Edited: August 21, 2024
Note: Perforation Blade is compatible with Cricut Maker machines only and requires a QuickSwap housing.
Here's everything you need to know about Perforation Blade. For FAQ and other information, use the links below.
- Perforation Blade FAQ
- Materials to use with Perforation Blade
- How to switch out Perforation Blade
- Things to know before using Perforation Blade
Perforation Blade FAQ
What is the Perforation Blade?
Perforation Blade is one of the ever-expanding suite of tools for Cricut Maker. Use Perforation Blade to create evenly spaced perforation lines for clean, even tearaways. It's the perfect tool to make tear-out booklet pages, raffle tickets, homemade journals, or for any project that demands a clean, easy tear.
Can I use Perforation Blade with Cricut Explore family of machines?
No. Perforation Blade is compatible with Cricut Maker only. It requires the power and the drive mechanism that is built into the Cricut Maker Adaptive Tool System.
How do I tell my machine to use the Perforation Blade?
Design Space will tell your machine which tool is needed based on the Operation you select for any given image layer. Learn more in this article about how to select an Operation.
Which materials can I use with Perforation Blade?
To see which materials work best with Perforation Blade, view this list.
How do I change a Perforation Blade?
The QuickSwap Housing makes changing tips as easy as pushing a button. When your Cricut Maker prompts you to insert Perforation Blade, push and hold the button at the top of the housing to snap on the desired tip. Then release the button, insert the tool into Clamp B, and you’re ready to cut. View simple instructions.
Do I need a separate drive housing for Scoring Wheels, Engraving Tip, Wavy Blade, Perforation Blade, and Debossing Tip?
No. The same QuickSwap housing may be used for all these tools.
What do the numbers on the tips refer to?
The etched numbers can help you identify which QuickSwap tool tip you are using.
- Scoring Wheel: 01
- Double Scoring Wheel: 02
- Perforation Blade: 11
- Debossing Tip: 21
- Wavy Blade: 31
- Engraving Tip: 41
Can I create custom settings in Design Space for Perforation Blade?
No. At this time custom material settings cannot be created for these tools. However, you do have the option to select More or Less pressure on the Project Preview screen.
Is Fast Mode available when using Perforation Blade?
No. Currently, Fast Mode is not available for use with Perforation Blade.
Does Perforation Blade need to be calibrated?
No. Perforation Blade does not need to be calibrated.
Which mat should I use when working with Perforation Blade?
Use the appropriate mat for your material.
Is Perforation Blade functionality available in mobile versions of Design Space, like on my phone or tablet?
Yes, you can use it on Design Space mobile apps.
Can I use the housing from my Rotary Blade for my Perforation Blade?
No. Rotary Blade and Perforation Blade were designed specifically for their respective housings; they are not interchangeable. However, Perforation Blade, Wavy Blade, Engraving Tip, Debossing Tip, Scoring Wheel, and Double Scoring Wheel tools can all use the same QuickSwap housing.
Why are some materials greyed out for perforating?
Greyed out materials are not compatible. We've done a lot of testing to set you up for success with Perforation Blade, and Materials that have been qualified for use will be selectable under the Compatible tab on the materials screen. To select your material, select Browse All Materials, then select a material from the Compatible tab.
Materials to use with Perforation Blade
We've rigorously tested a wide range of materials for use with Cricut Maker + Perforation Blade.
When sending a mat to your machine that includes a Perforation Operation, you'll notice some material settings are not enabled. Only materials that have been qualified for use will be selectable. To view and select materials from the Compatible tab, select Browse All Materials (Windows/Mac) or All Materials (iOS/Android).
What if I don’t see the material I want to use?
If you don’t see the material you’re looking for, test some of the existing settings on a scrap or the back of your material to find the one that works best.
Recommended materials for Perforation Blade
The following materials have been tested and work wonderfully with Perforation Blade. We'll continue to add more to this list.
Art Board |
Corrugated Cardboard |
Foil Kraft Board - Holographic |
Foil Poster Board |
Kraft Board |
Light Chipboard - 0.37 mm |
Metallic Poster Board |
Poster Board |
Cardstock |
Deluxe Paper |
Deluxe Paper Foil Embossed |
Glitter Cardstock |
Heavy Cardstock - 100 lb (270 gsm) |
Holographic Cardstock |
Kraft Cardstock |
Light Cardstock - 65 lb (176 gsm) |
Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm) |
Fabric |
Faux Leather (Paper Thin) |
Felt |
Felt |
Foam |
Craft Foam |
Glitter Craft Foam |
Leather |
Tooling Leather - 2-3 oz. (0.8 mm) |
Tooling Leather - 4-5 oz. (1.6 mm) |
Paper |
Calibration Paper |
Construction Paper |
Copy Paper - 20 lb (75 gsm) |
Copy Paper - 24 lb (90 gsm) |
Copy Paper - 32 lb (120 gsm) |
Flocked Paper |
Foil Paper - 0.36 mm |
Heavy Watercolor Paper - 140 lbs (300 gsm) |
Laser Copy Paper |
Light Patterned Paper |
Parchment Paper |
Pearl Paper |
Photo Paper |
Shimmer Paper |
Smooth Glitter Paper |
Sparkle Paper |
Sticker Paper, Removable |
True Brushed Paper |
Vellum |
Plastic |
Acetate |
Foil Acetate |
Other |
Washi Sheet |
How to switch out Perforation Blade
When you need to swap your tip, follow these simple instructions.
Things to know before using Perforation Blade
- Perforation Blade is compatible with Cricut Maker only and requires a QuickSwap Housing.
- As you load the tool into the machine, do not press the button on top of the housing. Doing so may cause the tip to release.
- Perforation Blade is sharp! Use caution when handling.
- Perforation Blade comes with a protective cap. When swapping tips, leave cap in place. Remove cap before installing tool in Clamp B.
- We do not recommend cutting intricate designs with Perforation Blade. Due to the curved nature of the blade, it executes a slight overcut of the image paths in order to ensure the full length of the path is completely cut. This may cause it to cut over adjacent cut paths that are too close.
- We recommend cutting images no smaller than 3/4" in size, with space between cut paths at least 3/4" or more.
- The appearance of the Perforation Operation on the Design Space Canvas is an approximation only and does not represent the cut/gap distribution of the final result.
- We do not recommend adding an additional pass at the end of a cut as perforation cuts may not align.
- Due to gaps in the blade that provide the perforated result, starting and ending points of an image may not connect.