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Using Cricut Inks rather than the blade

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:58 pm
by deliacm
I'm two days new to SCAL and it's a life saver, but I do have one question. I'm making my daughters first birthday invites and I wanted to ink her name rather than cut it out, could any of you provide any suggestions for doing this? Can I do this?

Re: Using Cricut Inks rather than the blade

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:26 pm
by Marly
Definitely can be done!! Just set the pressure, blade depth according to the cricut markers instructions. Put the marker in the place of the blade BEFORE putting paper/mat in to prevent accidentally marking your paper. I have to get back to using my markers. Thanks for the incentive!

Re: Using Cricut Inks rather than the blade

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:39 pm
by deliacm
Is there anyway to have SCAL fill in the design? I'm trying to write my daughters name in a cursive font and it would be nice to not have to fill in the outline with a pen when it's done.

Re: Using Cricut Inks rather than the blade

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:43 pm
by raewyn64
Sorry - No the inks will only do what a blade would do and blades just cut out outlines and so that is what the inks will do - outlines only unfortunatley.

Re: Using Cricut Inks rather than the blade

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:54 pm
by firstcut
I haven't seen the pens so I'm curious...what would be the advantage of doing this in your Cricut vs. just doing it with your printer?

Re: Using Cricut Inks rather than the blade

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:38 pm
by kelsie94
If you draw with your markers first, then press "LOAD PAPER" again (without taking the paper out of the cricut), you can then switch the marker back to the blade and cut out the design. Once it's cut you'll see that the markers made a nice border around the edges.

I do this sometimes when I'm pressed for time - saves me from having to "mat" my cut out!

Hope this helps!

Re: Using Cricut Inks rather than the blade

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:38 pm
by deliacm
I am trying to solve the disadvantage I have with my printer....cardstock won't feed through it :(

Re: Using Cricut Inks rather than the blade

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:48 pm
by HeatherM
Have you tried cleaning the paper rollers in your printer? Sometimes just brushing them with your fingers is enough, but I have also heard that you can use denatured alcohol.

Re: Using Cricut Inks rather than the blade

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:05 pm
by deliacm
I hadn't started scrapbooking when I purchased the printer, so it's one of those fancy "all-in-one" printers with a million functions that are great for a home printer, but it has little use beyond the basic 20# paper. I've tried to feed the cardstock a few times, but it doesn't feed around the small roller correctly and ruins the paper or gets jammed. The paper is fed and returned to the same tray, so it's a pretty drastic feeding movement that the thicker papers just can't do, unfortunately.

Re: Using Cricut Inks rather than the blade

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:31 pm
by HeatherM
I don't know how wide the cricut inks are, but how about a thinner font such as some of the script styles? Or you could use inkscape and inset or outset to make concentric lines in your letters (possibly with different colors of ink).