How to Use Cricut Mat: A Complete Guide for Perfect Cuts
Do you sometimes wonder how to use Cricut mat? What is a Cricut mat, and do you need it for all of your DIY projects? If you’ve had these questions before starting a craft—don’t worry. You can find the answers to all these questions here by reading this post till the end.
I have been using Cricut for more than five years now, and I have all the info about which Cricut machines and projects require a mat and which mat is suitable for each project. There are also materials that do not need a cutting mat and can be cut on the machine without one. Here, you will learn about all these things. So, let’s begin with the blog!
How Necessary Is a Cricut Mat?
It is important to know how necessary a mat is before learning how to use Cricut mat. A cutting mat is a crucial tool for Cricut machines, whether for cutting or design transfer. Cricut mats are especially important for older machines that don’t handle cut-on materials as smoothly.
A mat ensures smooth and precise cutting, and with the help of the Cricut machine, you get the best results. However, you don’t need a mat for all kinds of materials. For example, if you are using smart materials like infusible ink, you can cut them on your machine without a mat. These materials are best cut on newer machines like Cricut Maker 3, Explore 3, and Joy Xtra.
Different Types of Cricut Mat
When learning how to use Cricut mat, you must know that Cricut offers a variety of mats that you can use according to the requirements of your materials. You should be very sure about the mat you choose for your material. If you choose a thick mat, it will give you trouble in weeding the design. If you choose a thin mat, it will not hold the material properly and won’t give you a good cut. So you should choose the mat very carefully. Here are all those materials and their uses:
1. StandardGrip Mat
This is a basic mat and the most used for any Cricut project. You can use it for almost all kinds of iron-on vinyl materials. With a StandardGrip mat, you can use materials like cardstock, embossed cardstock, and patterned paper. It comes in four different types of sizes.
2. LightGrip Mat
Version 1.0.0
This is a blue-colored cutting mat, which means it has the least adhesive on it and is much less sticky. A LightGrip mat is used for light materials such as tissue paper, printer paper, thin cardstock, washi tape, wrapping paper, and vellum.
3. StrongGrip Mat
Version 1.0.0
For stronger materials, you should use a StrongGrip mat. You can also use it for fabric projects if you do not have a fabric mat. This cutting mat is good with heavy materials like thick cardstock, poster board, chipboard, magnet material, and basswood.
4. FabricGrip Mat
As the name suggests, it is specially designed for fabric materials. It has 2 different sizes: 12 x 12” and 12 x 24”. A FabricGrip mat is used with materials such as fabric, bonded fabric, felt, and crepe paper.
How to Use Cricut Mat: Quick and Easy Steps
To use your Cricut cutting mats, you should follow these steps:
To get started, you have to select the right mat for your material.
Make sure you choose the right type, such as StandardGrip, LightGrip, StrongGrip, or FabricGrip.
After that, place your material on the sticky part of the mat.
Now, put it carefully and press it smoothly to ensure it adheres well.
If the material is not sticking properly, you can use a brayer tool to press it down evenly.
In case you don’t have a brayer tool, you can use your hands.
Gently press and slide your hand across the material to ensure it aligns well and sticks firmly to the mat.
Loading a Mat
Loading and unloading your Cricut mat takes steps to ensure that your materials remain intact:
After placing your material on the cutting mat, you should load it under the two guide tabs of the Cricut machine. Next, hold the mat and then press the Load button on the machine. As you press it, you will see the roller bar begin to move, loading the mat into your machine.
Unloading a Mat
Once the cutting is done, unload the material from the cutting mat. After that, take care not to tear or curl the material during this process. For materials like paper and vinyl, roll the mat over gently and weed from the back of the material. Also, avoid applying too much pressure to the mat to prevent damaging the design and the mat itself.
Conclusion
In the blog, you learned how to use Cricut mat and other important things. Now you know the significance of a mat and when it is essential for certain DIY projects. Some Cricut machines and materials don’t require a mat. Besides cutting materials, mats are also used to transfer designs onto fabrics or surfaces. Heat transfer mats are needed to use heat press machines.
FAQs
Why Do I Need a Cricut Mat?
A Cricut mat performs many essential functions with your Cricut machine. It provides a stable surface for placing materials before inserting them into the machine, ensuring precise and smooth cuts. By holding materials in place, the mat prevents shifting during cutting, which is crucial for achieving designs accurately. Also, the mat makes it easy to transfer materials onto various surfaces, improving versatility in project applications.
Can I Use Cricut Without a Mat?
In many cases, yes! A Cricut mat is necessary to hold materials with older Cricut machines lacking smooth surfaces or advanced features. Trying to cut materials without a mat can damage your design and compromise the quality of the final product. However, smart materials made for use with newer Cricut machines may not require a mat that offers flexibility depending on the material and machine’s abilities.
How Can I Use a Cricut Mat?
Using a Cricut mat is simple: start by selecting a design in the Cricut Design Space app. Next, place your chosen material on the mat, ensuring it stickers properly. After that, insert the loaded mat into the machine, following the machine’s steps. Start the cutting process using the Cricut software, and once the cutting is done, unload the mat from your machine. Lastly, remove your material from the cutting mat, taking care to maintain your cut designs.
Visit: cricut.com/setup