A Cricut Explore 3 review from a long time Cricut crafter. Learn what you can do with the new machine!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Cricut, however all opinions and images are my own.
In my last post, I showed you the newest cutting machine in my craft room – the new Cricut Explore 3! I have had many Cricut machines over the past decade so I wanted to answer some of your questions if you are thinking about purchasing one.
I know when I bought my first Cricut machine years ago, I had so many questions and even feared that I wouldn’t be able to learn how to use it. I don’t know about you, but I’m always a little hesitant when starting a new hobby.
I wonder if I’m actually going to like what I’m jumping into and hoping that I’m not just wasting money on something I will never use. Does anyone else have those thoughts??
So I thought I’d help ease some of your anxiety by letting you know what you are getting in to. I’m not going to lie, there is a learning curve if you’ve never used any design software or vinyl cutting machine.
But luckily nowadays there is so much help for Cricut users when it comes to using Cricut Design Space software and the machines themselves!
The Cricut community is a great group of crafters ready to help others along the way. I love scrolling through the Cricut Facebook group and seeing how others use their crafting machine.
We all have different passions and I love that Cricut has made it possible for crafters to use so many different materials with their machine. It’s not just for scrapbookers or to make vinyl decals!
There is so much you can do with the Cricut Explore 3, which is sometimes what people are overwhelmed by! Where do I start? Can I actually make that??!!
What Materials can I use with the Cricut Explore 3?
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First, let’s talk about the abundance of materials you can cut with the Cricut Explore 3.
The Cricut Explore 3, is in the same line of Cricut cutting machines as the Cricut Explore (had to use a USB cable), Cricut Explore Air (the first one with Bluetooth connectivity), and the Cricut Explore Air 2 (I’ve owned them all at one point!).
The new Cricut Explore 3 smart cutting machine has a bit of a sleeker design and can cut a lot faster on fast mode. Plus it works with Cricut Smart materials!
I would say the majority of people buy a Cricut to make their own projects out of cardstock, vinyl, or iron-on vinyl.
While you can make some amazing crafts and gifts out of those popular materials, there are so many different types of materials you can cut on the Cricut Explore 3.
Let’s check some out:
- All kinds of cardstock – glitter cardstock, light, medium, and heavy cardstock, insert cards, and more
- Fabric such as paper thin faux leather, faux suede, printable fabric, and bonded silk
- Craft foam and party foil
- All types of iron-on vinyl- including glitter iron-on, holographic iron-on, color changing iron on, and more
- Infusible Ink transfer sheets
- Printable sticker paper
- Leather
- All types of adhesive vinyl – stencil, holographic, mosaic, glitter, glow in the dark vinyl, smart labels, chalkboard vinyl, and more!
Then thicker materials like kraftboard, (some will require the deep point blade), poster board (regular, metallic, and foil), and regular and corrugated cardboard.
And thin materials like vellum, butcher paper, copy paper, wrapping paper, construction paper, and more!
The main difference between the previous machines is that the Explore 3 can cut materials on a Cricut mat and then also cut Smart materials (just like the Cricut Maker 3). Smart materials don’t need a cutting mat!
That’s right you can cut Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-on Vinyl, Smart labels, and Smart paper sticker cardstock by loading the material directly into the machine without a cutting mat.
And the rolls of vinyl can be as long as 21 feet and the machine will make continuous cuts so those long or larger projects don’t need to be cut out on individual mats!
There is even a vinyl Cricut roll holder that can hold the vinyl all nice and neat!
The Cricut Explore 3 can use the fine point blade, deep point blade, scoring stylus, foil transfer tool, and all of the Cricut pens and markers!
So many possibilities, but I would recommend only starting with one or two mediums or you might get overwhelmed. Plus purchasing everything up front will get really expensive!
Make sure to check out my Cricut Explore 3 set up post where I break down the cost of owning a Cricut.
What Projects Can I Make with Explore 3?
So now that you know what materials the Explore 3 can cut, let’s dive into what kind of projects you can make with your Cricut Explore 3.
The list is never ending, but some of my favorite Cricut projects are:
- Custom mugs
- Personalized t-shirt
- Personalized water bottle, thermos, backpack
- Using stencils to make all kinds of wall signs
- Stickers
- Cards – especially 3D crafts that pop up
The main reason I first started using a Cricut was to make personalized gifts for family members and friends. I love adding that extra personal touch to gifts I give and my Cricut helps in so many ways.
For starters, I can use my own designs.
I can design something I want using pre-made designs and fonts available in Cricut Access or I can design something in another software and upload the cut file into design space.
Then I can use any color material I want (I love customizing to the recipient’s favorite colors and hobbies) and add the personalization onto hundreds of different items.
I can’t tell you how much money I’ve saved over the past decade by making my own custom decor, personalized gifts, greeting cards, party favors, and so much more!
The Cricut 2×2 card mat can be used with the Explore 3 so you can make a bunch of cards at one time, including watercolor cards!
For Christmas this year, I made my Mom about 50 different greeting cards that she can send to people any time of the year. She LOVED it and I loved making them!
I have also been able to sell some handmade items throughout the years that covered the cost of the machines.
Once people know you have a Cricut, you’ll be asked a lot to make things because people love to give personalized gifts and will pay a lot of money!
I do have a full review of the Cricut Explore Air 2, the smaller Cricut Joy, and the new Cricut Joy Xtra if you want to learn more about those machines.
Where Can I Find Help Using My Cricut?
As I mentioned before, I love the Cricut community. I get inspired by so many others and I have so much fun scrolling through the community projects within Cricut Design Space.
I have bookmarked so many amazing projects that I want to make! I look at my calendar and see whose birthday is coming up, so I can start thinking about what I can make them.
You can also access Cricut Learn from Cricut Design Space which has a bunch of Cricut tutorials.
I have a ton of Cricut crafts and CDS tutorials on my site plus a lot of YouTube videos that hopefully will help get you started!
I would also recommend joining the Official Cricut Facebook group where you can ask any questions you might have. We all started out having no idea how to use the machine and understand the frustration that can come with something new.
Instead of giving up or just letting your new machine just sit there, ask a fellow Cricut user. I’m sure they are more than happy to help!
If you are thinking about jumping into the Cricut world, the Cricut Explore 3 is a great machine! I love that you can use regular materials with cutting mats and also Cricut Smart Material without cutting mats.
I also am a huge fan of Cricut Design Space and all that it offers, especially walking me through the cutting process with step by step instructions and pictures!
I don’t know about you, but crafting really helps with my anxiety. And seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they ask “Did you make this?” makes my heart so happy!
To find out even more about the Cricut Explore 3, you can visit Cricut.com and email me with any questions you may have (amy@leapoffaithcrafting.com).
Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!
