Key Takeaways
- Cricut Smart Removable Vinyl at 69% off: The deepest discount in this batch, and removable vinyl is the single best material for beginners to practice with.
- Fine Point Blade and Housing for under $15: This is the blade that ships with most Cricut machines, and replacements at 61% off don’t come around often.
- Entire beginner toolkit under $65: All eight accessories together cost less than a single Cricut mat bundle at full price.
- Every deal is sold by the brand directly: No third-party sellers, no marketplace guesswork. All Prime eligible.
There’s a specific kind of spring energy that hits crafters differently than everyone else. While your neighbors are pressure-washing driveways, you’re staring at a blank tote bag thinking about how good a custom monogram would look on it. First week of spring is prime time for new projects, and if you recently picked up a Cricut machine (or finally unboxed the one you got over the holidays), this is the week to stock up on the stuff that makes it go.
I spent the morning going through Cricut’s current sale, and the pattern is clear: they’re running steep markdowns on accessories and materials across the board. We’re talking 50% to 69% off on vinyl, iron-on, blades, and hand tools. That kind of range usually only shows up around Prime Day or Black Friday, so seeing it in late March caught my attention. The Smart Removable Vinyl in particular is at a price I haven’t seen before, and the Fine Point Blade replacement is well below its usual sale floor.
This week’s Berry Basket is focused entirely on Cricut accessories for beginners. If you’re still figuring out which supplies you need beyond the machine itself, these eight picks cover the basics without the usual sticker shock. You can also browse all deals if you’re looking for something outside the arts and crafts category.
Prices verified March 26, 2026.
What vinyl do you need to start with Cricut?
If you’re new to Cricut, vinyl is where most people start. You’ll want two types at minimum: removable for practice and forgiving projects, and permanent for anything that needs to last. Iron-on rounds out the trifecta if you plan to customize clothing or fabric. All three are on sale this week.
Cricut Smart Removable Vinyl
Cricut Smart Removable Vinyl (13in x 12ft, White) for Explore and Maker 3 – Matless Cutting for Long cuts up to 12ft
Cricut Smart Removable Vinyl is the single best material to learn on. It peels off cleanly if you mess up, which you will, and that’s fine. This 13in x 12ft roll works with the Explore 3 and Maker 3 without a cutting mat, so you can cut longer designs in one pass. If you’re just getting started with adhesive vinyl, buy the removable version first and save yourself the frustration of permanent vinyl that won’t come off a surface you didn’t mean to stick it to.
- 13in x 12ft roll in white
- Matless cutting for Explore 3 and Maker 3
- Removable adhesive for easy repositioning
Cricut Smart Permanent Vinyl
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, Cricut Smart Permanent Vinyl is what you’ll reach for most. It’s the material behind every water bottle decal, laptop sticker, and labeled pantry jar you’ve seen on Pinterest. This 13in x 3ft roll in white is a solid starter size for a few small projects. The adhesive holds up to washing and weather, which removable vinyl won’t do.
- 13in x 3ft roll in white
- Matless cutting up to 12ft
- Weather and water resistant adhesive
Cricut Smart Iron On
Cricut Smart Iron On opens up the fabric side of things. This white HTV roll is compatible with Maker 3 and Explore 3 machines, and like the other Smart materials, it skips the mat for matless cutting up to 12 feet. You’ll need a heat source (an EasyPress, a household iron, or even the EasyPress Mini) to apply it, but the results on cotton t-shirts and tote bags are genuinely satisfying for a first project.
- 13in x 3ft roll in white
- HTV for Maker 3 and Explore 3
- Matless cutting for long designs
Which Cricut tools should beginners buy first?
The machine does the cutting, but you still need a few hand tools to finish the job. A sharp blade, a weeder, and a brayer cover the essentials for vinyl and iron-on work. All three are marked down right now.
Cricut Fine Point Blade
The Cricut Fine Point Blade is the workhorse. It’s the default blade for most vinyl, cardstock, and iron-on cuts, and it dulls over time. You’ll know it’s time to replace it when your cuts start tearing instead of slicing cleanly. This bundle includes the blade and the housing, so it works as either a replacement or a spare. Keeping a fresh one on hand saves you from the mid-project realization that your blade is shot.
- Replacement blade with housing included
- Cuts vinyl, cardstock, and iron-on
- Compatible with Explore and Maker machines
Cricut Weeder Tool
The Cricut Weeder Tool is one of those accessories that seems optional until you try to peel tiny vinyl letters off a backing sheet with your fingernails. It has a thin, angled hook that lets you pick out the negative space around your designs. If you’re cutting anything with detail, like text or small shapes, you need one. It’s a simple tool but it makes the difference between a clean result and a torn mess.
- Angled hook for precise weeding
- Works with vinyl, iron-on, and paper
- Ergonomic handle
Cricut Brayer and Mat Remover Set
The Cricut Brayer and Mat Remover Set is a two-in-one that solves two common beginner frustrations. The brayer rolls material flat onto your cutting mat so nothing shifts mid-cut. The mat remover (a wide spatula) helps you peel finished cuts off the mat without curling or stretching them. Both tools are small but they make the prep and cleanup steps go noticeably faster.
- Rubber brayer for flat material adhesion
- Wide spatula for clean mat removal
- Two tools in one set
What accessories make vinyl and iron-on projects easier?
Cutting the design is only half the process. You also need to transfer it onto whatever surface you’re working with. Transfer tape handles adhesive vinyl. An EasyPress mat handles iron-on. Both are on sale this week at half off or close to it.
Cricut Transfer Tape
Cricut Transfer Tape is how you move a cut vinyl design from the backing sheet to your final surface without losing the spacing between letters or pieces. This roll is 1ft x 21ft, which goes further than you’d think for small to medium projects. It’s clear, so you can see what you’re placing, and the adhesive is strong enough to grab vinyl without leaving residue on your surface. If you’re working with permanent or removable vinyl, you need this.
- 1ft x 21ft clear roll
- Works with permanent and removable vinyl
- Residue-free adhesive
Cricut EasyPress Mat
![Cricut EasyPress Mat, Protective Heat-Resistant Mat for Heat Press Machines and HTV and Iron On Projects, [12" x 12"] (2004475)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41FNKJcKcfL._SL160_.jpg)
The Cricut EasyPress Mat gives you a heat-safe surface for iron-on projects without scorching your countertop or dining table. This 12″ x 12″ size fits most beginner projects like baby onesies, small totes, and pillow covers. It reflects heat back into the material for a better bond than pressing on a towel or ironing board. If you’re doing iron-on work with any regularity, this is the accessory that turns a wobbly setup into something reliable.
- 12in x 12in heat-resistant surface
- Reflects heat for better iron-on bond
- Protects work surfaces from heat damage
Frequently asked questions
What Cricut accessories do I need as a beginner?
At minimum, you need vinyl or iron-on material, a weeder tool, and transfer tape (for adhesive vinyl) or an EasyPress mat (for iron-on). A replacement fine point blade is also worth having on hand since the one that ships with your machine will dull with use. These six to eight accessories cover the basics for most starter projects.
What is the difference between removable and permanent Cricut vinyl?
Removable vinyl peels off cleanly and is designed for temporary applications like seasonal decor or practice projects. Permanent vinyl has a stronger adhesive that resists water and weather, making it better for mugs, water bottles, and outdoor signs. Beginners should start with removable vinyl to build confidence before committing to permanent.
Do I need an EasyPress mat for iron-on vinyl?
You don’t strictly need one, but it makes a noticeable difference. The mat reflects heat back into your material for a more even bond. Without it, pressing on a towel or ironing board absorbs heat and can lead to peeling after a few washes.
How often should you replace a Cricut fine point blade?
It depends on what you’re cutting and how often. Most users get several months out of a blade with regular vinyl and iron-on use. If your cuts start looking ragged or the machine is dragging instead of slicing, it’s time. Heavier materials like cardstock and glitter vinyl dull the blade faster.
What is Cricut Smart vinyl and how is it different from regular vinyl?
Cricut Smart materials are designed for the Maker 3 and Explore 3 machines and can be cut without a mat. This allows for longer continuous cuts up to 12 feet. Regular vinyl still requires a cutting mat and is limited to the mat size. If you have an older machine, you’ll use standard vinyl instead.
The discounts this week ranged from 41% to 69% off, and every single deal is from Cricut directly, sold with Prime shipping. That’s unusual. Normally when a brand runs a sale this wide, a few of the listings are from third-party sellers with inflated original prices, but these all check out. The vinyl and iron-on materials landed in the 62% to 69% off range, which is where the real savings are concentrated. Tools and accessories came in around 49% to 50% off.
The standout for me is the Smart Removable Vinyl at 69% off. It’s the lowest price I’ve tracked on that roll, and it’s the one accessory I’d tell every new Cricut owner to buy before anything else. The Fine Point Blade replacement is a close second because it’s the kind of thing you don’t think about until you need it, and it rarely drops this low. If I had to skip something, the Transfer Tape at 41% off is the least impressive discount of the bunch, but you still need it, so the savings are just a bonus.
Cricut tends to run these accessory sales in waves, and late March lines up with their spring push before new product launches. I’d expect materials to stay discounted through early April, but the tool markdowns might not last as long. If you’re building out your supply kit for the first time, this is a good week to do it rather than waiting and hoping for better numbers later.
