The Cricut Explore Air is a die-cutting machine (cutting machine). You can use it as a printer; you create a design or image on a computer and, after that, send it to the machine. Instead of printing design, the Cricut machine cuts out whatever materials you want. Cricut Explore Air 2 can cut paper, sticker paper, kraft foam, vinyl, fabric, faux leather, and more.
It can also do that when you want to use the Cricut as a printer. The machine has an accessory slot, and you can fill up a marker there and then have the Cricut “draw” design for you. If your handwriting is not that great, this is perfect for getting a beautiful handwritten look.
First, install Cricut Explore Air 2; its series allows you to access a vast digital library of “cartridges” instead of physical ones. It means you can use Cricut Design Space to take any shape or text from the library and send it to Cricut to cut. You can also upload your designs if you want.
After install Cricut Explore Air 2 can cut material up to 12″ and has a small cutting blade built inside the machine. When you are ready to cut something, you fill up the material onto a sticky mat and fill up the mat into the machine. The mat holds the material in place while the Cricut blade passes through it and cuts it. When it’s finished, you take the mat off the machine, remove your project from the sticky mat, and you are ready to go.
Everything you need to do is install Cricut Explore Air, Design Space, something to cut, and your creativity. With Cricut Machine, the possibilities are endless. Knowing some best tips when using a new crafting tool is always good. It’s good that many of these tips can be implemented with other electronic die-cutting machines such as the Silhouette Cameo and Portrait. Today I will share the best ten tips so, first, you’ve to install Cricut Explore Air 2 Machine.
1. Always keep your mats clean
For Mats, install Cricut Explore Air 2 Machine that is not cheap. In Australia, two packs of mats can cost up to $22aud, so it’s essential to make sure you get the most of each. Keeping your mat free of debris will keep it sticky for longer, and therefore your material will stick to it more easily.
Another reason to keep your mats clear of debris is to make sure your projects are cut neatly. If there is debris on your mat, the blade could hit your project as you cut it, and the blade could chip or rip your project.
2. Do not use Google Chrome
So, I use Google Chrome on my computer all the time, but for what reason, Cricut Design Space and Google Chrome don’t like each other. I have a problem calibrating my machine; the program freezes, and even the machine doesn’t cut correctly, even the screen and all my settings on the machine are perfectly correct. After reaching Cricut HQ, I was told there were problems with Chrome, so now I use Firefox exclusively for the Cricut Design Space.
3. Use Multiple Blades
Have different types of blades for different materials. I have a separate blade for my card stock, vinyl, and sticker paper. This is because other materials will wear your blade differently. For example, vinyl is an accessible material to cut. I’m still on the same blade that came with the machine as I’ve only cut vinyl with it.
On the other hand, Card stock may not forgive your blade. Every week, I use a new blade to cut many card stocks. Then you’ve things such as sticker paper. I’ve found that adhesive likes to stick to the blade, so mix it with the paper; the stuff on the blade sticks easily. You can expand the life of a blade by using a separate blade for each material type. The small outlay for the first several blades is well worth it in the long run.
4. Do not use a laser printer
I’ve learned Cricut Explore Air 2 doesn’t like laser printers. The light used in the machine to pick up the registration marks can heat the toner, so the machine cannot read it. I’ve tried 10 times to calibrate Cricut Explore Air 2 before realizing it wasn’t picking up registration marks because it wasn’t toner ink.
5. Test your material before cutting
Whether turning the dial or selecting the Custom Cut settings, always test your material with a small cut. Doing this material can save you money, time, and frustration when cutting with new material for the first time. It’s also amazing to cut two brands of textured card stock that are the same GSM. I’ve a book that I write about what brand of card etc.
6. Attach your files
Okay, this sounds strange if you are a newbie, but attached is the Cricut Design Space software function. When you create your project in software and go to Cut, Cricut Design Spaces automatically places each part of your design on your media in the most economical way to cut. It’s a great function, but if you’re building a project and you need to cut files where they are in the design space layout, the attach function is your friend.
By selecting all of your cut files and then selecting attachments, when you go to cut, the files stay in the same order you had in the Design Space, instead of making a more economical cut.
7. Take advantage of free designs at Cricut Access
There are weekly free designs in the Cricut Access section. Please take advantage and save by creating your files with them. Then you’ll have it for future use. Some of the free files are pretty good and well worth a look. So, you should install Cricut Explore Air 2 and try its free designs.
8. Peel mat away from your project, not off the mat from the project
There is nothing worse than spending your time on a project, purchasing expensive card stock, cutting it up, and only then pulling it off your cutting mat, and it all curls up and becomes unusable. By pulling away from the mat from your project, instead of pulling the project off your mat, you can avoid curling your project. It can also help if your mat is too sticky and your project is stuck so, why you are waiting to install Cricut Explore Air 2 right now.
9. Use your fonts and glyphs
Cricut Design Space Online comes with a variety of installed fonts. But if you buy fonts from places like Fontbundles.net and install them on your PC/Mac, then you can access them automatically through Cricut Design Space software. Also, you can access glyphs with some fonts in the software. It’s as easy to use Character Maps on PC and Font Book on Mac. Also, it can open up more possibilities for your projects. If you need to know more tips, then Install Cricut Explore Air 2 Machine. When you install Cricut Explore, you’ll see so much inspiration, advice, and projects. So, what you are waiting for go and install Cricut Explore Machine.
Visit: cricut.com/setup
