What is the difference between a Cricut cutting mat colors?
The green StandardGrip mat works for most everyday materials like vinyl, cardstock, and iron-on. The blue LightGrip mat is gentler and better for thin papers, vellum, and light cardstock. The purple StrongGrip mat handles thick materials like chipboard, poster board, and heavy fabric. The pink FabricGrip mat is specifically designed for fabric when used with the Maker's Rotary Blade.
How do I know what blade to use?
Design Space selects the appropriate blade settings automatically when you choose your material type. As a beginner, you only need the Fine-Point Blade that comes included with the machine — it handles the vast majority of everyday materials. Specialty blades (Rotary, Knife, Scoring Wheel) are only needed for the Maker and specific material types.