What Cricut Accessories and Supplies do you need to get started crafting?

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Getting a new Cricut and wondering what Cricut accessories you truly need to get started? I show you the exact must-have Cricut accessories and supplies you need to start making fabulous things right away!

 

Did you get a new Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker cutting machine, or planning to get one, and wondering WHAT ELSE you need? I get so many questions about this from the members of my Cricut Crafters & Makers Facebook group that I decided it was time for a list! So let me tell you exactly what Cricut accessories I consider to be must-haves and nice-to-haves so you can get crafting with your machine immediately!

If you have a Cricut Joy, I have a guide to help you figure out what accessories and supplies you need to start using it.  Read my Cricut Joy Accessories Guide here.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)!  Read my full disclosure policy.

First, you really don’t need ALL THE THINGS. Your Cricut will come with a lot of the REALLY essential things. Here’s a list of what your Cricut comes with:

Cricut Explore Included-in-Box Accessories and Supplies:

  • German Carbide Premium Fine-Point Blade and Housing
  • 12″ x 12″ LightGrip Cutting Mat
  • Fine-Point Cricut Pen — not included with the Cricut Explore One
  • Accessory adapter (for a scoring stylus or Cricut pen) — not included with the Cricut Explore One
  • Material sample (for the first project)
  • USB cord and power adapter

Cricut Maker Included-in-Box Accessories and Supplies:

  • German Carbide Premium Fine-Point Blade and Housing
  • Rotary Blade and Housing
  • 12″ x 12″ LightGrip Cutting Mat
  • 12″ x 12″ FabricGrip Cutting Mat
  • Fine-Point Cricut Pen
  • Cardstock and fabric sample (for the first project)
  • Accessory adapter (for a scoring stylus or Cricut pen)
  • USB cord and power adapter

Beyond what comes in the box, all I had when I first started out with my Cricut Explore Air 2 was some cardstock. But there are a number of things that are really useful to have in the beginning, and that’s what we’ll focus on!

 

So What Cricut Accessories are Must-Haves?

Must-Have Accessory: Cricut Tools (Especially Weeding Tool and Scraper Tool)

Cricut weeding tool and scaper tool are what Cricut accessories you need to get started!

WHAT TO GET: Some basic tools are really useful, especially a weeding tool and a scraper.

WHY GET IT: If you cut vinyl, you’re almost certainly going to need a weeding tool to remove all the bits of vinyl you do not want to transfer to your project. And a scraper is SO useful when cutting paper, as it takes a while to get all of those little bits of paper up off your mat.

WHERE TO GET IT: You can get just the Cricut weeding tool here and just the Cricut scraper tool here, but it’s a better deal to get a Cricut Basic Tool Set here on Amazon. You’ll also find these tools stocked at the major craft stores.

Store your Cricut tools on a mini pegboard!

Tip: Learn how to make this nifty and portable Cricut tool holder here.

 

Must Have Accessory: Cricut Deep-Cut Blade (Maker and Explore) or Cricut Knife Blade (Maker Only)

Cricut knife blade and deep-cut blade are what Cricut accessories you need to get started!

WHAT TO GET: The Deep-Cut Blade (Explore and Maker) and the Knife Blade (Maker only) let you cut thicker materials. Neither of these will come with your Cricut unless you purchased a special bundle that included it.

WHY GET IT: If you want to cut thicker materials, you’ll need one or both of these blades, depending on your machine. It will open up a lot more opportunities for cutting! Several of the free projects on my blog call for one of these blades, such as the Puzzle and the Cricut Tool Bench.

WHERE TO GET IT: You can get the Deep-Cut Blade and Housing here (yes, you need both) and the Knife Blade and Housing here on Amazon. You’ll also find them stocked at the major craft stores.

Cricut Knife Blade in the package, ready to put in my Cricut Maker

Tip: Learn more about Cricut Blades here.

 

Must-Have Accessory: Cricut Scoring Stylus/Scoring Tool

Scoring stylus and scoring tool are what Cricut accessories you need to get started!

WHAT TO GET: One of the best accessories I think a new Cricut owner needs is either a scoring stylus (for Cricut Explore) or a scoring tool (for Cricut Maker owners). Note that Cricut Maker owners can also use the scoring stylus if they wish, but the scoring tool will give you a deeper score. I use both the scoring stylus and tool all the time, and many of my papercraft projects utilize it.

WHY GET IT: With a scoring tool, you can make a wider variety of papercrafts. Most of the papercrafts on my blog have some sort of scoring involved. It’s a simple tool that makes a big difference for papercrafting. Note that if you don’t plan to do papercrafting, you don’t need this accessory.

WHERE TO GET IT: You can get the scoring stylus here and a scoring tool here on Amazon! You’ll also find them stocked at the major craft stores.

Cricut Scoring Tools and Tips: How to Change and Attach Score Lines in SVG Cut Files #cricut #cricutdesignspace #circutexplore #papercrafts

Tip: Learn more about both the scoring stylus and the scoring wheel in my Cricut Scoring Guide.

 

Must-Have Accessory: Aluminum Foil Ball

An aluminum foil ball is what Cricut accessories you need to get started!

WHAT TO GET: A sheet of regular household aluminum foil, balled up tightly.

WHY GET IT: A ball of aluminum foil will help you keep your fine-point blades clean, and likely will mean you do not need to buy replacement blades for a long, long time (I haven’t bought a replacement blade in over a year now). Learn how to use the aluminum foil ball over in my Cricut Cutting Problems & Solutions.

WHERE TO GET IT: Your local grocery store will have some or you can order aluminum foil from Amazon! But I’ll bet you already have some out in your kitchen!

 

What Cricut Supplies are Must-Haves

Must-Have Supply: Cardstock

If you want to begin making papercraft projects with your Cricut right away, you’ll need cardstock! I recommend 65 lb. solid core paper, like the Recollections brand.

12x12 scrapbook paper storage organizer filled with paper

 

Must-Have Supply: Vinyl

If you want to begin making vinyl projects with your Cricut right away, you’ll need vinyl! I recommend both self-adhesive vinyl and iron-on vinyl (also called HTV) for a variety of vinyl projects. For self-adhesive vinyl, I use Cricut brand and Oracal. For iron-on vinyl, I use Cricut brand and Siser.

Store your vinyl rolls in this IKEA bag holder -- three of them fit perfectly on a 14" lazy Susan

 

Must-Have Supply: Transfer Tape

Vinyl projects also need at least one roll of transfer tape so you can transfer your vinyl to your project surface. Be sure to get the Cricut StandardGrip Transfer Tape, not the StrongGrip transfer tape (which is only used for glitter vinyl). I usually just use the Cricut brand of transfer tape.

 

Nice-to-Have Cricut Accessories

Nice-to-Have Accessory: More Cricut Mats

I go through mats pretty frequently, and usually buy a new Cricut mat every time I visit the craft store. Some projects will really need a new or newish mat that is very sticky in order to work right. Yes, you can wash them, but I find it more time consuming and it’s easier (for me) to just get new mats (time is money, friends!). I recommend you have at least one each of the Cricut mats, and maybe some of the 12″ x 24″ mats if you intend to do some larger projects.

Cricut Cutting Mats -- which one is best and sticky enough for my project?

 

Nice-to-Have Accessory: Cricut EasyPress

If you’re going to do iron-on vinyl projects, the Cricut EasyPress is a great accessory and makes it easier to iron-on things.

Jennifer using the Cricut EasyPress 2 to press a black tote bag

 

Nice-to-Have Accessory: Cricut Pens

If you think you’ll want to do any envelope addressing or writing in general, pick up a few Cricut pens — they fit right in your accessory clamp.  They also work for writing on labels or card designs.

Cricut pens are what Cricut accessories you need to get started!

Tip: Learn more about Cricut pens in my Ultimate Cricut Pen Guide.

 

Nice-To-Have Cricut Supplies

Nice-to-Have Supply: Fabric and Fabric Marking Pen

If you have a Cricut Maker, you’ll find it cuts fabric really nicely. So a small supply of felt and other fabrics can be useful! You might also want to get the fabric-marking pen!

Things I DO NOT Think You Need Right Away

You really don’t need replacement fine-point blades. Use my aluminum foil ball trick to keep your blades sharp and clean!

You don’t need every color and type of cardstock or vinyl, even though you may be tempted. I recommend you buy your supplies on a project-by-project basis to avoid stockpiling too much and getting overwhelmed.

 

Now, What Do You Do With Your Cricut?

You’re now ready to take on the crafting world, my friend! If you need help setting up a new Cricut, I have a whole new owner’s guide and free mini-course on how to do that!

Your new Cricut cutting machine comes with a free trial of Cricut Access, which is a library of images, projects, and fonts. It’s all inside Cricut Design Space (the app you used or will use, to set up your Cricut). So I recommend you click Projects, choose “Cricut Access” from the dropdown menu at the top, and pick a project that looks like something you want. Some projects will be harder or require tools or materials you don’t have yet, so try to stick with something simple at first. Each project will tell you what materials and accessories you need, so be sure to check. When you’ve found something, click the green Make It button to get started.

Are you ready to make some of the projects I’ve designed? You can! Here is a project I made just for beginners — the Easy Layers Greeting Card Set:DIY Greeting Card Set - Fast, Easy Layers! | Cricut | Free Cut Files

Each card is a two-sheet project, so you’ll need to load another mat with another sheet of cardstock into the machine. Design Space will show you what color will be cut next, or you can use whatever colors you want.

Once you feel comfortable with uploading SVG files for your new Cricut, you can make any of the projects on my blog or elsewhere on the web. You can find many free SVG files, or you can buy them, too. All of the SVG files in my Resource Library are free for you to download and use! My Pop-Up Butterfly Card is another easy project great for beginners.

DIY Pop Up Butterfly Card

If you have any questions about Cricut accessories or supplies, please come on over to my awesome Facebook group and let us know!

Love,

JenniferMaker.com

P.S. Here are some great Cricut Tips and Tricks to help you get the most out of your cutting machine!

Want to remember this? Save the Cricut Accessories and Supplies List to your favorite Pinterest board!

What Cricut Accessories and Supplies do you need to get started crafting #cricut #cricuttools #papercrafts #vinyl

Getting a new Cricut and wondering what Cricut accessories you truly need to get started? I show you the exact must-have Cricut accessories and supplies you need to start making fabulous things right away! #cricut #cricutmade #cricutmaker #cricutexplore

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12 Comments

  1. I would add a Cricut Basic Trimmer. This is how I cut all of my vinyl from rolls. Also, a self-healing rotary cutting mat. If you are new to crafting and using your kitchen table, etc., this really saves on the wear and tear plus it has measurement rulers on it. Great for cutting vinyl to size before inserting it on your cutting mat.

  2. Thank you for your care and patience. I am so apprehensive, with that initial fear and not knowing where to start. I lost my job with the pandemic and am trying to start a clothing brand. It was great to find so many incredible tips and all the care you did, explaining the function of each thing I’ve never seen. God bless you richly.

  3. Thank you for all the helpful information. I am brand new to Cricut.
    Your blog is a one stop shop! No need to look everywhere anymore, for me 🙂
    Thanks a looooot!

  4. Your website and videos are soo helpful as I am new to cricut! I can’t wait to get started. One question I have, what size cricut press should one have without going crazy and buying every size available? LOL

  5. I got a Cricut maker in December and I absolutely love it. Thanks to you and your videos, I have created so many fun things, and I’m learning more everyday. I have started to experimenting with the HTV now, I have a regular iron I have been using. But I’m thinking of getting an Easy Press 2. Should I go for the 12×10? or start with the 9×9?

  6. I try to read all your emails but I wonder if I missed your description or recommendation between the Cricut Explore and the Cricut Maker. Please send me the link. Thank you!

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