Cricut is a computer-controlled machine used for cutting vinyl, felt, fabric, and other materials. Cricut is used to create some awesome projects. There are over 3000 ready to make projects in the Cricut Design Space. With Cricut design space, you can make your own designs or upload your own fonts. Here is all about how to use Cricut Explore Air 2 and how this machine works.
You do most of the work on your computer using design space.
What do you need to get started with the Cricut Machine?
Before doing the job, you need an internet connection to help you get your machine connected. With wireless connections, you get your designs from your computer to your machine. Are you thinking about what things can you cut with the Cricut machine? With Cricut, you can cut card stock, paper, vinyl, and many other things such as Acetate, aluminum foil, aluminum metal, canvas, cardstock, chipboard, duct tape, felt, flannel, Kraft paper, leather, linen, magnet sheet, oilcloth, polyester, rice paper, soda can, tattoo paper, tissue paper, transfer paper, vellum, vinyl, and wax paper.
It would be better to ask what crafts you can’t make with Cricut. Before experiencing it, my perception was mostly for moms who scrapbooked, crafted with their kids, and used the machine to make cute party decor. You can do all those things and so many other things with Cricut.
How to Use Cricut Machines?
Initially, you may get intimidated with the crafting machine as I did; however, once you finished the setup process, my first job was to complete a test project with all the materials and instructions included with the machine. I loved the test project as it helped me get familiar with how to use Cricut machine and its software.
Your brand-new craft cutting machine directs you to download Cricut Design Space. The setup process will show you how to plug in and power on your machine if you haven’t done that before. Firstly, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your computer, tablet, or phone. Depending on the model, you can find the Bluetooth feature under ‘Settings.’
If you haven’t turned on your Cricut by holding down the power button provided on the right side, you can use your phone or computer’s Bluetooth settings open. There you look out for your machine to pop up; once you see it, click on it, and choose to connect.
For whatever reason, you failed to connect using Bluetooth, connect your computer and Cricut using the included USB cable in such case. Once you finish, your computer and Cricut get connected and are ready to start designing. The Design Space is a cloud-based app, so you can access your designs and account on any device that has the app. You can also use offline mode to design. Here is how to use Cricut to design offline.
Firstly, make sure that you have downloaded any images and fonts you wish to use beforehand. To save files for offline use, tap the save icon and select ‘save as.’ To access your projects while not on the Internet, pull down the categories menu and select “My Projects on this iPad’ and open it from there.
The world of craft cutting exposes you to different aspects of using the Cricut machine. With online mode, you find hundreds of different projects available in the app for you to enjoy and opportunities to create designs from scratch using the ‘new canvas.’ Most first-time Cricut users will start their cutting career completing the ‘enjoy card’ project. After you have linked up your computer and the Cricut, Design Space will prompt you on how to use Cricut to start the project.
On the right-hand side of the machine, you find the Smart Set Dial feature guaranteed to make your life easier. The most-used materials on the Cricut dial include paper, iron-on, vinyl, light cardstock, cardstock, fabric, and poster board. On the Cricut machine, Fast mode is another amazing feature that can write and cut up to twice as fast as it usually can. You can use Fast Mode with Vinyl, Iron, Light Cardstock, and Cardstock materials.
To enable Fast Mode, you need to follow these steps, go to the Set > load> go screen> check the box under the Dial position indicator.
If you have started cutting without enabling Fast mode, don’t stop it, simply press the pause button under the Smart Set Dial and turn it off in the design space.
The Cricut Maker is a very similar beast to the Explore Air 2 and, if anything, is easier to use. There are a couple of differences between the Cricut Maker and the Explore Air 2. Unlike Explore Air 2, there is no dial on the Cricut Maker for you to adjust the cut settings. The Cricut is a machine for life, and that’s down to the adaptive tool system. One of the most beneficial things about the Cricut maker is how to use it to cut any fabric without backing.
Visit: Cricut.com/setup
