Learn How to Unbox the Explore 3, Set It Up, Connect to Cricut Design Space and Cut Your First Test Sticker With the Cricut Explore 3 Using Smart Materials.
Did you recently get a Cricut Explore 3? Do you need a little help unboxing your machine and getting started with your very first cut?
In this post, I’m going to be unboxing the new Cricut Explore 3, showing you how to set up a Cricut Design Space login, register for Cricut Access, and make your very first cut using Cricut's Smart Materials!
Thanks to JOANN for sponsoring this post. You can purchase the new Cricut Explore 3 from JOANN online.
Unboxing the Cricut Explore 3
Ready to get started? Let’s open up this Cricut Explore 3 box!
When you open up your Cricut Explore 3 box, you will see this envelope. Inside is a sample of Cricut’s Smart Vinyl for your very first cut.
Looking for more information on the Cricut Explore 3? Read my "Everything You Need to Know about the Cricut Explore 3" post here.
Go ahead and set this aside for later.
Next, you’ll find a sheet of Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, Smart Paper Sticker Cardstock, and Transfer Tape.
I love that Cricut gives you Smart Materials right away to try out. With Smart Materials, you can cut two times faster and up to 12 feet in material, making your projects quicker.
Remove the cardboard inserts and pull out your machine.
The machine is preloaded with a Premium Fine-Point Blade.
Located underneath the Explore 3 is your USB cable and power adapter.
Pull these out and set the box aside.
Remove the plastic from the Explore and lift the top to open it up.
Remove the styrofoam from the tool housing.
On the right-hand side of the machine, you’ll see 4 different buttons: the power button, load and unload button, start button, and pause button.
Inside the machine is the tool housing. This is what enables your machine to precisely cut, draw, and score over 100 materials.
The premium Fine-Point Blade is installed in clamp B. To switch it out with another tool, simply pull on this clasp, and remove the tool. Insert a new one and secure it.
Clamp A is designed to hold pens, markers, or a scoring stylus. You can purchase pens and markers from JOANN by clicking here.
On the left is a silicone storage cup. Each section is lined with a silicone layer, making it perfect to safely store your tools and blades.
At the bottom of the Explore, you’ll find an additional storage compartment. I love using this to store extra blades as well as my hand tools.
The power plug-in is located at the back of the machine, let’s go ahead and plug it in to get started.
Plus the round end of your power cord into your machine and the other end into a power outlet.
Click the power button to power on your machine.
How to Set Up Your Explore 3
To begin, go to cricut.com/setup.
This brings you to the correct place to download Design Space for your device.
Click on “Download.”
If you haven’t already, create a Cricut ID.
This allows you to create your own projects and access them from anywhere.
Once you have your login, go ahead and log into Design Space.
All Cricut Machines come with a 1 month free trial of Cricut Access, so be sure to take advantage of that. Cricut Access is a monthly or yearly membership that gives you access to hundreds of thousands of images, fonts, and projects. While you don’t have to be a Cricut Access member to use your machine, I’ve found that it’s worth the money if you are crafting regularly.
In addition to your trial, your Explore comes with 100 ready-to-make projects.
Connect your machine to your computer using Bluetooth or a USB cord.
Click on “New Product Set-Up.”
“Smart Cutting Machine.”
Then select which machine you are wanting to set up.
I’m going to select “Cricut Explore 3.”
Follow the prompts within Design Space, making sure your Explore is plugged in and connected to your computer.
If at any point you get stuck or need help, you can always contact Cricut’s Customer Care for extra assistance.
Click “Continue.”
If you’re wanting to sign up for the free trial of Cricut Access, click “Start My Trial.”
Now it’s time to get started on our very first cut!
Select the image you would like to cut.
Insert your Smart Material into your machine, making sure it is underneath these white guides. Press the load arrow to load your material in.
Now, the Explore 3 is going to straighten out your material and measure it to ensure you have enough for the cut.
Confirm that your Fine-Point Blade is in your machine.
And press the blinking start button to begin cutting.
Once it has finished cutting, press the unload button.
Now you can peel away your sticker from the backing.
If you have any questions about the Explore 3, be sure to leave them in the comments below!
Thanks to JOANN for sponsoring this post. You can purchase the new Cricut Explore 3 from JOANN online on June 10th.
Do you have any questions about the Cricut Explore 3 that weren't answered in this post? Let me know in a comment below!
I just got my Cricut Explore 3 and unpackaged it. Got it setup and when I went to do the test the power button was flashing red. Is it suppose to flash red? I've searched through You Tube for help and can't find anything pertaining to this flashing red light.
Thank you for your help!!
If the blade encounters inconsistencies in material thickness or density it will get stuck and may cause a blinking red light. Simply follow the onscreen instructions to clear any debris, and press the cut button again to resume the cut. This may happen multiple times during a cut.
Taylor Frank
Cricut™ Member