If you’ve ever wondered — can your Cricut machine cut construction paper? — wonder no more! In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about cutting this material with Cricut.
From what type of construction paper to use, to what settings to use on your Cricut machine, we’ve got you covered.
So if you’re ready to start, grab your Cricut machine and some construction paper!
What is construction paper?
Construction paper is a type of heavy paper that is often used in arts, crafts, educational, and construction projects, such as making models or prototypes.
This material is versatile and sturdy and many people use it for models or crafts that require durability.
It’s usually made from recycled paper and is available in a variety of colors.
The paper is available in sets. You can find it in art or crafts supply stores or on Amazon.
Can Cricut cut construction paper?
Yes! Construction paper is on the official list of materials that Cricut machines can cut.
This means that you can use your Cricut machine to cut construction paper into any shape or design that you want and create all sorts of paper crafts, from cards to decorations.
With a little bit of preparation, the Cricut can be a great tool for cutting this material for making some quick and easy papercrafts.
How to cut construction paper with Cricut?
Because of this material’s rough and pulpy texture, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when cutting construction paper with Cricut.
First, this substrate is thicker than traditional paper, so you’ll need to adjust your settings and select your tools accordingly.
Second, construction paper is fibrous so it can be tricky to feed through the machine without clogging the blade setting. It’s important to take your time and be patient.
Plus, due to its texture, it will leave some paper residue on the cutting mat.
The thickness of the paper, the type of blade you’re using, and the settings on your Cricut can all make a big difference in the quality of your cut.
Here are a few tips to help you achieve the perfect cut every time:
Mat
If you’re looking for the best mat to use with construction paper and a Cricut cutting machine, you’ll want to use the blue LightGrip mat.
It has just the right level of adhesive to hold the paper in place during cutting, but the adhesive is not strong so you can easily remove the paper without tearing it.
Blade
If you’re looking for the perfect blade to cut construction paper with your Cricut machine, you’ll want to use the Cricut Fine Point Blade.
This blade is fine and sharp designed specifically for cutting thinner materials like construction paper, and it will give you clean, precise cuts every time, even if you use it for intricate designs.
What setting do I use for construction paper on Cricut?
There are a few things you’ll need to take into account before cutting construction paper with your Cricut machine
The first is selecting this paper as the material in the Design Space software.
Second, you can adjust the pressure setting — you’ll want to start at 175 medium pressure and experiment with it until you find the setting that works best for your task.
If you’re not sure where to start, try a few different settings and see how they work.
Once you find the perfect settings for your paper and your machine, you’ll be able to cut construction paper like a pro!
There’s no need to use the Multi-cut setting.
Multi-cut is designed for cutting much thicker materials and will cause the machine to cut multiple times over the same image, but it’s not necessary for construction paper.
This is a relatively thin material, so the machine can easily cut through it in one pass.
Save yourself some time and hassle by using the regular setting instead.
How to cut construction paper with Cricut step by step
- First, set up your machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Place the paper on the cutting mat.
- Make sure that the paper is firmly secured to the cutting mat.
- Load the mat into the machine.
- Then, use the Cricut software to create a design.
- Once the design is complete, select the “Construction Paper” setting on the machine and send the file to the Cricut machine.
- The machine will then cut the design into construction paper.
- Finally, remove the paper from the cutting mat and enjoy your new creation!
Always clean your Cricut machine, blade, and mat from construction paper debris
Construction paper is one of the most versatile papers out there. It can be used for a variety of crafts and projects.
However, it is important to be aware that it’s very fibrous. So it can leave a lot of residue on the cutting mat and its pulp may clog the blade housing.
If that happens, don’t panic! You can easily clean the debris out with a can of pressurized air.
Just remove the blade housing and blow the dust out of it when you’re done cutting.
This will help to keep your Cricut in good working condition and prevent the build-up of construction paper fibers
Plus, there’s an easy way to remove the lint from the mat too: just run a sticky lint roller (or a loop of masking tape) across your Cricut mat.
This will pick up any leftover bits of paper and debris, leaving your mat clean and ready for your next project.
Alternatives to construction paper for Cricut
While construction paper is a crafting staple, it’s not always the best choice because of all of the debris it produces.
Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives that are both safer to use and won’t leave any pesky residue behind.
Some of these include vellum, mylar, and cardstock:
- Vellum is a thin, translucent paper that is often used for invitations or other special documents. It’s perfect for layered designs and won’t mar your Cricut cutting mat.
- Mylar is a synthetic film that is great for a variety of applications, including food wrap and for making balloons or stencils.
- Cardstock is a thicker paper that is commonly used for making greeting cards or business cards. This sturdy paper is ideal for cutting with Cricut and is available in a variety of colors and finishes.
- Adhesive Sheets: These are perfect for attaching embellishments or creating dimension in your projects.
Why won’t my Cricut cut construction paper?
If your Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker machine isn’t cutting all the way through your material, there are a few things you can check to troubleshoot the issue.
- First, make sure you’ve selected the correct setting for your material.
- Use a genuine Cricut brand blade.
- Also make sure that the blade is sharp and that the pressure setting is high enough.
- You can try increasing the pressure.
- If all else fails, you may need to use a new blade.
- If you’re using a new blade, make sure you install the blade is properly.
With these tips, you should be able to get your Cricut machine working properly in no time!
Why is my construction paper ripping when I cut it with Cricut?
If your Cricut machine if your machine is tearing or dragging through the material, it can be frustrating.
However, there are a few things you can check.
- First, again, make sure you’ve selected the correct material setting in Design Space.
- If that doesn’t seem to be the issue, you can try reducing the pressure or cutting a less intricate design.
- If you’re still having trouble, you may need to use a new blade or mat.
- To remove construction paper from the mat without tearing later, use a spatula and do it slowly and gently.
Construction paper projects you can create with Cricut
There are many fun, colorful, and easy construction paper craft projects you can make with Cricut.
Some popular ones include paper flowers, wreaths, banners, and garlands.
In addition to that, you can also add embellishments such as ribbons, sequins, and buttons to make your projects stand out.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Cut out construction paper shapes and use them to decorate picture frames, mirrors, or other home decor items.
- Cut out construction paper shapes and use them to decorate your walls.
- Make a construction paper wreath for your front door.
- Cut out construction paper flowers and use them to decorate gift wrap, cards, or scrapbook pages.
- Design and cut out construction paper greeting cards.
- Make a construction paper garland or banner to decorate for a party or special event.
- Cut out construction paper snowflakes and string them together to make a Holiday garland.
- Use construction paper to make a giant scrapbook or photo album.
- Use your Cricut machine to cut out construction paper shapes to make a mobile or other hanging decoration.
- Use your Cricut to cut out letters or shapes to decorate a construction paper banner.
- Create a construction paper collage.
So get creative and use your imagination to come up with other construction paper craft ideas!
Just be sure to have plenty of construction paper on hand!
