Cricut Watercolor 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 Watercolor Card while drawing and/or 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 Watercolor Cards and Markers.
Select a link below for information.
What you need
- Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker smart cutting machine
- Cricut Design Space software on computer or mobile device
- Fine Point Blade and Housing
- Cricut Watercolor Cards, available in three sizes
- R20 - 4.25 in x 5.5 in (10.8 cm x 14 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 12.1 cm)
- Cricut Card Mat 2 x 2
- Cricut Watercolor Markers
- Cricut Water Brush (included in Watercolor Markers pack)
- Water
- Clean towel
Design and draw
- Start a new project and create your design. To find images optimized for use with Watercolor Cards & Markers, search “Watercolor Marker” or use the Watercolor Marker filter in Image Search.
Tip: You can also change cut lines to draw lines on a favorite image that is designed to cut.
- Assign a pen color to each part of your design that will be drawn. This is especially helpful if your design uses multiple colors because this will cause Design Space to prompt you when it’s time to load each color into your machine.
Tip: To visualize line thickness for your design, choose a Watercolor Marker color from the Marker (1.0mm) menu.
Design Space for Desktop
Design Space for mobile
- Select Make It. If prompted to select a load type, choose On Card Mat. Then, select Continue/Next.
- Ensure the Material Size selector matches the size of card you intend to use. Adjust project copies as needed to create multiple copies at once. Select Continue/Next.
Design Space for Desktop
Design Space for mobile
- Select Browse All Materials and choose Watercolor Card.
- 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.
Select a link below for information.
What you need
- Cricut Joy or Cricut Joy Xtra smart cutting machine
- Cricut Design Space software on computer or mobile device
- Cricut Joy Blade and Housing
- Cricut Watercolor Cards in R20 size* (4.25 in x 5.5 in | 10.8 cm x 14 cm)
- Cricut Joy or Cricut Joy Xtra Card Mat
- Cricut Water Brush (included in Watercolor Markers pack)
- Water
- Clean towel
- Cricut Joy Watercolor Markers compatible with your machine:
- R20 - 4.25 in x 5.5 in (10.8 cm x 14 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 12.1 cm)*
Note: *R40 and S40 cards are too large to fit on Cricut Joy Card Mat. They should be used with Cricut Joy Xtra Card Mat or Cricut Card Mat 2 x 2 (for Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker machines) only.
Design and draw
- Start a new project and create your design. To find images optimized for use with Watercolor Cards & Markers, search “Watercolor Marker” or use the Watercolor Marker filter in Image Search.
Tip: You can also change cut lines to draw lines on a favorite image that is designed to cut.
- Assign a pen color to each part of your design that will be drawn. This is especially helpful if your design uses multiple colors because this will cause Design Space to prompt you when it’s time to load each color into your machine.
Tip: To visualize line thickness for your design, choose a Watercolor Marker color from the Marker (1.0mm) menu.
Design Space for Desktop
Design Space for mobile
- Select Make It. If prompted to select a load type, choose On Card Mat. Then select Continue/Next.
- Ensure the Material Size selector matches the size of card you intend to use. Adjust project copies as needed to create multiple copies at once. Select Continue/Next.
Design Space for Desktop
Design Space for mobile
- Select Browse All Materials and choose Watercolor Card.
- Remove protective cover 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 mat. Push card up until it's flush with top, then align the inside fold of the card against plastic divider.
- Press the front of the card into the adhesive on mat.
- Insert mat into machine, arrow end first.
- When cut is complete, peel mat away from card.
Blend
- Fill Water Brush with water and squeeze lightly to dampen the bristles.
- Dab any excess water on a clean towel.
- Using the Water Brush, start tracing along the inside edge of the artwork that was drawn with Watercolor Markers.
- Use short strokes to pull the color down into larger areas.
- The water will wick down the bristles without needing to squeeze the brush, but you can give a gentle squeeze to release more water.
- When it’s time to switch colors, give the brush a gentle squeeze while wiping brush on a clean towel. The water from inside the brush will clean the bristles as you dab the brush on the towel.
- Allow card to dry completely.
- Enjoy!
Tips
- Simple line art with multiple colors works best. Find artwork where lines of different colors don’t touch, or colors may bleed together when blending.
- To find images optimized for use with Watercolor Cards & Markers, search “Watercolor Marker” or use the Watercolor Marker filter in Image Search.
- To find even more images optimized for drawing, use the Draw or Cut+Draw operation filters in Image search.
- To avoid curling, remove card from mat before blending. Should you choose to blend while card is still on the mat, allow card to dry completely before removing from mat.
FAQ
What are Cricut Watercolor Markers?
Cricut Watercolor Markers let you create a watercolor masterpiece with your compatible Cricut® cutting machine. Draw your design with Watercolor Markers using your machine, then add a splash of water with the Water Brush to create marvelous, freehand watercolor effects.
Do I load the Water Brush into the machine?
Nope! The Water Brush is a freehand tool you can use on your cards once you draw with your machine and remove them from your machine mat. This lets you blend to your own personal preference.
What’s the best way to blend colors with the Water Brush?
Fill the Water Brush with water and squeeze lightly to dampen the bristles. Dab any excess water on a clean towel and start tracing along the inside edge of your drawn artwork. Use short strokes to pull the color down into larger areas. The water will wick down the bristles without needing to squeeze the brush, but you can always give a gentle squeeze if you want more water.
How do I clean my Water Brush between colors?
Give the brush a gentle squeeze while wiping the brush on a clean towel. The water from inside the water brush will clean the bristles as you dab the brush on the towel.
Can I use Watercolor Markers with Insert Cards or other cardstock?
No, the Watercolor Markers work best with watercolor paper to achieve the blended watercolor effect. For optimal results, use with Cricut Watercolor Cards — they are developed with heavy 140 lb (300 gsm) paper to give great results.
What size and color markers are included in the pack?
8 Watercolor Markers (1.0 mm) in Green, Blue, Purple, Red, Black, Brown, Yellow, and Orange. Also included is one 1 freehand Water Brush (4.0 mm).
Are these compatible with Cricut Joy machines?
Yes, there are watercolor marker packs for Cricut Joy and Cricut Joy Xtra, as well as Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker machines. The pen sizes are different across the machine families, so make sure if you have a Cricut Joy or Cricut Joy Xtra you are purchasing the Cricut Joy marker pack.
What card sizes are available for Watercolor Cards?
See the table below for Watercolor Cards sizes and machine compatibility:
| Smart Cutting Machine | |||
| Card Size | Cricut Joy | Cricut Joy Xtra | Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker |
|
R20 - 4.25 in x 5.5 in (10.8 cm x 14 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 12.1 cm) |
✔ | ✔ | |
What type of art can I draw with Watercolor Markers?
Simple line art with multiple colors works best. Try to find artwork where lines of different colors don’t touch, or your colors may bleed when blending. To find images optimized for use with Watercolor Cards & Markers, search “Watercolor Marker” or use the Watercolor Marker filter in Image search. You could also change cut lines to draw lines if you have a favorite image.
Tip: In Design Space, select a 1.0 marker of the correct color to see how your line art will draw. Marker lines are wider than pen lines, so very intricate art won’t work as well.
What kind of bristles are on the Water Brush?
The Water Brush uses synthetic bristles in a round brush tip. It’s 4.0 mm at its widest, but pressing lighter will result in a thinner line.
Do I need to use the Water Brush within a certain time after drawing?
You can use the water brush right away or let your cards completely dry before blending. You can even go back the next day to blend more once the card is dry.
Do I need to remove my card from the mat before using the water brush?
Removing a wet card from the mat can cause curling, so either remove the card before adding water and blending with the Water Brush or leave your card on the mat overnight after blending until it is dry.
Can I cut Watercolor cards in the Machine?
Yes! Use the cut setting for “Watercolor Cards” if you’d like to add cuts to your watercolor cards after drawing.
Can I write on the inside of Watercolor Cards?
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.