Hannah Shepherd Cricut

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What is a Cricut and What does it do?

A Cricut is an electronic cutting machine that can cut all sorts of designs from materials like paper, vinyl, card stock, and iron-on transfers. Some Cricut machines can even cut leather and wood. A Cricut can be used to cut just about anything you would typically cut with scissors or an X-acto knife. A Cricut can cut with much more precision and speed than would ever be achievable by hand.

My Goal/End Result

My goal is to successfully create a decal using the Cricut. This decal is either going to be made with paper or vinyl. These decals can be used as decoration in various ways!

Common things you can do with the Cricut

There are many creative things you can create using a Cricut. You can make vinyl decals, paper decals, iron-on logos/designs for shirts, cards, jewelry, wood decals for decorative signs, etc.

Directions

Step 1: Turn on the Cricut machine and open the Cricut Software on your computer.

Step 2: Decide what you would like to make. If it is an image decal, click on the image button on the left hand side and upload it into the software. If you want to create text like I did, click on the text button on the left side and upload your text into the software.

Step 3: Cut your vinyl to your desired size and stick it colored side up on the Cricut adhesive mat.

Step 4: Insert the Cricut mat into the notches on the left and right sides of the Cricut Machine. Press the flashing arrow button to load your mat and vinyl into the machine to be cut.

Step 4: Make sure your vinyl and mat are under the rollers and lined up correctly. Push next on the Cricut software on your computer and the go button will start flashing. Press the Go button and the Cricut machine will start cutting out your design!

Step 5: The Cricut machine will unload the mat. Press finished on your computer and peel off the vinyl from the mat.

Step 6: Now you are going to weed your design. Take the Cricut weeding tool (pink) and peel off the background of the sticker, leaving only your design.

Step 7: Cut out the transfer paper, peel off the clear part and stick it onto your design. Use the smoother tool to smooth it out to ensure there are no air bubbles.

Step 8: Decide what you would like to stick your decal on. Flip your design over and peel off the white part (vinyl paper). Stick the transfer paper and decal onto the desired surface, press it down, and peel off the transfer paper (clear).

Step 9: Enjoy your fun new decal!

How it went

The process of making my sticker was overall very simple. I did not struggle as much as I thought it would. I did forget to check the setting of the blade and it did not end up cutting all the way through the first time. This process did have a lot of steps, so once you double check and make sure you have all of the steps right it is not complicated and you are able to make anything you desire!

Tips & Tricks

When taking your vinyl off of the sticky mat, I would suggest peeling the mat off of your project rather than peeling the project off the mat. to make sure your vinyl doesn't coil up. This makes the vinyl much easier to work with and cut. I also suggest making sure that your mat is sticky to ensure the vinyl doesn't slide while cutting. If your mad is starting to lose its adhesive, clean it with a baby wipe. Lastly, pay attention to your blade and replace them if they are dull. A sharp blade is very important in order to make a clean and precise cut.

Resources for help!

Who is this for?

Any student would enjoy creating products with the Cricut. There are many helpful tutorials online, so you do not need to know much about design or the Cricut to make a product. Cricut can be enjoyed by all because the possibilities are endless! This helps with other projects because of how many different things you can make. You can make anything from cards to stickers and even graphic t-shirts! Creating with the Cricut is easy, fun and allows you to be creative.

The Process!

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