How to Calibrate Cricut Explore Air 2 – TUTORIAL

Have you been wondering how to calibrate Cricut Explore Air 2?

Perhaps it hasn’t been cutting properly, making a mess of your designs.

If so, you’re in luck!

This quick and easy guide will show you how to calibrate your Cricut and get the perfect cut every time.

How To Calibrate Cricut Explore Air 2

How To Calibrate Cricut Explore Air 2
Calibrating your Cricut Explore Air 2 is essential for creating high-quality products and maintaining consistency.

There are two different methods that can be used to calibrate your Cricut Explore Air 2. The choice of method is up to you in terms of convenience. 

Method 1: Individual Adjustments

The first step in this method is to ensure that your cutting mat is level.

If it isn’t, you can use the adjustment screws on the side of the machine to level it out.

Calibrate Blade Depth

Next, you’ll need to calibrate the blade depth.

This is important because it will ensure that the blade is cutting through all of the paper, not just skimming the surface.

To do this, start by raising the blade to its highest setting. Then, slowly lower the blade until it just barely pierces the paper.

Once you’ve found the perfect setting, make a note of it so you can replicate it in future cuts.

Pressure Settings

Finally, you’ll need to calibrate the pressure settings.

This is what determines how much force the machine applies when cutting through paper.

The pressure settings are located on the LCD screen, and they range from 1-10. For most projects, a setting of 4 or 5 should be sufficient.

Method 2: Follow Screen Prompts

cricut explore
Be sure to calibrate your Cricut regularly regardless of if you’re having problems.

Another way of calibrating your Cricut not cutting properly is using the steps below:

  • Make sure your machine is turned on and connected to your computer.
  • Go to the Cricut Design Space homepage and click on the “Help” tab at the top of the page.
  • Under the “Machine Setup” section, click on “Calibrate Your Machine”.
  • Follow the instructions on the screen to calibrate your machine.

Here’s a great video showing you how to calibrate your Cricut Explore Air 2:

However, if you are still having trouble, contact Cricut customer support for more help.

When To Calibrate Your Cricut

Here are a few signs that it might be time to calibrate your machine:

  1. If you notice that your cuts are not as precise as they used to be, or if the lines are not straight, it is probably time to calibrate.
  2. Another sign is if you find that your cuts are not consistent from one project to the next. 
  3. If you have recently changed the blade
  4. If you have changed the material you are cutting, it might be a reason to calibrate. If you are cutting a different thickness of material than you usually do or bouncing from material to material.

How Important Is It To Calibrate My Cricut Explore Air 2?

Banner with Cricut in the background
No matter which method of calibration you choose, just make sure to do it as it will keep your machine running smoothly!

Calibrating your Cricut Explore Air 2 is important to ensure that your cuts are accurate.

Calibrating your machine is particularly essential if you are cutting intricate designs or working with materials that need to be cut very precisely. 

Repeatedly cutting without calibrating can lead to your machine becoming inaccurate over time, so it’s best to calibrate it regularly – even if you don’t think it needs it.

It only takes a minute or two, and it could save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run!

Read More: Cricut maker vs Explore Air 2. Check out more about Cricut machines to find the one that’s best for you and your projects.

Do I Have To Calibrate My New Cricut?

If you’ve just purchased a Cricut machine, you might be wondering if you need to calibrate it before using it.

The answer is that it’s not strictly necessary, but it can be helpful in ensuring that your machine is cutting accurately. 

It might be better to go ahead and calibrate it instead of messing up a project to find out if it needs to be calibrated.

Other Reasons Why Your Cricut Explore Might Not Be Cutting

Color swatches for a project
Print then cut is a handy feature on the Cricut that can be and should be calibrated regularly to ensure accurate results.

There are a few reasons why your Cricut Explore Air 2 may not be cutting properly besides needing calibration.

Let’s look at some other reasons:

Dull Blade

The first reason is that the blade is dull.

Over time, the blade on your Cricut Explore Air 2 will become dull and will need to be replaced.

You can purchase a new blade from Cricut or from a third-party vendor.

When getting a new blade, always ensure blade compatibility.

Pressure Not Set Correctly

The second reason why your Cricut Explore Air 2 may not be cutting properly is that the pressure is not set correctly.

The pressure can be adjusted by turning the knob on the side of the machine. 

Type of Material

Another reason why your Cricut Explore Air 2 may not be cutting properly is that the material you are trying to cut is too thick.

The maximum thickness for most materials is 3mm.

If you are trying to cut thicker material, you will need to use a deep-cut blade. 

Mat Isn’t Sticky

The final reason why your Cricut Explore Air 2 may not be cutting properly is that the mat is not sticky enough.

If the mat is not sticky enough, the material will not be held in place and will move during cutting.

You can solve this problem by applying a new adhesive for Cricut mat.

While it might be a scare to see that your machine is not cutting properly, it doesn’t always indicate that your Cricut Explore Air 2 is faulty.

Conclusion

There are many different ways to calibrate your machine and although it can be stressful if your machine isn’t cutting correctly, it can be an easy fix.

All that is required might be a simple calibration. If you can follow the steps in this article, your machine should be up and running in no time. 

Categories DIY