The Cricut Maker is a die-cutting machine that allows you to cut and craft in the most extraordinary way. One machine that will unleash your creativity and take your beautiful creations to the next label. The Cricut Maker, Grand Daddy of crafting excellence, if adequately used, it can turn your your hobby into a side hustle.

This is a long post so here’s a breakdown of what to expect

• What’s in the box?
• Cricut Design Space
• How to set-up your Cricut Maker
• About the Cricut Maker
• Specifications of the Cricut Maker
• Cricut Maker Tools & Equipment
• What Exactly Does the Cricut Maker Cut & with What Blade?
• Let’s weigh the pros and cons

What’s in the Box?

When you purchase your Cricut Maker this is what you will find in the box :-

• Your Cricut Maker machine in the colour of your choosing of course
• Power cord (It’s important to note it is highly recommended that you purchase from local South African Cricut suppliers. Should you buy from Amazon, your machine will not be certified for use in South Africa and your guarantee will be null and void)
• USB cable (to connect to a computer)
• 1 pink (fabric grip)
• 1 blue (light grip)
• Premium Fine Point Blade with housing
• Rotary Blade with the new drive housing
• Black fine point pen
• A few small material pieces for a practice project (Cricut could have done better with these samples to be honest)

You’ll also get:

• A free one-month trial of Cricut Access
• 50 free project designs, 25 of which are sewing patterns

Cricut Design Space

To use the Cricut Maker, you need to learn how to use Cricut Design Space. Design Space is the software where you design, arrange and select the materials and tools you need for your respective projects. Cricut Design Space can be a little bit intimidating at first, but you just need a little time to play around and you will be on your way.

Here’s what you need to know about Cricut Design Space ? 

1. Cricut Design Space is a cloud based software app which is specifically designed to take your creativity to the next level. 
2. Setting up Design Space is incredibly easy. 
3. It can be installed on computers, tablets or cellphones from your app store.
4. Design Space is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android but is not supported on Chromebooks, or Unix / Linux Computers. 
5. Operating system requirements is Windows® 8 or later and macOS 10.15 or later.
6. The best tablets for Cricut Design Space are the Apple iPad Pro, Samsung Galaxy Tab S6, Microsoft Surface Pro 7, Amazon Fire D 10 and Dragon Touch Max10.
7. Functionality however may differ when used on computers, tablets or cellphones with options like kerning and offset only being available on your computer. 
8. Browse thousands of images, ready-to-make projects, and fonts in the Cricut Library or design your own project from scratch.
9. DS is free but you have the option to subscribe for *R99 per month giving you access to even more amazing fonts and images.
10. Design Space gets updated regularly providing you with move exciting and new features.

* Pricing correct at time of going to publish on 7 June 2021

How to Set-up Your Cricut Maker

Literally the easiest thing ever. Cricut set-ups are a 4 step process that even a child could do. But ain’t no child playing with my Maker!

• Go to design.cricut.com/setup in your browser.
• Download and install Design Space for desktop or the Design Space app on your cellphone, iPad or tablet.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in or create your Cricut ID and set up your new machine.
• You will know the setup is complete when you are prompted to do a test cut.

About the Cricut Maker

It is powered by the Adaptive Tool System which makes the Cricut Maker the grand daddy of the Cricut Family of Machines. The Adaptive Tool System is the reason that the Cricut Maker has extra tools that none of the “Explore” machines can use. But what is the Cricut Adaptive Tool System? It is a system that allows you to swap out blades/tips without having to change the housing. This is all thanks to the QuickSwap Housing System. So as long as you have one tool with the housing, you can just buy the other blades and tips. Pretty genius if you ask me!

Specifications of the Cricut Maker

The Cricut Maker despite it’s multiple uses is still pretty compact and streamlined, it weighs approximately 11kg. While you can purchase a bag for your Maker, this isn’t the kind of machine you want to carry around all the time. The Cricut Maker is available in champagne, blue, pink, mint and lilac. I’m a little biased and have to admit that the champagne is super sexy and so my kind of vibe. Any guesses what colour I have. Even though the Cricut Maker comes with a USB cable to connect to your laptop/desktop, it also has Bluetooth capability.

Cricut Maker Tools & Equipment

• Fine point blade
• Fabric Bonded Blade
• Deep Point Blade
• Foil Transfer Kit
• Rotary Blade
• Knife Blade
• Scoring Stylus
• Cricut Pens
• Quick Swap Tools
• Quick Swap Perforation blade 
• Quick Swap Wavy blade 
• Quick Swap Debossing tip
• Quick Swap Engraving tip
• Quick Swap Scoring Wheel tips 

What Exactly Does the Cricut Maker Cut & with What Blade?

The Cricut Maker cuts over 300 hundred materials, from fabrics, leather, paper and even balsa wood with effortless precision. Below is a detailed breakdown of the type of materials that can be cut by the Maker as well as the correct blade type.

Material Name	Cut Pressure	Multi-Cut	Blade Type
Acetate	319	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Adhesive Foil	121	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Adhesive Foil, Matte	161	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Adhesive Sheet, Double-Sided	250	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Aluminum Foil	78	Off	Deep-Point Blade
Art/Illustration Board	750	17x	Knife Blade
Balsa – 1/16″ (1.6 mm)	200	4X	Knife Blade
Balsa – 3/32″ (2.4 mm)	300	7X	Knife Blade
Bamboo Fabric	1041	Off	Rotary Blade
Basswood – 1/16″ (1.6 mm)	750	14X	Knife Blade
Basswood – 1/32″ (0.8 mm)	381	18X	Knife Blade
Bengaline	1745	Off	Rotary Blade
Birch, Permanent Adhesive	350	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Boucle	2365	Off	Rotary Blade
Broadcloth	1370	Off	Rotary Blade
Burlap	3163	Off	Rotary Blade
Burn-Out Velvet	1410	Off	Rotary Blade
Calico	1608	Off	Rotary Blade
Cambric	1785	Off	Rotary Blade
Canvas	1925	Off	Rotary Blade
Carbon Fiber	138	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Cardstock (for intricate cuts)	182	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Cardstock, Adhesive-Backed	314	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Cashmere	1424	Off	Rotary Blade
Cereal Box	348	Off	Deep Point Blade
Chalkboard Vinyl	175	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Challis	1040	Off	Rotary Blade
Chambray	1680	Off	Rotary Blade
Chantilly Lace	1540	Off	Rotary Blade
Charmeuse Satin	1695	Off	Rotary Blade
Chiffon	684	Off	Rotary Blade
Chintz	1505	Off	Rotary Blade
Clear Printable Sticker Paper	229	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Colored Duct Tape	120	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Construction Paper	168	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Copy Paper – 20 lb (75 gsm)	113	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Corduroy	1725	Off	Rotary Blade
Corrugated Cardboard	278	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Corrugated Paper	329	Off	Deep-Point Blade
Cotton	1850	Off	Rotary Blade
Cotton, Bonded	286	Off	Bonded Fabric Blade
Craft Foam	182	Off	Deep-Point Blade
Crepe Charmeuse	1430	Off	Rotary Blade
Crepe de Chine	1610	Off	Rotary Blade
Crepe Paper	958	Off	Rotary Blade
Crepe-back Satin	2000	Off	Rotary Blade
Cutting Mat Protector	310	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Damask	1838	Off	Rotary Blade
Damask Chipboard	500	12x	Knife Blade
Delicate Fabrics (like Tulle)	800	Off	Rotary Blade
Delicate Fabrics (like Tulle), Bonded	125	Off	Bonded Fabric Blade
Deluxe Paper	274	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Deluxe Paper Foil Embossed	272	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Denim	1943	Off	Rotary Blade
Denim, Bonded	325	2X	Bonded Fabric Blade
Dotted Swiss	1339	Off	Rotary Blade
Double Cloth	1438	Off	Rotary Blade
Double Knit	1605	Off	Rotary Blade
Dry Erase Vinyl	130	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Duck Cloth	2110	Off	Rotary Blade
Duct Tape Sheet	122	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Dupioni Silk	1830	Off	Rotary Blade
EVA Foam	107	Off	Deep-Point Blade
Everyday Iron-On	118	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Everyday Iron-On Mesh	118	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Everyday Iron-On Mosaic	230	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Express Iron-On	118	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Extra Heavy Fabrics (like Burlap)	3800	Off	Rotary Blade
Eyelet	1619	Off	Rotary Blade
Faille	1873	Off	Rotary Blade
Faux Fur	2050	Off	Rotary Blade
Faux Leather (Paper Thin)	260	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Faux Suede	250	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Faux Suede	1885	Off	Rotary Blade
Felt	148	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Felt, Acrylic Fabric	1995	Off	Rotary Blade
Felt, Craft Bonded	200	2X	Bonded Fabric Blade
Felt, Glitter Bonded	2214	Off	Rotary Blade
Felt, Stiff	175	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Felt, Wool Bonded	275	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Felt, Wool Fabric	1593	Off	Rotary Blade
Flannel	1955	Off	Rotary Blade
Flat Cardboard	258	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Fleece	1813	Off	Rotary Blade
Flex Foam	1915	Off	Rotary Blade
Flocked Iron-On	152	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Flocked Paper	299	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Foil Acetate	292	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Foil Iron-On	138	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Foil Kraft Board – Holographic	350	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Foil Paper – 0.36mm	274	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Foil Poster Board	333	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Foil Tape – Shiny Side Down	225	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Foil Tape – Shiny Side Up	150	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Foulard	1368	Off	Rotary Blade
Freezer Paper	128	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Fusible Fabric	1750	Off	Rotary Blade
Fusible Fleece	1739	Off	Rotary Blade
Fusible Interfacing	817	Off	Rotary Blade
Gabardine	1854	Off	Rotary Blade
Garment Leather – 2-3 oz. (0.8 mm)	300	4X	Knife Blade
Garment Leather – 4-5 oz. (1.6 mm)	300	4X	Knife Blade
Gauze	1369	Off	Rotary Blade
Gel Sheet	335	4X	Deep-Point Blade
Genuine Leather	325	2X	Deep-Point Blade
Georgette	1143	Off	Rotary Blade
Glitter Cardstock	263	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Glitter Craft Foam	214	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Glitter Duct Tape	271	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Glitter Iron-On	205	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Glitter Mesh Iron-On	230	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Glitter Vinyl	75	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Gossamer	958	Off	Rotary Blade
Grocery Bag	215	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Grois Point	3540	Off	Rotary Blade
Grosgrain	2228	Off	Rotary Blade
Habutai	1250	Off	Rotary Blade
Handmade Paper	1729	Off	Rotary Blade
Heat Transfer (non-Cricut)	219	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Heather	1261	Off	Rotary Blade
Heavy Cardstock – 100 lb. (270 gsm)	282	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Heavy Chipboard – 2.0mm	650	24X	Knife Blade
Heavy Fabrics (like Denim)	3200	Off	Rotary Blade
Heavy Fabrics (like Denim), Bonded	325	2X	Bonded Fabric Blade
Heavy Patterned Paper	275	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Heavy Watercolor Paper – 140 lb (300 gsm)	343	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Holographic Cardstock	321	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Holographic Heat Transfer	219	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Holographic Iron-On	230	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Holographic Iron-On Mosaic	310	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Holographic Sparkle Iron-On	216	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Holographic Sparkle Iron-On Mosaic	300	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Holographic Sparkle Vinyl	164	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Homespun Fabric	1723	Off	Rotary Blade
Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet	245	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Insulbrite Batting	1860	Off	Rotary Blade
Interlock Knit	1926	Off	Rotary Blade
Jacquard	1953	Off	Rotary Blade
Jersey	1520	Off	Rotary Blade
Jute	2843	Off	Rotary Blade
Kevlar	2217	Off	Rotary Blade
Khaki	2110	Off	Rotary Blade
Kraft Board	278	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Kraft Cardstock	270	Off	Fine-Point Blade
La Coste	1104	Off	Rotary Blade
Lame	981	Off	Rotary Blade
Laser Copy Paper	126	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Light Cardstock – 60 lb (163 gsm)	238	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Light Chipboard – 0.37mm	285	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Light Cotton	1750	Off	Rotary Blade
Light Cotton, 2 layers	2000	Off	Rotary Blade
Light Cotton, 3 layers	2750	Off	Rotary Blade
Light Fabrics (like Silk)	1200	Off	Rotary Blade
Light Fabrics (like Silk), Bonded	175	Off	Bonded Fabric Blade
Light Patterned Paper	152	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Linen	2148	Off	Rotary Blade
Linen, Bonded	175	Off	Bonded Fabric Blade
Lycra	1250	Off	Rotary Blade
Magnetic Sheet – 0.5mm	320	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Magnetic Sheet – 0.6mm	358	6X	Deep-Point Blade
Matboard 4 Ply	450	8X	Knife Blade
Matelasse	3597	Off	Rotary Blade
Matte Vinyl	134	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Medium Cardstock – 80 lb (216 gsm)	273	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Medium Fabrics (like Cotton)	2100	Off	Rotary Blade
Medium Fabrics (like Cotton), Bonded	286	Off	Bonded Fabric Blade
Melton Wool	2493	Off	Rotary Blade
Mesh	1385	Off	Rotary Blade
Metal – 40 gauge thin copper	256	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Metallic Iron-On Mosaic	270	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Metallic Leather	325	4X	Deep-Point Blade
Metallic Poster Board	350	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Metallic Vinyl	132	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Microfiber	1708	Off	Rotary Blade
Moiree	580	Off	Rotary Blade
Moleskin	2600	Off	Rotary Blade
Monk’s Cloth	3295	Off	Rotary Blade
Mulberry Paper	2369	Off	Rotary Blade
Muslin	1595	Off	Rotary Blade
Mylar	292	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Natural Wood Veneer	335	4X	Deep-Point Blade
Neoprene	300	2X	Deep-Point Blade
Non-Adhesive Vinyl – 16 gauge	270	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Non-Adhesive Vinyl – 20 gauge	300	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Notebook Paper	191	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Nylon	684	Off	Rotary Blade
Oil Cloth, Bonded	250	2X	Bonded Fabric Blade
Oilcloth	1433	Off	Rotary Blade
Organza	1265	Off	Rotary Blade
Ottoman	2023	Off	Rotary Blade
Outdoor Vinyl, Bonded	275	2X	Bonded Fabric Blade
Oxford	1985	Off	Rotary Blade
Paint Chip	293	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Panne Velvet	1425	Off	Rotary Blade
Paper, Adhesive-Backed	210	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Parchment Paper	181	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Party Foil	277	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Patterned Glitter Cardstock	299	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Patterned Iron-On	99	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Pearl Paper	119	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Peau de Soie	1545	Off	Rotary Blade
Photo Paper	338	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Pima Cotton	1515	Off	Rotary Blade
Pique Cotton	2240	Off	Rotary Blade
Plastic Canvas	281	2X	Deep-Point Blade
Plastic Packaging	314	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Plisse	1513	Off	Rotary Blade
Plush	1450	Off	Rotary Blade
Polyester, Bonded	300	2X	Bonded Fabric Blade
Poplin	1933	Off	Rotary Blade
Poster Board	300	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Outdoor Vinyl	119	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl	107	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Frosted Glitter	152	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Frosted Gray	138	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Frosted Opaque	138	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Holographic	152	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Holographic 3D Texture	107	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Holographic Art Deco	152	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Holographic Bubbles	152	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Holographic Crystals	152	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Holographic Rose Bubble	118	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Holographic Threads	152	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Mosaic	152	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Pearl	138	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Shimmer	153	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Textured	152	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – Textured Metallic	152	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Premium Vinyl – True Brushed	113	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Printable Fabric	199	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Printable Foil	293	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Printable Iron-On, Dark	99	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Printable Iron-On, Light	99	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Printable Magnetic Sheet	242	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Printable Vinyl	107	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Quilt Batting	1833	Off	Rotary Blade
Ramie	1455	Off	Rotary Blade
Raschel Knit	2278	Off	Rotary Blade
Rayon Lyocell	1415	Off	Rotary Blade
Rib Knit	1585	Off	Rotary Blade
Rice Paper	70	Off	Deep-Point Blade
Rip-Stop Nylon	1549	Off	Rotary Blade
Sailcloth	2610	Off	Rotary Blade
Sandblast Stencil	190	2X	Deep-Point Blade
Satin Silk	1833	Off	Rotary Blade
Seersucker	1645	Off	Rotary Blade
Sequined	2570	Off	Rotary Blade
Shantung	1590	Off	Rotary Blade
Shantung Santeen	1743	Off	Rotary Blade
Shimmer Leather – 1mm	253	3X	Fine-Point Blade
Shimmer Paper	298	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Silk China	1640	Off	Rotary Blade
Silk, Bonded	175	Off	Bonded Fabric Blade
Slinky Knit	1830	Off	Rotary Blade
Spandex	1655	Off	Rotary Blade
Sparkle Paper	292	2X	Fine-Point Blade
SportFlex Iron-On	118	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Stencil Film – 0.4mm	273	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Stencil Vinyl	110	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Sticker Paper	222	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Sticker Paper, Removable	106	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Sticky Note	193	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Suede	1610	Off	Rotary Blade
Tafetta	1405	Off	Rotary Blade
Tattoo Paper	277	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Terry Cloth	2533	Off	Rotary Blade
Tissue Paper	1308	Off	Rotary Blade
Tooling Leather – 2-3 oz. (0.8 mm)	300	4X	Knife Blade
Tooling Leather – 4-5 oz. (1.6 mm)	400	6X	Knife Blade
Tooling Leather – 6-7 oz. (2.4 mm)	450	16X	Knife Blade
Transfer Foil	112	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Transfer Sheet	116	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Transparency	308	Off	Fine-Point Blade
True Brushed Paper	305	2X	Fine-Point Blade
Tulle	729	Off	Rotary Blade
Tweed	1495	Off	Rotary Blade
Ultra Firm Stabilizer	2488	Off	Rotary Blade
Vellum	239	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Velour	2083	Off	Rotary Blade
Velvet Upholstery	2134	Off	Rotary Blade
Velveteen	2034	Off	Rotary Blade
Vinyl	107	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Viscose	918	Off	Rotary Blade
Voile	1267	Off	Rotary Blade
Waffle Cloth	2883	Off	Rotary Blade
Washi Sheet	85	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Wax Paper	169	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Window Cling	99	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Wool Crepe	1174	Off	Rotary Blade
Wrapping Paper	159	Off	Fine-Point Blade
Ziberline	1883	Off	Rotary Blade

Let’s weigh the pros and cons

The Pros

• Produces professional and intricate cuts faster in a detailed manner
• Endless possibilities with its multi-function capabilities
• Bluetooth capability
• Cricut has done well to include the Premium Fine Point Blade with housing and Rotary Blade with new Drive Housing.
• Like I said earlier the Cricut Adaptive Tool System is pure genius
• The machine is automated to swiftly detect whether you’re operating with the right blade or not. Another genius feature.
• The Cricut Maker is faster and stronger than previous machines

The Cons

• I found the Cricut Maker a little overwhelming in the beginning but practice makes perfect and you will get a handle on things pretty quickly. Plus there are loads of amazing YouTube videos that will help you out.
• Not a Cricut Maker issue, but I wish Design Space software capability was the same across cellphones, tablet, laptops and desktops
• Additional accessories are pricey but crafting isn’t a cheap hobby with or with a cutting machine.

My Final Verdict

Choosing the correct Cricut Machine comes down to budget and necessity. While this has been an extremely long post, I hope this review answers all your questions about the Cricut Maker. You may also want to read my review on the Cricut Joy by clicking here.

Is the Cricut Maker worth all the hype? It’s a unanimous “hell yes” from me!!! This work-horse is ideal for small business owners and avid crafters. Now you can keep that hustle alive or save time and money when it comes to your hobbies. The Cricut Maker is worth every penny.

Happy Crafting