Searching for the best Cricut materials can be fun, but it can also sap your time when you'd rather be crafting. In this guide we'll pick top materials for Cricut that we think you'll love. These are the basic types of Cricut materials to help you craft cards, 3D models, stickers, and heat transfer designs.
A cricut machine, although there are many kinds, is an electronic cutting machine that can cut out designs from various materials - vinyl, papers, card, transfers, and some machines can even cut more hardy materials such as leather. A Cricut machine allows you to design and cut in a more time efficient and precise way than any scissors ever could. We have a guide to the best Cricut machines we'd suggest reading.
There are plenty of Cricut machine options to choose from, read our Cricut Maker 3 review, the Cricut Joy review, and our Cricut Mug Press for an idea of what each does. If you're creating shirt and bag designs you'll need one of the best heat press machines, such as an EasyPress 2. Each and every Cricut machine does something a little unique, and designs cater to different budgets.
Using the best Cricut accessories for your Cricut can significantly help how well your designs come out, and how show-stopping you're able to make them. There are a huge range of Cricut materials on the market, from delicate floral papers to neon vinyls.
Cricut of course produces its own materials, but there are others out there that are compatible with the machines. Keep reading for our selection of the best Cricut materials, with details on which work best with the different machines out there.
Best Cricut materials: available now
The best new Cricut materials
For: Maker 3, Explore 3, Joy
Uses: All projects, mat-less cutting
Cricut Smart Materials are the materials for the latest digital cutting machines – Maker 3, Explore 3 and Joy. They enable you to cut without the need for a mat, ensuring they're easier to use. Cricut Smart Materials can also make use of the Roll Holder attachment that means you can cut materials of up to 75 ft (22.8 m) in length.
Smart Materials include heat transfer vinyl as well as vinyl stock, and the new lengths mean you can save money and create larger projects – even wallpaper designs and banners.
The best new Cricut material for stickers
For: All machines
Uses: Precision sticker creations
Cricut Printable Sticker Paper is ideal for anyone who loves to sticker everything and anything. The 12 sheets of coloured sticker paper can be used with Cricut Design Space's easy Print The Cut function to create stickers at speed. The app will also auto-match colour bleed to save you the need to trim away white borders.
This Printable Sticker Paper can be used with any laser printer and designs can be cut using any Cricut machine. Easy, simple and fun stickers.
The best new Cricut material for space lovers
For: Maker and Explore machines
Uses: T-shirts, homewares and more
Cricut's Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet Patterns now come in the fantastic 'Galaxy' pattern for fans of space or those wanting something a little more spectacular.
Like any standard Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet this material can be used with a heat press to transfer a cut design onto fabric, board, or other materials to create professional-quality products to sell or as perfect gifts for friends.
The Galaxy design offers a unique and colour base from which to create some astounding designs.
The best Cricut materials for experimenting
For: All Cricut machines
Uses: Permanent projects
This Cricut vinyl sampler pack is great for crafting permanent designs that need to be a bit more sturdy. Coming with six sheets measuring at 12 x 12 inches, each in a different colour, making choosing a favourite more easy.
These brightly coloured vinyl materials are water and UV-resistant, which will even last when placed outdoors. This is the ideal selection for those looking to try before making a full sheet investment. These vinyls are easy to weed and go on to most surfaces with a smooth, bump-free application.
This best Cricut material is essential
For: All Cricut machines
Uses: Transferring vinyls to surfaces
Cricut Transfer Tape is used with all different kinds of vinyls, from the patterned and holographic to metallic and matte, transfer tape is designed to transfer custom vinyls to a variety of surfaces. The clear material has a grid which makes it easy to position designs against their surface, to get a super precise finish.
It is very difficult to uplift a vinyl once it has already been stuck to a surface, especially without damaging the vinyl, so transfer tape is pretty essential in ensuring that the design is perfect and smooth from the start.
The best Cricut materials for retro shirt designs
For: All Cricut machines
Uses: Transferring designs to fabrics
The MiPremium Chameleon heat transfer vinyls aren't an official Cricut project, but these beautiful vinyls from MiPremium are eye-catching and designed to give the impression of a gradient colour change when twisted and turned.
Made from highly durable, heat transfer film, these vinyls are perfect for customising clothing, because they offer great elasticity and stretch when moving around. Users will need to apply the iron on vinyls with the EasyPress or a heat press, in order to secure them to a surface.
The best Cricut materials for shirt and bag design
For: All Cricut machines
Uses: Ideal for t-shirts, bags, aprons, home decor
Any design is possible with this glamorous Cricut Glitter Iron-On vinyl material, making it the perfect vinyl to customise clothing, home projects and so much more. The glittery touch is perfect for special occasions and for permanent projects.
This vinyl will last around 50 washes when used on clothing, so whilst it’ll last for a considerable amount of time, don’t expect it to live forever. It can be used for both standard Cricut Maker and Explore series, but also the smaller Cricut Joy – but for this one look for the smaller sized rolls.
The best Cricut materials for scrapbooking
For: All Cricut Joy
Uses: Scrapbooks, cards and invitations
Looking for fun mix and match designs? Then look no further. The variety of designs available in this adhesive-backed deluxe paper will add joy to any maker's craft box. With the variety of designs in each pack, it's never been easier to create super fun projects.
Making things even easier, there is no need for glue! These papers are all adhesive-backed. For anybody looking to create a mess-free, unique project, this is just the ticket!
The best Cricut materials for fun waterproof projects
For: All Cricut machines
Uses: Multi-use projects on most flat surfaces
Add some glamour to projects with Frog's glossy holographic vinyl pack - each of the six shiny sheets offers a different gradient of rainbow colours. These vinyls are great to use for both indoor and outdoor projects as they're waterproof, making them long-lasting and the ideal match for a permanent project or gift.
After removing the protective film, the vinyl cuts smooth, leaving a perfect finish along the edges. Be mindful that this vinyl is quite thin as it has a foil like texture, so you'll need to be quite delicate when handling it.
The best Cricut materials for papercraft decorations
For: Maker 3, Explore 3
Uses: Papercrafts, cards, decorations
The Cricut Smart Paper sticker cardstock range of materials from Cricut is a part of its Smart Materials range, meaning you don't need a cutting mat to use these sheets. These can be used to create a variety of projects from personalised cards to scrapbook pieces, and seasonal decorations.
This set comprises ten sheets of adhesive-backed pastel cardstock from the Smart Paper range, in five different colours. Luckily, users can skip the glueing stage, and just cut, peel and go!
Cricut also do similar packs in black, white, and bold primary colours. There simply couldn’t be an easier way of Cricutting.
The best Cricut materials for professional shirt designs
For: All Cricut machines
Uses: Designs for t-shirts, coasters, tote bags, and more
For those who want to level up their Cricut skills, the Infusible Ink range adds another layer of professional-creativity. Transfers for t-shirts, other clothing items and household projects are able to be applied with these ready-to-cut sheets in a variety of patterns.
The Infusible Ink process is different to the iron-on process or vinyl application, where in this instance, the transfer becomes one with the material itself, allowing for a seamless finish that won't crack.
With this in mind, you'll need a compatible Infusible Ink blank, and heat press machine.
The best Cricut materials for picture frames and wall art
For: All Cricut Makers
Uses: Create sturdy wall art, photo frames and home projects
Cricut Heavy Chipboard (2mm) proves Cricutting doesn’t just have to be about applying vinyls to mugs or making invitations with patterned card. With the Cricut Heavy Chipboard, users are able to create more robust projects, and although it’s nothing like wood, it’s easy to make items like photo frames, or add extra 3D elements to a project.
This pack comes with five sheets so there’s plenty in there to trial out new ideas, but for those looking to make a big project, things could get a little expensive. If you're in doubt, Cricut offers a low-cost sampler pack.
The best Cricut materials for home furnishings and decor
For: All Cricut Makers
Uses: Create quilted art and toys
Cricut Designer Fabric is ideal for making a cushion or two, or if you want to add some detailed accents to a project or make.
Made from pure cotton, each pack contains five sheets of great quality fabric in unique prints from a designer.
As this is a fabric pack it's only used with the Cricut Maker and Cricut Maker 2. You can also source your own fabric fat quarter bundles or fabric sheets; you'll then need to cut them to size to fit the Cricut Maker's board and template size.
Add a shine with these top Cricut materials
For: Makers, Explores
Uses: Extra effects to cards and gifts
The Cricut Foil Transfer Sheets are for making projects that are a touch more luxurious. The addition of Cricut Foil Transfers to a design project can really help elevate it to another level. This pack comes with 24 sheets but you can also buy a cheaper bundle.
Available in several colours, these foils add a professionally finish to any project. Our favourite is the autumn shades of bronzes and reds, but there are also green, silver and pink tones.
The best Cricut materials for crafting fashion accessories
For: All Cricut machines
Uses: Fashion accessories and scrapbooking
This faux leather from Cricut is certainly a unique way of decorating projects. Easy to cut, this faux leather gives the effect and feel of real leather as it has a pebbled texture, but without the need for a thick, leather cutting blade.
This is perfect for creating jewellery and other fashion projects, or to embellish artwork with an additional layer, this thin faux leather can be cut into unique shapes.
Create fun stickers with this leading Cricut material
For: All Cricut machines
Uses: Stickers, household projects, decals, and more
Beautiful for any project, this permanent rainbow vinyl is complete with a glitter gradient texture to help projects stand out.
Suitable for both indoor and outdoor projects, this vinyl roll is suitable to be used on glasses and kitchenware as it's durable and waterproof. Add this vinyl to celebratory wine glasses or gift boxes to create a real showstopper that will be sure to turn heads.
The best Cricut materials to add a bit of gloss
For: All Cricut machines
Uses: Window stickers and scrapbooking
This holographic rainbow vinyl roll is the perfect addition to any crafting box for those who like to stand out from the crowd. Ideal for making designs such as celebratory window stickers and wall decals, this vinyl is easy to cut, and although not an official Cricut product, works great with Cricut's machines.
It’s easy to get a lot of use out of the majority of the roll and ensure minimal waste as it so adaptable.
The best Cricut material for notice boards
For: All Cricut machines
Uses: Labels, removable decals and message boards
Any surface is able to be turned into a chalkboard with ease. After cutting into the desired shape, the vinyl is quick and easy to apply to a smooth surface, before acting as a ready made chalkboard – just draw and wipe off with an eraser or paper towel. This vinyl will stick to any smooth surface, from walls and glass to ceramic and metals.
It’s an easy vinyl to peel off, making it the ideal choice for temporary message spots such as the fridge or mirror.
Best Cricut materials: frequent questions
What is Infusible Ink?
Infusible Ink is a system of Cricut DIY products that unlike other Cricut materials that are applied with adhesive, becomes one with the material itself for a more professional finish.
Can I use any mug with a Mug Press?
Cricut's own mugs are definitely the best option when it comes to the Mug Press. Although other mugs may fit, materials such as Infusible Ink and vinyls don't tend to stick as well.
What do beginners need with a Cricut?
The basics for a beginner are a weeding tool, a scraping tool, tweezers, scissors and some vinyl.
What tool cuts vinyl on a Cricut?
A lot of the time the blade used will be the fine point blade, which was designed to make intricate cuts on a variety of materials from cardstock to vinyl.
What materials does a Cricut Explore Air cut?
You can cut felt, leather, cardboard, wood, bonded fabric, some metals and even some acrylics.
Read more:
- These are the best Cricut pens
- The best Chromebooks for Cricut
- Discover the best laptop for Cricut makers