Most people think the Cricut Explore is for cutting paper and vinyl. But it can cut so much more than that! Let’s take a look at some of the more than 100 Cricut Explore materials and a few things you can make with them.
Are you guys ready for another Cricut post? The first two posts in this series — What is a Cricut and What Does it Do? and What Kind of Cricut Explore Projects Can I Make? — have both been extremely popular over here on the blog. I’m not surprised — a lot of people have heard of the Cricut Explore but have no idea what all they can do and make with it. I gave a huge list in that second post and a bunch of examples of projects from my own blog, but to get your imagination turning even more, I’d like to talk about some of the different materials you can cut using your Cricut Explore.
I’ve cut my fair share of different materials on the Cricut Explore, but not anywhere close to the number that Cricut says it will cut. I’ve cut paper, vellum, card stock, fabric, felt, vinyl, iron-on vinyl, printable vinyl, printable sticker paper, washi tape, craft foam, leather, and photographs. Pretty good!
But listen to this — the Cricut will cut more than 100 different materials! From acetate to wrapping paper, you can cut pretty much anything on a Cricut Explore:
How cool is that? Do you have anything to add to this massive list?
Stop pulling your hair out and start creating confidently with your Cricut! Finally understand how to use your Cricut with my Learn Your Cricut eBooks!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
[ess_grid alias=”cricut_crafts”]
Comments & Reviews
S says
Hi – How did you ladies get the machine to recognize the print lines once laminated? Mine seems to not be recognizing it properly and as a result the cuts are completely off. Any tricks?
Carli Robinson says
Have you ever used your machine to cut laminated paper or cardstock? I’m a preschool teacher and fairly new to using a Cricut, I have loved it so far but have to laminate everything if I want it to last more than 5 minutes and sometimes cutting out the laminated cut can be difficult.
Liz, HLMS Reader Support says
Yes, you can cut laminated materials – the trick is to check 2 things:
1. Make sure you have a mat that the material will stick really well to so it doesn’t shift while cutting (like a blue or green mat).
2. You will need to experiment with the cut setting on some test material so you know what setting will cut all the way through your paper and lamination.
Happy Crafting!!
Liz, HLMS Reader Support
Kelly Anne says
You can! I made my 3 year old a letter/word of the week board using the Cricut Air 2 with laminated cardstock. The cardstock is 65lb and I used the setting “Light Chipboard – 0.55mm”. It cuts it twice and comes out perfectly! I even did the print and cut and had it cut my laminated printed cardstock. GAME CHANGER!
MzHolliWudKitti says
Which of the cricut scut things like leather and wood? I’ve been all I’ve rtue internet and this is the first actual list of materials ANY cricut cuts! I was told the Brother machine cuts leather and wood but I can’t find anything concrete to that…thanks in advance for your advice!!
Kreative Kittiz
MzHolliWudKitti says
UGH! SPELL CHECK IS UR FRIEND?! LOL
“Which of the Cricutscut things like leather and wood? I’ve been all over the internet and this is the first actual list of materials ANY Cricut cuts! I was told the Brother machine cuts leather and wood but I can’t find anything concrete to that effect…thanks in advance for your advice!!”
Kreative Kittiz
Liz, HLMS Reader Support says
What you’ll definitely want to use is the Cricut Maker – it can cut HUNDREDS of materials including leather and thin wood as it has about a 2mm clearance.
You can learn more about the machine at the link below:
https://heyletsmakestuff.com/cricut-maker/
Happy Crafting – can’t wait to see what you’ll make!!
Liz, HLMS Reader Support
Nancy Bosch says
Hi! I’m attempting to write a grant to obtain the Explore Air 2. I teach in an elementary school. What would be a good project to start with? The machine is $200…so I can ask for $300 in “stuff.” Any suggestions on what I’d absolutely need? I have not used one yet, but I’m excited to get started!
Phyllis says
I’m a quilter, I have been told that you can cut fabric. However when I tried the Cricut dragged and bunched the cotton fabric. I’m not ready to give up yet, I have ordered a new and supposedly sharper blade. Any suggestions,
Cori George says
Which machine do you have? The Cricut Explore? If so, it can only cut stabilized fabric (like with Heat N Bond on the back). You’ll need the Cricut Maker to cut regular non-stabilized cotton fabric well, since it has the capability to use the rotary cutter. Here’s more information on cutting fabric with the Maker: https://heyletsmakestuff.com/cut-fabric-cricut/
Joann says
Hi I would like to purchase a cricut makes props mostly the cartoon props.Which cricut should I buy.
Cori George says
I’m not sure what you mean by “props” — what materials would you be cutting?
Check out this post for more information about each Cricut; it might help you decide: https://heyletsmakestuff.com/cricut-explore-machine-differences/
Martha says
The cricut site has a list of materials with blade and pressure settings. You can cut fabric with the explore but it needs to be attached to a stabilizing material. The new maker has a rotary blade that can cut fabrics without using the stabilizer. https://help.cricut.com/help/cricut-explore-materials-settings
Clara says
I have used it. Worked real well.
Teresa says
With the new Cricut Maker can you cut out images imprinted on magnet sheets?
Charuta says
Cricut Explorer air 2 has been in my wishlist for almost an year now. I want it to make stencils primarily but have no idea how to use that. Thanks for posting the link to tutorials above. However, I read in earlier post that you had had a demo of this I think back in 2014 ? I visited Michaels and hobby lobby many times but there was no one to give me a demo of this. Can you advise where could I get a demo?
Cori George says
Hi Charuta — I’m not sure! I actually had a demo at a conference I was at. Maybe ask around on Facebook to see if anyone local to you might be able to show you the ropes?
Sunny Stamps says
I have no idea how to use this machine, but thank you for the series, I hope you can help me to fall in love with it. Do you suppose you could use contact paper as a cutting material? Thank you.
Cori George says
I don’t see why not! You might need to play around with the settings to get the right cut depth, but I have no doubt it would work.
Amy says
I have no clue how to use my machine
Cori George says
Hi Amy! I have a bunch of tutorials. You can start here: https://heyletsmakestuff.com/cricut-explore/