Connect Power Supply

• 1
  Connect power cord from Cricut wall outlet.power plug image by BigDog from Fotolia.com
  
  Locate the power cord connection which is positioned on the back bottom right of the Cricut machine. Push cord in, until snug. Plug cord into wall, but do NOT turn Cricut machine on at this time
  
  
• 2
  The Cricut machine has a feed system similar to a home copierpaper feed image by Glenn Jenkinson from Fotolia.com
  
  Open face protector by pushing gently down on the bottom cover and pulling up on the keypad cover. The top cover is designed to stay up, when opened. The bottom will act as a paper loading guide, similar to a printer tray.
  
  
• 3). Tip the small computer type screen up and forward, which is located on the top left of the Cricut machine.
  
  

Prepare For Cutting

• 1). Install Cricut cartridge. The cartridge connection slot is located on the front base of the machine to the bottom right. With the label facing forward, press the cartridge firmly into the grooved slot platform.
  
  
• 2). Lay the rubber keypad overlay onto the keyboard on the top of the Cricut machine. The keypad contains tiny illustrations identifying the shapes contained within the cartridge, for easy shape cutting identification.
  
  
• 3). Remove packaging from cutting mat, but do not throw away the protective film over the sticky tack surface of the mat. This plastic clear sheet is needed to protect the mat when not in use.
  
  
• 4
  Avoid touching the cutting mat with hands to keep oils from ruining tacky surface.hands image by isatori from Fotolia.com
  
  Position paper on the sticky tack cutting mat, aligning the top left corner of the paper to the top left corner of the mat (an arrow is printed on mat). Press firmly, to adhere paper to cutting mat. The sticky surface on the mat secures the paper while the machine cuts. Avoid touching the mat surface with fingers, since oils can compromise the surface effectiveness.
  
  

Ready to Cut

• 1). Place the cutting mat into the guides at bottom of Cricut machine. Turn the power on by pressing the top left button. Push the mat gently under the feeding bar aligning it with the guidelines provided on the machine. Push the "Feed Paper" button on the bottom right of the key pad. The paper will automatically feed into the machine.
  
  
• 2). Choose the design to cut by browsing through the Cricut handbook that is provided with the rubber key pad and cartridge. The keypad matches images found in the book. The default cutting shapes are the black images, the gray images (or pink in the handbook), are programed by using the upper case key featured on the keypad.
  
  
• 3). Select the size of cut by rotating the large dial, on the right side of the Cricut machine. Sizes, measured in inches, are indicated on the small computer screen.
  
  
• 4
  The Cricut will easily cut through tissue, card and craft paper.paper image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
  
  Adjust the depth of cut by turning the bottom left dial, on the front of the Cricut machine. A simple rule to follow; the thicker the paper the higher the pressure setting. Some examples: card stock, high; typing paper stock, medium; tissue paper, light.
  
  
• 5). Press the large "Cut" button on the top right of the machine. The Cricut cutter will begin to cut and then stop automatically once the cutting selection has completed. The "Stop" button is only needed when emergency adjustments are being made during the cutting process.
  
  

Remove Project

• 1). Push the "Unload Paper" key on the keypad once the cutting process comes to a complete stop. This automatically releases the paper while locking the blade away from the mat.
  
  
• 2). Remove the cut images from the mat using the spatula or tweezers, to avoid hands coming in contact with the sticky surface.
  
  
• 3). Repeat the process with another image or cover the tacky mat with the protective plastic sheet to ensure peak cutting performance when starting new cutting project.