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Quick Links To Info In This Post
- LEARN HOW TO MAKE FUN INSERT CARDS ON YOUR CRICUT EXPLORE AND CRICUT MAKER USING THE CRICUT 2X2 CARD MAT
- THE BASICS
- COMPATIBILITY
- FOUR CARDS AT ONCE!
- COMPATIBLE MATERIALS
- EASE OF USE
- MY TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE CRICUT 2X2 CARD MAT
- LET’S MAKE SOME CARDS!
- SQUARE INSERT CARDS – MATERIALS LIST
- STEP 1 – DOWNLOAD THE SVG CUT FILES
- STEP 2 – UPLOAD THE SVG FILE TO CRICUT DESIGN SPACE
- STEP 3 – UNGROUP CARD LAYERS
- STEP 4 – CONVERT TEXT TO DRAW LINES
- STEP 5 – MAKE YOUR MATERIAL SELECTIONS AND PREPARE YOUR MATS
- STEP 6 – LOADING YOUR MATS AND CUTTING YOUR MATERIALS
- STEP 7 – ASSEMBLE YOUR CARD
- WANT THE FREE SVG FILES SO YOU MAKE THESE INSERT CARDS YOURSELF?
- WANT MY CRICUT INSERT CARD SVG FILES? THEY’RE IN MY RESOURCE LIBRARY! GET THE PASSWORD HERE!
LEARN HOW TO MAKE FUN INSERT CARDS ON YOUR CRICUT EXPLORE AND CRICUT MAKER USING THE CRICUT 2X2 CARD MAT
The Cricut 2×2 Card Mat is so cool! It allows us to use the Cricut Insert Card Packs, like we use on the Cricut Joy, on our Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker!
With the introduction of this mat, Cricut also released three new card sizes. At this time, the S40, and R40 insert cards can only be used on the larger cutting machines. You can find out more about card sizes later in this article.
If you do not have Cricut Insert Card Packs or have too much cardstock to justify purchasing them, I have included card blanks and envelopes in the download for you to use.
I will go over the Cricut 2×2 Card Mat and how to use it. I have designed 10 new insert cards for you to try out with this new card mat. I will be showing you how to use one of these designs a bit later in this post!
THE BASICS
COMPATIBILITY
The Cricut 2×2 Card Mat is designed for the Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker series of machines. If you have a Cricut Joy, you are already familiar with the Cricut Joy Card Mat. The functionality is the same, however, the Cricut Joy Card Mat is not compatible with the three new card sizes at this time.
FOUR CARDS AT ONCE!
The Cricut 2×2 Card Mat can cut four designs on one mat! You can even cut different designs using one mat. This makes card making a breeze!!
COMPATIBLE MATERIALS
You are able to use the two insert card sizes currently available for the Cricut Joy. Cricut has also come out with new card sizes to be used with the 2×2 Mat. You can see a breakdown of these sizes below. The R stands for Rectangle and the S stands for square.
EASE OF USE
The design of the 2×2 Card Mat is the same as the Cricut Joy Card Mat. Both mats have a divider to protect the back of the insert card while cutting a design on the front.
MY TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE CRICUT 2X2 CARD MAT
- I always recommend using a Cricut Brayer to help adhere the card to the mat.
- Make sure to use the guides on the card mat to ensure you have the card blank aligned properly!
- Move the star wheels to the center of the feed bar before cutting.
- Once you have removed the card from the mat, you may notice it is curled quite a bit. With the front facing down, roll the card with your fingers to help remove the curl.
- Use your Cricut Scraper to remove any extra bits left on the card mat.
- While you can make multiple designs with the 2×2 Card Mat, at this time you cannot use multiple card sizes on one mat. I have brought this up to Cricut because I think it is a missed opportunity. They have listened and we will see if they make that change in the future.
- If for some reason your cards are not cutting properly, the design measurements may have been distorted when uploading. Take a look at the dimensions of the design in your Design Space canvas and adjust if needed. The measurements are as follows: R10 - 3.25 x 4.6, R20 - 4 X 5.25, R30 - 4.25 X 6, R40 - 4.5 X 6.4, S40 - 4.5 X 4.5.
LET’S MAKE SOME CARDS!
In this tutorial, Ill give you my step by step instructions and tell you what materials I think work best when making this project.
You can download the SVG file for this project at the bottom of this post.
This post contains some affiliate links (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you). Read my full disclosure policy here.
SQUARE INSERT CARDS – MATERIALS LIST
Materials
- My FREE Cricut Insert Cards SVG Cut File
- Cricut Insert Card Packs or Cardstock
- Glue (optional)
Tools
- A way to cut out your cardstock. I am using my FABULOUS Cricut Maker but you can also use Cricut Explore!
- Cricut 2x2 Card Mat (blue)
- Cricut Pen. I am using Black.
- Cricut Scraper
- Cricut Brayer
Instructions
STEP 1 – DOWNLOAD THE SVG CUT FILES
Download the SVG Cut file for the Cricut Insert Cards (#126) from my FREE Resource Library. Click here to get access to the library.
You will notice within the download the different folders. See the chart above to distinguish the card sizes. For this project, I am using the S40 Designs.
STEP 2 – UPLOAD THE SVG FILE TO CRICUT DESIGN SPACE
If you aren't familiar with uploading SVG files into Design Space, take a look at my quick and easy tutorial here. Using your smartphone? Click here for my step-by-step guide on uploading SVG files with the Cricut App.
STEP 3 – UNGROUP CARD LAYERS
The file will upload into Cricut Design Space grouped together. You will want to hit the UNGROUP button to separate the layers.
STEP 4 – CONVERT TEXT TO DRAW LINES
Scroll down the list in the LAYERS panel. Find the text for the outer card. Change the text to pen by changing the OPERATION from BASIC CUT to PEN. You can adjust your pen color if you wish.
Attach everything together by highlighting the GROUP the outer card is under and selecting the ATTACH option in lower right hand corner.
Repeat this for the second card.
Click the GREEN Make It Button.
STEP 5 – MAKE YOUR MATERIAL SELECTIONS AND PREPARE YOUR MATS
We are using the Card Mat in this tutorial, so select On Card Mat and click CONTINUE.
You will see the card mat in the mat preview. The designs should be in the 1 and 2 spots on the card mat.
Click the CONTINUE button.
For this tutorial, I am using Cricut Insert Card Packs (S40). Select your materials accordingly.
STEP 6 – LOADING YOUR MATS AND CUTTING YOUR MATERIALS
Remove the protective plastic from the card mat.
Attach your card blank to the card mat by slipping the back of the card behind the clear sticky side. Make sure the card blank is flush with the top and left edges of the mat.
Press down or use the Cricut Brayer to adhere the card well. Repeat for the second card blank.
To load the mat, make sure that the mat is positioned under the mat guides.
Move the star wheels to the center of the feed bar.
Press the flashing arrows to load the mat.
You will know the machine is ready to cut your material when you see the flashing "C" button. Press that to start the cut.
Once the cut is complete, use your scraper to carefully start to remove the card from the mat.
Peel the card off the mat.
Use your scraper again to remove the extra bits from your mat.
Attach the plastic covers to the mat.
STEP 7 – ASSEMBLE YOUR CARD
Now that everything is cut, we can start to assemble the card.
Reinforce the score line by burnishing the fold with your scraper.
Next, open the card and carefully place the insert into the slits on the outer
Repeat this for the second card.
Here are all the card designs within this download.
I just love how easy this new card mat is to use. The fact that you can batch cards together is a dream!
Post a photo in the comment section or tag your projects on social media @thebeardedhousewife using the hashtag #beardedhousewife! Id love to see how yours turn out!!
Happy Crafting!
WANT THE FREE SVG FILES SO YOU MAKE THESE INSERT CARDS YOURSELF?
GET IT FROM MY RESOURCE LIBRARY! YOULL RECEIVE THE PASSWORD FOR THE RESOURCE LIBRARY INSTANTLY AFTER FILLING OUT THE FORM BELOW!
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