I've been loving getting to know my Cricut Joy, the little powerhouse that makes it easy to personalize your life with custom decals, labels, cards, paper crafts, iron-on projects, and more. Which accessories and materials you need to get started will depend on what you'd like to do with it, but this guide will run down the basics. At least, you don't have to buy a pen and a Standard Grip Mat, since your Joy comes with them.
Pros:
- Must-have tools in one place
- Everything you need to get started
- Usable on a variety of projects
Cons:
- Tools are fairly small
- Takes practice to become adept at required motions
Once you have your Cricut machine, you'll also want the right tools to ensure your projects come out looking picture perfect. The Cricut Joy Starter Tool Set delivers a 3-piece set with everything you need for a variety of new projects. You get a spatula to lift materials, weeder for removing excess bits from projects, and a scraper to adjust how vinyl are attached or cleaning the bed of your Cricut.
Pros:
- Works well with different materials
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons:
- Takes time to get the hang of
- Tape can be sticky and difficult to remove
Have you wondered how you'd transfer complicated, delicate decals to your blank item? The secret is the transfer tape. Just cut some transfer tape and stick it onto your decal, use the scraper to bond it, then lift the decal with it and press it onto your blank. Using the scraper again, carefully remove the transfer tape and your decal is perfectly applied.
Pros:
- Sturdy construction
- Affordable
- Can be used to makes cards in 3 sizes
Cons:
- Learning curve to get the hang of
- Does not always retain stickiness
You only need this if you want to make greeting cards with your Cricut Joy. Trust me, you do! I'm never buying expensive greeting cards at the store again. They are so quick and easy to make on the Cricut Joy, and they look amazing. You'll need this card mat to make insert-style cards so go ahead and grab one right away.
Pros:
- Fast heating
- Easy to use
- Wide surface area lets you apply multiple patches at once
Cons:
- Can break down after extended use
- Heat fluctuations can occur after extended use
Yes, you can use an ordinary household iron (without steam!) for your Iron-On and Infusible Ink projects, but the EasyPress with its precise heat measurements, wide surface area, and a timer is the perfect tool for the job. It comes in a variety of sizes, and though the 9x9 is the biggest, it will deal with any size project you can think of.
Cricut EasyPress Mat, 8" x 10"
Give your transfers the best chance
Protect your WIPs until they're ready for the light of day!
Pros:
- Helps with iron-on transfers
- Multiple layers protect from excess heat
- Makes evenly pressing items easier than ever
Cons:
- Can arrive bent from packaging
- Only one side of the pad is usable
I know, a mat is such a boring thing to buy, but using this underneath your EasyPress will make your project go more smoothly. It directs the heat to your item and eliminates any moisture that could ruin your project. It's essentially a tiny ironing board designed to fit and work with your EasyPress flawlessly.
Pros:
- Doesn't leave marks behind
- Sticks well to fabric
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Scissors required to cut off pieces
- Does not fit a standard tape dispenser
A little bit of tape to hold your Smart Iron-On Vinyl or Infusible Ink Sheets in place while you work on them is a great idea to ensure your project goes as planned. Cricut's Heat Resistant Tape will help with that, plus it won't leave any residue on your project.
But what do you need immediately?
If you've purchased a Cricut Joy, you might be wondering what you really need to buy to get started right away, and what can wait. The very first thing I'd buy is the Cricut Joy Starter Tool Set. Once you have that, you can just use any old cardstock or paper you have around the house, plus the mat and pen that came with the Cricut Joy and start creating. It's a great way to practice using the machine without wasting pricier materials.
If you only want to pick up one more item, make it a Cricut Joy Card Mat. This little mat is cleverly designed for making professional-looking cards every time. You can use your own card stock and envelopes.
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