How to load and unload materials in Cricut Maker 5 – Help Center

Loading Materials into Your Cricut Maker 5

Ready to bring your ideas to life? Be sure to load your machine mat, Smart Materials, cards, or specialty materials as shown in Design Space. Loading everything correctly helps your Cricut Maker 5 deliver great results.

Loading your materials the correct way keeps them straight. It also helps your Cricut Maker 5 check that you have enough material for your projects before you start cutting. Follow the preparation steps shown in Design Space and use the loading method that matches your type of project.

How Load & Go works

With Cricut Maker 5, starting your project is easy with the Load & Go process. When you see the Go/Pause button flashing, just press it once. Your machine will automatically load and measure your mat or material, then get started on your project—no need to press any other buttons. It’s that simple!

Note: For your safety, always keep your hands, hair, jewelry, and loose clothing away from the rollers, carriage, tool, and material path while your Cricut Maker 5 is in use.

Load a machine mat

Choose mat grip strength that is appropriate for the material you’re using. To learn more, visit Which materials should I cut on the different machine mat grip strengths?
Remove the clear protective cover from your mat and place your material inside the adhesive grid area. Press down firmly so your material sticks well. If you have a brayer, use it to help create a strong bond between your material and the mat adhesive.

Note: Remember to save the protective cover after you remove it from your mat—you’ll want to put it back on when storing your mat to help keep it clean and in good shape.

In Design Space, choose the material setting that matches what you’re using. Then, follow the instructions to install the correct tools or accessories for your project.
Line up the mat so it fits under both material guides and gently push it up against the rollers.
Support the mat by holding your hand under the middle to keep the mat from sagging as you load it, especially with larger or heavier materials. You don’t need to push, pull, or lift the mat—just let your hand gently prevent it from drooping, so it stays nice and flat as it goes into the machine.
Let go of the mat once the rollers take hold. Your Cricut Maker 5 will automatically measure the mat and get started on your project.

How to Identify Smart Materials

Smart Materials are specially designed to work without a mat in your Cricut Maker 5.
You can recognize them by looking for the “Cricut” Smart Material label on the packaging. They also have a slightly thicker, sturdier backing compared to standard materials—this allows them to feed directly into the machine without a mat.
If you see that the material is labeled “Smart Vinyl,” “Smart Iron-On,” or “Smart Paper,” and it feels firm and easy to handle, you’ve got Smart Material!
Another way to identify Smart Materials is by their width—they’re made to go from guide to guide in your Cricut Maker 5, perfectly fitting under the material guides without leaving gaps on either side.

How do I know which method to use?

Here’s a quick way to decide:

Use a mat if . . .	Load without a mat if . . .
Your material isn't labeled "Smart" or if you're using scraps or cards.	You're using a Cricut material labeled as "Smart".

If you’re not sure which loading method to use, it’s always safe to use a machine mat.

Load Smart materials without mat

Make sure you’re using a Cricut Smart Material that’s compatible with your machine, and check that it’s wide enough for your project—Cricut Maker 5 works with materials up to 13 inches (33 cm) wide and can cut designs up to 12 inches (30.5 cm) across.
For the best results, don’t trim your Smart Material length until after your project is finished cutting. This way, you’ll know you have plenty of material for your design!
Make sure the front edge of your material is nice and straight, so both sides will touch the rollers evenly. This helps your Cricut Maker 5 feed the material smoothly for the best results.
In the project preview, select “Without Mat,” and then pick the Smart Material setting that matches the material you’re using.
Line up your material so it fits under both guides and rests against the rollers.
Make sure you have the correct side of the material facing up when loading. For all Smart Materials, the liner side should face down.
Keep your material straight and make sure there’s room to let the roll or length of material move freely in front of and behind the machine as it cuts your project. Make sure the roll is not constrained or hanging off the edge of the table—this will help prevent jams and keep your cuts nice and smooth.
When the Go/Pause button flashes, press it once. Your Cricut Maker 5 will check the length of your material and, if there’s enough, will automatically start your project.

Note: Cricut Maker 5 can cut designs up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) long when you use Smart Materials. The exact amount of material you’ll need depends on your design and how it’s laid out. Design Space will show you on the Prepare screen exactly how much material is required for your project.

Load the Cricut Card Mat – 2 × 2

Remove the protective covers from the sections you will use.
Open each card and slide the back panel under the plastic divider so only the card front rests on the adhesive.
Align the card with the size guide and press the front firmly into the mat adhesive.
When using the card mat, you’ll slide your card under the plastic divider.
This divider protects the back of your card while the machine cuts or draws on the front. That way, only the front of the card is cut or embellished, and the back stays clean and undamaged.
Move the star wheels to either end of the bar, so they do not roll over your cards and leave track marks in the material.
Align the mat under both material guide and against the rollers.
When the Go/Pause button flashes, press it once. The machine will load the mat and will begin the project automatically.

Load thick or specialty materials

Use a Strong Grip mat unless another mat is recommended for your material. Visit this help article to learn which Mat Grip Strength to use for your material.
Make sure your material isn’t thicker than 1/8 inches (3 mm). For best results, use only the materials that Design Space lists as compatible with the tool you’ve selected.
Move the star wheels all the way to the right, or put two on each end of the bar, so they don’t roll over your material. This helps prevent track marks in the material.
Trim thicker materials to 11.5 inches (29 cm) wide and place them on the mat.
Use painter’s tape or masking tape to hold the edges of your material in place on the mat. Be sure to keep the tape clear of your design area and away from the rollers on the sides of the machine.
Projects that require the Knife Blade, such as projects made with tooling leather or basswood, are only supported in Design Space for Desktop. At this time, Knife Blade projects cannot be made using Design Space on a mobile device.

Unload and remove material

Wait for completion
Wait until Design Space lets you know your project is complete.
Tip: If your material isn’t cut all the way through, you can press the Go button to make another cut before unloading.
Unload the mat safely
Press the Unload button. Never pull the mat or material out of the machine – let Cricut Maker 5 do the work!
Remove the material from the mat
For projects on a mat, flip the mat over and gently bend it away from your material. This helps keep your finished piece nice and flat.
Finishing touches
For delicate paper, use a spatula tool, which is designed to slide under your material and gently lift it off the mat without tearing or curling. For vinyl or iron-on, follow the weeding and transfer instructions for your project.
Store your mat properly
Put the clear protective cover back on your mat before storing, so it stays clean and sticky for your next project.

If your material loads crooked

For Smart Materials: Unload the material and trim the front edge so it’s nice and straight.
Double-check that your mat or material is lined up under both guides and is touching both rollers evenly.
Remove any scraps or debris from the roller path.
Make sure there’s enough space behind your machine so long materials can feed through smoothly.
Don’t force or pull the material while it’s loading.