The 5 Biggest Cricut Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

We’ve all been there: your vinyl doesn’t stick, your paper tears, and your mat looks like it’s been through a warzone. Whether you’re new to Cricut or you’ve been crafting for a while, mistakes happen, but they don’t have to keep happening. Here are the five most common Cricut mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Forgetting to Mirror Iron-On Designs. This one’s a classic! If you're using heat transfer vinyl (HTV) and don’t mirror your design, you’ll end up with backwards text and wasted material. Always double-check your settings before you hit Make.

2. Using the Wrong Blade or Mat. Each blade and mat type is designed for specific materials. Using the wrong mat or blade can cause uneven cuts or even damage your machine. A cheat sheet (like the one in the Cricut Club Handbook) makes this easy to remember.

3. Using the wrong cut setting! Always try to choose the material setting closest to the material you are using to get the best cuts. Don’t be afraid to customise your settings and always do a test cut!

4.Not waiting for Iron-on to cool- always check if your Iron-on/HTV is a cold or warm peel. Cold peel Iron-on needs to cool completely before the carrier sheet is pulled off. Peeling too soon will ruin your project!

5. Ignoring Machine Maintenance: Blades dull, mats lose stickiness, and machines get dusty. Regular maintenance helps your Cricut perform at its best and keeps your cuts clean and precise.

Mistakes are part of learning, but the right tools can help you avoid the most frustrating ones. The Cricut Club Handbook gives you clear guides, checklists, and cheat sheets to help you craft with confidence.

Ready to skip the trial and error? Get the Handbook today and craft smarter, not harder.

The Cricut Club handbook