College life is all about creativity—whether for a classroom project, planning social events, or working on a side hustle. That’s where the Cricut machine comes in. This smart cutting device can help you take your creative ideas to the next level.
What Is a Cricut?
A Cricut is a digital cutting machine that works like a printer—but instead of ink, it uses blades to cut materials like paper, vinyl, fabric, and even leather. You design your project on a computer or phone using Cricut’s Design Space app, then let the machine do the cutting.
Why It’s Perfect for Students
- Home/Office Decor: Make custom wall decals, posters, and labels to personalize your space.
- Event Planning: Create banners, invitations, and party favors for campus events or club activities.
- Side Hustles: Sell handmade stickers, t-shirts, or greeting cards on Etsy or Instagram.
- Study Aids: Design flashcards, planners, and visual aids that make studying more fun and effective.
Getting Started
You don’t need to be a design expert. Cricut offers templates and tutorials to help you learn quickly. All you need is a Cricut machine, some basic materials, and your imagination. While Cricut’s Design Space offers free graphics, like most online design spaces, they want you to pay extra for premium designs. We recommend Adobe Stock, a free resource you get as an IU student from One.IU, as another place to locate design and graphic ideas. You can easily import images from Adobe Stock or your own designs into Design Space.
The Campus Library has a Cricut machine ready to use in its Makerspace. Library staff can help you get started. We also offer some materials for free, cardstock and vinyl (iron-on and stick-on) for those new to Cricut and wanting to explore how it works. However, supplies are limited, and we recommend coming prepared with your idea and the material you need. We also have Cricut accessories, such as the EasyPress 2 iron for t-shirt designs and the EasyPress mini for smaller iron-on projects, like hats and shoes.
If you’re brand new to Cricut use, we also recommend coming into the library before 4 pm to get started on your project. The library closes at 5 pm and it’s important to consider the length of time you might need to print out your design. You are also welcome to schedule a time to come in and request assistance. We’re happy to work with students’ schedules if notified beforehand. Have questions? Just ask us at iueref@iu.edu.