Edited: February 10, 2025
Cricut Insert Cards are designed for use with Cricut Joy Card Mat, Cricut Joy Xtra Card Mat, and Cricut Card Mat 2 x 2 (sold separately).
Cricut Card Mats are uniquely designed with a divider to protect the back of the folded Cricut Insert Card while cutting a design on the front.
Cricut Joy Card Mat
Cricut Joy Xtra Card Mat
Cricut Card Mat 2 x 2 (for Cricut Explore & Cricut Maker machines)
Select your machine below for instructions on how to use Cricut Insert Cards with a card mat.
Cricut Explore & Cricut Maker
Select a link below for information about how to use Cricut Insert Cards and Cricut Card Mat 2 x 2 with your Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore machine.
What you need
- Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker smart cutting machine
- Cricut Design Space software on computer or iOS mobile device
- Fine Point Blade and Housing
- Cricut Insert Cards, available in five sizes
- R10 - 3.5 in x 4.9 in (8.9 cm x 12.4 cm)
- R20 - 4.25 in x 5.5 in (10.8 cm x 14 cm)
- R30 - 4.5 in x 6.25 in (11.4 cm x 15.9 cm)
- R40 - 4.75 in x 6.6 in (12.1 cm x 16.8 cm)
- S40 - 4.75 in x 4.75 in (12.1 cm x 12.1cm)
- Cricut Card Mat 2 x 2
- Cricut Pens or Markers (optional)
- Cricut Foil Transfer Tool & Foil Transfer Sheets (optional)
Instructions
- In Design Space, select Insert Card project you want to make. you want. To browse designs created for insert cards, choose Insert Cards from the project categories.
- Once you've selected a design, use the Finished Size selector to choose your card size.
Design Space for Desktop
Design Space for iOS
Important: In Design Space for Desktop, the Finished Size selector will default to R10 (3.5 in x 4.9 in/8.9 cm x 12.4 cm). Be sure to select your preferred insert card size before selecting Make It.
- Select Make It. If prompted to select a load type, choose On Card Mat. Then select Continue/Next.
- Your selected card size will appear in the Material Size selector. Adjust project copies as needed to create multiple copies at once. Select Continue/Next.
Design Space for Desktop
Design Space for iOS - Select Browse All Materials and choose Insert Card – Cardstock.
- Remove protective sheet(s) from mat.
- Open card. From the left, slide one side of the folded card under the plastic divider.
- Ensure card is aligned to the top left corner of panel. Push card up until it's flush with top of panel, then align the inside fold of the card against plastic divider.
- Press the front of the card into the adhesive on mat.
-
Do not skip this step: To avoid track marks on your cards, move the machine star wheels to the center of the rail, making sure all of them align with the middle column of Card Mat.
- Insert mat into machine, top end first.
- Follow Design Space prompts to insert machine accessories as applicable.
- When cut is complete, peel mat away from card.
- Tuck insert into corner notches in the card.
- Enjoy!
Cricut Joy Machines
Select a link below for information about how to use Cricut Joy Insert Cards and Cricut Joy Card Mat or Cricut Joy Xtra Card Mat.
Tutorial Video
What you need
- Cricut Joy or Cricut Joy Xtra smart cutting machine
- Design Space software on computer or mobile device
- Cricut Joy Blade and Housing
- Cricut Joy or Cricut Joy Xtra Card Mat
- Cricut Joy Pens or Markers (optional)
- Cricut Joy Insert Cards compatible with your machine:
- Cricut Joy with Cricut Joy Card Mat can use:
- R10 - 3.5 in x 4.9 in (8.9 cm x 12.4 cm) - formerly called A1
- R20 - 4.25 in x 5.5 in (10.8 cm x 14 cm) - formerly called A2
- R30 - 4.5 in x 6.25 in (11.4 cm x 15.9 cm) - formerly called A6
- Cricut Joy Xtra with Cricut Joy Xtra Card Mat can use:
- R10 - 3.5 in x 4.9 in (8.9 cm x 12.4 cm) - formerly called A1
- R20 - 4.25 in x 5.5 in (10.8 cm x 14 cm) - formerly called A2
- R30 - 4.5 in x 6.25 in (11.4 cm x 15.9 cm) - formerly called A6
- R40 - 4.75 in x 6.6 in (12.1 cm x 16.8 cm)
- S40 - 4.75 in x 4.75 in (12.1 cm x 12.1 cm)
- Cricut Joy with Cricut Joy Card Mat can use:
Instructions
1. In Design Space, select Insert Card design you want. To browse designs created for insert cards, choose Insert Cards from the project categories.
2. Once you've selected a design, use the Finished Size selector to choose your card size.
Important: In Design Space for Desktop, the Finished Size selector will default to 3.5 in x 4.9 in (8.9 cm x 12.4 cm). Be sure to select your preferred insert card size before selecting Make It.
Design Space for Desktop
Design Space for iOS
3. Select Make It.
4. Choose On Card Mat. Then select Continue.
5. Select Browse All Materials and choose Insert Card - Cardstock.
6. Remove protective cover from mat.
7. Open card. From the left, slide one side of the folded card under the plastic divider.
8. Ensure card is aligned to the top left corner of mat. Push card up until it's flush with top, then align the inside fold of the card against plastic divider.
9. Press the front of the card into the adhesive on mat.
10. For Cricut Joy Xtra:
- To avoid track marks on your cards, move the machine star wheels to the sides of the rail, making sure none of them will roll over the top of the card.
11. Insert mat into machine, top end first:
- Cricut Joy Card Mat has an arrow at the top indicating load direction
- Cricut Joy Xtra Card Mat has the Cricut logo and "Card Mat" printed at the top
12. When cut is complete, peel mat away from card.
13. Tuck insert into corner notches in the card.
14. Enjoy!
Tips
- To write or draw on the inside of your card, fold the card inside out and repeat the steps above. Be sure that your Draw design is properly oriented and positioned on the project preview screen.
- The cuts will leave impressions on your mat. This is normal.
- If material is not adhering well to mat, use a brayer to create a firm bond. Card mats will lose stickiness with use and will eventually need to be replaced.
- Cricut Insert Cards are compatible with all Cricut Pens, Markers, Foil Transfer Tool, and Foil Transfer Sheets.
Note: Cricut Joy Insert Cards, Charmed Sampler and Cricut Joy Insert Cards, Silver Lining Sampler come with inserts that have a thin, protective layer on the back side to protect the inserts from any scratches. Remove the layer before using the inserts with your cards by peeling it away using a weeder.
FAQ
Can I rotate my mat and load it into my machine bottom-first like I can with other machine mats?
No, due to the way it’s constructed card mats should be loaded top-first always. Otherwise, your designs will not be properly aligned on the cards.
Can I write inside of cards when using card mats?
Yes! To write or draw on the inside of your card, fold the card inside out and insert in card mat so that the inside is up on the mat. Ensure that your Draw design is properly oriented and positioned on the project preview screen.
Can I use the foil tool and foil transfer sheets when using card mats?
Yes! Card mats are compatible with the Cricut foil transfer tool and all foil transfer sheets.
What sizes of cards are compatible with my card mat and machine?
| Card Sizes | R10 | R20 | R30 | R40 | S40 |
|
Measurements |
3.5 in x 4.9 in (8.9 cm x 12.4 cm) |
4.25 in x 5.5 in (10.8 cm x 14 cm) |
4.5 in x 6.25 in (11.43 cm x 15.87 cm) |
4.75 in x 6.6 in (12.1 cm x 16.8 cm) |
4.75 in x 4.75 in (12.1 cm x 12.1 cm) |
| Compatible with Cricut Joy Card Mat | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
|
Compatible & Cricut Joy Xtra Card Mat |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
What does R, S and the number mean?
R stands for rectangular, and S stands for square. The numbers increase as the cards get larger, so 10 is the smallest size (like a notecard) and 40 is the largest size (like a greeting card).
Why don’t you just call them card sizes like A1, A2, and A6?
Card size names vary by country. For example, an A6 card in the US is a different size from an A6 card in the UK. To meet the needs of Cricut’s global consumers, we’ve created an easy-to-follow naming system to use all around the world!
Can I use R40 and S40 cards on my Cricut Joy card mat?
No, the R40 and S40 cards are too large to fit on the Cricut Joy Card Mat and should be used only with Cricut Joy Xtra Card Mat with Cricut Joy Xtra, or on Card Mat 2 x 2 with Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker.
Can I cut 5 in x 7 in cards on my Card Mat 2 x 2?
The maximum recommended card size is 4.75 in x 6.6 in (12.1 cm x 16.8 cm). Larger cards will not fit properly onto the mat and will result in artwork not being centered correctly on the card.
Why are the envelopes so big on the R40 cards?
We know sometimes you’d like to include photos, recipes, or other documents along with your card creations. We’ve made sure the envelopes for R40 cards will fit standard photos of up to 5 in x 7 in.
How do I avoid getting track marks on my cards when using Card Mat 2 x 2 or Cricut Joy Xtra Card Mat?
The small white rings on your Cricut cutting machine roller bar are called star wheels. These wheels help keep materials from shifting during cutting, especially when using the Print Then Cut feature. However, when using thicker materials or accessories, like Cricut Card Mat, the star wheels can leave track marks on your material.
On Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker machines, to avoid track marks on your cards, move the star wheels to the center of the rail, making sure all of them align with the middle column of Card Mat 2 x 2.
On Cricut Joy Xtra, to avoid track marks on your cards, move the machine star wheels to the sides of the rail, making sure none of them will roll over the top of the card.
Note: Cricut Joy does not have star wheels, so no additional steps are required to avoid track marks.