Buy This Not That – Cricut Edition

There are SO many different craft products out there to use with your Cricut machines. And it can get confusing and frustrating to figure out which ones to use. We have tried and tested many, many different brands of craft supplies and we’re sharing our knowledge and experience here with you in Buy This Not That – Cricut Edition.

Buy This Not That – Cricut Edition

Disclosure: Some of the links below are paid links provided for your convenience. This means, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase

Weeding tools –

If you are struggling to weed, especially with intricate cuts, use the pin pen instead of a regular weeding tool. The tip is like a needle point and so it’s very fine and sharp. We often like to use the regular weeding tool for the outside borders and the pin pen on the interior parts.

Craft knife –

Use the Cricut TrueControl Knife instead of an Xacto Knife. We have tried many different craft knives and the Cricut one is by far the best we have ever used. It cuts beautifully and is so much safer to use. They designed it with an ergonomic grip and it won’t roll off your table. Not only that, but you can lock and unlock the blade and can replace it without touching it. We use this all the time, especially for cutting away excess vinyl and other materials so we can save the scraps for future use.

Paper trimmer –

In this case, we do not recommend the Cricut brand paper trimmer. In our experience, they simply don’t cut straight. We much prefer Fiskars paper trimmers and have always gotten amazing results from them.

Mug press –

Instead of using a mug press, we recommend using a convection oven. We like the Gourmia convection oven and were able to purchase it for under $100, making it a better deal than the Cricut mug press. We use it for sublimation and you can use it for Infusible Ink as well. What makes this better than a mug press (besides the price)?

Well, there is a lot of rotating and flipping involved in using a mug press and you can only do 1 at a time. With the convection oven, we can do up to 3 tumblers at once and it’s both easier and faster.

Heat press –

Instead of using the Cricut AutoPress, we suggest the HTVRont heat press instead. We love the quality of it and it is one quarter of the price of the Cricut press. One disadvantage is that the tray doesn’t come out further and so you have to get close to the hot plate, but we have found it easy to get the knack of that. One caveat – if you have arthritis and some hand/arm mobility issues, the Cricut AutoPress might be a better choice for you.

Cutting mats –

Use Nicapa mats instead of Cricut mats. They’re high quality and we get consistently good results with them. Nicapa mats are less expensive than Cricut mats too!

Cricut subscription –

Instead of paying for Cricut Access, we recommend getting a Makers Gonna Learn subscription instead. You get so much more value from it! We have a community of like-minded crafters for you to join, 10000+ cut files, 1000+ fonts, and a commercial license that allows you to sell the items you make with our designs. With Cricut Access, they do give you project ideas but there is no education provided to help you understand how to make those projects.

MGL teaches you how to use your machine and make the projects you want to create! Best of all, even if you cancel your Makers Gonna Learn subscription, you can keep and continue to use (for personal use) any cut files and fonts you have already downloaded from us. With Cricut Access, once you cancel, you lose all of the files you used.

Adhering sublimation projects –

Heat resistant tape is good, but have you tried Dye Trans Pro Spray II? It is perfect for adhering your sublimation projects. It’s easier, faster, and more affordable to use! And, by the time you heat it, the residue is gone.

Cardstock –

Don’t just pick up any cardstock – look for a good quality brand that you can rely on. We love Celebration Warehouse, especially for their glitter cardstock which won’t ever flake or leave a glittery mess behind. And it cuts like a dream!

Cricut EasyPress –

If you’re only going to buy one, we suggest you get the Cricut EasyPress Mini instead of one of the larger ones. It runs about $50, making it the most economical choice and is our tried and true option that we reach for far more often than any others. The Mini provides consistent heat and gets into those nooks and crannies on your craft blanks.

Using glue –

We don’t recommend reaching for E6000 for all of your gluing needs (when things like a glue gun or ATG won’t suffice). It’s great for thicker items but for day to day needs, we use DAP Rapid Fuse for all of our industrial or super glue needs. It sets quickly – in about 20 seconds or less – and it holds well.