User Guide: Craft Cutters - Cricut Maker and Cricut Maker 3

Cricut Maker machine

Description

The original Cricut Maker and Cricut Maker 3 machines work with over 300+ materials, from paper to fabrics to vinyl. It is popular for cutting vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, paper, and much more. We also offer some specialty tools, including the fine debossing tip, engraving tip, wavy blade, perforation blade, rotary blade, knife blade, and scoring wheel.


What We Provide - Makerspace Equipment & Materials

Makerspace equipment is free to use, but there is a cost for project materials and items. We provide the following:


What You Must Bring - Materials & Items

To use this equipment, you must bring the following:

  • Project materials - Paper, cardstock, vinyl, iron-on/heat transfer vinyl (HTV), sublimation/Infusible Ink transfer sheets, sublimation/Infusible Ink pens and markers, or other compatible materials. NOTE: We DO NOT allow cutting of any wood materials with the library's Cricut machines. Materials can be cut a max width of 11.5 inches and a max length of 23.5 inches.
  • Project item blanks - Depending on your project materials, your project blank will vary. Some projects do not require blanks.
    - For iron-on/heat transfer vinyl: Fabric items (t-shirt, tote bag, etc.). HTV works with most fabrics, especially cotton and polyester blends. Avoid synthetic fabrics with low melting points or textured fabrics like terrycloth towels.
    - For sublimation/Infusible Ink: Fabric items that are white or light colored polyester (at least 65% polyester), Cricut branded Infusible Ink Blanks, or other items listed as sublimation blanks. If you need the most vibrant fabric design, use 100% polyester white fabric. Sublimation blanks are available in many products (coasters, luggage tags, photo frames, etc.) and must have a special polymer coating to work with sublimation/Infusible Ink.
  • We encourage you to bring in your own materials to create your projects. Cricut sells a variety of materials under their own brand, or you can bring in a compatible material. The library also sells a limited amount of materials.
  • A design for your project. If you don't have a design ready, you can create one on our Makerspace laptops using the Cricut Design Space software.
  • Time - Depending on the size of your design, you will need anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to finish a project on the Cricut.


Learn

Print Guides:
- Cricut Maker Manual
- Cricut Design Space Software
- User Guides: How to Use Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets, Markers, or Pens

Websites:
- Online Workshops: Cricut Webinars

Videos:
- Why Cricut Maker?
- Your Guide to Cricut Blades
- Introduction To Cricut Design Space For Beginners
- Design Space for Beginners Playlist
- How to Use SVG, PNG, and JPG in Cricut Design Space for Beginners
- How to cut ANY image with Cricut - How to upload your own files for cut
- Cricut YouTube Channel
- The following Creativebug videos require a Bloomingdale Public Library card to view. Sign up for an account online.
- Creativebug - All Cricut videos

In-Person - Book-A-Maker Appointment:
- Book-A-Maker appointments are one-on-one instructional sessions to learn how to use a specific piece of Makerspace equipment. After your appointment, you'll have the knowledge and experience necessary to independently work on our equipment during Makerspace Open Use Hours. They are not meant to use the Makerspace outside of Open Use Time hours.
- Book-A-Maker Appointments are open to Bloomingdale Public Library cardholders only. To make an appointment, fill out the online form. SAME DAY OR NEXT DAY APPOINTMENTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE. Please allow at least 2 business days for a reply.
- If you're unable to make your appointment, please email or call the staff member who contacted you. If you have multiple broken appointments without notice, staff will not accommodate future Book-A-Maker requests.


Tips

The following tips are from the Elmhurst Public Library's Makery, library staff, and Cricut:

  • To use Cricut Design Space, you must sign up for a free account with Cricut.
  • Always make sure the cutting blade or tools are correctly installed and locked in place.
  • The Library owns the original Cricut Maker and the Cricut Maker 3. Projects can be cut a max width of 11.5 inches and a max length of 23.5 inches.
  • The max material thickness is 3/32 of an inch, or 2.4mm. See Cricut's instructions on cutting thicker materials.
  • Original Cricut Maker machines must always be used with a cutting mat. Cricut branded Smart Materials are not intended for use with the Library's original Cricut Maker machines unless placed on a cutting mat.
  • Cricut branded Smart Materials can be used for matless cutting with the library's Cricut Maker 3. Smart Materials are not sold at the library. Matless cutting is only allowed on the Cricut Maker 3 or the Silhouette Cameo machines.
  • Always do a test cut before starting your project. The library is not responsible for failed projects, so test cut first.
  • Follow the Cricut Design Space prompts. The software guides you through the process and will alert you if you're using a wrong blade or similar mistakes.
  • Cut settings will depend on the material type and the complexity and size of the design. Cricut has default Material Settings, but you may need adjust them depending on your project.

EasyPress (Heat Press)

  • When not in use, always place the EasyPress on its base. Do not leave it on the mat for extended periods; it will scorch!
  • For best results, always pre-wash and thoroughly dry your fabrics before applying your design. When washing, do not use fabric softener.
  • Avoid placing designs over seams, buttons, zippers, and anything bumpy.
  • Always lint roll fabric or clean item with alcohol before applying your design.
  • Follow the instructions for your material type, especially if you should remove the liner when it’s cool or warm.
  • Care instructions: For fabric items, wait at least 24 hours before washing. Always wash inside out. Do not bleach or dry clean. Wash only in cool water, then tumble dry low or lay flat to dry. For specialty materials like foil iron-on vinyl, handwash in cold water only.

Iron-On/Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

  • Heat transfer vinyl is longer lasting than heat transfer paper, but does not work with photographs.
  • Designs must be cut with the Cricut or Silhouette machines.
  • In the design software, remember to mirror the design.
  • If your liner does not remove cleanly and the design is not adhering to your item, reapply the liner, then heat with the EasyPress a bit longer.

Cricut Infusible Ink/Sublimation Ink

  • Infusible Ink (also called sublimation ink) only works with fabric items that are white or light colored polyester (at least 65% polyester), Cricut branded Infusible Ink Blanks, or other items listed as sublimation blanks. If you need the most vibrant fabric design, use 100% polyester white fabric. Sublimation blanks are available in many products (coasters, luggage tags, photo frames, etc.) and must have a special polymer coating to work with sublimation/Infusible Ink.
  • You must bring in your own Infusible Ink transfer sheets, markers, or pens. The Library does not sell these materials.
  • To prevent damage to Makerspace equipment, staff will supervise all projects using Infusible Ink.
  • You must use the EasyPress mat, cardstock, butcher paper, and heat resistant tape (optional) when heat pressing an Infusible Ink project. The Library provides these items for Infusible Ink projects.
  • To use multiple Infusible Ink transfer sheets, use Slice and Set in the Cricut Design Space software.


Reserve

Equipment reservations are recommended. Walk-ins during Open Use Time are welcome, but equipment availability is not guaranteed.

  • Reservation limit of 2 hours per day max.
  • Limit one reservation allowed per day.
  • Reservation requests can be made up to 7 days in advance.
  • All reservation requests are on a first-come, first-served basis.

To make a reservation, first check our Makerspace Equipment Calendar for equipment availability. If the equipment is not reserved, please call the Adult Reference Desk at 630-924-2730 to make a reservation. Please have the following ready:

  • Your full name
  • Your Bloomingdale Public Library card number
  • Equipment you want to reserve
  • Preferred date(s)/time(s)