Makery Equipment
Cricut Maker 3
Cost |
Check Out |
Reserve |
| Yes | Yes | Yes |
Description
The Cricut is an electronic cutting and drawing machine. Designs created on your computer can be cut or drawn into material such as paper, cardstock, vinyl, fabric, and more.
The Cricut can be used to make signs, custom t-shirts, labels, greeting cards, and much more!
- Watch videos on the Cricut Official YouTube page
- Check out project inspiration on Cricut’s Projects page
- View tutorials and step-by-step instructions on Creativebug with your Elmhurst Library Card
Includes
- Cricut Maker 3
- Cut mats sized 12″x12″ and 12″x24″
- Light Grip
- Standard Grip
- Strong Grip
- Fabric Grip
- Fine Point Blade
- Bonded Fabric Blade
- Foil Transfer Tool
- Fine, Medium, and Bold
- Scoring Stylus
- Scoring Wheel
- Rotary Blade
- Knife Blade
- Engraving Tip
- Debossing Tip
- Perforation Blade
- Weeding tools
- Clamshell heat press with Teflon sheets
- Cricut EasyPress Mini
You Must Bring
Computer Skills Required
- A design prepared in Cricut Design Space
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- Cricut Design Space is a free program for your Windows, Apple, and Android devices
- Cricut will upload a variety of file types: JPEG, PNG, SVG, DXF, EPS
- All materials to create your project (see below)
- Transfer tape for applicable projects (see Tips and Additional Info below)
- Additional cardstock or butcher paper for heat press projects (see Tips and Additional Info below)
- Anywhere from 30 minutes for a small design to several hours for a larger/more detailed design.
- The Library currently does not sell or provide materials, including pens and copy paper, to use with the Cricut.
What materials can I use?
Material must fit within the size of the work area:
- Width: 11.5 inches maximum
- Length: 23.5 inches maximum
Common materials include:
- Copy paper (white, patterned, printed, etc.)
- Cardstock (adhesive, chalkboard, glitter, etc.)
- Vinyl (printable, adhesive, matte, glossy, stencil, etc.)
- Heat Transfer (Iron-On) Vinyl
- Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets
- Cricut Pens and Markers (Must be Cricut brand to fit in machine)
- Cricut Infusible Ink Pens and Markers (Must be Cricut brand to fit in machine)
- Foil transfer sheets
- Fabric
Cricut has a many materials you can purchase for use. Except for Cricut pens, markers, and Infusible Ink products, you can purchase off-brand materials from most craft retailers.
Where can I buy materials?
Designs
- You can buy designs and fonts online from the Cricut Design Space library or other online sources like Etsy or Craftsy
- Cricut Design Space also offers free designs and fonts for use
- Cricut will upload designs from a variety of file types: JPEG, PNG, SVG, DXF, EPS
- Cricut will read fonts installed on your device from OTF or TTF files
Materials
- You can find materials at Cricut, Michaels, Jo-Ann, Amazon, Paper Source, Etsy, and more
- Some Cricut items are exclusively available at Michaels
Learning and Resources
- Watch our demonstration videos:
- EPL @ Home: Intro to Cricut Design Space
- EPL @ Home: How to Create a Relief Image with Cricut
- How to Upload Images for Cricut Design Space
- When to Group Weld or Attach in Cricut Design Space
- How to Mirror a Design for Cricut
- How to Load Fabric for the Cricut
- How to Load Paper on a Cricut Cut Mat
- How to Load a Cricut Pen
- How to Unload Cricut Cut Mat
- How to Use HTV in the Heat Press
- Register for any upcoming classes at Elmhurst Public Library
- Follow our project tutorials:
- Makery Project: Chicago Skyline Pillow using Cricut
- EPL @ Home: How to Make an Illinois Home Pallet Sign
- EPL @Home: Tea Towel
- Craft Night from the Makery: Create a Thanksgiving Door Wreath
- How to Create a Door Wreath in Cricut Design Space
- New Skill Saturday: How to Screen Print
- New Skill Saturday: Glass Etching
- Use project tutorials and classes on Creativebug
- Visit Cricut’s Learn page
- The Official Cricut YouTube Channel has videos of tutorials and project inspiration
- Find project tutorials on Instructables
- Watch our New Skill Saturday: How to Screen Print to learn how to make shirts without a Cricut cutting machine
Adhesive Vinyl Projects
Adhesive vinyl is great for decorating and customizing everyday items like wood signs, cups, picture frames, laptops, and more! This vinyl comes with a layer of adhesive so it is ready to stick on your item, both in permanent or removable options. Avoid tiny or thin lines in your design. You will need transfer tape to move your design onto the item you are decorating.
Materials you will need to complete your project:
- Vinyl
- Permanent is recommended for outdoor or washable items
- Removable is recommended for laptop or wall décor
- Transfer tape
Heat Transfer (Iron-On) Vinyl Projects
Heat transfer (iron-on) vinyl is great for customizing t-shirts, bags, or other fabric items! Unlike regular vinyl, it does not have a layer of adhesive and is meant to adhere to fabric using a heat press. The end result will have a layer of vinyl on top of the fabric. Most brands (Cricut, Siser, Silhouette) of heat transfer (iron-on) vinyl have built-in heat resistant transfer tape. The heating process for each brand can vary, so read the accompanying directions carefully. The Cricut Heat Guide has suggested temperature settings.
Materials you will need to complete your project:
- Heat Transfer (Iron-On) Vinyl
- Heat Resistant Transfer Sheet (only if not built-in)
Infusible Ink Projects
Infusible Ink projects are not recommended for beginners as it is an intermediate-to-advance project. Unlike heat transfer vinyl, Infusible Ink infuses the color from your design into the fabric when heat is applied and does not add a layer on top of the fabric. The design can be created using Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets or Infusible Ink pens and markers. Currently, the Infusible Ink supplies can only be purchased at Michael’s. Infusible Ink will only work with Cricut shirts and bags, or with white or light material made of 85% or more of polyester. Patrons can be denied access to the Makery’s equipment if patron does not have the appropriate material to protect the heat press from damage. The Infusible Ink can bleed onto the Teflon sheets or heat press, ruining it for future use.
Materials you will need to complete your project:
- Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets (if applicable for your design)
- Infusible Ink Pens or Markers (if applicable for your design)
- Cricut Infusible Ink Blank Materials
- Or material made of 85% or more of polyester
- Cardstock (quantity dependent on project)
- You will need cardstock inside the shirt or bag to protect the bottom layer
- Cardstock (or butcher paper) is also necessary on top of the design to protect the heat press
- If the ink bleeds onto the cardstock, it cannot be reused in the heat press
- For large quantity projects, please bring butcher paper and heat-resistant tape
- Necessary on top of the design to protect the heat press
- If the ink bleeds onto the butcher paper, it cannot be reused in the heat press
