Cricut Machine

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What is a Cricut Machine and What Does it Do?

A Cricut machine is an electronic cutting machine that can cut intricate shapes and letters out of vinyl, wood, paper, leather, etc. Once a design is created the desired medium (paper, vinyl, wood, etc.) is stuck to the sticky mat and place into the machine. Then the Cricut uses a precise blade to cut out designs created on the Cricut program and transferred to the machine.

What is my Goal?

My goal is to make some vinyl decals with the Cricut machine. These decals could be placed on my car, a waterbottle, laptop, or be used as labels for things.

Common Things You Can Do with the Cricut Machine?

Some common things you can make with the Cricut machine are iron-on designs for t-shirts, labels, leather earrings, stencils, and even cards.

Directions

Step 1: Open the cricut machine and insure that it is plugged in and go ahead and turn on the cricut maker with the power button.

Step 2: Open the connected laptop (connected via the USB drive) and open the cricut application.

Step 3: Start a new design on the application and design!

Step 4: Make sure to select "Cricut Maker" at the top right corner of your screen.

Step 5: Once you have finished your design (being sure to use the grid lines to adjust the sizing) click continue. Then select that you are printing on a mat (12x12).

Step 6: Place your vinyl straight from the package (do not remove the backing yet) onto the sticky mat. If you are using another material just stick the material onto the mat.

Step 7: Insert the mat into the cricut maker by tapping the arrow button.

Step 8: Follow the instructions on the computer (this may include changing the blade - the cricut software will walk you through how to do this).

Step 9: When the instructions on the computer say to do so hit the flashing cricut circle button. Now the cricut should be make noises and moving (this is a good thing). Watch the computer screen to see how much time is left in your project.

Step 10: Remove your project from the sticky mat and then use one of the sharp tools of your choosing to "weed" the material- basically taking out the parts that are scraps.

If you are making a sticker:

Step 11: Cut a section of transfer tap that is slightly bigger than your design. Then place sticky side down on top of your design (and the white backing). Use the scraping tool to get some of the air bubbles out.

Step 12: Remove the white backing of your sticker when you are ready to stick. Then press your sticker down and remove the transfer tape leaving your vinyl sticker behind.

How it went

The overall process using the Cricut machine was very simple. Once you figure out the basic (aka follow the directions to your left) the cricuting process becomes super easy. The Cricut program on the computer walks you through a lot of the steps and is very helpful. I stumbled a little trying to create my design, I did not realize that you needed to change the type of Cricut machine before you make your design, but once I figured that out it went very smoothly.

Tips & Tricks

Make sure you know what type of Cricut machine you are using (If you are doing this in the media center it is a Cricut Maker).
Make sure to get familiar with some of the tools before starting your project.
Be sure to use the right material for your project and select the same material before you are about to print - this will ensure that the Cricut will cut through all the way.

Resources for help!

Who is this for?

What student would enjoy this?

This project is for all students. With the Cricut machine there are so many possible projects you can create with the Cricut. The nice part about the Cricut Maker is that there are designs created by other people that you can get (some for money but some are FREE), so you do not need to know much about design.

what project(s) could this help with? The Cricut Maker could help with a number of projects because of the wide range of materials that you can use with it. The Cricut could be used to make labels for things, t-shirts, stickers, or even signs. You could also make decorations with this machine.

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