I Just Bought a Cricut – What Do I Do? (Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide)
So, you just bought a Cricut – yay! Whether you’re planning to start a small business, personalize gifts, or just want to dive into the world of crafting, you’ve made a great choice. If you’re staring at the box and wondering, “What now?”, you’re in the right place.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what to do after buying a Cricut — and recommend the best vinyl and crafting supplies to help you get started confidently.
What’s the first thing I should do after unboxing my Cricut?
https://design.cricut.comFirst, plug in your Cricut and connect it to your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Then head over to Cricut Design Space and download the free software. It’ll walk you through setup, install any updates, and even guide you through a test project.
Tip: Keep your Cricut in a well-lit, accessible spot where you can work easily with vinyl and materials.
What materials can I cut with my Cricut?
Cricut machines are incredibly versatile — they can cut adhesive vinyl, iron-on (HTV), cardstock, sticker paper, and more. If you’re a beginner, we highly recommend starting with adhesive vinyl, especially Oracal 651 permanent vinyl. It’s durable, weather-resistant, and perfect for decals, mugs, tumblers, signs, and more.
At Creative Craft Vinyl, we carry Oracal 651 in a wide range of colors and sizes — perfect for Cricut crafters who want quality results from day one.
What tools or supplies do I need to start crafting?
Here’s a basic Cricut starter supply list:
✅ Oracal 651 Permanent Vinyl – you can buy it in handy 12×12″ sheet packs or by specific lengths or by the roll.
✅ Transfer Tape – Use our premium medium-tack transfer tape that pairs perfectly with Oracal vinyl.
✅ Weeding Tool – Use a handy weeding tool to remove the vinyl you don’t want
✅ Cutting Mat – Usually comes with your Cricut
✅ Squeegee or Scraper – Our squeegees, scrapers, and other tools help with smooth vinyl application
You can find all of these supplies in our easy-to-use online store, Creative Craft Vinyl.
What’s a good first Cricut project?
One of the easiest (and most satisfying) first projects is a custom name decal. You can use Oracal 651 vinyl to create a personalized name sticker for a tumbler, laptop, water bottle, or notebook.
The process is simple:
Type your name in Design Space
Cut it out using Oracal 651
Weed the excess vinyl
Apply transfer tape
Stick it on your surface and smooth it out
You’ll be hooked after your first project — trust us! Do you need more step-by-step instructions on each of these steps? Click the toggle below!
✅ 1. Open Cricut Design Space and Start a New Project
Go to Cricut Design Space and log in or create an account.
Click “New Project” to open a blank canvas.
On the left-hand toolbar, click “Text” and type your name (or any word you’d like).
Choose a font you like – bold, clean fonts like “Cricut Sans” or “BFC Fluffy” are beginner-friendly.
Pro Tip: If your letters are spaced too far apart, adjust the Letter Spacing in the top bar until they’re closer together (or even overlapping slightly, if you plan to weld them).
✅ 2. Resize Your Design
Click and drag the corner of your name to resize it to fit your blank — for example, 3” wide if it’s going on a tumbler.
Be sure your design is smaller than your piece of vinyl.
✅ 3. Cut with Oracal 651 Permanent Vinyl
Click “Make It” in the top-right corner.
Choose “Vinyl” as your material and load your Oracal 651 (shiny side up) onto your green Cricut mat.
Insert the mat into the machine and hit “Go” (the Cricut “C” button will blink).
Cricut will cut your design into the vinyl – no need to mirror for regular adhesive vinyl!
✅ 4. Weed the Vinyl
Carefully peel away the background vinyl, leaving just your name on the backing paper.
Use a weeding tool to remove tiny inner bits (like the middle of an “A” or “O”).
Pro Tip: Weeding is easier under a bright light!
✅ 5. Apply Transfer Tape
Cut a piece of medium-tack transfer tape slightly larger than your design.
Peel the tape backing and stick it on top of your vinyl decal.
Use a squeegee or scraper to burnish (rub) the tape firmly onto the vinyl.
✅ 6. Transfer Your Design
Peel the vinyl backing off, leaving the design on the transfer tape.
Place the design on your blank (like a cup or notebook) and rub it again with the squeegee.
Slowly peel away the transfer tape — your vinyl should now be perfectly applied!
What is weeding, and how do I do it?
Weeding means removing the vinyl you don’t need — like the tiny bits inside letters or designs. A weeding tool makes this easy (but in a pinch, tweezers or a pin can help).
Pro Tip: Use a light pad or bright light to help you see the cut lines more clearly. Weeding is way easier with good lighting!
Do I need to seal or protect my vinyl designs?
It depends on the project. For decals that go on outdoor surfaces, cups, or phone cases, adding a clear laminate helps protect against water, scratches, and fading.
We offer both glossy and matte laminates that are perfect for Cricut projects and compatible with Oracal 651. Laminate is especially great for sticker makers and tumbler designers.
Where can I get high-quality vinyl for my Cricut?
Right here at Creative Craft Vinyl! We specialize in vinyl and crafting supplies for Cricut, Silhouette, and other cutting machines. Our best-selling products include:
🎨 Oracal 651 Permanent Vinyl
📦 Transfer Tape – perfect tack, no bubbles
✨ Clear Laminates – protect and preserve your work
🎁 Vinyl Starter Bundles – great for beginners! This includes:
1917 Inkjet Printable Adhesive Vinyl – 8.5″x11″ sheets (2)
Oraguard 236 Laminate Gloss – 8.5″x11″ sheet (1)
Oraguard 210 Laminate Gloss – 8.5″x11″ sheet (1)
Oraguard 210 Laminate Matte – 8.5″x11″ sheet (1)
Oraguard 215 Laminate Gloss – 8.5″x11″ sheet (1)
Oraguard 215 Laminate Matte – 8.5″x11″ sheet (1)
Oratape MT80P Application Tape
Oratape HT55 High Tack Tape – 6″x 10 yd roll
Oracal 651 Vinyl Color Chart
We’re crafters too, so we only sell products we know and love.
I feel overwhelmed… is that normal?
100%. Everyone starts somewhere. The good news is that the Cricut community is huge, helpful, and creative — and there are endless tutorials and tips online.
Start small, practice, and enjoy the process. The more you create, the more confident you’ll become. And when you’re ready to try something new, we’ll be here with high-quality supplies to support your next idea.
🎉 Ready to Start Creating?
Head over to CreativeCraftVinyl.com to browse our beginner-friendly vinyls, transfer tapes, laminates, and more. Whether you’re making your first decal or building a side hustle, we’ve got the materials (and support!) to help you succeed.