The most compact cutting machine in the market is here: the Cricut Joy. It’s so small you can hold it on the palm of your hand. Apart from its size, what sets this mini cutting machine from the other Cricuts is its Smart Materials feature that lets crafters work on long, continuous Smart Vinyl without a cutting mat. But how exactly do you use this cutting machine? Here’s a step by step guide on how to use the new Cricut Joy so you can make the most of this portable yet powerful Cricut machine.
Cricut's most portable cutting machine lets you personalize and organize almost everything. The Cricut Joy works well for fast cutting and writing projects and lets you cut without a mat, too.
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1. Cricut Joy Specifications
| Model | |
 | |
| Price | Check Price at Cricut.com |
| Dimensions | 8.4″ x 5.5″ x 4.26″ |
| Weight | 3.9 lbs |
| Max Cutting Area | 4.25″ x 6.5″ |
| Cutting Versatility | Cuts 50+ materials |
| Tools | 2 (for cutting and writing) |
| Smart Materials | Yes |
| Tool Holder | Single |
| Software | Design Space |
| Upload Own Design | Yes |
| Storage | No |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Colors | 1 |
2. Unbox and plug your Cricut Joy
The new Cricut automatically powers on when you plug it in as it doesn’t have any physical buttons available, unlike the previous models. All the controls take place in Design Space.
Your purchase of the Cricut Joy machine comes with the following:
- a welcome booklet
- Black
Cricut Joy Fine Point Pen - 4.5″ x 6.5″ StandardGrip Mat
- card stock
- Smart Vinyl (for cutting without a mat)
- power adapter
- 50 ready-to-make projects
- free 30-day trial for Cricut Access
- warranty
Cricut's most portable cutting machine lets you personalize and organize almost everything. The Cricut Joy works well for fast cutting and writing projects and lets you cut without a mat, too.
3. Setting up your Cricut Joy
3.1 Setting up on your desktop computer
- Pair the
Cricut Joy using BlueTooth. - Open your browser and go to design.cricut.com/setup to access the launcher.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to create your Cricut ID.
- When prompted, download and install the plugin for Design Space.
- Once the set up is complete, you will be asked to create your first project using
Cricut Joy . - Follow the on-screen instructions for your first practice cut.
- The machine set-up automatically registers your new
Cricut Joy . If the set up was not completed, you can register by going to Account menu of Design Space and choosing New Machine Set Up.
3.2 Setting up on your mobile device
- Pair the
Cricut Joy machine to your mobile device using BlueTooth. - Find the Design Space app and download it.
- Once done, open the app on your iOS/Android device.
- Create your Cricut ID or simply sign in if you already have an existing account.
- On the menu, go to Machine Setup & App Overview.
- Choose New Machine Setup and follow the instructions when prompted.
- Once the set up is complete, you will be asked to create your first project using your new cutting machine.
- Follow the on-screen instructions for your practice cut.
- The machine set-up automatically registers your new
Cricut Joy . If the set up was not completed, you can register by going to Account menu of Design Space and choosing New Machine Set Up.
Cricut's most portable cutting machine lets you personalize and organize almost everything. The Cricut Joy works well for fast cutting and writing projects and lets you cut without a mat, too.
4. Making a Card Using Your Cricut Joy
- Materials: Cricut Insert Cards,
Cricut Joy card mat, Fine Point Pen, Fine Point Blade - Peel the liner from the card mat and set aside.
- Slip the Cricut Card in the mat sleeve so the bottom paper is protected.
- Line the card over the edge and fold, making sure the paper is securely placed in the card mat.
- In Design Space, select the design that you want for your card. You can go to Images, then choose from Quick Corner Card Cuts.
- Once ready, Cricut will automatically sort your project into mats by color.
- Review your work.
- On Design Space, set the material you’re using for your card. For this project, select Insert Card – Cardstock.
- Load the Fine Point Pen in the tool holder and make sure the clamp is closed.
- Load the card mat into the machine.
- Once it says the tool and material are loaded, click Go.
- The machine will start working.
- Once done, it’ll prompt you to insert the Fine Point Blade into the tool holder. Do so and click Go.
- When your Cricut is finished cutting, unload the card mat.
- Flip the mat upside down and carefully peel away the card from the mat.
- Open the card and place your chosen insert.
- Enjoy your new card.
Cricut's most portable cutting machine lets you personalize and organize almost everything. The Cricut Joy works well for fast cutting and writing projects and lets you cut without a mat, too.
5. Making Labels Using the Cricut Joy
As mentioned earlier, what sets the latest cutting machine by Cricut apart from the Cricut Maker and Explore Air series is its ability to cut long materials even without a cutting mat.
You can cut shapes of up to 4.5 inches wide and 4 ft long. For smaller, repeated cut designs, you can cut for up to 20 ft long in one go. This is possible through the
Without much ado, here’s how you can make labels using the
- Materials:
Cricut Joy Smart Label, Fine Point Pen, Fine Point Blade - Design your labels on Design Space. Once done, click Make It.
- Set the material to whatever Smart Vinyl you’re using.
- Open the machine and attach the Cricut Pen afterward.
- Load the Smart Label into the machine. The
Cricut Joy will detect how long the material is to ensure it is enough for your project. - Click Go.
- Once the
Cricut Joy is done writing, you’ll be prompted to insert the Fine Point Blade. Do so and click Go. - When it’s done cutting, unload your Smart Label and gently peel your new label away.
Summary of Special Features
The
Cricut's most portable cutting machine lets you personalize and organize almost everything. The Cricut Joy works well for fast cutting and writing projects and lets you cut without a mat, too.
For crafters without a dedicated craft room, this compact Cricut Joy is perfect. Since it’s also portable, you can carry it around easily when traveling or meeting with fellow crafters. A stylish tote is also available for purchase separately.
Its Smart Materials feature further makes cutting decor and signages a lot easier. Since you can easily cut a rolled material directly without a cutting mat, you don’t have to patch your work together as much as you need to when working on bigger designs with the other Cricuts. This alone makes this new mini cutting machine worth adding to anyone’s craft room.
FAQs
One of the highlights of the new
To make the most of
It’s easy to print and cut labels on the
Yes, you can use regular vinyl on the