Fast Mode is a feature of the Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Maker machines which allows you to cut and write up to 2x faster on a mat than previous models. This feature is available with the Vinyl, Iron-on, and Cardstock material settings in Design Space (Vinyl to Cardstock+ on the Explore Air 2 Smart Set Dial).
How to use Fast Mode
- When you are ready to write or cut your project, proceed to the Cut screen.
- The Fast Mode option will be available to you if you have selected a compatible material.
- Simply toggle the switch On to activate Fast Mode.
Note: Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Explore 3 are already optimized to cut and write at Fast Mode's speeds, so the Fast Mode toggle is unnecessary and will not appear when using these models.
Note: Machines will be louder when using Fast Mode. This is normal.
Material settings with Fast Mode
Select a machine below to view material settings for which Fast Mode is available.
Dial Settings
- Poster Board+
- Poster Board
- Cardstock +
- Cardstock
- Light Cardstock +
- Light Cardstock
- Iron-On +
- Iron-On
- Vinyl+
- Vinyl
- Paper+
- Paper
- Paper-
Other Materials
- Adhesive Foil
- Adhesive Foil, Matte
- Chalkboard Vinyl
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Deluxe Paper
- Deluxe Paper, Foil Embossed
- Dry Erase Vinyl
- Everyday Iron On
- Everyday Iron On Mesh
- Everyday Iron On Mosaic
- Express Iron On
- Faux Leather
- Faux Suede
- Flat Cardboard
- Foil Acetate
- Foil Iron-On
- Foil Kraft Board – Holographic
- Foil Paper – 0.36 mm
- Foil Poster Board
- Genuine Leather
- Glitter Cardstock
- Glitter Iron-On
- Glitter Mesh Iron-On
- Glitter Vinyl
- Holographic Iron-On
- Holographic Iron-On Mosaic
- Holographic Sparkle Iron-On
- Holographic Sparkle Iron-On Mosaic
- Holographic Sparkle Vinyl
- Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet
- Kraft Board
- Medium Cardstock – 80 lb (216 gsm)
- Metallic Iron-On Mosaic
- Metallic Leather
- Metallic Poster Board
- Natural Wood Veneer
- Party Foil
- Patterned Iron-On
- Pearl Paper
- Premium Outdoor Vinyl
- Premium Vinyl
- Premium Vinyl – Frosted Glitter
- Premium Vinyl – Frosted Gray
- Premium Vinyl – Frosted Opaque
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic 3D Texture
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic Art Deco
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic Bubbles
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic Crystals
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic Rose Bubble
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic Threads
- Premium Vinyl – Mosaic
- Premium Vinyl – Pearl
- Premium Vinyl – Shimmer
- Premium Vinyl – Textured
- Premium Vinyl – Textured Metallic
- Premium Vinyl – True Brushed
- Printable Iron-On, Dark
- Printable Iron-On, Light
- Printable Sticker Paper (Clear)
- Printable Sticker Paper (White)
- Printable Vinyl
- Shimmer Paper
- Smooth Glitter Paper
- Sparkle Paper
- SportFlex Iron-On
- Stencil Vinyl
- True Brushed Paper
- Vellum
- Washi Sheet
- Window Cling
- Adhesive Foil
- Adhesive Foil, Matte
- Chalkboard Vinyl
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Deluxe Paper
- Deluxe Paper, Foil Embossed
- Dry Erase Vinyl
- Everyday Iron On
- Everyday Iron On Mesh
- Everyday Iron On Mosaic
- Express Iron On
- Faux Leather
- Faux Suede
- Felt
- Flat Cardboard
- Foil Acetate
- Foil Iron-On
- Foil Kraft Board – Holographic
- Foil Paper – 0.36 mm
- Foil Poster Board
- Genuine Leather
- Glitter Cardstock
- Glitter Iron-On
- Glitter Mesh Iron-On
- Glitter Vinyl
- Holographic Iron-On
- Holographic Iron-On Mosaic
- Holographic Sparkle Iron-On
- Holographic Sparkle Iron-On Mosaic
- Holographic Sparkle Vinyl
- Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet
- Kraft Board
- Medium Cardstock – 80 lb (216 gsm)
- Metallic Iron-On Mosaic
- Metallic Leather
- Metallic Poster Board
- Natural Wood Veneer
- Party Foil
- Patterned Iron-On
- Pearl Paper
- Poster Board
- Premium Outdoor Vinyl
- Premium Vinyl
- Premium Vinyl – Frosted Glitter
- Premium Vinyl – Frosted Gray
- Premium Vinyl – Frosted Opaque
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic 3D Texture
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic Art Deco
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic Bubbles
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic Crystals
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic Rose Bubble
- Premium Vinyl – Holographic Threads
- Premium Vinyl – Mosaic
- Premium Vinyl – Pearl
- Premium Vinyl – Shimmer
- Premium Vinyl – Textured
- Premium Vinyl – Textured Metallic
- Premium Vinyl – True Brushed
- Printable Iron-On, Dark
- Printable Iron-On, Light
- Printable Magnetic Sheet
- Printable Sticker Paper (Clear)
- Printable Sticker Paper (White)
- Printable Vinyl
- Shimmer Paper
- Smooth Glitter Paper
- Sparkle Paper
- SportFlex Iron-On
- Stencil Vinyl
- True Brushed Paper
- Vellum
- Vinyl
- Washi Sheet
- Window Cling
Speed test results
| Test | Project Image | Fast Mode Off (seconds) |
Fast Mode On (seconds) |
Times Faster |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draw straight line (point A to B) |
 |
6.97 | 3.47 | 2.01 |
| Cut straight line (point A to B) |
 |
5.90 | 2.94 | 2.01 |
| Draw 11.5” x 23.5” swirl |  |
73.04 | 36.59 | 2.00 |
| Cut 11.5” x 23.5” swirl |  |
73.71 | 37.45 | 1.97 |
| Cut 11.5” x 23.5” spiral |  |
60.80 | 31.02 | 1.96 |
| Cut 11.5” x 23.5” triangle |  |
30.55 | 15.61 | 1.96 |
| Cut 11.5” x 11.5” heart |  |
17.09 | 8.81 | 1.94 |
| Cut 11.5” x 11.5” star |  |
21.13 | 11.32 | 1.87 |
Tip: If your cuts or drawings are imprecise when using Fast Mode, switch back to the regular mode for those particular projects.
Note: Fast Mode available only for Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Maker. Not available for other Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker models, or Cricut Joy.