What Blade Comes With the Cricut Air 2

Are you looking into buying the Cricut Explore Air 2?

For my friends who keep wondering about this Cricut Explore Air 2 machine, I keep writing about I have decided to write this post to explain what The Cricut Explore Air 2 is & How it Works!

I get asked this all the time so don't worry it's not just you wondering. The Cricut Explore Air 2 is a personal Crafting Machine. It can Cut over 100 different materials including paper, cardstock, vinyl, Iron-on (Heat Transfer Vinyl), Faux Leather,  Sticker Paper, Vellum, and Fabric. The Cricut Explore Air 2 can also write/draw with pens and markers and score your project with a nifty score tool. (check out these 79 awesome projects you can make with your Cricut) This Crafting machine also has Print and Cut ability!

Highlights from that video are:

• Cricut Machines can work with over 100 different materials (learn more about what materials here)
• Cricut Mats have adhesive on it to stick your material to while Cutting (drawing/scoring).
• Make sure you place your material carefully on your cutting mat lining up the left corner.
• You can cut small-sized material. You just need to match up that top left corner.
• In addition to the standard 12x12in cutting mats, you can get 12x24in Mats for larger projects. (Mats come in Light grip, standard grip, and strong grip to use with various materials)
• When loading your mat make sure both sides are under the white tabs which keep the mat straight.
• Cricut utilizes an online Design program called Cricut Design Space. (this is great for it means you can access your designs from any computer, tablet or phone by signing into your Cricut Design Space account.
• You can access over 1000 designs and fonts with an Access Subscription in Design Space (you can also upload custom files and fonts free of charge) They also have "Make it Now" predesigned projects which are pretty cool.
• Once your design is ready you send it to your Cricut Device (making sure the correct material is selected on the dial on your machine.
• Your monitor will prompt you if you need to insert a pen or scoring tool before you start your project. It will also pause and prompt you if you need to change pen color etc. Really just follow the prompts including when to load your mat and click the Cricut button to start.
• Peel your mat from your project not your project from your mat. This is especially important when dealing with Cardstock. Doing it this way keeps your material from curling or getting damaged when removing it from the mat.

I also made this video where I basically do a break down of all the functions and working parts of the Cricut Explore Air 2 Here:

Highlights from that video are:

• You open your unit by clicking the open button (pretty smart huh?)
• There are 2 storage compartments on the Cricut Machine's bottom loading tray. The first compartment is where you can store your Cricut tools when not in use.
• The second compartment is for your extra blades and housing. All the blades and housing are kept in place with magnets.
• There are 2 kinds of blades for your Cricut Explore Air 2 (the Fine Point Blade, and the Deep cut blade which also comes with its own housing to use for thicker and harder to cut materials like magnet sheets)
• The Cricut Explore Air 2 has a double tool holder so that your machine can both cut as well as either Draw or score at the same time!
• The right-hand tool holder is for your blade and the left-hand side is for either your Pen or Score tool.
• Cricut has an amazing line of pens and markers to use with your Cricut machine. However, it is also compatible with other pens and markers out on the market.
• There is a holder on your Cricut where you can put your tools or pens while working on a project for easy access.
• If you bought any of the original Cricut design cartridges don't worry. While the new Cricut machines don't need cartridges to work they are still compatible. There is a spot on the Cricut to plug cartridges in for use. (The first time you insert your cartridge into your Cricut machine, Design space which will recognize the cartridge and unlock the designs in your design space account so you won't need to use the actual cartridge again.  **note this only will work once per cartridge.)
• The Cricut Explore Air 2 has a materials dial that you just set for what material you want to cut and the blade is auto-adjusted for you to cut that specific material. (if you are working with a material not listed on the dial set to "Custom" and then select the specific material on your computer/tablet/phone's screen.)
• In addition to the power button on the right side of your Cricut, you also have your loading button (the double arrow), The Button to start your project (which looks like a Cricut C), and a Pause button in case you have to pause for any reason (like you forgot to load your pen. hahaha totally done that).
• The Loading button will flash to indicate the machine is ready for you to load your cutting mat or when your project is done to unload your mat.
• The Cricut start button will flash after your mat is loaded to let you know it is ready to begin. Just click the button, sit back and watch!
• The power cord hooks into the back of your Cricut Unit
• Next to where the power cord hooks in is a spot to hook in your cord to connect to your computer. Now your Cricut Explore Air 2 has built-in Bluetooth however if for any reason that isn't working or you are doing an intensive project you can connect your Cricut to your computer with a USB cable.

Hopefully, this post gave a clear overview of what a Cricut Explore Air 2 is and how to use it. Do you have any questions about the Cricut Explore Air 2 ? if so ask away in the comments! Otherwise happy crafting!

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