Having a hard time deciding which cardstock size to use for your Cricut projects? With so many options to choose from, it can be tricky to know where to start!
I know it can be overwhelming, so I wanted to share my tips and experience on the different sizes available. Here we go!
Know your Cricut machine model
Knowing the material sizes your Cricut can cut is essential for understanding what cardstock size is suitable for your project.
The Cricut Express and Maker are the brand’s full-sized machines that are equipped to handle larger cardstock sizes, such as 12″ x 12″, letter size, A4 size, and any sheets up to 12″ x 24″ in size.
While the miniature Cricut Joy unit only works with 4.5″ x 6.5″ and 4″ x 12″ mats.
It can work with standard sheets folded or cut down to fit it, with 4″ x 6″ cardstock pieces, or with special Cricut Cutaway Cards.
Cricut mat sizes
Before choosing the right cardstock size for your Cricut project, consider what mat size you should use.
The two mat sizes compatible with Explore and Maker machines are 12″ x 24″ and 12″ x 12″.
The 12″ x 24″ mat is perfect for larger projects, while the 12″ x 12″ is great for smaller scrapbook-sized projects.
Cricut Joy has its own mat sizes — 4.5″ x 6.5″, and 4.5″ x 12″, plus Cricut Joy Card Mat.
The 4.5″ x 6.5″ mat is the ideal size for making cards, with a maximum cutting area of 4″ x 6″.
And the 4.5″ x 12″ mat is great for longer projects, such as banners and labels, with a maximum cutting area of 4″ x 11.5″.
The Cricut Joy Card Mat is an awesome tool specifically designed to help you cut folded cards.
It comes with a handy divider that helps protect the back of your folded Cricut Insert Card while you’re cutting a design on the front.
It can accommodate a maximum cutting area of 4.5″ x 6.25″.
In most cases (except for Smart Materials), the size of cardstock or other material you can use for your Cricut project is limited by the size of the mat you use.
Understanding cardstock sizes
A key factor in creating successful projects with a Cricut is understanding the different cardstock sizes available.
The most common sizes are the standard letter size (8.5″ x 11″), A4 size (8.3″ x 11.7″), and the scrapbook paper size of 12″ x 12″. They can fit both Cricut Explore and Maker mat sizes.
Plus, Cricut manufactures a special line of non-standard 12″ x 24″ cardstock sheets that fit Cricut large mats perfectly.
The tiny Cricut Joy machine is compatible with 4″ x 6″ cardstock sheets.
It also has its own line of special folded Cutaway Cards for the Cricut Joy Card Mat.
In addition to that, Cricut Explore and Maker machines are compatible with Cricut Smart Materials, that include Smart Cardstock.
Smart Materials have a special backing and Cricut can cut them without a mat.
So you can feed Smart cardstock directly into the machine.
While Cricut Smart vinyl comes in long rolls, Smart Paper Sticker cardstock is only available in 13″ x 13″ inch sheets.
Other non-standard cardstock sizes are available, but it’s easier sticking with standard sizes or special sizes tailored for Cricut mats.
That way you won’t need to spend time trimming cardstock down to fit the mats.
When you know the size of the cardstock you need, you can easily purchase the correct one from most craft stores or Amazon.
Use 12″ x 12″ scrapbook paper size cardstock sheet size with 12″ x 12″ and 12″ x 24″ Cricut mats
If you are looking for a standard scrapbook paper size for your Cricut projects, the 12″ x 12″ cardstock sheet size is one of the most common.
This size is perfect for most scrapbook and card making projects, and can easily be used with the 12″ x 12″ Cricut cutting mat. But you can also place these sheets on the larger 12″ x 24″ mat.
With these sheets, you’ll have plenty of room to create almost all the designs you can imagine.
Use letter-sized sheets and a4 sheets with 12″ x 12″ and 12″ x 24″ mats and for printing
Letter size sheets (8.5×11 in) and A4 size sheets (11.7×8.3 in) are another great choice for 12″ x 12″ and 12″ x 24″ mats, and also for printing.
Both Cricut mat sizes provide ample space for cutting even the most intricate designs and shapes, and these cardstock sizes are easily accessible and come in a wide variety of colors and effects.
And if you’re looking to make a large project, you can use the Slice tool in Cricut Design Space to tile your design across multiple mats.
This will let you create long banners and huge wall decals without relying on Smart Materials.
So, whether you’re working on a small or large project, these cardstock sizes are sure to give you the results you’re looking for.
Give them a try and see for yourself.
Use the special 12″ x 24″ size cardstock with 12″ x 24″ sized Cricut mats
There’s also a special type of cardstock available in a non-standard 12″ x 24″ size that’s specifically designed to fit the 12″ x 24″ Cricut mat.
This means you won’t have to deal with any scraps or waste, and you’ll have the flexibility to create larger projects.
The only downside is that this cardstock is currently only available in a limited number of colors.
But, with its versatility and ease of cutting, it’s still a great option for a variety of projects, including scrapbooking, greeting cards, and party decorations.
So why not give this special cardstock a try and see how it can elevate your Cricut crafts to the next level?
Cutaway Cards for Cricut Joy
If you’re looking for cardstock that fits your Cricut Joy machine mats perfectly, you can either get standard sizes and fold or cut them down to fit Joy-sized mats.
Or you can opt for Cricut Cutaway cards.
These cards are designed for use with the special Cricut Joy Card Mat designed for cutting folded cards.
Cutaway Cards come in three sizes: A6 – 4.5″ x 6.25″ (11.43 cm x 15.87 cm), A2 – 4.25″ x 5.5″ (10.79 cm x 13.97 cm), and A1 – 3.5″ x 4.9″ (8.89 cm x 12.45 cm).
This makes them perfect for any card project you’re working on and a great option when you need cards of the exact size and shape.
Cricut Smart cardstock sizes
Cricut Smart Materials are designed for use with all current Cricut machines.
With these materials, you can create a wide range of projects with precise cuts and professional-looking results.
While Smart Vinyl’s maximum cutting length is 12 feet (3.6 m), Cricut Smart Paper Sticker Cradstock only comes in 13″ x 13″ sheets for large Cricut machines and in 5.5″ x 13″ sheets for the Cricut Joy.
This cardstock is perfect for making stickers and is conveniently designed to be fed into your Cricut machine without a mat.
And the cutting area is slightly larger than the cutting space on a 12″ x 12″ piece of cardstock that you need to cut on mat.
Just be sure to leave a little bit of space above and below your design to let rollers get a good grip.
You can trim smart cardstock down to size for a smaller project.
However, keep in mind that the minimum length of smart cardstock that you can cut without a mat is 6 inches.
If you need to cut smaller pieces, you’ll need to use a mat.
How to cut Cricut cardstock down to size
If you only have large cardstock sheets that are too big for your Cricut mat or Cricut Joy mat, there’s an easy solution.
All you need is a paper trimmer.
This handy tool will help you make an even and precise cut in just a few seconds.
To start, grab a ruler or measuring tape and measure both your cardstock sheet and your Cricut mat.
Once you have these measurements, it’s time to get cutting.
Make sure to keep the cardstock flat while cutting to ensure an even cut.
Investing in a paper trimmer is a smart choice for any paper crafting projects. It can save you time and frustration.
Plus, it gives you the freedom to create projects with any size paper you like.
I hope these tips have been helpful in guiding you to the perfect cardstock size for your Cricut projects. There’s a lot to choose from, but now you know how to pick the perfect size for your project. With the perfect cardstock size, you’ll be sure to have stunningly beautiful results. Have fun crafting and good luck!
