A week ago, I visited my friend Anna’s house and saw her fixing her Cricut Joy machine to make something. I asked her if she wanted help, and then I taught her how to use Cricut Joy correctly. I felt really good after helping her, and I thought, why don’t I share this with all the beginners struggling with their latest Cricut cutting machine?

As a professional crafter and Cricut expert, I often create content related to trends happening in the Cricut. I often get queries about how to use and set up the machine. My schedule is always tight, so I can’t get time to reply to each one of them. So, I prefer to write blogs on the most asked topics. In this blog, I’m going to address the small Cricut machine: Cricut Joy. Let’s get started with it!

What Comes Inside the Cricut Joy Box?

Before I show how to use Cricut Joy for beginners, the first step you will need to do is unboxing your Cricut machine. This is to ensure that your machine’s box has all the necessary equipment or not. Below are all the equipment listed.

• Your Cricut Joy machine
• StandardGrip mat
• Power adapter
• Fine point pen
• Smart vinyl samples
• A welcome card
• 50 pre-made projects
• 30 days free trial for a Cricut Access plan

Once you check all the tools and supplies inside, you’re good to go to set up your machine and use it to make a project.

How to Setup a Cricut Joy on Your Computer?

Before you get started learning to use a Cricut cutting machine, you need to set up your Cricut machine. Below are the steps to learn how to use Cricut Joy with your computer.

Step 1: Turn on Your Cricut Joy                           

Your first step in setting up a Cricut is to turn on your machine properly. Below are the steps for it.

1. First, install your Cricut machine on a clean, cool, and flat surface near your electric unit.
2. Then, take the power cord from your machine’s box and connect one end to the Cricut machine and another end to the power outlet.
3. Turn on your machine, and then it will flash a light indicating that it has turned on.

That’s how you can turn on or activate your Cricut cutting machine.

Step 2: Connect a Cricut Joy to Computer

In this step, you need to connect your Cricut product to the computer via Bluetooth. Note that you can’t connect Cricut to a computer via USB, as it doesn’t support USB. Below are the steps to do it.

1. First, turn on your machine and keep it about 10-15 feet away from your computer.
2. Now, find the Bluetooth option on the computer and enable it.
3. Allow your computer to recognize your Cricut model.
4. After that, choose your Cricut model from the list and type a PIN code of “0000” if the screen asks you to do so.

1. Next, click on the Connect button.

Finally, your Cricut cutting machine is connected to your computer, and you’re ready to use it for making projects.

Step 3: Download Cricut Design Space Software

The Cricut Design Space app is very important to access your Cricut machine and create designs using the Design Space features. Look at the steps below to download and install it on your computer.

1. Visit cricut.com/setup on your internet browser and agree to Cricut’s terms of use and privacy policy.
2. Once you get the software installed, sign in to your Cricut ID using your username and password.

1. In the case of a smartphone such as Android or iOS, you need to install the Cricut Design app from the App Store or Play Store.

Once you get the app, you can continue with the Cricut New Machine Setup and setup your Cricut product.

How to Use Cricut Joy to Make a DIY Project?

Finally, you are going to learn using a Cricut machine. Check the items that you’ll need while creating your project.

Here is a list of accessories you need during the project:

• Brand new Cricut Joy machine
• Cricut smart vinyl
• Desktop or mobile
• Transfer tape
• Cricut software installed
• Wooden tissue box

Here, I’ll teach you a very basic project to create with your Cricut cutting machine: a wooden tissue box. Let’s see the steps now.

Step 1: Use Cricut Design Space to Create a Design

In this step, you are required to create a design to create the best project out of it. Check the steps below to create a design using the Cricut app.

1. In the first step, launch your Design Space software and hit the New Project tab.
2. Then, select the Text option from the left side panel and add the text you want to your project.

1. You can also change your font if you don’t like the default one.
2. When you complete the design and are ready to cut it, hit the Make It option to enter the new page.
3. On the next page, you’re allowed to mirror your project.
4. After that, choose your vinyl from the “All Browse Material” option.
5. Next, load your chosen vinyl into your Cricut product. (Note: If you’re using a smart vinyl, you don’t need a Cricut cutting mat)

That’s how you’ll create a design and load your smart material into your Cricut Joy machine. In the next step, you’ll need to prepare your design for the final transfer.

Step 2: Weed Out the Excess Vinyl

Once you’re ready with your design, there is one more step you need to take weeding out the vinyl. As the final cut may have leftovers of your vinyl material, you will need to pick it up using a Cricut tool called a weeding tool. Here, you’ll take off the unwanted pieces from your final cut. Once you do that, cut a transfer tape slightly larger than your design and apply it over the design. Now, I can assume that you know how to use Cricut Joy to make unique crafts.

Step 3: Transfer Your Design to Tissue Box

Once you are done with the project cutting, you can fix your vinyl design on the wooden tissue box and transfer it. Scrape off the transfer tape on your wooden box and carefully remove the transfer tape from your vinyl to get the desired results.

Conclusion

To sum up, we can say that you’ve understood how to use Cricut Joy to make something unique. In this blog, I have shared a project to make with your wooden tissue box. Make sure that you connect your machine with a device, such as a desktop or mobile device, correctly via Bluetooth to prevent issues with cutting. Also, remember Cricut Joy doesn’t support USB, so you’ll be dependent on the Bluetooth connection. Above all, the project made with the Cricut machine is extremely joyful, and everybody will love it.

FAQs

What Can I Create With My Cricut Joy?

There are unlimited things you can create with your incredible machine. Some of them are listed below.

1. Mugs
2. Tumblers
3. Stickers
4. Decals
5. Banners
6. Customized T-shirts
7. Jewelry and accessories
8. Invitation and greeting cards
9. Home decor items

How Do I Connect a Cricut Joy to Mobile?

To connect your Cricut product to mobile, follow these steps:

1. To get started, turn on your machine.
2. Place your Cricut to a mobile about 10-15 feet away.
3. Then, head to the Settings and search for the Bluetooth option.
4. Turn on the Bluetooth and check all the nearby devices.
5. Choose your Cricut model from the list.
6. Next, finish the pairing process and enjoy your machine.

Can I Connect My Cricut Joy via USB?

No, you cannot. Cricut Joy doesn’t support a USB connection. Hence, you’ll need to set it up using a Bluetooth connection. Luckily, you can connect it to any device, including desktop and mobile devices. So, you can try connecting your machine to a device to go ahead with project-making.

Source: https://medium.com/@CricutDesignSpacesetup/how-to-use-cricut-joy-to-create-a-project-a-stepwise-guide-dc