Skip to content
Home » Blog » Cricut Design Space » What Materials Can I Cut with a Cricut?

What Materials Can I Cut with a Cricut?

    Cricut-Compatible Materials

    If you’re new to vinyl cutting, you’ve probably seen Cricut pop up all over your searches. Cricut is one of the biggest vinyl cutting machine brands out there, and for good reason! They offer loads of different machines, materials, and accessories to try out. So today, we’re going to take a look at what materials you can cut with a Cricut machine. Whether you have a Cricut Explore, Cricut Maker, or Cricut Joy, this guide will help you understand what your machine is capable of—and maybe even inspire a few new project ideas!

    What Materials Can I Cut with a Cricut?

    Paper and Cardstock

    All Cricut machines can cut paper and cardstock with no problems at all. Crafting with paper is one of the best ways to get started—it’s affordable, beginner-friendly, and a great way to learn how your machine works.

    You can make some amazing things with just card and paper, from intricate paper flowers to custom gift boxes. Try using the Fine-Point Blade for clean, crisp cuts. And if you’re using thinner paper, give the LightGrip mat a try to avoid tearing.

    Vinyl (Adhesive & HTV)

    Vinyl might become your new crafting bestie (or your enemy, depending on the day 😅). There’s so much you can do with it, and the great news is: all Cricut machines can cut vinyl!

    There are two main types:

    • Adhesive vinyl – perfect for things like laptop decals, mugs, car stickers, and any smooth surface.
    • Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) – used for clothing and fabric projects. You’ll need a heat press or iron to apply it.

    Use the StandardGrip mat for cutting vinyl. And a big tip: if you’re cutting HTV/Iron-On, make sure to mirror your design before cutting. That’s because the glue side is applied to the fabric, so your design needs to be flipped!

    Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets

    Infusible Ink works with all Cricut machines, including the Joy, Explore, and Maker series. It’s similar to HTV in that you also need to mirror your design and apply it with heat, but it behaves a little differently. With HTV, the vinyl sits on top of your material. But with Infusible Ink, the design actually infuses into the fabric or blank, becoming part of it. If you run your hand across a finished Infusible Ink project, you won’t feel anything raised—unlike HTV. It gives a super professional finish!

    Fabric (With and Without Backing)

    If fabric is something you’re excited to explore, the Cricut Maker or Maker 3 are the best machines for the job. They can cut both bonded and unbonded fabric using the Rotary Blade, which glides through fabric like butter. The Explore series can only cut bonded fabric (which has a stabilizing backing like HeatnBond), and the Cricut Joy isn’t designed for fabric cutting at all. So if you’re dreaming of sewing patterns or quilting templates, the Maker is definitely your best bet.

    Faux Leather, Chipboard, Balsa Wood

    These thicker materials add amazing texture and depth to your DIYs, but not all Cricuts can handle them.

    • Only the Cricut Maker and Maker 3 can cut chipboard and balsa wood, and you’ll need the Knife Blade to do it.
    • Faux leather can be cut on the Explore series as well, but the Maker gives much better results.

    Use the StrongGrip mat for these heavy-duty materials, and be sure to tape down the edges to keep your material from shifting during the cut.

    Acetate, Felt, Sticker Paper, and More

    All Cricut machines can cut acetate and sticker paper using the Fine-Point Blade. These are super fun for things like custom planner stickers or shaker card windows.

    When it comes to felt, the Maker is best—it uses the Rotary Blade for smooth cuts, even with soft craft felt. The Explore can handle stiff felt using the Deep-Point Blade, and the Joy can manage basic shapes with some trial and error.

    So don’t be afraid to try out felt, even with the smaller machines—just keep it simple to start!


    If you’re feeling inspired, I’ve got some free beginner-friendly files you can use to test out your Cricut!
    👉 Download Free Starter Files Here

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *