What is the Cricut Explore and what does it do? If all of your friends have this amazing electronic cutting machine, but you’re clueless about what it is and what you can do with it, this post is for you!
If you follow my blog or social media, you know that I am a HUGE fan of my Cricut Explore. In this post, I’m going to talk about how this crafting machine changed my life (literally) and answer questions I often get about this machine. This post applies to all Explore series machines.
I got my first Cricut Explore back in 2014. Cricut had sent out machines to a handful of bloggers to try out. When I first got it, I thought it was just a machine for scrapbookers—and being that I wasn’t a scrapbooker, I wasn’t all that excited about it. Then I had surgery and was bored out of my mind, so I finally got it out of the box.
Everything changed when I realized just how amazing this machine is—and how scrapbooking is just scratching the surface of what the Cricut Explore can actually do! I now offer my Cricut Basics eBook, which is a great place to get started!
When I say that it changed my life—it really did. I LOVE teaching people how to use their Cricut machines. So much so, that I’ve been able to turn that love into my work. What a dream!
What is the Cricut Explore?
The simplest explanation is that the Cricut Explore is an electronic cutting machine that looks sort of like a printer. But instead of printing your designs on paper, it uses a very precise blade and a series of rollers to cut out pretty much anything you can imagine, including vinyl labels, decals for shirts, paper crafts, and more.
The Cricut Explore is different than the older Cricut machines (like the Expression, the Gypsy, etc.). Instead of cartridges, you can get access to Cricut Access and their enormous library of cut files. You can upload and cut your own files. You can use the software on your computer or tablet, online or off. It cuts more than 100 different materials. You can also draw, score, and write with it.
This machine is masterfully engineered as well—I never cease to be amazed at the precision with which it cuts materials.
At its most basic, you design something you want to cut in the Cricut Design Space software, place your material on the cutting mat, confirm your settings, and GO!
The uses for the Cricut Explore machine are far beyond the scrapbooking sphere. If you love any type of DIY, party ideas, or crafts, you’ll love the Cricut Explore.
What Can I Do With the Cricut Explore?
If you need something cut out (or drawn or etched or scored), odds are, the Cricut can cut it. Here are just a few project ideas:
- Paper pennants for a party
- Leather earrings
- Iron-on vinyl for t-shirts
- Paper gift boxes and tags
- Stencils for wood signs
- Vinyl quotes for coffee mugs
- Felt coasters
- Greeting cards
- Customized tote bags
- Monogrammed water bottles
- Paper flowers for bouquets
- Vinyl labels for your pantry
- Coloring pages
- Decals for model airplanes
Best Places to Buy the Cricut Explore
Check out these retailers for deals on the Cricut Explore:
- Cricut.com
- Cricut Explore on Amazon
- JOANN
- Michaels
- HSN (currently only carry the Cricut Explore 3)
- Target
Hope this post helped you start to discover why you might want a Cricut Explore!
Cricut Comparisons
I also have posts where I go into detail comparing machines. Check out these posts:
Comments & Reviews
Isela says
Hello, I wonder if I create a logo can I just cut it with the explore?
Liz, HLMS Reader Support says
Hi Isela – you absolutely can!! If you created the logo outside of Design Space, you will just need to upload your file (needs to be .svg, .png, .jpg)
Liz, HLMS Reader Support
Melinda says
Hi I really want to purchase and learn to use my 1st cricut machine…the explore air 2. I have a regular wireless HP Envy 4500 printer. Will that be sufficient?
Cori George says
Technically you don’t need a printer to use your Cricut, but yes, your printer should print well enough to use with Cricut’s Print then Cut feature.
KIM says
Hi, I’m getting a circuit 2 for my birthday – I’d like to personalise water bottles – what vinyl do you recommend that wont wash off?
Cori George says
I’d use either Oracal 651 or even marine vinyl. Hope that helps!
Sherry says
Which cricket would be the best for making fancy greeting cards? I also do wreaths and floral arrangements. I make all kinds of crafts and would love to be able to put quotes and names on them.
Chiara says
Hi can this machine cut Mylar for making stencils?
Cori George says
At this point, if you can afford it, I’m recommending the Cricut Maker to everyone. It is by far the most versatile machine and they are always coming out with new tools (like the scoring wheel, which is amazing for paper crafting). If that’s too much, however, you can do the things you mentioned with the Cricut Explore Air 2. Hope that helps!
Mavis says
I would like to know if we can make the giant paper flowers using vinyl instead of paper so they could be put outside?
Cori George says
Do you mean non-adhesive vinyl of some sort? I think it would work, but I’ve never tried cutting that material before. Adhesive vinyl probably wouldn’t work because it would remain sticky on the back of the petals. Hope that makes sense!
Diane says
Help!! I am knew to the cricut world and just purchased my new explore 2 I am trying to make stencils for to do some etched glasses. My problem is what kind of font to use as it has to be small and I am finding it very difficult to weed. I only have about 3 inches wide and long to work with.
Thank you
Tarissa Hopkins says
Weeding small fonts can be challenging, but it is helpful if you’re able to see all your options when picking the best font for your project. Here’s a link to one of my posts about choosing fonts. Hope it’s helpful! https://heyletsmakestuff.com/using-wordmark-it-to-choose-fonts/
Cathy Fry says
I need to make arrows and arrow heads
Cori George says
What kind of arrows and arrowheads? I’m not quite sure i understand your needs.
Christy says
Thinking of getting one of these.. can you tell me exactly the kinds of accessorys come with it and what I will need to purchase seperately? Appreciate your blog n time thank you.
Cori George says
I have two posts on accessories. I hope one of them helps you out!
https://heyletsmakestuff.com/cricut-accessories/
https://heyletsmakestuff.com/must-have-cricut-maker-accessories/
Michelle says
Can you make puzzles with the explore air 2?
Cori George says
It depends on how thick your material is. Here’s a good post from another blog about cutting some thicker materials: https://www.sisterssuitcaseblog.com/how-to-cut-wood-with-the-cricut-explore/. The new Cricut Maker will cut heavier materials, BUT the knife blade has been delayed so I’m not sure when it will actually cut those thicker materials. Hope that helps!
RC says
Love doing arts and crafts….I do all sorts of things…been looking at the Cricut explore for a while but had no idea what to do with it…this article helped me thanks. Now which do u recommend I buy and which accessories do I need to buy with it…I do flowers, banners, signs, cards, ribbons, posters, glass n wood work, u name it lol I even like making jewelry. I joined your mailing list too ????????
Cori George says
Hi RC — you can see my post on the different machines here: https://heyletsmakestuff.com/cricut-explore-machine-differences/. That might help you decide! And then I have a post on accessories here: https://heyletsmakestuff.com/cricut-accessories/ Hope this all helps!
aly says
cricket maker does wood and leather, metal