Your first Cricut machine arrives and you’re ready to dive in - but the machine itself only does the cutting. The hand tools you use before and after the cut determine whether your finished project looks clean and professional or ends up crinkled in the trash. The good news for beginners is that you don’t need a full professional toolkit right away. These five starter tools cover every step of a basic Cricut project from material prep to final transfer, and none of them require any prior crafting experience to use effectively.
| Product | Best For | Est. Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cricut Basic Tool Set | All-in-one beginner bundle | $20-$28 | ★★★★★ |
| Cricut Weeder | Removing vinyl negatives | $8-$12 | ★★★★★ |
| Cricut Scissors (Micro-tip) | Precise trimming of finished cuts | $8-$12 | ★★★★☆ |
| Cricut Scraper | Smoothing material and cleaning mats | $6-$10 | ★★★★☆ |
| Cricut TrueControl Knife | Straight trimming and material prep | $10-$16 | ★★★★☆ |
1. Cricut Basic Tool Set - Best Beginner Bundle
The Cricut Basic Tool Set is the single smartest purchase a new Cricut owner can make alongside their machine. It includes six essential tools - weeder, scraper, spatula, scissors, tweezers, and scoring stylus - in a zippered storage pouch. Buying them together costs a fraction of what individual tools would, and the pouch keeps everything in one place so you’re never hunting for the right tool mid-project. Start here and add specialty tools as your projects evolve.
2. Cricut Weeder - Best Single Tool for Beginners
If you’re only going to buy one Cricut tool individually, make it the weeder. This fine-tipped hook removes the negative (waste) vinyl pieces from your cut design, revealing the letters or shapes you want to keep. Without it, you’re using fingernails or a pen cap - both of which damage delicate cuts and leave fingerprints on adhesive surfaces. The Cricut weeder’s ergonomic handle and precision tip make it easy to lift even tiny vinyl pieces from intricate designs.
3. Cricut Scissors (Micro-tip) - Best for Finishing Cuts
Cricut’s micro-tip scissors have a narrow, pointed blade that gets into corners and tight spaces that regular scissors can’t reach. After your Cricut cuts a design, use these to trim excess material from around the edges, snip individual cut pieces off a sticker sheet, or remove a design from the mat with precision. The stainless steel blades stay sharp through thousands of cuts, and the ergonomic handle is comfortable for both right- and left-handed users.
4. Cricut Scraper - Best for Mat Care
The Cricut Scraper has two jobs that beginners often overlook. Before cutting, use its flat edge to press material firmly and evenly onto the mat, eliminating air bubbles that cause materials to shift mid-cut. After cutting, use it to scrape dried adhesive, paper dust, and vinyl scraps off the mat surface, restoring tack and extending the mat’s usable life. A well-maintained mat cuts more accurately, and the scraper is the primary tool for keeping it in good shape.
5. Cricut TrueControl Knife - Best for Material Prep
The Cricut TrueControl Knife is a precision craft knife with a comfortable, pen-style grip that gives beginners more control than a standard box cutter. Use it to cut vinyl rolls and paper sheets to mat size with perfectly straight edges, trim excess material around complex designs, or score fold lines by hand when a scoring stylus isn’t available. The non-slip grip and safety cap make it beginner-safe, and replacement blades are inexpensive and easy to swap.
What to Look For
- Bundle savings - The Basic Tool Set almost always costs less than buying weeder, scissors, scraper, and spatula separately; start with the bundle.
- Ergonomics - Look for tools with soft-grip or contoured handles; beginners often spend more time per project and hand fatigue matters.
- Storage - A pouch or caddy keeps tools organized and prevents the fine-tipped weeder from damaging other items in your craft drawer.
- Quality over quantity - A few quality Cricut tools outperform a large set of cheap generic tools; precision tips and sharp blades make a visible difference in finished results.
Final Thoughts
For any beginner, the Cricut Basic Tool Set is the single best investment after the machine itself. It equips you for virtually every vinyl, iron-on, and cardstock project right out of the gate. As you grow more comfortable, add the TrueControl Knife for material prep and perhaps a dedicated brayer for specialty materials. Keep it simple early on - the fewer tools you have to think about, the faster you learn the workflow and start producing great results.
Frequently asked questions
What tools come in the box with a new Cricut machine?+
Most Cricut machines include a fine-point blade and housing, a cutting mat, and a basic tool sample. The Explore Air 3 and Maker 3 bundle kits often add a few introductory tools, but a full weeder, spatula, scraper, and scissors set is rarely included. Buying a Basic Tool Set alongside your machine is strongly recommended.
Do I need a trimmer for Cricut projects?+
A trimmer is not mandatory but makes material prep much faster and cleaner. Cutting vinyl rolls, printable paper, or iron-on sheets to mat-size pieces with a rotary trimmer gives you perfectly straight edges that load evenly. Scissors work, but even a slight angle can cause material to ride up or cut short on the mat.
Can I use regular craft scissors with my Cricut?+
You can, but Cricut scissors have a micro-tip design that gets into tight spaces and cuts thin materials cleanly without fraying. Regular craft scissors work for cutting material rolls to size, but for trimming intricate cut pieces or removing material from the mat, micro-tip scissors are significantly easier to control.