Guide To The Cricut Joy Cutting Machine And Review?

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The Cricut Joy is the smallest offering on the Cricut Machine front and totally different from all other Cricut offerings, including the Cricut Maker 3. And today we want to tell you exactly what this little machine can do. Also check out my Cricut Joy buyers guide, this handy guide will take you through what you need to get started with the Cricut Joy project by project.

 This post may contain affiliate links. Which means I may receive a small commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended at no extra cost to yourself. As an Amazon Associate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program , Cricut and Glowforge associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What Is The Cricut Joy A Guide And Review?

What Can The Cricut Joy Do?

• It’s a cutting and drawing machine
• It’s compact and lightweight
• Has a narrow mat, 4.5 inches to be exact as appose the the 12 inch matt of its counterparts.
• Also had a mat design specifically for card inserts, which makes super quick and easy custom insert cards.
• Can be used for mat free cutting with the new smart materials
• It houses a fine point blade.
• Yet also houses a pen ( However you need to switch between the blade and pen)
• It’s perfect for card making.
• And also labels.
• But even better makes banners and signs up to 20 foot long. I know AMAZING!
• It has specially sized cutting mats.
• But can also be used without a mat alongside the smart vinyl.
• The Cricut Joy is wireless.
• Can be used with the Cricut app.
• But also alongside other Cricut Machines on larger projects.
• Yet is totally portable if you are crafting on the go.
• Which makes it the perfect entry level machine for new crafters
• And also a welcome addition to the craft room for experienced crafter.

How Much Is The Cricut Joy?

The Cricut Joy currently costs £154.99 in The Amazon Cricut Store and from $120 in Amazon US. Although I have seen it for as low a $99 in Walmart.

What’s The Difference Between The Cricut Joy Vs Maker 3?

The Cricut Joy and Maker are both cutting machines that allow you to cut a variety of materials for crafting and DIY projects. However, there are some key differences between the two machines.

Size and Portability

The Cricut Joy is a compact and portable cutting machine, while the Maker is a larger, heavier machine. The Joy weighing 1.75 Kilograms is designed to be used in smaller spaces and is easy to transport. Whilst the Maker 3 weighing 4.84 kg is better suited for a dedicated crafting area.

Cutting Power

The Cricut Maker has more cutting power than the Cricut Joy, allowing it to cut through thicker and tougher materials such as leather and balsa wood. The Joy is better suited for cutting thinner materials like vinyl and cardstock.

Cutting Width

The Cricut Maker has a wider cutting width (12 inches) than the Cricut Joy (4.5 inches), which means you can cut larger designs and projects with the Maker. However the Cricut Joy is super versatile for quick craft projects and great for making custom cards and sticker sheets.

Compatibility with Tools

The Cricut Maker is compatible with a wider range of tools and blades, including a rotary blade for cutting fabric and a knife blade for cutting thicker materials. The Joy, on the other hand, has limited compatibility with tools and blades. It does have compatible tools such as the foil tool and Cricut Joy pens.

How Much Is The Cricut Joy?

The Cricut Joy is less expensive than the Cricut Maker, making it a more budget-friendly option for beginners or those with smaller crafting needs.

Ultimately, the decision between the Cricut Joy and Maker will depend on your crafting needs, budget, and space requirements. If you need to cut thicker materials or larger designs, the Maker may be a better choice. If you want a compact and portable machine for cutting thinner materials, the Joy may be a better fit. I have both machines and use then both on a regular basis, they both have huge benefits. 

Cricut Joy Materials, What Can You Cut With The Cricut Joy?

It doesn’t cut the same amount of materials as the Maker. Saying this, it has features the Maker can’t offer. Such as 20 foot long cuts, smart labels, the card making feature and the option to go mat free.

The Cricut Joy Has Its Own Custom Smart Materials

Cricut Joy Is The Perfect Machine For Card Making With Cricut Insert Cards.

Cricut insert cards are a type of pre-scored cardstock that is specifically designed to work with Cricut cutting machines, including the Cricut Joy. These cards come in a variety of sizes, colors, and designs, making it easy to create custom greeting cards, invitations, and other paper crafts. You can also create you own card designs. 

One of the unique features of Cricut insert cards is that they come with a corresponding envelope liner that can be easily inserted into the matching envelope. This gives your finished project a professional and polished look.

Using Cricut insert cards with your Cricut Joy is easy. Simply choose the card design you want to create in Cricut Design Space, and follow the on-screen prompts to customize your design and cut your cardstock. Once your card is cut, simply fold it along the pre-scored line, insert the liner into the matching envelope, and your project is complete.

Cricut insert cards are a great option for those who want to create custom cards and paper crafts without the hassle of measuring, cutting, and scoring their own cardstock. They are also a great way to experiment with different colors and designs, as the Cricut insert card collection is regularly updated with new options.

Can You Use The Cricut Joy With Cricut Design Space?

Yes it works under the same principle as the Cricut Maker and Explore Air, the only difference is that if you have both machines you click between the two on the top left hand corner of design space.

If you are new to Cricut check out my Design Space Guide however also check out all of these guides below which are fundamental to Cricut success.

• What Is Grouping? 
• Attaching Letters In Design Space?
• How To Weld Images And Words In Cricut Design Space?
• Slicing In Cricut Design Space?
• How To Add And Cut You Own Images
• How To Cut Larger Images On The Cricut Joy?
• Making Vinyl Stickers With The Cricut Joy

You Can Still Use Your Existing Cricut Materials With The Cricut Joy

Because you can buy cutting mats to fit the Cricut Joy you can also use your existing vinyls, you simple cut them to the mat size. This gives you the versatility to try out the smart vinyl which is fabulous but also use use vinyls and cards from your craft stash whilst you build up supplies.

As long as you have a Joy cutting mat, the blade and pen you can use your Cricut Joy straight away.

Which Sort Of Crafter Is Cricut The Joy For?

It’s not just for crafters. I have spoken to many readers who are not necessarily crafters, but are creative in other ways. Maybe dressmakers, great cooks, mums who like to make things with the kids, or for the home. But for whatever reason can not commit the time and money to a Maker. The Cricut Joy is a great first Cricut Machine.

The joy enables you to create quick projects such as labels, border’s, wall decals and cards in minutes. I can’t tell you how excited I am about this. If you are a quick crafter like me there are endless opportunities.

I can honestly see myself using the Joy more than I use my make. If you read my blog you will know how much I love my maker. However I love the instant gratification of the Joy and the fact that you can take it anywhere.

What Have I Made So Far?

When it arrived I spent a glorious morning unboxing my Cricut Joy, trying it out and made a card and a fox cup.

Both projects were easy to make and made in minutes. There is a host of ready made Cricut Joy designs in Cricut Design Space which load in seconds ready to cut.

Using the smart vinyl felt odd at first, however because of the thicker backing it felt sturdy and solid as it cut. The cut was quick and sharp.

The card mat is a stroke of genius, with a clever slot to slice the card into that enables you to cut and draw the top of the card in minutes. And although you have to swap the pen and fine point blade half way through its a smooth quick process (not as tight as the Maker blade housing) .

Since then I have gone on to personalise Disney cushions for a project I am working on over on Cruising With Kids. These Disney commemorative cruise cushions can be personalised with anything a year, occasion or name. I picked these up in Primark in the sale bin.

I so wish I had a Cricut machine when our boys were younger. The hours I spent scouring the internet for the right personalised gifts and travel accessories.

Guide To Setting Up Your Cricut Joy?

The Cricut Joy, My Review?

I adore the Cricut Joy, its portable, simple to use and the cut is so defined. This isn’t a huge surprise as I knew I would like it, show me a Cricut Product I don’t love.

However, I did wonder where it would fit in, especially as I love the Maker. The Joy is perfect for creating anywhere quickly and I blooming love that. Quick craft projects are the way forward.

Check out my instagram stories so see how I got on. More importantly check out how super easy these projects were to make.

I was gifted my Cricut Joy and the materials in return for an honest review, however you can’t argue with how amazing this little pocket rocket of a machine is! And please note this post contains an affiliate link.

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