Cricut Maintenance

Callibration

  1. Open the Cricut Design Space App

  2. Locate the profile in the top right corner, and select the drop-down menu

    1. Select “Settings”

  3. When the Settings page pops up, select “Machines.”

  4. Find “Machine Calibration,” then select the drop-down menu next to it and select “Maker 4.”

  5. Hit the “Start” button

  6. Three options for calibration should pop up: “Rotary Blade, Knife Blade, and Print Then Cut.”

    1. Selection for calibration depends on what it is you’re trying to cut out. For stickers, do “Print Then Cut”; for vinyl, do “Knife Blade.”

      1. Don’t have the blade needed for “Rotary Blade,” but if we did, it would be used for vinyl if you’re making a fun shape using the rotary blade

  7. Follow the directions given by the Cricut for calibration

  8. Evaluate the cuts made from the calibration process. If it isn’t right/accurate, do it again

    1. If it keeps getting worse, try restarting the Cricut (power off, unplug for 10-15 minutes, plug back in, and turn back on)

 

General Maintenance

Watch this video if you want a visual/audio description of taking care of the Cricut.

Machine Maintenance

  1. Use the wipes to wipe around the Cricut on the outside (and the more plastic parts under the metallic cover)
    1. Be careful not to rub it for too much/long on the buttons
    2. DO NOT use any harsh chemicals/cleaners on the Cricut
  2. Remove any material from the bar
  3. Ensure that left and right wheel are still clean after use
    1. If they aren't, use isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe
  4. Every now and then, wipe down the tools with a wipe, too

Cricut Mat Maintenance

If the Cricut sticky mat seems to be collecting debris and losing its stickiness, it needs to be cleaned

  1. Use the Cricut scraper to scrape what you can off
  2. Take an alcohol-free baby wipe and wipe the Cricut mat with it
  3. Leave outside (nice weather ONLY) to help some of the stickiness start to come back
    1. Should be good in about 10 minutes or less

If the Cricut mat has a LOT of debris and it's hard to take off, it needs to be cleaned a little differently

  1. Put some dish soap on the mat
  2. Wash/scrub the mat like you would the dishes with lukewarm water
  3. Lightly pat with a paper towel
  4. Put out in the sun to dry

Replacing Worn-Down Blades

If the Cricut doesn't seem to be cutting very well, the blade may need to be replaced

  1. Open the clamp holding the blade (should say B on it)
  2. Pull the blade out of the machine
  3. Press the "button" on the opposite side of the blade all the way down
    1. This should make the blade pop outwards
  4.  Grab the blade while holding the button down and pull it out
  5. While holding the button, put the new blade in
  6. Remove finger from the button; the new blade should lock into place

Major Maintenance

Cricut Breaking Down

This should only be done if it seems like the Cricut is doing really, really bad(shaking, jerking)

  1. Pull out the tool holder
  2. Clean and lubricate (some oil on) the inner gears
    1. Use Q-Tips to reach all of them without damaging the machine