Cricut machines use pens to perform various tasks like illustrations, coloring pages, drawing and writing text, doodles, illustration, and more. Cricut also has a pen for marking fabrics and cutting if you have a Cricut Maker machine.
In this blog, we will discuss in detail what are the Cricut Pens used for, various types of pens, and how to load and download pens in your Cricut machine for different Cricut machines.
Which Cricut Machines Use the Cricut Pen?
The good news is that all the latest machines nowadays use pens, including Cricut Maker, Explore series machine, and Cricut Joy. The Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker have interchangeable pens, and you can use all the pens in both machines. At the same time, Cricut has its segment of smaller pens, which you cannot use the pens in other machines and vice versa.
What Different Types of Pens Work With Cricut?
Cricut makes a vast collection of markers and pens to use with the Cricut machine. Cricut has elegantly designed the barrels and end caps of the pens, which helps you differentiate between different pens on your Cricut pen’s rack. Here is the list of different types of pens that comes with Cricut machines:
- Fine Point Pens
- Extra Fine Point Pens
- Pen/Markers
- Gel Pens
- Glitter Gel Pens
- Calligraphy Pens
- Fabric Marker
- Infusible Ink Pens
- Infusible Ink Markers
Can You Use Non-Cricut Pens in Cricut?
Yes, there are many Non Cricut pens that you can use in your Cricut machines, like Cricut Maker and Explore machines, with the help of specialized adapters.
How Do You Load/Unload The Pen Into A Cricut Machine
Following is the procedure to load the pen into your Cricut machine.
Cricut Explore and Marker: Insert your uncapped pen in the auxiliary Clamp A, hold the bottom of the tool holder as you insert it, and then push down on the pen until it clicks. Ensure that your pen is perfectly fitted into the rack.
Cricut Joy: Like the other Cricut machines, there isn’t a separate clamp on the Cricut Joy for the pen. You need to set the pen in and close the clamp when you’re good to write. Unlike the other Cricut machines, you do not need to press the pen down.
How Do You Draw Images With The Cricut Pen?
There are a lot of images that you will find in the Design Space library as writing images. You can search for drawable images by filtering for the “draw only” images that can be designed using the pen. After searching for the drawable images, you will see three search results for hedgehogs drawn with the pen.
- Go to the draw in the Layers Panel on the left-hand side and the line type selection dropdown at the Top of the Edit Toolbar.
- Now, click on the colored square box next to the dropdown. Now select the pen you’re using. Then you will see the letter matches the pen end cap labels.
Conclusion
In this blog, we have discussed what are the Cricut pens used for, and we have tried to answer all the possible queries related to Cricut pens. Below is our frequently asked questions section.
Frequently Asked Questions
On what materials can Cricut pens write?
Cricut markers and pens can write on any material a regular pen can write on, like cardboard, textured cardstock, paper, etc. Before using a pen or marker on any surface, always check the test sample, so the ink does not spill off.
Do I have to use Cricut pens?
A variety of pens are available with Cricut, like thin, thick, calligraphy, etc. Cricut pens come in many colors, but you don’t necessarily need them for every project you make. In some projects, the pen doesn’t even come in use.
How long does a Cricut pen last?
Infusible pens/ markers last for a minimum of four full 8.5 in x 11 in drawing and writing pages.
Are Cricut pens permanent on vinyl?
Anything you write on the Smart label vinyl will never fade over time, and the ink stays permanent when dried.
How do I get my Cricut to write instead of cutting?
You must insert the text you want to write to get your Cricut machine to write instead of cutting. Now select the text you want to write and choose the pen operation instead of cut. If you’re using the design space app, select the text, choose the edit option, and then scroll to the right, where you get to line type and select draw.