Cricut for Schools: What Should You Buy with Your Machine?

Buying a Cricut machine is the exciting part, but the machine alone is not enough to start making projects.

Your school will also need something to cut, the right mat to hold that material, and a few tools to help finish the project. Depending on what you want to make, you may also need transfer tape, printable materials, laminating supplies, or a heat press.

That does not mean you should buy every Cricut supply you can find. A better approach is to begin with the projects your school actually plans to make.

A classroom creating cardstock learning materials needs a different setup than a club making shirts. A library producing bookmarks and reading displays will use different supplies than a school office making vinyl signs and labels.

The goal is not to stock an entire craft store. It is to buy enough of the right supplies to complete your first projects successfully.

Download or view our Cricut for Schools Product Guide to see school-focused bundles organized by project type, including labels and organization, cards and stickers, displays, makerspace projects, and spirit wear.

Start With the First Projects

Before building your supply list, write down the first two or three projects your school plans to make.

These might include:

• Classroom bin labels
• Bulletin board letters
• Library bookmarks
• Visual schedule cards
• Reward stickers
• Science fair headings
• Club shirts
• School event signs
• Makerspace prototype labels

This simple step can prevent both underbuying and overbuying.

For example, a school planning to make cardstock manipulatives and bulletin board letters probably does not need several rolls of iron-on right away. A club focused on spirit wear will need a heat-transfer setup, but may have little use for a large collection of specialty paper.

Start with the supplies that support projects teachers already expect to complete. Additional materials can always be added as the school becomes more familiar with the machine.

Check What Is Already Included

Before ordering accessories, look closely at what comes with the machine or bundle.

A machine may include a blade, pen, cutting mat, or a small amount of practice material. A bundle may add cardstock, vinyl, iron-on, sticker materials, tools, or a heat press. What is included can vary considerably, even between bundles built around the same  machine. Compare the included supplies with your project list, then add only what is missing.

Cutting Mats

Cutting mats are reusable adhesive surfaces that hold materials in place while the Cricut cuts them. Schools using cardstock, paper, regular vinyl, printable materials, and many specialty materials will need compatible mats.

The two mat types most schools are likely to use first are:

LightGrip mats, which work well for printer paper, lighter cardstock and other delicate paper materials.

StandardGrip mats, which are useful for everyday materials such as cardstock, adhesive vinyl and iron-on.

StrongGrip and FabricGrip mats are available for heavier materials and fabric projects, but they are usually project-specific rather than basic first-order supplies.

One mat may be enough for occasional use, but a shared school setup will usually benefit from extras. Additional mats make it possible to prepare several colors or materials at once, continue working while another mat is being cleaned, and avoid stopping a project if a mat loses its stickiness.

Keep the clear protective cover on each mat when it is not being used. Store mats flat or hang them from their holes so they do not bend. It also helps to label the mats and their covers so they stay together.

Blades and Replacement Blades

The fine-point blade is the everyday blade used for many common school materials, including cardstock, paper, adhesive vinyl, iron-on and sticker materials.

Blades last through multiple projects, but they do eventually become dull. Paper fibers, glitter materials and frequent use can shorten their working life.

A shared Cricut station should keep at least one compatible replacement blade on hand. Otherwise, one worn blade can delay every project until a replacement arrives.

More specialized blades and tools should be purchased only when the school has a project that requires them. There is little benefit in buying engraving, fabric-cutting or heavy-material tools simply because a machine can use them. Add those tools when a teacher has identified a lesson or program that will put them to work.

Basic Cricut Tools

Schools do not need a large tool collection to get started, but a few basics will make projects much easier to finish.

A weeding tool removes the unwanted pieces from cut vinyl or iron-on. This is essential for labels, decals, shirts and other projects with lettering or detailed designs.

A scraper helps smooth vinyl onto transfer tape, press materials onto a mat and remove scraps after cutting.

A brayer is a small roller that presses cardstock, fabric and larger sheets evenly onto a mat. It can be helpful, but it is not essential for every basic setup.

Tweezers, scissors, a ruler and a paper trimmer are also useful. The Cricut handles the designed cuts, but staff will still need ordinary tools for trimming materials, checking measurements and handling small pieces.

A school with several people working on the same project may want more than one weeding tool or scraper. These are inexpensive items that can quickly become a bottleneck when an entire class or club is assembling projects.

Cardstock and Paper

Cardstock is one of the most versatile school Cricut supplies. It can be used for classroom learning, organization, displays and student projects without requiring transfer tape or heat application.

Schools can use cardstock for:

• Bulletin board letters
• Math manipulatives
• Vocabulary cards
• Bookmarks
• Visual schedules
• Classroom job boards
• Flashcards
• Paper models
• Library signs
• Student presentation pieces
• Event decorations

A practical first order might include black, white, school colors and an assortment of bright colors. This is usually more useful than buying a large collection of specialty finishes before teachers know what they will use.

Think about how the finished pieces will be handled. Regular cardstock may be enough for a one-time bulletin board. Manipulatives, routine cards and visual supports that will be used repeatedly may need heavier cardstock or lamination.

Adhesive Vinyl and Transfer Tape

Adhesive vinyl is a sticker-like material used for projects that will be applied to a smooth surface.

It works well for:

• Storage bin labels
• Library shelf signs
• Staff door labels
• Equipment tags
• Club decals
• Window signs
• Classroom organization
• Directional signs
• School office projects

Removable vinyl is useful for temporary signs, seasonal displays and surfaces that may need to be changed. Permanent vinyl is better for projects that will receive more handling or need to remain in place longer.

For the first order, focus on useful colors. Black and white work well for text and general labels. Add school colors and any colors regularly used for classroom organization.

Vinyl projects also require transfer tape. Transfer tape moves the cut design from its backing to the final surface while keeping the letters and design elements aligned.

Without it, applying a multi-letter label or detailed decal can be frustrating. A basic adhesive vinyl order should almost always include standard transfer tape.

Transfer tape is not used with iron-on. Iron-on generally includes its own clear carrier sheet.

Pens and Markers

Compatible Cricut pens and markers allow the machine to write or draw as part of a project.

Teachers can use them for:

• Cards
• Name tags
• Classroom labels
• Bookmarks
• Flashcards
• Student awards
• Worksheet pieces
• Invitations
• Diagrams and outlines

Pens are especially useful when a project combines writing and cutting. The Cricut can draw the wording and then cut the surrounding shape without requiring teachers to line up printed text by hand.

Check compatibility before ordering. Pens made for compact Joy-family machines are not necessarily the same as those used with full-size Explore and Maker machines.

A basic black pen and a small assortment of commonly used colors are enough for most schools to begin.

Stickers and Printable Projects

Printable sticker materials are used with a printer and Cricut’s Print Then Cut feature. The design is printed first, and the Cricut then cuts around the printed images.

This process can be used for:

• Reward stickers
• Full-color labels
• Library stickers
• Club logos
• Student-designed stickers
• Entrepreneurship project labels
• Visual supports
• Event stickers

Before buying printable materials, make sure the chosen Cricut machine supports Print Then Cut and that the school has access to a compatible printer.

For classroom sticker projects, plan how sheets will be shared. Placing several student designs on one sheet is usually more efficient than printing a separate page for every student.

Iron-On and Fabric Projects

Iron-on, also called heat-transfer vinyl or HTV, is used to decorate fabric.

Schools may use it for:

• Club shirts
• Team apparel
• Tote bags
• Staff gifts
• Costumes
• Spirit wear
• Fabric banners

Iron-on should be included only when fabric projects are part of the school’s actual plan. It requires more than the vinyl itself.

A basic setup may include:

• Iron-on in school colors
• A weeding tool
• A compatible heat press
• A heat-resistant pressing mat
• Blank shirts, totes or other fabric items
• A safe area where pressed items can cool

A heat press is not required for cardstock, stickers, adhesive vinyl, labels or most classroom display projects. It is needed when the school plans to apply iron-on to fabric.

Before adding one to the order, consider how often it will be used, the typical design size, where it will be stored and who will operate it. Heat presses should be used in a supervised space with clear safety rules.

Storage and Organization

Storage may not be the most exciting part of the purchase, but it makes a big difference in a shared school setting.

Plan where the school will keep:

• Cutting mats
• Cardstock
• Vinyl and iron-on rolls
• Pens
• Blades
• Weeding tools
• Printable materials
• Scraps
• Blank shirts and totes
• Finished pieces waiting to be assembled

Useful options include labeled bins, flat paper drawers, rolling carts, blade cases, tool cups, vinyl roll storage and project trays for individual classes or teachers.

Keep sharp tools, replacement blades and heat equipment in staff-controlled storage.

A simple supply log can also help. Staff do not need to record every small scrap, but someone should keep an eye on frequently used cardstock, vinyl colors, transfer tape, blades and mats.

Plan for Replacement Supplies

Some Cricut purchases are reusable, while others need to be replaced regularly.

Tools, blade housings, storage and heat presses can be used for many projects. Cardstock, vinyl, iron-on, sticker sheets and blank apparel are consumables. Pens, blades and cutting mats are reusable for a while, but eventually need replacement.

Schools should decide how those ongoing supplies will be funded.

Possible sources include:

• Classroom or department budgets
• Library or makerspace funds
• Student club accounts
• PTO or PTA support
• Event budgets
• Grants
• A shared school supply account

A complete first order should include enough material for the school to learn the process and finish several projects. After that, replacement supplies can be based on what teachers actually use rather than what they thought they might use.

If you’re hoping to use a grant or other school funding to cover the machine and supplies, Cricut for Schools: Need Funding? Grant Language You Can Use has wording you can adapt for your request.

What to Prioritize by Project Type

For labels and classroom organization, begin with adhesive vinyl, transfer tape, StandardGrip mats, a weeding tool, a scraper and a replacement fine-point blade.

For cards, bookmarks and paper projects, prioritize cardstock, LightGrip or StandardGrip mats, pens, adhesive and a compatible card mat when needed.

For stickers and printable labels, plan for printable sticker materials and compatible mats.

For bulletin boards, displays and event signs, focus on cardstock, extra mats, replacement blades, useful school colors and storage for larger sets of cut pieces.

For visual schedules and reusable classroom supports, consider cardstock, printable materials, laminating supplies, hook-and-loop fasteners, binder rings and small storage pouches.

For makerspace and art projects, begin with a broader mix of cardstock, adhesive vinyl, transfer tape, stencil material, extra mats and several basic tools. Add specialty blades and materials only when a lesson requires them.

For spirit wear, purchase iron-on, weeding tools, a heat press, a pressing mat, fabric blanks and supplies for tracking sizes and finished orders.

A Sensible First Supply Order

For many schools, a useful general-purpose first order includes:

• Two or more compatible everyday cutting mats
• One replacement fine-point blade
• At least one weeding tool
• A scraper
• Cardstock in useful colors
• Adhesive vinyl in black, white and school colors
• Transfer tape
• A small compatible pen set
• Labeled storage
• Materials for the first two or three planned projects

Add printable sticker materials, iron-on, a heat press, specialty mats or advanced tools only when those items support a project the school intends to complete.

That approach gives teachers enough to begin without using the supply budget on products that may sit unopened.

Still deciding which Cricut to buy? Cricut for Schools: Which Cricut Machine Is Right for Your School? compares the options based on project size, available space, materials, number of users, and how your school plans to use it.

Craft-e-Corner can help schools put together a Cricut setup that makes sense for the projects they actually plan to make. We offer Cricut machines, materials, tools, accessories, heat presses, and school-focused bundles, and we can help you think through what should be included in the first order so the machine is ready to use when it arrives. We also work with school purchase orders and Net 30 purchasing and can assist with the extra documentation, forms, and approval steps that school purchasing departments often require.