How- To Cricut, Larger Than Mat Cuts, and Other Tips

 Hey Y'all!

First up today is how to cut larger than mat, with your Explore, Maker, or any machine without using smart materials.

I'll start with written instructions, and follow with pictorial.

Written Instructions:

1) Pick your design, and size to fit the material you've chosen to adhere it to. (Large sign, wall decal, etc.)

2) Find the easiest way to SLICE and fit to your mat. Try not to separate in the middle of a letter, number, or key element.

3) Slice each section needed, remember you can only slice with 2 layers.

4) Load material on the mats, CUT.

5) Weed design, apply transfer tape if needed.

6) Piece back together. I like to adhere one section at a time and then work from there.

7) Once all pieces are back together and adhered I like to burnish it all down one more time.

8) Admire your work!

Pictorial Instructions:

(1-4, I'm assuming if you're looking at how to do larger than mat you know how to cut, and layer. If you need help with that please message me on social media, or leave a comment below.)

12x24 Mat first, followed by 12x12.

I chose this one, because I'm from Mtn TN, not music. This design (available in DS) is too big to fit either mat.

In hindsight, if this were a real cut I was going to make, I should have chosen the straight edge square, and not the curve, but the process is the same.

I quickly figured out this was going to have to be 3 pcs. I decided to slice at mountain peeks, and avoid slicing into letters as much as possible. You slice where it's easiest for you to piece back together.

Seperated!

For this size a 12x24mat would need loaded 3 times.

A 12x12 is going to be 6 mats.

Working with the slices I already took for the 12x24 mat.

Now it'll all fit on 12x12 mats.

Mat one, of 6 if using a 12x12.

Once it's all cut, piece it back together, and apply. I like to do one section at a time, that way I can work a bit easier, and not have too many elements flopping around at once.

(Would you like a video? Let me know!)

OTHER TIPS:

Instead of duplicating an image in DS, and trying to figure out how many copies you can fit, use the PROJECT COPIES from the make screen. You can still move images around from here if needed.

How to turn Grid on & off~

How to change Canvas color:

What other Cricut How-TO's would you like to see? More tips & tricks? Cricut hacks? Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife