Cricut Cartridges for Dummies

I decided to write this Hub about Cricut cartridges when I found so many Cricut hobbyists and scrapbook enthusiasts asking questions about the amazing Cricut and its amazing Cricut cartridge accessories.

So, what exactly is "Cricut"?

Cricut is an exciting, new innovative personal electronic cutter used by hobbyists and scrapbookers for creating amazing and easy crafting projects. There are currently three different Cricut models--the base model Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter Machine ($299.99), the Cricut Create Machine ($399.99), and the high-end Cricut Expression ($499.99).

Although the typical Cricut looks a bit like an inkjet printer, it does not require a computer to use, nor does it require any programming skills. It is, in fact, self-contained and very easy to use by nearly anyone! The Cricut itself is actually a lightweight, cartridge-based cutting device. It contains a blade that is guided by an electronic cutting process and can cut letters/shapes/phrases ranging from 1-inch to 5 ½ -inch tall, as well as titles and borders as long as 11-inches.

Cricut is very lightweight (only 12 pounds, including the power adapter). It is also portable and easy to carry, making it ideal for toting to scrapbooking parties or gatherings with friends. cricut's sleek design and slim footprint allow it to fit beautifully in almost any crafting workspace.

As for its range of cutting capability, Cricut will easily cut eleven different sizes, ranging from a tiny intricate 1-inch to 5 ½-inch designs. Titles and borders can be cut as large as an impressive 11-½ inches long offering a perfect fit to your 12-inch x 12-inch paper. One of Cricut's key features is its ability to cut so many types of materials. The Cricut can cut a wide range of paper from vellum to cardstock up to .5 mm thick. Provo Craft has created cardstock pads and designer paper pads that coordinate with the Cricut shape cartridges and these papers have been designed to fit perfectly into the Cricut.

What Makes Cricut Unique?

Cricut is not the only personal electronic cutter on the market but it is, arguably, the best. Why? In a word, its cartridges. Cricut cartridges come in a variety of fonts, styles, designs, and family sets that make creativity a snap!

Cricut is manufactured by a small but growing company named Provo Craft.  Forty years ago, Provo Craft began as a single retail store located in the small college town of Provo, Utah. Through ingenuity and resourcefulness, Provo Craft has expanded dramatically over the years. Their success is largely attributed to their focus on trend-driven design, both in manufacturing and retailing. According to CEO Robert Workman: “We have come a long way since our first retail store. We now have 10 stores and a new 200,000 foot distribution center.”

Cricut Cartridges are small inserts that you place into your Cricut to set the shape, font or design that you wish to cut. Cartridges are available in the following categories:

• Font cartridges
• Shape cartridges
• licensed cartridges
• Classmate cartridges
• Solutions cartrides

When you get your Cricut, you'll also rceive one cartridge (George) to start you off. This cartridge contains a font and some basic shapes giving you literally hundreds of lettering and shape options at your fingertips. Of course, you can purchase additional cartridges to expand your collection, giving you many additional creative options.

In addition to the George cartridge that comes with your Cricut electronic cutting machine, 12 other cartridges are available.

The Cartridges are very small, literally making it possible to store your entire library of cartridges in just one small drawer.

The Shadow and Blackout Features are the same for each set but the other four features are hand-picked by the artist and design team, and can be different for each cartridge.

When you order a cricut cartridge pack, you get a new cutting edge designer font or shapes cartridge, a corresponding soft touch keypad, and an imaginative Idea Booklet and resource guide.

Here is some info on the ever-popular Alphalicious cricut cartridge:

The regular font is great, and includes upper & lowercase letters, plus numbers & symbols.

The following features are available:
Shadow - on regular font
Short Stack & short stack shadow - gives you a chunkier letter - LOVE this!
Crown tag - oval shaped tag with a crown at the top
Matchbook
Crest Card - cuts a card with the crest shape

Special shapes:
Oval tag & Scalloped oval tag
Crown
Crest
Round tag & scalloped round tag (use short stack to achieve these cuts)
Envelope

Sayings:
You're the Best
Thinking of You
best wishes
i miss you
Congratulations!
thank you
you're invited
Lucky
to from
It's a Party - the "a" in a balloon

Give this cartridge a try. You will love it!