Must-Know Cricut Brands for Beginners

You may have just received a Cricut and are wondering, “What do I do next?” That’s where we come in at Makers Gonna Learn. Here’s our little secret: there are tons of non-Cricut name-brand products that you can use with your Cricut, and today, we’re going to share our favorites.

These Must-Know Cricut Brands for Beginners can help save you time and money. Because they are high-quality products (and, in some cases, cheaper than Cricut brand), you will use less, make fewer mistakes, and get better results with these. Whether you are a Cricut beginner or a seasoned pro, you’re going to want to check these out.

Must-Know Cricut Brands for Beginners

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Paper

Our number one favorite paper company is Celebration Warehouse. We swear by their cardstock. Ashlee Falco, the founder of Celebration Warehouse, is an incredible paper crafter who started crafting and selling on Etsy before opening her cardstock shop. She really knows her stuff, and this is the best paper we’ve ever used. While there are other brands we don’t dislike, this cardstock definitely stands out. It’s available in a wide range of vibrant colors and specialty options like foils and holographics. Some of their standout products include shed-free glitter cardstock, which doesn’t leave glitter residue everywhere—a common frustration with other brands. If you’ve ever worked with glitter, you know how it can get everywhere, but this cardstock is different.

We even have a discount code for you: Use code “MGL” at checkout for 20% off your purchase. Celebration Warehouse Website

Vinyl

One of our longtime favorite vinyl brands is Siser, particularly their heat transfer vinyl (HTV). HTV is heat-activated vinyl used for shirts and other surfaces. Siser’s HTV is unmatched—it cuts well, weeds effortlessly, and performs consistently. Their EasyWeed Stretch is ideal for t-shirts, while the regular Siser EasyWeed works great for various other projects. You can purchase Siser products from suppliers like Vinyl and Tulle Supply. They offer a wide variety of colors in sheets or bulk rolls, and we highly recommend starting with black and white, as these are the most versatile.

In addition to HTV, Siser makes excellent adhesive vinyl transfer tape. While HTV has a built-in transfer layer, adhesive vinyl requires transfer tape for application. Our favorite brand for adhesive vinyl is StarCraft. It’s durable, easy to work with, and doesn’t require sealing for most projects. StarCraft adhesive vinyl is available from 143 Vinyl, another supplier we love. They offer both permanent and removable options in glossy and matte finishes.

Glue Gun

Next up is the Lynn Lilly Precision Tip Hot Glue Gun by Surebonder. If you’re serious about crafting, especially paper crafting, this is the glue gun you need. It’s cordless for up to two minutes and features a precision tip, perfect for detailed work. The stand includes a drip pad for easy cleanup.

Cutting Mats

Finally, let’s talk about Cricut mats. While Cricut-brand mats are popular, we’ve found a great alternative: Nicapa mats, available on Amazon. They’re significantly cheaper, come in all the same grip types (standard, strong, and light), and work just as well, if not better, than the Cricut mats.

We hope this guide helps you find the best tools and materials for your Cricut projects. Happy crafting!