Cricut Venture Quick Start Guide

Cricut Venture is used with the Cricut Design Space software on a Windows or Mac computer. Design Space is downloaded and installed during the new machine setup process at cricut.com/setup. 

Important: A Windows or Mac computer is required for use with Cricut Venture. It is not supported in Design Space for mobile. You can design and save your Cricut Venture projects using the mobile app, but you'll need to connect Cricut Venture to your computer to make your projects. Click here to view system requirements.

The size and weight of Cricut Venture are as follows: 

• Weight: 33.9 lbs (15.4 kg)
• Height: 10.4 in (26.4 cm)
• Width: 34.8 in (88.3 cm)
• Depth: 8.8 in (22.4 cm)

These are the dimensions of the machine in its most compact state. However, more clearance will be needed to operate the machine. See the question, “How much space does Cricut Venture need?” to understand how much clearance you will need around the machine. 

Cricut Venture when the mat support arms are collapsed:

• 34.8 in wide (88.3 cm)
• 10.4 in tall (26.4 cm)
• 8.8 in deep (22.4 cm) 
   
  

Cricut Venture when the mat support arms are extended: 

Note: Green line indicates a 24 x 28 Performance Mat, which extends beyond Mat Support Arms when moving through the machine. 
 

• Total height and depth 
  • 41.3 in (105 cm) tall from top mat to the bottom of the mat
  • 42.5 in (108 cm) deep from the top of the mat to the bottom of the mat
• Top part of machine (above the table)
  • 23.5 in (60 cm) tall from the base of the machine to the top of the mat
    • 17 in (43.2 cm) tall from the base of the machine to the top of the mat support arm
    • 6.5 in (16.5 cm) height beyond the top of the mat support arm for the mat to move
  • 23 in (58.5 cm) depth from the front of the machine to the tip of the mat
    • 17.5 in (44.5 cm) deep from the front of the machine to the tip of the mat support arm
    • 5.5 in (14 cm) deep from the tip of the mat support arm to the edge of the mat
• Bottom part of machine (below the table)
  • 17.8 in (45.2 cm) tall from the base of the machine to the bottom of the mat
    • 8.9 in (22.6 cm) tall from the base of the machine to the tip of the mat support arm
    • 8.9 in (22.6 cm) tall from the tip of the mat support arm to the edge of the mat
  • 19.5 in (50 cm) deep from the base of the machine to the tip of the mat
    • 9.7 in (24.6 cm) deep from the base of the machine to the tip of the mat support arm
    • 9.8 in (24.9 cm) deep from the tip of the mat support arm to the edge of the mat

A Docking Stand for Cricut Venture is available for purchase but is sold separately from the machine. A machine + stand bundle may be offered on Cricut.com.

No. You just need a sturdy, secure, non-slick surface with enough clearance around the machine for materials and mats to feed through the machine. Cricut Venture weighs 33.9 lbs/ 15.4 kg. For proper functioning, it must be positioned so that the front edge of the machine sits flush with the edge of your worktable or stand.  

Note: If using a table, do not place Cricut Venture on top of a tablecloth or other material; it should be placed directly on your non-slick work surface.

• Blades: Cricut Venture comes with a Performance Fine-Point blade installed. This blade was created to withstand the speeds, forces, and pressures this machine generates. Cricut Explore’s Fine-Point Blade will work in Cricut Venture but will wear out much faster. All of the blades that work in Cricut Explore machines can be used in Cricut Venture, but again will wear out more quickly than the Performance Fine-Point Blade. 
• Mats: The Performance Machine Mats created for use with Cricut Venture are made of a more durable material; they were created to withstand the speeds, forces, and pressures that this machine generates. Other Cricut Machine Mats will not fit in Cricut Venture and will crack and warp under the pressure of the pinch rollers.  
• Accessories: Cricut Venture can use all of the same pens, markers, Scoring Stylus, and Foil Transfer Tool Cricut Explore uses. There is also an Auto Cut-off Blade for Cricut Venture (sold separately) which is used in Clamp A - this tool is not compatible with other smart cutting machines.

Cricut Venture is designed to take the guesswork out of speed, pressure, and blade depth on a variety of materials, and we've tested 100+ materials to find just the right settings. Simply select a pre-programmed material setting, load, and go!  

However, you can also create a custom material setting as needed. Visit this help article for instructions on creating a custom material setting.

Cricut Venture can cut single images up to 12 feet long (3.65 m), or repeated images up to 75 feet (22.86 m) on Smart Materials.  

The thickest material Cricut Venture can cut is 2.0mm. 

 Note: Print Then Cut size maximums vary based on your design. 

Yes, Cricut Venture can also Draw, Score, Foil, and Print Then Cut!

Design Space will tell you how much material you need based on the size of your design, and Cricut Venture measures loaded Smart Materials for each project before cutting. If more material is needed to cut your project, Design Space will prompt you to load the required material length. A minimum of 6 in (15 cm) of Smart Material is required to start a cut without a mat.

No, you can load Smart Materials directly into your machine without measuring or precutting. If using Smart Vinyl or Smart Iron-On, we recommend leaving material attached to the rest of the roll while cutting, then trimming once the cut is complete.

For best results when loading the Smart Material, ensure the material slides under the material guides on both sides, and the material reaches the front edge of the machine.

Smart Materials need to be at least 6 in (15 cm) long to start a cut without a mat.

No. We recommend using a machine mat when using other brands of vinyl or iron-on. Cricut Smart Materials have been rigorously tested to cut without a mat on Cricut Venture machines.

No, Performance mats are made of a stronger, more durable PET material best for the different loading and cutting specifications of Cricut Venture. Using non-Performance mats in Cricut Venture may result in warped or cracked mats. 

Additionally, the outer dimensions of the mats and the orientation of the adhesive area on the mats is slightly different. Performance Mats will fit as intended in Cricut Venture machines, and will yield the best experience for cutting on a mat in Cricut Venture. 

Follow these instructions to remove and replace your Accessory Adapter from Clamp A.

Note: The Accessory Adapter should be removed from Clamp A in order to use the Auto Cut-Off Blade and Permanent Markers, 2.5 mm.

Status Light

• White: machine is powered on/ready
• Blue: machine is connected to computer via Bluetooth
• Red (blinking or solid): machine is experiencing an error. Clear any obstructions/dust/debris and power the machine off, then back on. If the issue persists, contact Member Care for assistance.

Button Lights

• Load/Go – unlit when button is not available, fully illuminated when button is available to press, blinking when button should be pressed to move forward. 
• Pause Button – fully illuminated when available to press; unlit when button is not available 
• Mat support button (lower left of machine): unlit when button is not available, blinking when button should be pressed to move forward.
• Power button (back of machine) – By design does not light up.

The built in Mat Support Arms on Cricut Venture help hold a mat upright during a cut. Included in the box with Cricut Venture are also Mat Support Extensions. These attach to the upper Mat Support Arm to provide additional support. Mat Support Extensions help prevent mat bowing and are recommended for projects that use heavier materials on the 24 x 28 mat, or when a material covers most, or all, of the 24 x 28 mat. Projects on 24 x 12 mats require the Mat Support Arms only; they do not require the Mat Support Extensions.

While either side can be placed down on the mat, it can be removed more easily later if you replace it glossy side down. 

Cricut Venture should be lifted or carried from either side/end of the machine. Do not grasp and lift by the machine rail as this could damage the belt.

Design space will regularly prompt you when it's time to clean your machine, based on how many hours it has been in use. However, we recommend that you clean the machine using the kit included in the box if you notice dust/debris collecting on the machine, especially the grooves of the rail. To access the cleaning instructions, click on the menu icon in the upper left of Design Space and select Machine Care. Follow the prompts to connect your machine, select a cleaning flow, and clean your machine.