4 Fixes When You Have Cricut Cutting Problems
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Hello! Today I’m going to give you “4 Fixes When You Have Cricut Cutting Problems”. We all love our Cricut machines, but boy, do we get frustrated when they don’t do what we want them to do?! Right? I know for a lot of you, including me, we have problems cutting intricate projects. Well, if these “4 fixes” aren’t right then we don’t have a chance at getting that small project to cut good. So let’s get to it…here are four things to check when your Cricut is cutting correctly.
4 Fixes When You Have Cricut Cutting Problems
Four Materials for Review
First Fix When You Have Cricut Cutting Problems
Step 1: The first thing to check is your cutting mat. Let me ask you a few questions… Is your cutting mat sticky enough? Is your material sticking down nicely to the cutting mat? Is this an old mat or have you been using it for awhile?
The cutting mat is probably the number one reason you start to have Cricut cutting problems. It has to be sticky enough to hold down that material so it doesn’t move at all when your Cricut is cutting.
If you don’t want to get a new mat then the best way, in my opinion, is to clean the one you’re using (if you have the time). Use a lint roller to get off as much stuff that’s left on the mat. Then use dish soap & water to clean the mat the rest of the way. Let it air dry & it should be almost as sticky as a new cutting mat!
One last thing, make sure you using the right colored mat for the job you are doing. I almost always use the green cutting mat for all my jobs unless I’m cutting something really thin or really thick.
Second Fix When You Have Cricut Cutting Problems
Step 2: The second thing I would check is your blade. First, let me tell you about something I did once. After I clicked “Make It”, the Cricut started cutting like usual. Once it was done I went to grab the paper off the mat & there weren’t ANY cuts! No cuts! I looked at the Cricut & it had a blade in it. Now what? In the end, when I put the blade into the holder I didn’t push it all the way down (should be even with the top of the holder) so my Cricut was doing everything right, I wasn’t doing my part! Anyway, if that ever happens to you you’ll know what to do.
Back to the checking the blade. First, make sure there is no debris on the blade. If nothing is on there, I would sharpen the blade first (with the balled up aluminum foil). If that still doesn’t help, I would try a new blade. (I sharpen my blade all the time & I only get a new blade every 6-9 months or so-& I use my Cricut every day.)
Third Fix When You Have Cricut Cutting Problems
Step 3: Third thing to check is your Cricut settings. Sometimes we don’t set it for the right kind of material. Different materials are going to cut at different pressure, number of cuts, etc. It’s important to find the right material you are using.
I know sometimes we might not know what kind of material we have or can’t find a setting for it. We either need to pick something that is really close to the material we have or we need to add a “new material” into our settings.
To add a new material; after you click “Make It” & you get to the screen where you pick your material, click on “Browse Materials” at the top. Then you want to scroll down to the bottom of the page & you click on “Material Settings”. Scroll down to the bottom again & it will say “Add New Material”. It will ask you to name your material & then save it. Then you’ll find the new material & you’ll be able to “Edit” to set your pressure, number of cuts, etc.
Fourth Fix When You Have Cricut Cutting Problems
Step 4: The fourth step to check is your materials. Are they of good quality? Maybe try a different piece of cardstock, for instance, that is from a different brand & see if that fixes the cutting problems. Some brands just don’t cut well. The brand Recollections you usually get from Michaels, I don’t buy the black or white cardstock, but I’ll buy all the other colors. You just have to experiment a little & listen to what other people have experienced.
You don’t have to buy expensive stuff, but watch for it on sale. No, just joking. After a few years of crafting now, I only buy certain brands or from certain vendors. My absolute favorite place to buy cardstock online is from 12×12 Cardstock. They have so many different brands & different kinds of cardstock.
If you are interested in my other faves of cardstock, you can look at my post “What Cricut Basic Materials to Use When Starting“. (I had to update the post because it was one of my first posts when I started the blog.) See how things change! Below is a pic of “Silk” cardstock! Most beautiful cardstock I’ve ever felt! It’s from 12×12 Cardstock.
Summary
I hope this post has helped you with what to do when you have Cricut cutting problems. Hopefully, it doesn’t happen very often! 😁
In summary, we looked at four things to check when we are having Cricut cutting problems. First thing is to check your mat. Very important to be sticky & the cardstock to lay flat. Second is to check the blade. Third is to check our settings to see if they’re are correct. Lastly, check your materials. Experiment with different types of cardstock, for example.
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My favorite supplies
Here are some of my favorite supplies that I use!
Cricut Mats
I only use Cricut mats. I’ve tried a couple others, but they’re either too sticky or not sticky enough. I know Cricut’s are going to be just right so I “stick” with them. Did you get that? “Stick” with them… anyway. 😕The cheapest I’ve found are on Amazon.
Cricut Blades
Blades are another thing I stick with Cricut on. I’m too nervous to try any other brands. I see them all over the place & they’re so much cheaper, but if it’s going to hurt my Cricut (not saying they will!) I don’t want to chance it.
Cardstock
Like I said earlier, 12×12 Cardstock is my favorite place to buy from. They have so many different brands & different types of cardstock. One new cardstock I just found is called “sandable”. The brand is core’dinations from 12×12. You really do use a piece of sand paper or block & sand it making it look distressed. I love to use embossing folders on it & then sand it. The embossed parts really stick out.
What Cricut Basic Materials to Use When Starting
Avoid Cutting Problems With Your Cricut
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