Sketch Studio

Best Cricut Accessories for Beginners

Cricut & SVGPublished Updated

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Sketch Studio may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we recommend.

A new cutting machine comes with enough to make your first project, but you'll want a few accessories almost immediately. The trouble is that craft stores and online shops are full of bundles, and many of them include things you won't touch for months.

This guide focuses on four kinds of accessory that beginners use again and again, and tells you what can wait. Mats, vinyl and weeding tools each have their own guide, linked below.

Quick comparison

Comparison of the products recommended in this guide
ProductBest forKey featuresPotential drawbacksAmazon link
Cricut Basic Tool Set, 5 piece Having the essentials for almost every project in one purchase A 5-piece precision tool kit for vinyl, paper and iron-on projects, per the listing; Check the listing for exactly which tools are in the set Quality varies, so cheaper kits can have dull blades or loose tweezers View on Amazon for Cricut Basic Tool Set, 5 piece (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Cricut Value transfer tape, 12 in x 15 ft roll Moving cut vinyl designs from the backing onto your surface A 12 in x 15 ft roll of transfer tape with a grid pattern for alignment, per the listing; Moves cut vinyl from the backing onto your surface Too sticky a tape can lift the vinyl from its backing View on Amazon for Cricut Value transfer tape, 12 in x 15 ft roll (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Cricut scoring stylus Drawing, writing and folding projects like cards and boxes A scoring stylus that makes fold lines for cards and boxes, per the listing; Fits machines that take Cricut tools in the accessory clamp, so check that your model does Pens must match your machine's clamp, so check compatibility View on Amazon for Cricut scoring stylus (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Firbon A4 12 inch paper trimmer Straight, clean cuts when you're prepping materials A 12 inch paper trimmer with a ruler and inch and centimeter scales, per the listing; The listing gives a 10-sheet capacity Blades dull and need replacing View on Amazon for Firbon A4 12 inch paper trimmer (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

Our picks

Cricut Basic Tool Set, 5 piece

Best for: Having the essentials for almost every project in one purchase

Key specifications

Pros

  • Cheaper than buying each tool separately
  • Covers peeling, trimming, lifting and smoothing

Cons

  • Quality varies, so cheaper kits can have dull blades or loose tweezers
  • You may outgrow individual tools quickly

Who should buy it: Anyone who just unboxed a machine and wants the basics sorted in one go.

View on Amazon for Cricut Basic Tool Set, 5 piece (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

Cricut Value transfer tape, 12 in x 15 ft roll

Best for: Moving cut vinyl designs from the backing onto your surface

Key specifications

Pros

  • Keeps letters and small pieces perfectly aligned
  • Reusable several times

Cons

  • Too sticky a tape can lift the vinyl from its backing
  • Too weak a tape lets pieces fall off partway

Who should buy it: Anyone applying adhesive vinyl to mugs, signs, walls or tumblers.

View on Amazon for Cricut Value transfer tape, 12 in x 15 ft roll (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

Cricut scoring stylus

Best for: Drawing, writing and folding projects like cards and boxes

Key specifications

Pros

  • Lets the machine draw lettering and add fold lines
  • Opens up card-making and paper crafts

Cons

  • Pens must match your machine's clamp, so check compatibility
  • Ink dries out if the cap is left off

Who should buy it: Anyone making cards, gift boxes or handwritten-style designs.

View on Amazon for Cricut scoring stylus (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

Firbon A4 12 inch paper trimmer

Best for: Straight, clean cuts when you're prepping materials

Key specifications

Pros

  • Cuts sheets to size quickly and accurately
  • Saves material by trimming exactly what you need

Cons

  • Blades dull and need replacing
  • Takes up desk space

Who should buy it: Anyone who cuts rolls or sheets down to size before putting them on a mat.

View on Amazon for Firbon A4 12 inch paper trimmer (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

Buying guide: what to look for

Check compatibility first

Pens, blades and mats differ by machine family. Check that any accessory lists your exact machine before buying, particularly pens and blades, which aren't interchangeable across all models.

Buy what your first projects need

If you're making vinyl decals, you need transfer tape and weeding tools. If you're making cards, you need pens and a scoring stylus. Don't buy both sets until you know which direction you're heading.

Bundles: helpful or wasteful?

Bundles can save money when they include things you'd buy anyway. Check the contents before you buy: some pad the list with items that rarely get used. Compare the bundle price to buying the two or three pieces you actually want.

What can wait

Specialty blades, heat presses and large vinyl collections can wait until you've finished a few projects. For the next steps, see our guides to cutting mats, vinyl and weeding tools.

Buying for a crafter this season? See our Best Gifts for Cricut Owners and Crafters guide.

Frequently asked questions

What accessories do I need with a new Cricut?

A basic tool kit and transfer tape cover most vinyl projects. Add pens and a scoring stylus for cards and paper crafts.

Can I use third-party accessories?

Often yes, for tools like tweezers, trimmers and transfer tape. For blades, pens and mats, confirm compatibility with your exact machine.

Do I need a cutting mat bundle?

You'll need mats, but you may not need a large bundle. See our mat guide for which grip suits which material.

Where do I get SVG files to cut?

Many designs are free or sold as SVG. You can also convert your own artwork to SVG and upload it to your machine's software.

More from Sketch Studio