Cricut offers a wide variety of tools designed to make your projects smoother, faster, and more precise. If you’ve ever been confused about what each tool does, this guide is for you. I’m breaking down essential Cricut tools—plus a few you may not even know about—so you can decide which ones belong in your craft room.
You can see more about the items you need to get started with your Cricut here.
Cricut Tools
The tools below are great additions to your Cricut machine. For information on mats and blades that you use in your machine, click here to see our post on Cricut accessories. I am going to break down my list of basic Cricut tools into a few sections for you. Some of these are must-haves, and some are nice to have, depending on what projects you may be doing.
Tools You Need for Your Cricut
In my opinion, the following list covers the basic Cricut tools that every crafter should have on hand.
- Scraper – these are a lifesaver when applying vinyl to a surface. I also use them to ensure the transfer paper has adhered well.
- Weeder or perhaps the entire Weeding Tool Set – I can't live without weeding tools. These help you remove excess vinyl before adding it to your final project.
- Brayer – this tool is perfect for extending the life of your fabric mat. Use it to really press that fabric into the mat, getting more uses per mat. I also use it to adhere other materials to the mat. It is great for making any mat last as long as possible!
- Scissors – yes, you can use any scissors, but this small pair is perfect for keeping close to your machine.
- Spatula – seriously, it's so helpful for removing tiny paper bits and pieces from your mat.
Don't want the Cricut brand of tools? Wondering if off-brand tools work just as well? Click here to see our tool comparison!
Tools That are Nice to Have
These all make a great addition to your craft room, but you can live without them! Some of these are sets. I find that with sets, I use some of the tools but not all. Some people, however, love the ease of just ordering one item and getting everything they need.
- The Essential Tool Set – Comes with a ton of basic Cricut tools, plus some I really do love. The tweezers are perfect for lifting things from your mat. Especially critical to keep your mats as clean as possible. The scoring stylus is included in this package, along with a basic weeding tool essential for vinyl. The spatula in this set is one of my faves. Lifting things from the mat is easier with this tool. The small scissors and paper cutter are nice, but you may already have tools like these that you love.
- Basic Tool Set – Basically everything above in the essential tool set, minus the paper cutter and scoring stylus. This is also a more affordable option.
- Weeding Tool Set – A weeding tool is a must for anyone working with vinyl. Seriously, these will save your sanity. You can just get a single weeding too, but this set is really great. It includes weeding tools with pointy tips as well as tweezers.
- XL Scraper – You can get by with the smaller scraper that often comes in the toolsets, but I love the XL version.
- TrueControl Knife – a craft knife is a staple in my craft room and this one from Cricut is really great.
Fabric Tools for the Cricut
If you bought your Cricut Maker to make fabric projects, you might want to consider adding on a few of these tools to your list.
- Rotary Cutter – you need to cut any fabric you use for your Cricut machine to 12 inches wide. This rotary cutter will allow you to do that with ease.
- Self-Healing Cutting Mat – a companion to the rotary cutter above, and is perfect for cutting fabric.
- Acrylic Ruler – perfect for running those straight lines when cutting fabric with your rotary cutter.
- Sewing Kit – the Cricut Maker is a lifesaver for crafting with fabric. Add this sewing kit to complete your arsenal.
- Tweezers – another tool that helps extend the life of your fabric mat. The oils in your fingers can affect the adhesive, so use these tweezers to pick up your fabric pieces.
Paper Crafting Tools You Will Love
I know I probably have some paper crafters out there, and you may want some special tools.
- Portable Trimmer – if you are a paper crafter, a trimmer is a must! This one is small and portable, which I personally love. It comes in one of the tool sets above as well.
- Scoring Stylus – need to score paper and not cut it? You need one of these tools! If you have the Maker, you can opt for the Scoring Wheel instead.
Which of these Cricut tools will you try? For me, I want one of each! Time to make my wish list!
PS. Want to learn more about your machine? Click here for our guide on the Cricut Maker or here to see our comparison between the Cricut Maker and the Explore Air.
Confused about Cricut Design Space? Download our beginner's guide here.
Would be great if only I could afford the Cricut.
Thank you, but most are expensive. I’ll definitely look into these once the need arises or when I have the budget.