Cricut handbooks are very helpful in figuring out cartridges for Cricut personal electronic cutters. Since you cannot just content yourself with a few stencils or cartridges (which are used to cut different shapes and images), you would have to buy additional cartridges from time to time. It is quite easy to learn to operate the electronic cutter. The keypads are illustrated and you even have a user manual. However, in using complicated cartridges which have different layers, you will definitely need a corresponding handbook to guide you in cutting, prescribing sizes and assembling layered images.

These handbooks can even be downloaded from the Internet. Some come in two languages. All are beautifully colored and designed and are clearly illustrated.

Each handbook give enough space to explain the basics of the Cricut machine. They list the step by step instructions on how to load blades, cartridges and keypad overlays. At times, they explain the story behind the design cartridge and its creators.

Cricut handbooks explain each of the buttons in the machine – like creative buttons and functional and technical buttons. They also tell what to do with the buttons and how will their use affect the cutting design.

These handbooks give lengthy and necessary explanation of each cartridge function. Each also reiterates the need to understand the sizing functions to ensure that the layers are in their correct sizes.

Some also list frequently asked questions and devote several pages for tips and troubleshooting. After all the general explanations and guidelines, you may focus on the featured project theme.

Mostly, cartridges come in themes – Christmas, doodles, cars, Celebrations, music, etc. Some cartridges merely list layer combinations to be created out of the dozens of stencils. This is necessary for very complicated images like cartoon-inspired pictures. There are even some cartridges created from movie franchises.

However, there are also some Cricut handbooks that feature projects that would help the user and reader improve and advance their crafting skills.

These projects are illustrated – usually a photo is included – and are carefully explained through step by step directions. Each layer is also illustrated. There are tips and very thorough explanations and guides for each project.

Often, single pages are devoted to illustrating layers of each image and its elements.

In the end, however, it is still up to you if you would follow the handbook faithfully. It is after all more fun to create your own layout and images.

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3. Cricut Design Studio Beginner’s Guide
4. “What Can You Do With Cricut Design Studio?”
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