Cutting acrylic with the Cricut Maker is a common inquiry, and it’s easy to see why. As many newcomers presume the Cricut Maker lacks the ability to slice through acrylic, it’s a reasonable question.
Cricut Maker can cut acrylic. Cutting acrylic with a Cricut Maker can result in precise and clean cuts, but it’s important to always wear protective gear, such as gloves and eye protection. You should also keep the work area clean and free of clutter. With the right blade and proper care, your Cricut Maker can be a valuable tool for creating a wide range of acrylic projects.
This article will cover the important aspects of cutting acrylic using a Cricut Maker.
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How to Cut Acrylic Using Cricut Maker?
Some people have tried to use a Cricut Maker to cut acrylic sheets, but it didn’t work for them. The good news is that there is an easy way to cut acrylic with the Cricut Maker. Here’s how:
Step 1: Choose the right type of acrylic
Not all acrylic is suitable for cutting with a Cricut Maker. You should choose a thinner type of acrylic, typically between 0.5mm to 2mm in thickness, that is designed for use with cutting machines. Thicker acrylic may be too difficult for the Cricut Maker to cut cleanly and accurately, and may cause the blade to break or become dull quickly. Additionally, thicker acrylic may require multiple passes to cut through completely, which can damage the material or cause it to shift or move on the cutting mat.
Step 2: Prepare Your Materials
Cutting acrylic with Cricut Maker requires that you use the right tools for the job. The first step is to make sure that your Cricut Maker has enough power to cut through the material. The machine should be plugged into an outlet and turned on before you attempt to cut anything.
Step 3: Create your design
Use a design software like Cricut Design Space to create your design. Make sure that your design is compatible with cutting acrylic and adjust the settings as necessary.
Step 4: Turn on Cricut Maker and Load the acrylic onto the mat
Cut a piece of acrylic that will fit onto the Cricut Maker cutting mat. Remove the protective film on the acrylic and place it onto the mat, ensuring that it is flat and smooth. With the material properly placed, turn on your machine and lower it onto the mat so that the blade is inside of one of the lines you’ve drawn. If this is your first time using a vinyl cutter, make sure not to press down too hard as this may cause damage or injury.
Make sure to closely monitor the machine during the cutting process and adjust the settings or blade depth as necessary to ensure a clean and accurate cut. Once the cut is complete, carefully remove the acrylic sheet from the mat and remove any remaining masking tape or adhesive residue
Note: The acrylic cutter machine should come with a blade that can cut through a variety of materials, including cardstock, chipboard, and vellum. You can also use third-party blades to cut different materials like vinyl and leather.
Types of Acrylic for Cutting
There are several types of acrylic that can be used for cutting, but the main are; cast acrylic, extruded acrylic, and mirrored acrylic. Let me explain each type;
1) Cast Acrylic
Cast acrylic is a type of acrylic that is widely used for acrylic cutting. It is made by casting liquid acrylic into a mold and then allowing it to cool and harden into a solid form. The resulting material is transparent, lightweight, and durable.
As the most preferred choice for acrylic cutting, it has a high level of optical clarity and a uniform thickness, which makes it easy to cut accurately and cleanly even for beginners. It is also easy to machine and shape, allowing for precise cuts and intricate designs.
Due to its excellent cutting properties, cast acrylic is also resistant to UV radiation, weathering, and scratching. This makes it a popular choice for a wide range of applications, including signs, displays, and architectural features.
This variety allows designers and manufacturers to choose the perfect material for their project, whether they need a subtle accent or a bold statement piece.
Overall, cast acrylic is an excellent choice for acrylic cutting due to its superior optical clarity, uniform thickness, machinability, and durability for a wide variety of projects.
Examples of Cast Acrylic
Some examples of cast acrylic that are commonly used for acrylic cutting are:
1) Plexiglas and Perspex
Another popular brand of cast acrylic, Plexiglas is used for a range of applications, including windows, picture frames, and aquariums. Perspex and plexiglass can also be used for a wide range of applications, including signage, point of sale displays, and lighting.
Recommend Plexiglass and Perspex Acrylic Sheets
STYLEZONE Acrylic Plexiglass Plastic Sheet 6x12 Inches (2 Piece) | |
NIUBEE Acrylic Sheet 12x24 Inches(2 Pieces) | |
COOAK Acrylic Sheet Clear Cast Plexiglass 12 x 12 inches Square Panel 1/8 Thick (3mm) | |
15pcs Diameter 6''(15.24cm）Acrylic Circle Disc Round Perspex Blank Sheet Thickness 0.08''(2mm) | |
mofa Clear Acrylic Perspex Sheet Cut Plastic Transparent Board Perspex Panel,DIY and Sign ("6" X"4") |
2) Lucite and Acrylite
Lucite is a high-quality cast acrylic that is used for high-end applications such as jewellery, furniture, and lighting while Acrylite is used for a range of applications, including POP displays, signage, and point-of-purchase displays.
2) Extruded Acrylic
Extruded acrylic is used in making a wide range of products such as signs, displays, lighting fixtures, and lenses. During its manufacturing process, It is made by melting acrylic resin pellets and then forcing the molten plastic through a die to create a continuous sheet. The resulting material is then cooled and cut into the desired shape and size.
One of the key advantages of extruded acrylic is its high impact resistance. It has a higher durability than other types of plastics, such as polycarbonate or PVC. This is why it is ideal material for use in applications where the material will be subject to impact or other types of physical stress, such as in cutting or engraving applications (I love the 24 Pcs Colored Acrylic Extruded Acrylic for Crafts Sheets that are 8 x 8 Inch and perfect for cricut cutting and Laser Cutting, check them out).
Another advantage of extruded acrylic is its excellent optical clarity. It is highly transparent, with a light transmittance of up to 92%, which makes it ideal for use in applications where clarity and transparency are important. It is also highly resistant to UV light, which means that it will not yellow or degrade over time.
In cutting applications such as a cricut maker, extruded acrylic is often used because it is easy to cut and shape using common tools such as saws, drills, and lasers. It can be cut into precise shapes and sizes without cracking or chipping.
3) Mirrored Acrylic
Mirrored acrylic, also known as mirrored plexiglass, is a type of acrylic plastic that has a reflective surface on one side. Mirrored acrylic is often used in acrylic cutting because of its unique properties.
One of the key perks of mirrored acrylic is its lightweight and shatter-resistant properties. It is about half the weight of glass and is much more shatter-resistant, making it a safer option in cricut cutting. Moreso, it is more durable than glass and less prone to breakage, which makes it an ideal material for use in environments where safety is a concern.
In acrylic cutting, mirrored acrylic is often used to create decorative elements or to add a reflective surface to a product or display. It can be easily cut, shaped, and formed using common tools such as saws and drills, making it a versatile material for a wide range of cutting applications.
Recommended Acrylic Mirror Sheets: YARRD 2PCS 12×12 Acrylic Mirror Sheet Mirror Cast Acrylic, 3 Pcs Acrylic Mirror Sheet Acrylic Sheet Laser Cutting Acrylic Shatterproof Plastic Mirrors for Home.
What Size Acrylic Fits Into Cricut Maker?
The Cricut Maker is a powerful machine that can cut through 2 mm acrylic, but you need to make sure you buy the right size. If it is too thin or too thick, your cuts will not come out right.
If the acrylic is too thin, it may be too fragile and may break or warp during the cutting process, resulting in inaccurate cuts or damaged material. On the other hand, if the acrylic is too thick, it may require multiple passes to cut through completely, which can damage the material or cause it to shift or move on the cutting mat.
When choosing acrylic for cutting with a Cricut Maker( I recommend this Cricut Maker – Smart Cutting Machine – With 10X Cutting Force, Cuts 300+ Materials, Create 3D Art) . It comes with wireless blue tooth connectivity, , it is important to consider the specific requirements of your project, including the thickness and type of material, as well as the level of detail and precision needed for your design. It is also important to choose high-quality acrylic that is consistent in thickness and density, as this will help ensure clean and accurate cuts.
By choosing the right size and thickness of acrylic and adjusting the settings of your Cricut Maker accordingly, you can achieve high-quality, professional-looking cuts and create a wide range of creative projects.
Can the Cricut Maker Cut Acrylic Sheets?
The Cricut Maker is a great machine for cutting acrylic sheets. With its wide range of compatible materials and the Knife Blade, you can cut through any material, including acrylic sheets. You can even use the Knife Blade to cut vinyl and leather. The Knife Blade is one of our most popular blades for cutting all types of material.
What Blade Cuts Acrylic on Cricut Maker?
The cricut maker is a machine that cuts and engraves acrylic, wood, leather, paper, and other materials. The blade that comes with the machine is called the Cricut Explore Air 2 Blade. It has a cutting depth of 0.25 inches.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 Blade works best with acrylics that are 0.25 inches thick or less. It also works well on materials that are not more than 1/8 inch thick because it can be difficult to cut through thicker materials like plywood or particle board with this blade. If you need to cut thicker materials, then you should use a different blade on your cricut maker such as one designed for cutting metal or metal stamping tools.
What Is the Thickest Material a Cricut Maker Can Cut?
The Cricut Maker is a machine that cuts materials up to 2.4 mm thick. However, it is important to note that the thickness of your material can impact how well it cuts and how clean the edges of your cut are.
The following are some tips for using thicker materials on your Cricut Maker:
- If you’re using a material that is more than 2mm thick, make sure you have enough space around the design so that it can be cut all the way through without leaving any waste on the backside.
- Use a heavy duty mat when cutting thicker materials like vinyl or leather to help prevent slipping and sliding during cutting.
- Make sure you use high quality blades in your machine – they will last longer and provide cleaner cuts with less pressure needed from you!
Conclusion
Due to its high-end, laser-powered cutting machine, the Cricut Maker may be the best of all options. The Maker was designed specifically with acrylic in mind, so if you want to cut that material, go for it.
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