How to load/unload mats and materials - Cricut Venture

How to load and unload a mat

If you’re not using Smart Materials with Cricut Venture, you’ll need to use a machine mat. Machine mats have an adhesive area with just the right grip to hold your material in place during cutting, then allow you to easily remove it when finished. Follow these steps to load and unload a mat.

1. Place your material on the adhesive area of the mat, aligning it with the bottom left corner. This is the default start point for Cricut Venture machines. The mat preview in Design Space will also reflect this; make sure your material is placed correctly according to the mat preview. 
2. Select your mat Type in Design Space, then select Continue.
3. Select your Cricut Venture machine from the Connect machine drop-down.
4. Select the right setting for your material. Select Browse All Materials to search or browse through all compatible materials.
5. After selecting your material, the Mat Support Button will start blinking. Lift the Lever and press the Mat Support Button. The Mat Support Arms and Mat Stops near the front of the machine will deploy. 

Note: When using the longer mat, it is helpful to add the Mat Support Extension that came in the box with your machine. Once assembled, slide it onto the upper mat support arm.  See the video above for a demonstration.

6. Follow the prompts in Design Space and on the machine to complete your cut. These prompts help ensure the right and left mat guides are open, the center guide is closed, and the right pinch roller is moved to position 2. 
7. Insert the mat from the top, passing under the mat guides, until the bottom edge rests against the mat stops. 
8. Lower the lever to engage the pinch rollers. 
9. When the Load button begins to flash, press it. The machine will measure the mat to ensure it is the right size for your project.  
10. Press the Go button when it starts flashing, and watch the magic happen!
11. To unload the mat when the cut is complete, simply lift the lever and the mat will slide out of the machine. 

Tip: If your project requires multiple mat loads, be sure to press the Mat Support Button again to deploy the mat stops after unloading each mat. This will prevent your next mat from slipping out of the machine before you have a chance to lower the lever and engage the pinch rollers. 

How to load and unload Smart Materials

Cricut Smart Materials are nifty materials designed to feed directly into your Cricut Venture machine without a mat. Cricut Venture can use both 13 in (33 cm) wide Smart Materials, and 25 in (63.5 cm) wide Smart Materials. Follow the steps below to load and unload Smart Materials. 

1. When your design is complete in Design Space, select Make. 
2. Select Without Mat from the Material Load Type drop-down, and select the correct Material Size for the size of Smart Materials you're using. Design Space will tell you how much material you need. Then select Continue.

Note: Cricut Venture allows some space below and above your design for the rollers to grip and load your material through the machine. To ensure you have enough Smart Materials for your design, wait to trim them until after the cut is complete. 

3. Select your Cricut machine from the Connect machine drop-down. 
4. Select the right setting for your material. Select Browse All Materials to search or browse through all compatible materials. 
5. When the material setting is selected, the Load button will begin to blink, indicating it's time to load your material into the machine. 
6. Follow the prompts in Design Space and on the machine. These prompts help ensure the correct mat guides are open and the right pinch roller is in the correct position. (If you plan to use the Automatic Cutoff Blade, now is the time to select that option in Design Space.) 
7. Insert Smart Material from the top, passing under the material guides, until the bottom edge of your material reaches the front edge of the machine.
8. Lower the lever and press the Load button. The machine will measure the material to ensure you have enough for your project.
9. Press the Go button when it starts flashing, and watch the magic happen!
10. When the cut is complete, use the Cutoff Tool to trim the material above your design. (If you used the Automatic Cutoff Blade, it will automatically trim your material when the cut is complete). 
11. To remove any remaining Smart Material, lift the lever and remove the material from the top of the machine.