Best products from r/cricut

Kind of same boat. Knew i wanted a Cricut, but did not know what i would need/what projects i wanted to do/how exactly i would use it. My husband got me the Maker with the extra blades and mats for my birthday a few weeks ago.

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So far I used card stock to make zombie silhouettes for Halloween, cardstock to make a birthday banner, little craft foam tape to give the banner dimension, weeding tools are helpful, permanent vinyl to make a wine glass for my friends birthday, heat transfer vinyl to make her a custom koozie for her birthday.... the possibilities are endless, really.

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You can browse her pinterest pins and see what she wants to make and that can help with what to purchase. If she wants to make wood stuff - the cheapest/best option i found for balsa wood (the 1 of, i think, 2 types Cricut can cut) was on Staples website (and i picked up in store).

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There is a stencil vinyl i purchased to -- so she can have infinite stencils to then paint on to wood for decorations. Or she can just use the permanent vinyl on any wood (Hobby Lobby, as much as i dislike them, has an amazing variety of choices of wood pieces you can decorate and for cheap...and theres usually a coupon online; check Retail Me Not and others).

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I have had a lot of fun so far with my Cricut and have so many more projects lined up. Going to make a felt garland for the holiday too. Michaels has cheap tshirts to use HTV on. I also got extra markers in all different colors, since Cricut can draw beautifully. I bought probably like $200 worth of supplies after my Cricut arrived. There are just too many things that can be done with this machine.

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Here are some of my links if you like:

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Balsawood from Staples:

https://www.staples.com/product_2134278?cid=EM:ordconfrm::sku&data-cta-category=[PRODUCT]&akamai-feo=off

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Cheap, but quality koozies, in a variety of colors for you to decorate with heat transfer vinyl : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CV2B0MQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Acrylic, bpa-free, tumblers for you to decorate with permanent vinyl: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XKD66S6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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631 vinyl (temporary; decals, for walls, cars, etc):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CTQKE7Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Heat Transfer Vinyl: so far have only tried the Cricut brand and liked it 

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Permanent vinyl is 651: this is the one i bought ... no problem with it so far. i have read tips that say to blast your creation with a hair dryer afterward.... and its a 24 hour cure time.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HEB3UNQ/ref=od_aui_detailpages02?ie=UTF8&psc=1


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3D crafters foam tape:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LX4NFBJ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As a guy who uses the maker, i use my cricut on my bed and use bluetooth. I only use power that way. Couple things, since you got time, pickup your cricut housings like "knife blade" "deep cut housing" "fine point" and blades on ebay. i use make offers and get stuff 70% off. I buy cricut brand too not off brand.

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alot of shops clearance and resell on ebay. For HTV heat transfer vinyl like t shirts, you'll want a heat press and HTV vinyl. For other projects you use permanent or temporary vinyl. Weeding which to me was like what does that mean when I started. Is just pulling off the excess vinyl from your cut before sticking down what you cut.

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So as most mention here you'll need weed tools which are basically hooks and tweezers. Cricut sells these kits for ridiculous costs but if you hit up ebay you can get them cheap.

Also you'll want a light table for weeding, of course cricut has a answer thats ludacris costs.

I got this one one amazon on sale for 10.00 works great, there are alot so shop around but beats the hell out of 60+ dollars.

https://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Thin-Portable-Brightness-Sketching-Animation/dp/B06Y1JNHNM/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=LED+Tracing+Light+Box&qid=1573026714&s=arts-crafts&sr=1-5

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As for the Cricut maker, i got mine through best offer on ebay for about 150 less. I made a offer on a new one and settled on a price with free shipping. Cricuts like apple, unless antiquated. their items never go on sale and all machines are excluded from sales at craft stores in the fine print.

Quick recap, unless shes paper crafting. a good starter kit will be.

- Stick mats

- blades

-weed tools

-light table

- Transfer tape.

- Armor etch for frosting glass.

- dollar tree is a gold mine for cheap glasses, picture frames, contact paper as a transfer tape substitute.

Siser is also a brand fav on HTV and vinyl on amazon, cheaper then cricut brand and just as good.

The storage and table stuff. i'd personally consider the table and chair but let her get storage that suits her needs. I think your hinging a hell of a bet this will become a day to day use for her. best to invest the money in light box, tools and blades.

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I almost forgot, for cheap photo paper and cradstock. go to walmart but don't buy from craft section. go to the office supply area. they sell bulk cardstock there for 5.00 for like a 50-100 pack vs 15.00 or more at other sections or craft stores.

In case you're still looking for suggestions, the one julet1815 linked below on Amazon is good, but too sticky for me (it's high tack). I prefer the medium tack of the same brand; it's worked perfect so far.

Frisco Craft [Medium Tack] 12" x 50' Clear Transfer Tape

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B64PNY3

I seem to be transfer tape cursed in that I always have problems. But the Frisco Craft one has been the best for me so far.

Note: It's normally $15.99 but looks like it's out of stock currently and only 3rd party sellers have it for crazy prices. I reached out to Frisco Craft to see when it would be back.

Based on buying thing separate it is an OK deal. You can get just the Cricut Mint Explore Air 2 Machine on Amazon for $213 with free shipping. Are the extras worth $37? That is the big question. Metallic Pen set is $10.17 stand alone on Amazon. The adhesive sheets are about $11. The iron on sample is $16.50. Buying everything separate would cost about the same. So, it is not that great of a deal if you don't want the accessories that come in the bundle.

I personally wouldn't use the pens. I would get a roll of transfer tape (https://www.amazon.com/Cricut-2002363-Vinyl-Transfer-Tape/dp/B00LJV1KYO/) and regular sheets of adhesive vinyl. It depends on the use or what you plan on making. I love the stencil sheets (https://www.amazon.com/Cricut-2002685-Stencil-Vinyl/dp/B00XC1YDMU/) combined with etching creme (https://www.amazon.com/Armour-Etch-2-8-Oz-Cream/dp/B0001DTWYG/) to make awesome custom glassware.

Doesn’t it?!

I got the set of all 3 tool sizes with 3 small rolls of foil on Amazon for ~$61. They are about $99 for all three at We R memory keeper’s site and at other craft stores. A single tool is ~$40.

We R Memory Keepers 660579 Starter Kit, Multicoloured https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011NB4G4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OD32CbZYDFEQM

I never leave Amazon reviews, but I might in this case. The price seemed too good to be true, but they came and they work great so far.

Fancierstudio Heat Press Heat Press Swing Away Heat Press 9"x12" Coated with Sheet Sublimation heat press Rhinestone Heat Press 9x12 GB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K3EXZF4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_s70TBbCBHQSN9

I bought this one (cheaper than the easypress) and it’s amazing. A little bit of a learning curve, but it is amazingly easier!! And I feel like they came out much better than when I used just an iron.

I had the "engineer" design on a mug that I ran through the dishwasher a few times a week. It lasted probably about a year, maybe a little longer. If you're worried about it, I would always recommend hand washing. Since I can just remake it whenever I need to, I felt that lasting a year through the dishwasher was reasonable enough for me.


Using Oracal 651 is the general consensus for best results, but below is a link for what I used the first time around (and what the orange vinyl is) I'm trying out the cricut adhesive foil for the "engineer" this time. It seems like it's on there pretty well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HEB3UNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_lE.7Cb4AKA5F4

Edit: spelling

Yeah, cricut transfer tape is notoriously too sticky. I like this one from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B073XRLZ6Z/ref=ya_aw_oh_bia_dp?ie=UTF8&psc=1


you can buy different sizes of vinyl, starting with sheets and going up to rolls of different lengths. I started with 12“ x 12“ sheets but now I’ve got about six rolls of 12“ x 5' yard vinyl in colors that I love. And even more rolls of htv. It's an addiction. Don’t plan on making money off of it until you’ve really gotten good at it, it takes a little while to become an expert.

I used the Siser easyweed htv for the red https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01INYI90W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

and this other caregy brand htv for the white https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MJ4J26R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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I just eyeballed the white after pressing the red first (with my mom's help to hold down what was already lined up lol.) I didn't use any transfer paper, but I have been curious about it. I watched a couple videos, but the ones I found were all for normal adhesive vinyl, not htv, so I wasn't sure if it would even work. I want to order some to play around with to see if I can figure something out, just haven't done it yet.

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If you know of any tricks to help with this, I'm all ears! I tried registration marks a bit higher than the art that I just didn't apply any heat to, but whenever you pull the clear sheet off, the image/shirt still moves just a tad. Makes those marks worthless at that point, so I gave up on that idea.

https://smile.amazon.com/Oracal-Glossy-Permanent-Vinyl-Inch/dp/B01N42YR3P/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1537539068&sr=8-7&keywords=oracal+651+roll

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This is an okay deal. But I've bought bigger rolls for cheaper too. This is technically more than a dollar/sqft which isn't ideal. But I've bought 12" x 10' rolls on Amazon before for less than that price even and THAT is a good deal. So just keep an eye out for those types of things. Also, check e-bay too. Your shipping may take longer, but it seems that a lot of sign makers tend to sell rolls on there too for pretty reasonable prices.

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I think it is this one but not sure. I bought mine from someone off the Facebook marketplace. It’s great so far!


Fancierstudio Power Heat press Digital Heat Press 15 x 15 Sublimation Heat Press Rhinestone Heat Press T-Shirt Heat Press 15x15 B/BLK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043H9FMU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GRj1Db1H47SCH

I ordered this from Amazon and have been having great results so far. I wanted a clamshell style heat press as opposed to a swing arm one.

i used whatever was cheap on amazon, but it seems like it's not available anymore https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073XRLZ6Z/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Frisco Craft 4336883150 Transfer Roll 12" x 50 Feet Clear Lay Flat | Application Tape Perfect for Cricut Cameo Self Adhesive Vinyl for Signs Stickers Decals Walls Doors Windows https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B073XRLZ6Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.gGvCbMP2KCR3

I have been using this roll for about 6 mos and have yet to be disappointed.

I recommend rubber rolling wheels, I think they are also called brayers. I bought this set, and they are extremely helpful. I use these for sticking to mats, applying oramask 813 stencil, and also to press vinyl firm after removing transfer paper.

Poualss Tape Roller 4.6 inch, 2.7... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GRSLNXY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I will also mention the mats. The light grip is fine for vinyl. The standard grip just becomes a pain in the butt to use. I don't know if glittery or other specialty vinyls will require standard grip mat. So far, light grip has work for oracal 651, oramask 813, and htv.

I got this one. It was cheaper when I picked it up. But, really, any old ironing pad or an ironing board, even, will do fine.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075ZMXC1T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_bia_widget_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got it from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JWDNPJT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's $40 on Amazon Prime

We R Memory Keepers 660579 Starter Kit, Multicoloured https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011NB4G4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.S8GDbBA52MVZ

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K3EXZF4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sarah029a-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01K3EXZF4&linkId=02b03af2d659e91dfb2f5b3a4fb855db I have this one and love it. Reasonably Price and I have had no problems. I have had it for almost 2 years.

amazon bundle