How to change the machine blade and pens - Cricut Explore series, Cricut Maker series, and Cricut Venture machines

Edited: September 30, 2024

To change the machine blade or install a pen or marker, follow the steps below. 

How to change the blade

1. Open Clamp B and remove the blade housing.
2. For Fine-Point blades: Gently push the plunger on the top of the housing and carefully pull out the blade from the bottom.
   • Knife Blade for Cricut Maker: Read this Replacing Knife Blade Help article.
   • Rotary Blade for Cricut Maker: View this Changing the Rotary Blade video.
3. Remove the protective cover from the new blade.
4. Insert the new blade into the housing so that the sharp side of the blade points out of the housing. The magnet in the housing will hold the new blade in place.
5. Return the blade + housing to Clamp B and close it.

How to install a pen or marker

1. Open Clamp A. 
2. Remove cap from pen and note the arrow on the barrel of the pen.
   
3. Use one hand to support Clamp A from the bottom.
4. Insert pen, nib down, into the accessory adapter in Clamp A, applying gentle pressure until the pen snaps into place. When properly installed, the arrow on the pen is fully covered by the accessory adapter. 
5. Close the clamp. 
6. You're ready to draw or write! To learn how to tell your machine to use the pen/marker see Design Space: Selecting Operation.

Note: To use Cricut Permanent Markers 2.5 mm with your machine, you must first remove the Accessory Adapter from Clamp A. To learn how, see How do I remove/replace the accessory adapter for my machine?