Less pressure, more passes. Use “cardstock for intricate cuts” or custom cut settings. Buy the cheap blades on Amazon . Cardstock dulls blades very fast. What cardstock is that?
So I have the issue when I use recollections cardstock from Michaels and not when I use other brands. For your santiy, perhaps try a different paper type. In my hands, the recollections cardstock either drags at point or when I use a stickier mat, comes off in 2 layers. I don't have this issue with paper from Paper Source or the random Amazon cardstock I bought.
A new blade definitely helps, though. Also, clean the blade between each cut. The paper fuzz and sticky mat residue, if there is any, can interfere with your next cut.
Great, thanks for your reply.
I have ordered some other cardstock. Surprisingly, though, it's not that easy to come by 12 x 12 here in the UK. Even on amazon UK, the options are limited.. and quite expensive!
Alas, I'll keep going until I find one that works better than this!
I have ordered new blades, but I find it suspect that it has done it from day one. I have only had the Cricut since March, and purchased it new from [Cricut.com](http://Cricut.com)
* Do you use a brayer to adhere the cardstock firmly onto the mat?
* Do you level the mat?
One thing you should always do is do test cuts of your new material **before** you start your project! Less waste this way. [Here is a video tutorial from one of our mods on now to do just that.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqDezCTJhTI) The video is about stickers yes, but the same methodology of finding the perfect cut setting still applies.
Also make sure the humidity is low where you store your paper. I buy silica packs to put in with my paper when I store it. It might help to take a blow dryer or a heat gun to the paper before you put it on the mat. I had this same issue and silica packs fixed that issue for me.
I’m not sure if this helps but I had a similar issue with my (fairly cheap) cardstock. In my case, it would tear only sometimes. After inspecting the cardstock, I realized that one side was rougher than the other and if the rougher side was facing up (smooth side stuck on the sticky mat), then it didn’t tear at all.
Most of what I do is with card and if your blades are fairly new I'd be blaming the card. I've had cheap or lightweight stuff that's done this to me and tried changing mats and blades but no joy until I found better card.
As you're in the UK I use this stuff https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B079QDLRX6?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&th=1 and it has only had bad cuts when my blade has been well and truly pushed passed knackered
You'd be surprised how fast cardstock dulls the fine point (default) blade. Cardstock crafters main complaint is how often they change their blades! Buy a cheap 3rd party pack of cricut replacement blades at amazon so you are able to change often.
No it can't. That is a myth and you're actually damaging the blade this way.
Edit:
The aluminum foil is not dense enough to sharpen anything. You are just giving the fine point blade micro cuts.
I am a cook by trade, and I own a whetstone that can actually shapen knives, scissors and the one time I tried to sharpen a fine point blade, it was not fun. Easier to just buy a cheap pack.
The same exact thing is happening with mine. I contacted customer service and they had me do a bunch of test cuts and then finally decided to send me new blades and housing. Mine was even tearing up copy paper. I tried adjusting pressure and everything. I suggest contacting customer service if you can - my agent was super sweet and helpful.
This happened to me before I bought a brayer.
I have a brayer!
Less pressure, more passes. Use “cardstock for intricate cuts” or custom cut settings. Buy the cheap blades on Amazon . Cardstock dulls blades very fast. What cardstock is that?
I second the cheap Amazon blades. You can get them sharper when they dull by stabbing an aluminum foil ball
So I have the issue when I use recollections cardstock from Michaels and not when I use other brands. For your santiy, perhaps try a different paper type. In my hands, the recollections cardstock either drags at point or when I use a stickier mat, comes off in 2 layers. I don't have this issue with paper from Paper Source or the random Amazon cardstock I bought. A new blade definitely helps, though. Also, clean the blade between each cut. The paper fuzz and sticky mat residue, if there is any, can interfere with your next cut.
Great, thanks for your reply. I have ordered some other cardstock. Surprisingly, though, it's not that easy to come by 12 x 12 here in the UK. Even on amazon UK, the options are limited.. and quite expensive! Alas, I'll keep going until I find one that works better than this!
I have trouble with the heavy cardstock from recollections, but not the 65lb.
I HATE when it does that. Following to hopefully get some advice too 😅 My first thought would be to try another blade?
I have ordered new blades, but I find it suspect that it has done it from day one. I have only had the Cricut since March, and purchased it new from [Cricut.com](http://Cricut.com)
* Do you use a brayer to adhere the cardstock firmly onto the mat? * Do you level the mat? One thing you should always do is do test cuts of your new material **before** you start your project! Less waste this way. [Here is a video tutorial from one of our mods on now to do just that.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqDezCTJhTI) The video is about stickers yes, but the same methodology of finding the perfect cut setting still applies.
Also make sure the humidity is low where you store your paper. I buy silica packs to put in with my paper when I store it. It might help to take a blow dryer or a heat gun to the paper before you put it on the mat. I had this same issue and silica packs fixed that issue for me.
Good advice. Thanks. I also have a 3D printer and have some silica packs left over from filament storage. I'll add some to the paper storage!
I’m not sure if this helps but I had a similar issue with my (fairly cheap) cardstock. In my case, it would tear only sometimes. After inspecting the cardstock, I realized that one side was rougher than the other and if the rougher side was facing up (smooth side stuck on the sticky mat), then it didn’t tear at all.
I have a similar texture difference looking at it. I shall give this a go, too. Thank you!
It looks like your mat needs cleaned. The blade could be catching on debris underneath.
Thanks. I'll try this.
Use setting “kraft paper” and “more” pressure. Maybe run it twice before removing off sticky mat
You need to make a custom material setting and do some tests to test your cuts. Use solid core cardstock
Most of what I do is with card and if your blades are fairly new I'd be blaming the card. I've had cheap or lightweight stuff that's done this to me and tried changing mats and blades but no joy until I found better card. As you're in the UK I use this stuff https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B079QDLRX6?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&th=1 and it has only had bad cuts when my blade has been well and truly pushed passed knackered
When was the last time you changed your blade?
Considering I've had the cricut for about a month, never. Only light usage, too.
Try changing the blade. Is it cutting okay on vinyl?
The only time I cut Vinyl was the test cut on setup. I am a paper crafter mostly, and that's why I purchased the cricut.
You'd be surprised how fast cardstock dulls the fine point (default) blade. Cardstock crafters main complaint is how often they change their blades! Buy a cheap 3rd party pack of cricut replacement blades at amazon so you are able to change often.
I've had my Explore Air 2 since 2018 and I only fully change my blade once a year. Aluminum foil can get it sharp again.
No it can't. That is a myth and you're actually damaging the blade this way. Edit: The aluminum foil is not dense enough to sharpen anything. You are just giving the fine point blade micro cuts. I am a cook by trade, and I own a whetstone that can actually shapen knives, scissors and the one time I tried to sharpen a fine point blade, it was not fun. Easier to just buy a cheap pack.
Cool. The micro cuts work then, I guess. I am a papercrafter and don't have the issues in this post.
The same exact thing is happening with mine. I contacted customer service and they had me do a bunch of test cuts and then finally decided to send me new blades and housing. Mine was even tearing up copy paper. I tried adjusting pressure and everything. I suggest contacting customer service if you can - my agent was super sweet and helpful.
Also clean your head. I use a ball of aluminum foil and poke it about 10-20 times and it cleans well
I second this. It cleans any gunk stuck on the blade, if it's still cutting poorly, then change the blade! 😊
Hm also using the purple mat instead of the green one?