
If you are new to Cricut crafting, you may be wondering what you need to buy in order to make all the things. When you are first starting out you will want to start small. The Ultimate Cricut Gift Guide will help you decide what products you may need to create certain projects. Your crafting arsenal will grow over time (ask any crafter!) as you make more projects.
As a longtime Cricut crafter myself, I have a pretty good handle on the tools that Cricut crafters like to have at their disposal. I put together The Ultimate Cricut Gift Guide to make it easier for you, or someone shopping for you, to see what supplies you might need or like to have, at a glance.
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Gifts Under $10
Cricut Heat Resistant Tape is a must have when adding HTV or Cricut Infusible Ink to your project. You will want to use the Cricut Strong Grip Transfer Tape when transferring glitter vinyl. Cricut Vinyl Transfer Tape works perfectly for transferring regular vinyl.
Cricut Printable Vinyl is fun to use for labels. Make sure you get the Cricut Replacement Blades with the “WHITE” cap. The gray cap is for the older legacy machines. A Pin Pen Weeding Tool is the greatest invention EVER!!! It gets those tiny pieces when you are weeding (along with the rest of the weeding) with ease.
A Cricut True Control Knife is so handy when cutting fabric or vinyl or even opening those new boxes of Cricut supplies you just ordered. I’d be lost without my Vinyl Weeding Scrap Collector. No more fighting with those little pieces of vinyl. If you purchase the Cricut Joy, you will definitely want to get the Cricut Joy Starter Tool Kit to go with it.
Gifts Under $15
Cricut Foil Transfer Sheets are the perfect thing to use with the Cricut Foil Transfer Kit for the Maker or Explore machines. If you haven’t tried Infusible Ink yet, what are you waiting for. It is so much fun and you can make the most beautiful projects with it. Don’t forget to get your EasyPress Mat when you purchase your EasyPress 2. It’s a must have.
Get the Cricut mugs to use with the Cricut Mug Press. They are made specifically for Infusible Ink. Create personalized stickers, labels and decorative accents with Cricut Printable Sticker Paper. It is designed for use with the Print then Cut feature on your Cricut. All of the tools you need for the Cricut machine can be found in the Cricut Basic Tool Set.
Gifts Under $20
Cricut Adhesive Vinyl can be applied to a wide variety of base materials. You can remove it without residue, making it the perfect material for decals, labels, and wall decor. The Cricut Deep Cut Blade works in the Explore machines as well as the Maker machines. It has the ability to cut through thicker materials. A Cricut Machine Tool Organizer is perfect for keeping all of your tips and housings organized in one place.
Extend the life of your Cricut FabricGrip cutting mat with the Cricut Brayer. It adheres material to your cutting mat and is perfect for presssing down fabric, vinyl, or iron-on. Cricut Ink Pens are a fun way to express yourself by having the Cricut write and draw your designs.
Gifts Under $25
Cricut Quick Swap Tools (which include the Knife Housing Blade, the Wavy Blade and Engraving Tip with Housing are all nice to have if you want to step outside the box with your crafting.
The Cricut Foil Transfer Kit is a 3-in-1 tool used to create gorgeous foil effects on a variety of projects. No heat required. The Cricut Joy Foil Transfer kit is made to be used specifically with the Joy.
Gifts Under $30
Cricut’s Scoring Wheel Combo pack packs a powerful punch with a single and a double scoring tip. You will love the Cricut Smart Material for the Joy. You don’t need a mat when using it on the Joy. Cricut Heat Press Vinyl (HTV) is Ideal for T-shirts, bags, aprons, wood, cardstock, as well as home decor.
Cricut Infusible Ink Markers are a super fun way to express yourself. They are fun to decorate mugs and coasters.
The Cricut EasyPress Mini is so much fun to use. It is fun to be able to adhere heat transfer vinyl (HTV) onto things like sneakers and ball caps and other small projects. You can get into the nooks and crannies. Having a variety of Cricut Cutting Mats is essential for your crafting. Depending on what you are cutting will determine the color of the mat you will use.
Gifts Under $100
The Cricut Bright Pad is a must have for all of your vinyl weeding needs. It is so helpful in weeding because it lights up your design from the back to show the cut lines and where to weed.
Gifts Under $150
There are two sizes of the Cricut EasyPress 2, 9×9 and 12×10. The 9×9 is great for small and medium size projects using heat transfer vinyl (HTV) or the Infusible Ink. Same thing for the 12×10, it is great for larger projects like tee shirts.
Gifts Under $200
The Cricut Joy and the Cricut Mug Press are extra special. The Joy is wonderful for doing small projects like cards and labels. The mug press is so much fun to decorate mugs with.
Choosing Your Machine
Here’s the really fun part. Choosing your machine.
Cricut Explore 3
Materials
100+
Wide range of lightweight & specialty materials
6 Tools
- Fine-Point Blade
- Deep-Point Blade
- Pens & Markers
- Scoring Stylus
- Foil Transfer Tool
- Bonded-Fabric Tool
Cut Force – Standard
Cut Speed
Up to 2X
Compared to Cricut Explore Air 2
Smart Materials
13 in wide, up to 75 ft
Max Cut Length
12 ft
Roll Holder
sold separately
Cricut Maker 3
Materials
300+
Everything Cricut Explore cuts, plus fabric, leather, balsa wood & more
13 Tools
- Fine-Point Blade
- Deep-Point Blade
- Pens & Markers
- Scoring Stylus
- Foil Transfer tool
- Bonded-Fabric Tool
- Rotary Blade
- Knife Blade
- Scoring Wheels (Single & Double)
- Engraving Tool
- Debossing Tool
- Wavy Blade
- Perforation Blade
Cut Force – 10X
with Adaptive Tool Systemâ„¢
Cut Speed
Up to 2X
Compared to Cricut Maker
Smart Materials
13 in wide, up to 75 ft
Max Cut Length
12 ft
Roll Holder
sold separately
Built-in mobile device stand
Print Then Cut
6.75 in x 9.25 in
Max image size
Great ideas!
Thank you so much Jessica!!!