What Can a Cricut Cut? 15+ Materials Beyond Vinyl

When people first get a Cricut machine, one of the most common questions is: what can a Cricut cut?

Most beginners start with vinyl projects like decals, mugs, and shirts. But Cricut machines can cut much more than just vinyl. From paper and fabric to wood and leather, the possibilities are almost endless.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

What materials a Cricut can cut
Which Cricut machine cuts what
Project ideas for each material

Whether you own a Cricut Joy, Cricut Explore 3, Cricut Maker, or Cricut Maker 3, you’ll learn exactly what your machine is capable of.

What Can a Cricut Cut? (Machine Comparison at a Glance)

Here’s a quick breakdown of which machines cut which materials. As you can see, if you want to be able to cut everything the Maker comes out on top:

Material	Cricut Joy	Explore 3	Maker / Maker 3
Paper & Cardstock	✅	✅	✅
Iron-On (HTV)	✅	✅	✅
Fabric	❌	Bonded only	✅ (all fabrics)
Felt	❌	Bonded only	✅
Leather	❌	Faux only	✅ (all types)
Chipboard	❌	❌	✅
Balsa/Basswood	❌	❌	✅
Acetate	✅	✅	✅
Stencil Film	❌	✅	✅
Magnet Sheets	❌	✅	✅
Sticker Paper	❌	✅	✅
Infusible Ink Sheets	✅	✅	✅
Craft Foam	❌	Thin only	✅
Aluminum (Engraving)	❌	❌	✅

1. Paper and Cardstock

One of the easiest answers to what can a Cricut cut is paper.

Machines: All Cricut models.
Examples: Greeting cards, invitations, scrapbooking pieces, 3D layered paper art.
Tips: Use a LightGrip mat for thin paper and a StandardGrip mat for cardstock.

2. Iron-On (Heat Transfer Vinyl)

Technically still vinyl, but very different in use.

Machines: All Cricut models.
Examples: Shirts, tote bags, hats, baby onesies.
Why It’s Different: Heat-transfer vinyl bonds to fabric with heat rather than sticking with adhesive.

3. Fabrics

Wondering can a Cricut cut fabric? The answer is yes—especially with the Maker series.

Machines: Cricut Maker & Maker 3 (Rotary Blade).
Examples: Quilting pieces, appliqués, soft toys, costumes, fabric banners.
Tip: The Rotary Blade cuts fabric cleanly without fraying.

4. Felt

Felt is a favorite for kids’ crafts and accessories.

Machines: Explore 3 (bonded felt only), Maker & Maker 3 (all types).
Examples: Hair bows, ornaments, garlands, kids’ quiet books.

5. Leather

If you’ve ever asked, can a Cricut cut leather? — yes, it can.

Machines: Maker & Maker 3 (Knife Blade), Explore 3 (faux leather only).
Examples: Earrings, bookmarks, keychains, cuff bracelets.

6. Chipboard

Chipboard is sturdy and perfect for 3D projects.

Machines: Maker & Maker 3 (Knife Blade).
Examples: Puzzle pieces, picture frames, shadow boxes, custom décor.

7. Balsa Wood and Basswood

Yes — Cricut can cut wood!

Machines: Maker & Maker 3 (Knife Blade).
Examples: Ornaments, wooden signs, jewelry, model pieces.
Note: Requires multiple passes; secure wood with masking tape.

8. Acetate

Clear and flexible, acetate is perfect for overlays.

Machines: All models.
Examples: Shaker cards, gift box windows, stencils.

9. Stencil Materials

Reusable stencils are one of the most creative answers to what can a Cricut cut besides vinyl.

Machines: Explore 3, Maker, Maker 3.
Examples: Painting stencils, airbrush stencils, glass etching templates.

10. Magnetic Sheets

Machines: Explore 3, Maker, Maker 3.
Examples: Custom fridge magnets, learning games, photo magnets.
Tip: Use printable magnetic sheets for full-color designs.

11. Sticker Paper

If you’re into planners or small business packaging, sticker paper is a must.

Machines: Explore 3, Maker, Maker 3.
Examples: Planner stickers, product labels, custom decals.
Feature: Use Print Then Cut for professional-looking stickers.

12. Infusible Ink Sheets

Infusible Ink is unique to Cricut and bonds permanently into the material.

Machines: All models.
Examples: Shirts, mugs, tote bags, coasters.
Why It’s Special: The design doesn’t peel, fade, or crack like vinyl.

13. Craft Foam

Soft, lightweight, and perfect for dimensional crafts.

Machines: Explore 3 (thin foam), Maker & Maker 3 (thicker foam with Knife Blade).
Examples: Stamps, cosplay details, kids’ crafts, decorations.

14. Aluminum Sheets (Engraving)

Cricut doesn’t cut metal, but it can engrave it.

Machines: Maker & Maker 3 (Engraving Tip).
Examples: Dog tags, jewelry charms, plaques.

15. Specialty Materials

Other unique answers to what can a Cricut cut include:

Cork sheets – Maker with Knife Blade.
Poster board – All machines.
Veneer wood – Maker with Knife Blade.
Crepe paper – Maker with Rotary Blade.
Plastic sheets – Maker with Knife Blade.

Choosing the Right Blade

One of the most important steps in answering what can a Cricut cut is knowing which blade or tool to use. Each Cricut blade is designed for specific materials, and picking the right one ensures clean, accurate cuts while protecting your machine and mats.

Fine-Point Blade

Best For: Paper, cardstock, adhesive vinyl, heat transfer vinyl (HTV), printable vinyl, sticker paper.
Machines: Joy, Explore series, Maker series.
Why Use It: This is the everyday blade most crafters rely on. It’s precise enough for small details and versatile enough for most lightweight to medium materials.

Deep-Point Blade

Best For: Thicker or denser materials like craft foam, heavy cardstock, magnetic sheets, and thin chipboard.
Machines: Explore and Maker series.
Why Use It: With a 60° cutting angle (compared to the Fine-Point’s 45°), it cuts deeper and cleaner through thicker materials without tearing.

Rotary Blade

Best For: Fabrics (cotton, denim, silk, canvas, fleece), felt, crepe paper, delicate textiles.
Machines: Maker and Maker 3 only.
Why Use It: Instead of dragging, this blade rolls smoothly, preventing snags and frays. Essential for sewing, quilting, and textile projects.

Knife Blade

Best For: Extra-thick materials like balsa wood, basswood, heavy chipboard, tooling leather, and thick craft foam.
Machines: Maker and Maker 3 only.
Why Use It: Works like a miniature craft knife, making multiple passes to slice through tough materials. Cuts can take longer, but the strength and durability of finished pieces are worth it.

Engraving Tip

Best For: Metal sheets (aluminum), acrylic, leather, some plastics.
Machines: Maker and Maker 3.
Why Use It: Instead of cutting, this tip etches words, patterns, or textures into flat surfaces. Perfect for personalized jewelry, plaques, dog tags, or unique gift items.

Scoring Stylus & Scoring Wheel

Best For: Fold lines on greeting cards, envelopes, gift boxes, and 3D paper crafts.
Machines:
- Scoring Stylus: Explore and Maker series.
- Scoring Wheel: Maker and Maker 3 only.
Why Use It: Creates sharp, professional folds. The Wheel applies more pressure than the Stylus, making it ideal for thicker materials like poster board and kraft board.

Final Thoughts

So, what can a Cricut cut besides vinyl? The short answer: almost everything you’ll need for crafting. From delicate paper flowers to sturdy wooden signs, Cricut machines are designed to handle an impressive range of materials.

Cricut Joy is a fantastic entry-level option for quick and simple projects. Its strength lies in cutting paper, Smart Materials, and iron-on vinyl, making it perfect for greeting cards, labels, and small décor items.
Cricut Explore 3 takes things up a notch, offering the ability to cut faux leather, magnet sheets, printable sticker paper, and more. It’s versatile enough for intermediate crafters who want a balance between functionality and affordability.
Cricut Maker & Maker 3 are the powerhouses of the Cricut lineup. With access to specialty tools like the Knife Blade, Rotary Blade, and Engraving Tip, they can handle over 300 materials, including wood, chipboard, leather, cork, and fabric. These machines are ideal for serious makers, small business owners, and anyone who wants to push creative boundaries.

The real magic of Cricut lies not just in what it can cut, but in how it transforms raw materials into personalized creations. Imagine engraving a one-of-a-kind gift, building sturdy 3D models, or quilting with fabric pieces cut to perfection—all at the push of a button.

Whether you’re brand new to Cricut or already experienced, understanding the full range of materials opens up limitless creative opportunities. Every project becomes a chance to try something new—be it papercrafting, sewing, jewelry making, or home décor.

So the next time someone asks, “What can a Cricut cut?” you’ll have the perfect answer: just about anything you can dream up. And with the right blade, mat, and machine, your only limit is your imagination.