Cricut Settings

Materials Settings

For EXPLORE settings -- click here to see Provo Craft's exhaustive list.  This is a link to Debbie O'Neal's blog where the list is not only in PDF format but also ALPHABETICAL and printable!
  
For all other machines, see the info below!
For this list in a printable format, click here!
For Provocraft's PDF of settings for special materials , click here!

These are Cricut settings that work on my Expression and Imagine machines.  Text in quotation marks are notes from other crafters which I haven’t tested yet! 
As always, your machine may be different. 



Paper and Cardstock
Thin paper:  speed  low; blade depth 3; pressure  low to medium
Nadia’s Cardstock Settings for Cricut Expression:  Speed 3; pressure 4; depth 5 (6 for thicker cardstock); multicut 1
Nadia's Cardstock Settings for Cricut Imagine:  Speed 5; pressure 3 (pressure 5 if using a 'barely sticky mat'); blade depth 4 (blade 5 if using a 'barely sticky mat'); multicut 1

Scoring on TBBM2 (Expression)
Instead of the scoring tip and housing, I use the regular blade and simply reduce the pressure and blade depth, keeping speed the same as for regular cutting.  This method cuts into the paper, but not all the way through.  Be sure to press "load mat" after scoring!
pressure 2 (3 on the E2)
blade depth 2 (3 on the E2)

Cricut Markers
speed  3; pressure 2  (use a post-it under the marker when inserting to avoid marking up paper)

Cricut Gel Pens
On my Expression, I used the same settings as for cardstock; on my Imagine, I did NOT like the pens at all even with speed 3 and pressure 2)

Post-It Full Adhesive Craft Paper
blade depth  4; speed  3 (medium); pressure 3 (medium)
This will cut through the paper but not cut through the liner.  If you want to cut through the paper and the liner, increase the pressure.

Vinyl (all types including heat transfer)
kiss cut (i.e not cutting the adhesive backing )
blade depth  3; speed  3; pressure 3

Shrinky  Dinks
Blade Depth 6; Speed 3; Pressure 5; Multi-cut 2 or 3 depending on the brand!
Set oven temperature per package instructions.  I have found that it always takes longer than package suggests (any where from 6 to 12 minutes).  They will buckle and bulge, but are finished when they are small and fairly flat!   For printing on the Imagine, you can use draft quality to get colors closer to pre-baking saturation.  When printing on the shrink film, be sure to purchase the kind intended for inkjet printers and be sure you are printing on the correct side (read package directions to determine!)

Wood Veneer
Speed 3; Pressure 6; Blade depth 6; Multi cut  2 or 3(depending on thickness of your wood veneer)

Magnet 
0.35”/0.80mm  - deepcut blade - speed med; pressure max; blade depth 6; multicut 4

Stencil
0.0155”/0.40mm - standard blade - speed med; pressure max; blade depth 6; multicut 2
Adhesive backing is repositionable. Cover the rest of piece back again.

Chipboard
.059”/0.40mm - deepcut blade - speed med; pressure high; blade 6; multi cut 5
.022- like a med-heavy cardstock, blade 5-6; pressure max; speed 4; multi cut 2
.024- think cereal box- same as .022, if clay coated, multi cut 3
.028- IDEAL for cricut usage! blade 6; pressure max; speed 4-5; multi cut 4
Grafix medium weight chipboard - 
deepcut blade; speed high; pressure  max; multi cut  8
(to multicut 8 times load mat - multicut with setting 4 then without unloading the mat  press load
again and then repeat last)  A crafter on the message board stated:  “A new blade and mat work best for thicker board like Grafix medium weight I use a old mat which I haven’t discarded then attach it using ATG gun and then cut. (have to multicut 8 times)”

Stamp
0.0415”/1.05mm - deepcut blade - speed med; pressure high; blade depth 4 or 5; multicut 1

Embossing folder
0.0160”/0.41mm - standard blade - speed med; pressure max; blade depth 6; multicut 2

Iron on fabric
0.023”/0.58mm - standard blade - speed med; pressure high; blade depth 5; multicut 1
A crafter on the message board stated: "Add iron on transfer to regular fabric set with iron before cutting."
Nadia's notes:  For the Cricut Imagine, I use Avery 53207 Printable Cotton and use the same settings as for Cardstock.

DCWV Adhesive-backed Fabric Paper
This info is per Carolyn (MamaC) on the Cricut message board:
"This adhesive backed fabric 'paper' cuts beautifully in the Cricut!  Turn the fabric side toward the mat.  Remember, you will be cutting a reverse image!
Speed high; pressure high; blade depth 6;  multi cut 2"  (not recommended for small or intricate cuts)
This is a link to her blog post using this in her Create:  Carolyn's Creative Corner blog

Acetate (including recycled Cricut clamshells!)
speed 3; pressure 4; blade depth 5; multicut 3  You can also emboss this stuff in your Cuttlebug!

Grunge board (basic)size less than 1"
blade Deep Cut; blade depth 5; speed 4-5; pressure 4; multi cut 3

Grunge board (intricate) size greater than 1"
blade deep cut; blade depth 4; speed 3; pressure 3-4; multi cut 4
“The above is for Grunge board, but Grunge paper is thinner. You can use the regular blade for
grunge paper, I'd recommend something basic like blade depth 5; pressure 4; speed 4; multi cut 2!”

Felt
Deep Cut Blade
Blade Depth 6; Speed 2; Pressure 5; multi cut 2.

Designer Michele Kovak's tips:  "When I use felt, I use a high quality felt that is a "tighter" knit.....like Papertrey Ink's felt. I iron on Heat N Bond and that is the side that faces up.  You can see that there is a smooth side to the Heat and Bond and a bumpy side.  You want the bumpy side down on top of the fabric.  Next, iron on Heat and Bond to the fabric on medium setting for several minutes.  Once your Heat and Bond is ironed on, you will go ahead and place the fabric on your Cricut mat face down.  The Head and Bond side will be facing up.  To ensure that this doesn't move on the mat, I use a blue painting tape to tape it to the mat. (This mat is specifically for felt after this....because you will have a few stray fibers!) Use your deep cut blade and cut! I try not to pick too intricate of a cut.....the simpler the better."

Polymer Clay (I have not used this project in the Cricut.  These are notes from other crafters)
Speed Medium; Pressure High; Blade depth 6
A crafter on the message board stated: “To cut polymer clay on your cricut you need to unsticky your mat. Once you do that you need to take a damp cloth and rub it on the clay. The wet side goes on the mat. Make sure you press down good.  Now if you had the Cake this would be easy just load and cut. I don't have the Cricut Cake , so I moved over that grey rubber thingy. I my blade was at 6, pressure was at high, and speed was medium.  I sealed the necklaces with glossy accents.”

Tulip Glitter Transfer Sheets
Deep Blade Housing; Blade 6; Pressure 3; Speed 3; Glossy side down on mat
For Nilda's how-to video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpFZxYwPgBs&feature=player_embedded



Speed Adjustment Chart
LCD Screen Speed / Material
5-Max Extra fast for heavy cardstock or very simple cuts
4-High Fast for cardstock, textured papers or simple cuts
3-Med Factory default setting for printed papers or normal cuts
2-Low Slow for lightweight papers or detailed cuts
1-Min Extra slow for vellum or very detailed cuts
Pressure Adjustment Chart
LCD Screen Pressure / Material
5-Max Extra firm for heavy cardstock
4-High Firm for cardstock, textured, high fiber content papers
3-Med Factory default setting for printed papers
2-Low For lightweight papers
1-Min Light for vellum







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But wait!  There's more!  Click 'older posts' above!