5 Cricut Hacks That Saved Me Time and Money

Let’s face it—crafting with Cricut is amazing, but it can also be a little expensive and time-consuming. Between vinyl costs, mat replacements, and lost time from trial and error, I’ve definitely had a few frustrating moments. Over time, though, I’ve picked up a few hacks that have seriously saved my sanity and my wallet. Today I’m sharing 5 Cricut hacks that saved me time and money, and I hope they do the same for you!

1. Use Dollar Store Contact Paper as Transfer Tape

💸 Cost Saver Alert

Why pay $8–$12 for a roll of branded transfer tape when you can grab a roll of clear contact paper from the dollar store? It works surprisingly well for most vinyl projects—especially permanent vinyl—and peels off smoothly without leaving residue.

Tip: Test on a scrap piece first to make sure the grip level works for your specific vinyl.

2. Re-Stick Your Cutting Mats Instead of Replacing Them

♻️ Extend Mat Life

Cutting mats can lose their grip after just a few projects, but that doesn’t mean they’re trash! Here’s what I do:

• Wash gently with warm water and dish soap.

• Let dry completely.

• Use repositionable adhesive spray (also Krylon Easy-Tack) to bring it back to life.

Bonus: Store mats with a protective cover or slip them inside a garbage bag to keep dust off.

3. Organize Scraps by Type and Save Big

📁 No More Wasted Vinyl

I used to toss small vinyl scraps, thinking they were useless—until I realized how many little designs, labels, and test cuts I could make from them! I now use a 3-ring binder with clear sleeves, binder folders with closure or labeled zip pouches to sort scraps by type: HTV, permanent, glitter, etc.

Result: Less waste + fewer trips to buy more vinyl = more money in my pocket.

4. Use the "SnapMat" or Grid Trick for Perfect Scrap Placement

🎯 Precision + Efficiency

When working with scraps, I don’t want to waste time (or vinyl) with misaligned cuts. On the Cricut Design Space app for iOS, the SnapMat feature lets you take a photo of your mat and place your design right over scraps visually. Don’t have iOS? No problem! Just draw a grid on an old mat with a ruler and permanent marker so you know where to place cuts.

Hack: Label grid lines with measurements so you can match them with your design’s position.

5. Duplicate Projects to Save Cut Time

⏱️ Batch Like a Pro

If you’re cutting multiple of the same design (think party favors, t-shirts, decals), save yourself time by duplicating the design within Design Space and arranging it efficiently on one mat. This reduces the number of cuts and lets you weed multiple designs at once.

Pro Tip: Use the “Attach” function to keep your layout exactly how you want it.

Final Thoughts

Crafting should be fun—not frustrating or expensive. These simple Cricut hacks helped me become more efficient, spend less money on supplies, and avoid unnecessary mistakes. If you’ve got any go-to tricks of your own, drop them in the comments—I’m always looking to learn more from fellow crafters!

Happy cutting! 💕✂️