Having trouble getting your Cricut to cut through glitter cardstock? Don’t worry, I’ve been there too! You’re in luck because I’ve put together the most complete guide to help you figure out why your Cricut is not cutting through glitter cardstock.
While Cricut machines are known for their precise cuts, they do sometimes struggle with special finish materials like glitter cardstock. The thicker layer of glitter particles can be tricky for the blade to cut through, resulting in uneven or incomplete cuts. There may also be other issues, such as incorrect settings or a dull blade. Let’s take a look at the solutions together!
Why glitter cardstock is more difficult for Cricut to cut than plain cardstock
Glitter cardstock may be more difficult to cut with a Cricut than plain cardstock due to the presence of glitter itself.
Glitter cardstock is typically thicker than plain cardstock to accommodate the adhesive that is necessary to stick the glitter to the paper.
This thicker material can be harder to cut with the default Cricut blade and settings, causing uneven edges and potential tears in the cardstock.
In addition to that, the debris created by the glitter can interfere with the cutting process.
For example, they can clog the blade or accumulate on the mat and make the blade skip.
That’s why it’s important to use a sharp blade and to clean the blade, it housing, and the mat thoroughly after every time you cut glitter materials.
Here’s how to make sure your machine cuts glitter cardstock properly:
Use Cricut’s own line of glitter cardstock
First of all, I highly recommend using Cricut’s own line of glitter cardstock.
It’s specially designed to work seamlessly with their machines.
So you won’t have to worry about any mishaps.
Plus, this cardstock comes in a few samplers of several colors for you to choose from.
Check the blade and make sure it’s sharp enough
If you’re having trouble getting smooth, clean cuts with your glitter cardstock and your Cricut, the first thing to check is your blade.
A dull Fine Point blade can give you choppy, uneven cuts that can ruin your projects.
Make sure it’s nice and sharp!
Replacing your blade is the easiest way to get rid of this problem.
So if you haven’t swapped it out for a new one in a while, it’s worth investing in a fresh blade.
You can also try sharpening it with aluminum foil.
It sounds a bit strange, but it can actually do wonders for dull blades.
Make sure the blade is clean too
If you’ve been using the blade a lot, it’s possible that it’s clogged with some glitter or residue from previous cuts.
To make sure it’s nice and clear, just spend a minute inspecting and cleaning the blade.
You can use the same foil sharpening method to wipe away any glitter or sticky residue that might have built up from previous projects.
How to sharpen and clean a Cricut blade
Sharpening and cleaning a Cricut blade from glitter debris is easy!
- First, carefully remove the blade from your Cricut machine.
- Take a piece of aluminum foil and roll it into a small ball.
- Then, place the ball on a flat, hard surface and pierce it with the blade a few times.
- Keep doing this until the blade is sharpened and free of any glitter debris.
- When you’re done, reinsert the blade into the Cricut machine and test it out!
- Just remember to be careful when handling the blade to avoid any accidents.
A sharp blade is key to getting perfect cuts every time, so make sure you don’t overlook it!
Use the right Cricut mat for glitter cardstock
One of the most common reasons your Cricut may not be cutting through glitter cardstock is that you’re using the wrong mat.
Glitter cardstock often requires a stronger mat than what’s used for plain cardstock of the same weight.
So if you use a LightGrip mat for regular cardstock, you’ll need to swap it for the StandardGrip mat.
It’s designed to hold thicker materials in place.
However, sometimes, you may need to switch to a lighter grip mat instead of a stronger one for smoother results.
This may be necessary when you’re having trouble cutting thin glitter cardstock or intricate designs on a stronger grip mat and the mat is causing your cardstock to tear.
If you don’t use the right mat, it’s likely that your blade won’t cut through the cardstock or that you’ll get poor cutting results.
Make sure glitter cardstock adheres properly to the Cricut mat
If you’re cutting glitter cardstock with your Cricut, you’ll want to make sure it’s properly stuck to the mat.
To get the best cut, use a brayer or a squeegee to press the cardstock onto the mat beforehand.
This will help to secure it and make the cut more precise.
If the material shifts during the cutting process, the Cricut won’t be able to do its job properly or might not cut at all.
Taking the extra step of using the brayer will prevent the blade from skipping.
Use a new or clean mat
For the best results when cutting glitter cardstock, you’ll want to make sure you’re starting with a fresh or clean mat.
If your mat is an older one, it may be clogged with glitter, debris, or other residue from previous cuts.
This can weaken the adhesive and make it harder for the mat to hold the cardstock in place.
And if material slips, the machine won’t make an accurate cut.
Plus, the blade may skip when it hits bumps produced by unwanted particles underneath your material.
Cean the mat you use for glitter cardstock after every cut.
Use a lint roller to remove any glitter, debris, or fibers.
Then wipe it with a baby wipe or a damp lint-free cloth.
Let the mat dry completely before using it.
If the mat is too contaminated and isn’t sticky anymore, you’ll need to buy a new one.
You can set aside a separate mat just for cutting glitter cardstock.
That way you won’t have to clean your main mat that you use for vinyl and other materials too often, and it will last longer.
Check the glitter cardstock Cricut material setting
If your Cricut is having difficulty cutting through glitter cardstock, the issue may be related to the machine’s material setting.
Before attempting to cut the material, make sure you have selected the correct “glitter cardstock” material setting in Cricut Design Space.
If the incorrect setting is selected, your Cricut may not be able to properly identify the material. Or may not be able to set to the proper cutting depth and speed needed for a successful cut.
Make sure the pressure setting is high enough
To get the best results when cutting glitter cardstock with your Cricut, make sure to adjust the pressure setting to More if needed.
This will help make sure that your Cricut has enough power to cut through the material.
If it’s still having trouble, try running a second pass and see if that does the trick.
Make several passes
When selecting your material settings before cutting, you can also adjust the “Multi-cut” setting.
This is a great feature that makes multiple cuts over the same image and is especially beneficial for thicker materials.
You can give it a try and make two passes with your blade to see if it cuts through glitter cardstock.
Switch the material setting to “poster board”
If you’re having trouble cutting glitter cardstock on the “glitter cardstock” setting with your Cricut, try switching the material setting to ‘poster board”.
It’s a thicker material, so it’ll help the machine cut through the cardstock easier.
Make a few test cuts with thicker plain cardstock first
Before you cut through glitter cardstock with your Cricut, it’s always a good idea to make a few test cuts with thicker plain cardstock first.
This will help you get a feel for the pressure and material settings you’ll need to use on the glitter cardstock.
Plus, it’ll save you from making a mistake on your final product.
Take your time, make a few trial cuts, and you’ll be cutting through glitter cardstock like a pro.
Change your design
If you’re using textured cardstock such as glitter cardstock, it’s important to keep the design in mind when crafting.
Cricut machines are great for cutting intricate designs on materials like vinyl.
However, complex and intricate designs with many small details can be challenging on thicker and textured materials.
The texture of glitter cardstock often catches on the blade, so for the best results and to avoid any snags, simpler designs are your best bet.
That way, you’ll get a smooth, accurate cut for a project that looks amazing!
Cutting through glitter cardstock with a Cricut machine can be tricky, but with the right settings, a sharp blade, and a few helpful tips, you can have beautiful results every time.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with settings and different materials to find the best solutions for your projects. With a little bit of patience and practice, you’ll have perfect cuts every time.
