What Cricut Basic Materials To Use When Starting

I needed to know two things right away when I first got my Cricut. One was Design Space (we’ll go there!) & the other was ‘what Cricut basic materials to use when starting?’. In the beginning, I only started with four of the basics; paper, adhesive vinyl, heat transfer vinyl (HTV) & infusible ink. I want you to get started on these, but there are SO many more materials you’ll get to use. I will tell you what I use now along with some tips on what to stay away from. (Please remember, these are just MY opinions on the products I like to use.)

PAPER MATERIALS

The first thing I started with was paper & it was probably the easiest to experiment with. It’s not all the same – there is good paper & bad paper. The first thing I wish I knew was to look for a “solid core” paper. Solid core is when the color goes all the way through the paper-front to back. Just look at the side & if you don’t see white you have solid core paper (peek at pics below). Trust me, stay away from white! I wasted a lot of money in the beginning. On the other hand, if you already have some, use it for the first layer of a greeting card – things that don’t require the paper to bend – that’s when it looks bad.

The next thing I learned is that paper comes in different weights. This means the thickness of the paper & goes from lightweight to extra-heavy weight. You’ll see 65 lb. (light-weight), 80 lb. (medium-weight), 100 lb. (heavy-weight) & higher is considered extra-heavy weight. The most commonly used paperweight for greeting cards is 65 lb-80 lb. I normally purchase my paper either from Amazon, 12×12 Cardstock, Michaels, or Cricut. Below is a list of my favorites.

• AC Cardstock (American Crafts)
• DCWV Cardstock (the books/Stacks – American Crafts)
• Recollections (except for black & white)
• Cardstock Warehouse Brand (matte colors, metallic shimmer)
• Stardream (metallics)
• Cricut
• 12×12 Cardstock (Bazzill, Encore Paper, Mirri & Neenah)

ADHESIVE VINYL MATERIALS

The second basic material is adhesive vinyl & it’s used on any solid surface like glass, windows, keychains, etc. You can use it for signs, decals, vases, tumblers to name a few. There are many forms of adhesive vinyl, but there are two basic types you should be aware of before you use it. One is permanent/outdoor & the other is removable/indoor. I love the Oracal brand. The permanent vinyl is often referred to as Oracal “651” & removable is referred to as Oracal “631”. In the beginning, I was buying any random brand off the internet, because it was cheaper, but then realized some of the vinyl wasn’t quality vinyl so I tried the Oracal. Most importantly, I’ve not had any problems with it so I stick with it. The other brands I use is Cricut & Siser. I’ve never had any issues with them either because their vinyl is also made with quality in mind.

When working with adhesive vinyl, you need to use transfer tape. This is a clear sticky film that allows you to see exactly where you are placing the vinyl. I use a transfer tape from the “Frisco Craft” brand that you can get on Amazon. If you are using glitter or shimmer (see below) `adhesive vinyl, you’ll want a ‘strong-grip’ transfer tape & I purchase the Cricut brand for that.

HEAT TRANSFER VINYL MATERIALS

The third basic material is heat transfer vinyl (HTV or Iron-on). It’s so exciting to work with because we’re talking about applying it to clothes & bags! We’re talking fashion! Just joking, kind of…..you can apply to almost anything that’s fabric (with a few exceptions)! This is the vinyl that can adhere to fabric when the adhesive is activated by heat.

This vinyl comes in many fun forms & finishes. Each form is different when it comes to first, the temperature of the heat press or iron, secondly, the length of time pressing & lastly, the pressure used. It’s also fun to layer your vinyl, but there are some rules (ex. if you’re designing with glitter in mind, that has to be your top layer)! After many tries with different brands, I now only use two & that’s Cricut & Siser. These come in sheets or rolls (depending on your preference & your project). Right now the graphic tees & sweatshirts are trending & now you get to make your very own!

INFUSIBLE INK MATERIALS

The last basic material to tell you about is infusible ink. Cricut made a game-changer here. This gets you results that look professional. It won’t peel, flake, or wash off. It has no seams or edges so there’s nothing to peel. It’ll stay on the item for the life of the product. They have a bunch of different colors & patterns. It comes in different forms, like transfer sheets, markers, & pens. Your blank has to be compatible with infusible ink. Cricut has a whole line of products like t-shirts, cups, coasters, bags, etc. that you can use with infusible ink. I love infusible ink, but it’s a little tricky to work with. I’ll do a tutorial just on Infusible Ink.

These are just the basics to get you familiar with some of the products that you can use with your new Cricut! I will be doing a lot more tutorials that will get in depth with all the in’s & out’s of your Cricut & Design Space. I’ve just started this blog & have a lot to give you. I hope you hang around with me, because I can guarantee there will be fun & laughter! I think the best advice I’ve gotten from my mentor, let’s call her Jennifer, is ‘don’t get frustrated, be POSITIVE & have fun’! And that’s what we’re gonna do! 💕