Do you want to learn how to cut acrylic sheets with Cricut? Excellent, because after I talk about the Cricut Maker, then I will show you how to cut acrylic sheets step-by-step to make keychains in this blog post!
The question that many crafting beginners wonder is, can a Cricut machine cut through acrylic sheets? And will it produce a clean cut?
I decided to test this for myself with my Cricut maker and the knife blade, although you can do this with other machines, too, like the Cricut Explore Air.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
Remembering My First Cricut Machine!
Let me tell you why my Cricut Maker makes me so happy!
I got my first Cricut forever ago. All I was doing back then was making scrapbooks.
Even at its petite 6-inch size, it was a game-changer, and I fell in love! Over the years, this machine has evolved so dang much!
I mean, on my first machine, there was no way really to make and upload your own designs! You always had to use a cartridge. I really enjoy the freedom of being able to make my own and upload it to use with my machine.
Also, back then, all I could cut pretty much is paper. Now, the Cricut Maker cuts hundreds of materials and virtually any fabric, including delicate fabrics! And have you seen all the different types of blades!?
All the blades that the Cricut Maker uses:
- Rotary Blade | They offer a rotary blade that will cut through fabric that is unbounded. That means you don’t need a stabilizer as the Explore machines require.
- Fine Point Blade | This blade is nice for intricate cuts and designs. Not surprisingly, it will give you a very accurate cut.
- Scoring Wheel | This is a nice upgrade from the Scoring Stylus. Saves time and offers a clean scoring line.
- Deep Cut Blade | If you want to cut thicker materials, this deep point blade to use. It works well on thick acrylic sheets. (Perfect for this project!)
- Knife Blade | Unlike other blades, you can use this to cut thicker leather and even items like balsa wood, which is incredible for crafting.
- Basic Perforation Blade | Creates perfect tear-offs and easy peel-aways using paper, cardstock, acetate, poster board, and more
- Wavy Blade | Quickly create a fun wavy edge on a variety of popular materials.
- Fine Debossing Tip | Customize projects with crisp, detailed debossed designs – no folders necessary (buh bye cuddle bug)
- Engraving Tip | Engrave unique and permanent designs on a variety of materials.
They are all super fun to use. I can easily switch between blades with the Cricut Maker.
Best of all, I often forget to change out the blade when doing different projects. The Cricut Maker is foolproof when it’s time to cut because it will let you know once you have chosen your material and if you have the right tool or not.
Other Things You Can Do With A Cricut Maker
The Cricut Design Space software is the built-in design software that works with your Cricut Machines. It makes it so easy to make projects that look like a professional job! With tons of images and fonts, you can design like a pro.
Drawing and writing with the Maker is amazing, too! I enjoy using Infusible Ink Pens to make new and creative things.
Can The Cricut Maker Cut Acrylic Sheets
I don’t know about you, but I love making crafts with acrylic plastic.
Thanks to the material type, everything lasts much longer.
But can the Cricut Maker handle acrylic?
Yes, it can!
However, it’s important to know there are different types of acrylic, so you need to use the right type of acrylic with your Cricut Maker.
The main thing to note is the maximum thickness the Cricut Maker can cut is 2.4 mm. So, you can’t cut thicker acrylic sheets than that.
You can use clear acrylic sheets, acrylic mirror sheets, or other acrylic blanks in different colors as long as the material is not thicker than the maximum.
But how amazing is it that acrylic cutting is possible with the Cricut Maker?
Supplies Needed To Cut Acrylic Sheets With The Cricut Maker
Are you getting ready to do your acrylic project with the Cricut Maker? I know I am!
You’ll need the following supplies ready for this test project.
- Cricut Maker
- Knife Blade
- Cutting Mat
- Weeding Tool
- A Piece of Acrylic (I used thin sheets that measure 11 x 14)
- Pattern Paper
- Holographic Vinyl
- Black Vinyl
If you’re looking where to buy your acrylic pieces, you can obviously check Michaels, the Cricut website, or other craft stores. But, did you know you can also buy these at Home Depot?
Other Acrylic Projects To Try
Here are some other acrylic projects you can also make when you’re done with these keychains!
- Cricut Acrylic Gift Tags With Free SVG
- Easy Cricut Dry Erase Calendar
- How To Engrave Acrylic With The Cricut Maker
How To Cut Acrylic Sheets For Keychains With Your Cricut Maker
I bet, at this point, you’re ready to learn how to cut acrylic sheets with your Cricut Maker to make keychains.
For a flawless finished product, make sure you follow each of these steps carefully. In particular, you’ll need the knife blade. This blade will cut through acrylic materials like butter.
How To Cut Acrylic Sheets For Keychains
Learn how to cut acrylic sheets to make keychains with your Cricut machine! Learn all the basics here and then design and make your own!
Materials
- Thin Acrylic Sheets Mine are the 11x14
- Patterned Sampler, Minnie Rocks the Dots
- Cricut Holographic Vinyl Sampler
- Cricut Premium Vinyl In Black
- Standard Grip Mat
- Weeding Tool
Tools
- Cricut Maker
- Knife Blade
Instructions
- Make another circle and resize it to 3 inches.
- Make another circle and resize it to .25 inches.
- Place the small circle on top of the larger one in about the place you want the hole.
- Select both (just drag your mouse over them both at the same time).
- Go to align, and select align horizontally.
- Then click slice.
- You now have three circles, and you can remove the two smaller ones.
- Duplicate your large circle twice.
- Change the two new to a different color. This way, you can differentiate between your acrylic and vinyl. The two colored circles are vinyl.
- Using Design Space images, shapes, and fonts, I made a little mouse with a bow. The font I used is Babett.
- Type out the text, move the letters together, and weld.
- Resize to fit your circle.
- Click Make it.
- To cut the acrylic, I chose the basswood setting. You will have to make a few passes, or if you are impatient like me, you can carefully punch it out.
- I cut two different vinyl Patterns and the name in holographic vinyl, and I used the recommended settings for those.
- Get everything weeded and start applying the vinyl.
- Transfer the vinyl to the transfer sheet with the sticky side up. Place your acrylic over the top of the vinyl and line it up. This was the easiest way I found to do this.
- Once you have placed all of the pieces for your keychain, it's time to mix the epoxy.
- Mix according to the bottle instructions.
- Place cardstock or something under the acrylic because we are working with very strong glue.
- I like to work on a few at a time and put a good-sized amount of epoxy in the middle of each.
- Epoxy is self-leveling, so you just need to make sure the whole thing is wet but not necessarily level.
- It will level itself.
- If you see bubbles, gently blow hot air through a straw to remove them.
- Allow to cure at least 24 hours, add a key ring, and enjoy.
