How to Setup Cricut Machine for Beginners in Easy Steps

Crafting has always been my favorite hobby, so I bought a Cricut machine to create more fascinating projects. As it was delivered to my door, I just got super excited. I unboxed it, pulled out the machine, and placed it on my desk. The box also contained wires, a mat, and a tiny blade.

I was so excited when my new Cricut machine arrived, but my excitement quickly faded when I struggled to set it up. I read the user manual to setup the machine and followed every instruction. But nothing worked even after putting in so much effort, from turning on the machine to connecting cables and downloading Design Space. After some extra effort and thorough research, I successfully set it up. I’ll share with you what worked for me.

If you are a beginner who wants to learn how to setup Cricut machine, follow the steps in this write-up.

Key Considerations Before Setting Up a Cricut Machine

Proper setup is essential to ensure your Cricut machine works efficiently for crafting. But there are certain things you must keep in mind to ensure a smooth process. Let me show you what you need to consider before delving into how to setup a Cricut machine:

Ensure Device Compatibility

You must check that the device you use, whether a computer or smartphone, is compatible with the Design Space software.

Ample Space

It is important to have enough space for the machine to work. Leave space at the front and back of the desk for the mat to move freely during cutting.

Power Requirements

Ensure the power adapter matches the voltage requirements specified for your crafting machine.

Internet Connection

Check your internet connection to see if you are connected properly to a network. You must have a stable internet connection to download and install Design Space.

Materials and Tools

Bring all the essential materials and tools, such as a weeding tool, scraper, mat, and standard scissors. When you have everything, you can enjoy your crafting more.

Setting up a Cricut Machine on MacBook via Bluetooth

The journey from unboxing to your first cut involves a detailed step-by-step setup process. Here is what I’ve learned and have become an expert in “how to setup Cricut machine.”

Step 1: Open a browser on your computer and visit the official Cricut website - design.cricut.com.
Step 2: In the search bar, select the model of your machine.

Step 3: Check the box next to “I agree to Cricut Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.”

Step 4: Click Download and then wait for the download process to complete.

Step 5: Open the downloaded file, then drag and drop the Design Space icon into the Applications folder.

Step 6: Double-click on the Design Space file and click Open.

Step 7: In the Design Space screen, click Product Setup and select Smart Cutting Machine.

Step 8: Next, choose your machine model.

Step 9: Now, fill in the information to create a Cricut ID and click Create a Cricut ID.

Step 10: If you already have a Cricut account, click Sign In.

Step 11: Once you’ve created an account or signed in, when you get to the Prepare Workspace screen, follow the instructions and click the next arrow.

Step 12: In the Find an outlet screen, plug the power cable into the machine and the wall outlet.

Step 13: In the Connect to Computer screen, connect the machine to your operating system using a USB cable.

Step 14: Click the drop-down menu and select your machine model, then click Continue.

Step 15: It’ll start loading the updates.

Step 16: Click Update to update your machine to the latest and greatest features, then click Next.

Step 17: When you get the Success screen, click Next.

Step 18: Now, go ahead and perform the test cut following the on-screen instructions.

Setting Up a Cricut Machine on Windows via Bluetooth

You may want to learn the method to connect your machine to your Windows PC via Bluetooth. As a tech expert, I suggest that you follow these steps:

Step 1: Check that your machine is powered on.

Step 2: Click on the Start menu icon and go to Settings.

Step 3: Next, click on Devices and turn on Bluetooth, and you’ll get a list of available devices.

Step 4: If your device does not show up in the list, click on Add Bluetooth or other device.

Step 5: Next, select Bluetooth, and your machine will appear on the list.

Step 6: Click on your device, enter the PIN, and click on Connect.

Step 7: When you get the screen saying Your Device Is Ready To Go! Click Done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Cricut Design Space Allow Uploading Custom Images?

Yes, the Cricut Design Space software supports multiple file types, including SVG, JPG, GIF, PNG, DXF, and BMP, which can be used as basic or vector images.

Q: How to Upload an Image in Cricut Design Space?

If you need to upload an image in Design Space, just click the "Upload Images" tab and choose the file you want to upload. Next, click "Open" or drag and drop the file into the Design Space image upload window. You can see your uploaded image on the canvas when you are done.

Q: What Materials Can I Cut With My Cricut Machine?

Whether it is Cricut Maker, Explore, or Joy, you can cut a variety of materials. Some of the most commonly used cut materials are paper, cardstock, vinyl, and iron-on. Faux leather and wood veneer are some specialty materials that a crafting machine can cut, but they are all based on the model type.

Q: What Are Some of the Features of Cricut Design Space?

Once you finish the setup process, you may want to start crafting in Design Space. In Design Space, you can explore a lot of stuff. These include a vast library of various fonts and images, ready-to-make projects, and customization tools. A canvas is the main workspace in which you can create your designs. The Layers panel in Design Space helps customize any image, giving access to features like Weld, Slice, Attach, and Contour.

visit: cricut.com/setup