Makerspace : Cricut Maker 3 & Heat Press

The Cricut Maker 3 & Heat Press is very easy to use - however you must book an induction before use: 

• First, choose your cutting material and the type of sticky cutting mat (there are 3 colours to choose from). The cutting mat holds the material in place while the Cricut makes the cuts - different mats hold different materials in place. 
• Ensure your laptop or iPad is connected (wirless or wired) to the Cricut Maker and open Cricut Design Space - see seperate intructions on using the Design Space.
• Create your design in Design Space, or upload a saved image.
• Select your material settings, and send the design to your Cricut cutting machine
• Following on-screen prompts load the mat into the machine and press the button on your Cricut machine to start cutting. 
• After the machine is done cutting, following on-screen prompts remove the mat from the machine, and the mat from the material.

Link to the Cricut Maker User Manual

Book here to attend an induction / workshop on using this and other equipment in the Makerspace.

Cricut Design Space is the Cricut companion app where you can browse thousands of images, ready-to-make projects, and fonts in the Cricut Library or even design your own project from scratch.

Design Space offers both a free (basic access) and paid membership (unlimited access to selected images, fonts and projects), to a cloud based design layout software that works with the various Cricut machines.  The Design Space will guide you from creation of your design through the cutting process.

Design Space requires an internet connection and compatible operating system. 

1. Access design space (https://design.cricut.com/#/sign-in).
2. Create a Cricut id if a first time user, or sign in with an existing account if a returning user

It is possble to create your design in another software, and then import it into Cricut Design Space. 

The CRICUT machine can use the following blades & tools, some of which are available in the Makerspace, and only available to those that have completed a Cricut induction.  

Premium Fine-Point Blade 

The Fine-Point Blade is the default blade for cutting vinyl, paper and cardstock. 

It’s designed to cut light to medium-weight materials which work best on the blue or green Cricut mat. 

Deep-Point Blade 

The Deep-Point Blade is a stronger, harder blade made of more durable steel with a steeper cutting angle than the Fine-Point. 

It’s designed to cut through thicker and heavier material which work best on the purple Cricut mat. 

Foil Transfer Tool 

The Foil Transfer Tool is a tool that you can use with the Cricut Foil Transfer Sheets to add metallic foil embellishments to your project. 

It has 3 interchangeable tips: fine, medium, and bold. It can be used to add metallic designs to light to medium-weight materials which work best on the blue or green Cricut mat. 

The Knife Blade 

The Knife Blade is a super strong blade that you can use to make projects from thick materials like balsa wood and chipboard. 

It’s like a Stanley blade or Exacto knife attachment that can score and cut through dense materiel up to 2.4mm thick. Only use the purple Cricut mat for thick material with the knife point blade. 

Debossing Tip 

The Debossing Tip creates detailed debossed designs in a variety of materials which can add dimension to your project. 

You can use the Debossing Tip on a variety of light to heavy materials, so you may need the green, blue, or purple Cricut mat, depending on the material.  

Engraving Tip 

The Engraving Tip allows you to inscribe designs on a variety of materials, like soft metals and plastic.  

To add engraved lines to your project, select the Engrave Line type in Cricut Design Space. 

The Cricut EasyPress 2 is a 12" x 10" (30cm x 25cm) Heat Press used for iron-on projects.  Materials suitable for ironing Iron-On and Infusable-Ink onto include:

• Aluminum
• Cardstock
• Chipboard
• Corkboard
• 100% Cotton
• Cotton Canvas
• Faux Leather
• Felt
• Polyester
• Wood

 The Cricut EasyPress 2 can get very hot! Heating up to 400F (205C) - The Heat Press must always sit in the Safety Base when not applying heat to a project.  Never touch the side or underneath of the HeatPress - you will get burnt!

Follow the Heat Guide for instructions on what heat and duration to choose for your particular iron-on project.