Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much is Cricut Imagine?

MSRP: $499

Cricut Imagine is like Cricut Expression, HP printing capability, and design software, all in one.

Added Value:

  • Comes with one black and one color ink cartridge (fully-filled) in the box ($75 value).
  • Can select precise colors (using the color wheel and/or RGB) to match materials you already own (paper/vinyl, etc).
  • Simplify the layering process and add details to your layers like never before.
  • Make unique, one-of-a-kind projects for gift giving, selling, and more.
  • Now you have even more design control and personalization possibilities with your creative projects. Choose your own colors, sizes, and much more!
  • With over 200 original cartridges of artwork, you can easily design and create unique projects that reflect your creativity and imagination.
  • Easy-to-use LCD touch-screen navigation so that all information is right at your fingertips.
Q: What kinds of cartridges work with Cricut Imagine?
Cricut Imagine works with all original Cricut cartridges (that you’ve been using with your original Cricut machines), new Cricut Imagine Art cartridges, new Cricut Imagine Colors and Patterns cartridges, and Cricut Imagine Ink cartridges.
Q: What are the differences between Original cartridges and Cricut Imagine cartridges?
Cricut Imagine Art cartridges contain vivid, full-color artwork that will help take your creativity to the next level. Each Art cartridge also contains complementary color palettes and images that work well with the artwork. Cricut Imagine Colors and Patterns cartridges come with colors, patterns, and textures that you can swap out within your artwork. They contain artist-recommended color and pattern options that you can use with Cricut Imagine Art cartridges OR original Cricut cartridges. This allows you to work with just white paper and pick and choose the color and pattern best suited for your design.
Q: When I try to edit an image on an original Cricut Cartridge, the screen goes back to the menu (Start Up) screen.
This is caused by either installing both an Imagine and a Cricut Cartridge at the same time or powering on the machine with both kinds of cartridges installed. To fix the problem, insert each cartridge separately. Wait for the images from one cartridge to completely load before inserting the other cartridge.
Q: When I plug in a Cricut cartridge and an Imagine cartridge at the same time I do not see all the images from either cartridge.
This is caused by either installing both an Imagine and a Cricut Cartridge at the same time or powering on the machine with both kinds of cartridges installed. To fix the problem, insert each cartridge separately. Wait for the images from one cartridge to completely load before inserting the other cartridge.
Q: Do Cricut Imagine cartridges work with Cricut V1, Cricut Create, Cricut Expression, and Cricut Cake?
Not right now. However, it may be possible through the Gypsy in a future release.
Q: Do my original Cricut cartridges work with Cricut Imagine?
Yes, you can cut with Cricut Imagine just like Cricut Expression. If you want to print and cut with original Cricut cartridges you can either use the internal color wheel or the patterns on any Cricut Imagine cartridge.
Q: How many colors come on a Cricut Imagine Art Cartridge?
There are 20 patterns and at least 10 colors. In addition, there are 18 pre-defined colors built into the machine, however using the color wheel you can select millions of colors—virtually any color you may want to use in your design. You can store up to 16 custom colors. You can also type in your RGB percentages to pick a particular color. Color coordinates may be shared with other Cricut Imagine users.
Q: Does Cricut Imagine come with ink cartridges in the box?
There is a fully filled color ink cartridge and a fully filled black ink cartridge inside the box. ($75 value)
Q: Can I use any HP ink in Cricut Imagine?
No. Cricut Imagine works with specially designed Cricut-branded ink from HP.
Q: How much are the ink cartridges?
Black ink cartridges have an MSRP of $34.99, and color ink cartridges have an MSRP of $39.99 in retail.
Q: Does Cricut HP color and black ink dry fast?
All HP inks are designed to dry quickly to resist smudges. The color cartridge is a dye-based ink. Dye-based inks are not completely waterfast, but there are sprays on the market that can be used to make the ink waterfast. The Cricut Imagine uses HP Vivera Inks.
Q: Is Cricut HP color and black Ink acid free?
This ink is not acid free. (But note: it’s very close. Acid free is a PH of 7 or greater, this ink has a PH of ~6.5). They have been engineered to last for decades when stored properly. The Cricut Imagine uses HP Vivera Inks.
Q: Does Cricut HP color and black Ink fade in the light?
As far as light fastness, and according to HP ink testing, the ink will “last for generations”. Per HP Lab tests, the ink will retain its color quality for decades on plain paper. The Cricut Imagine uses HP Vivera Inks.
Q: How many pages can I print with one Cricut HP color/black ink cartridge?
Actual pages printed depend highly on how many backgrounds or images are printed per page and the type of paper used, but on average, you should expect to see approximately.

∗150+ 12” x 12” pages per cartridge. ∗150 12” x 12” pages with print on ~30% of surface. For pages containing closer to 100% coverage you can expect approximately 60 pages per ink cartridge.
Q: What size are the mats for Cricut Imagine?
The mat size is 12” x 12”, so you can print/cut up to 11 ¼" x 11 ¼".
Q: Can I use my original Cricut mats with Cricut Imagine?
No, you must use Cricut Imagine mats because they provide the machine registration marks that are needed for precise results with printing and cutting. New Cricut Imagine mats do, however, work with Expression.
Q: My Imagine Cutting mat is not very tacky?
Wash the mat under warm water for approximately one minute (no soap). Let it air dry. If the mat is still not sticky enough, use a plastic scraper to roughen up the surface of the mat. Repeat the scraping as needed to improve the tackiness. If there is a buildup of lint or paper dust on the mat it can be washed with warm water and gently rubbed by hand to refresh the mat.
Q: How do I know if an image has layers?
Layers will be displayed in the image editor if the option is available. In the gallery view, images with layers will always show up first followed by images without layers.
Q: Does Cricut Imagine use the same blade and blade housing as Original Cricut machines?
Yes. The only machine that has a different blade and blade housing is Cricut Cake.
Q: The blade calibration is off even after I pick the best aligned print and cut lines?

If auto calibration is off, you can manually adjust the print to cut alignment to fit your machine. Do the following:

Do a blade calibration, pick the best number and letter as you have done and do a test cut. Do not remove the mat or hit accept or repeat. Look at the cut inside the test image. If it needs to be moved to the right, pick the number at the top of the page with the cut to the right of the print line.

If the cut line needs to be moved down in the test image, pick a letter where the cut line is lower than the printed line (if your off significantly, you will have to pick a cut line that is 2 or 3 numbers or letters away from the best aligned print and cut line).

Hit Test Cut again and you will see the new position of the cut line in the square spiral. If you're happy hit Accept, if not, keep repeating the process until the alignment is acceptable. If your spiral cut is getting too many cuts in it such that you can't tell where the new cut is, then hit accept and repeat the process above.

Q: Does Cricut Imagine use a different power supply than my Original Cricut machines?
Yes. Cricut Imagine has its own power supply.
Q: Do I have to use the stylus with Cricut Imagine or can I use my finger?
You can use either, but the screen is specifically designed for use with a stylus.
Q: Do I see exactly what I’m going to print and cut on the LCD screen?
Yes
Q: What kind of materials does Cricut Imagine print and cut?
Nearly any kind of paper (white or colored), 85 pound cardstock(recommended), printable vinyl, photo paper, transparency materials, card stock, printer paper, selected fabrics, stickers, etc. Materials that don’t bend easily won’t work well with Cricut Imagine (i.e. chipboard). Virtually any material that will print on an inkjet printer can be used in the Cricut Imagine. To insure the best quality print and cut you should always use Cricut-branded materials.
Q: Can you adjust the pressure like the original Cricut Machines?
Yes.
Q: The machine makes a terrible rattling noise when the cutter starts up.
The problem is something is keeping the blade carriage from hitting the home button when the machine starts up. The rattling noise is the cutter trying to move to the right to hit the home button, but either something is in the way or the button is stuck in the depressed position (not a good position for anyone). With the machine off, pull the blade carriage out of it's park position at least 8". Make sure their is nothing back in the carraige garage (where the carriage was parked) that would interfere in its motion (like the carboard insert used for shipping). Also, if you look back into the carriage garage, you will see a red button (the home button) at the top. The carriage has to hit this button to stop it's motion. Reach in with your hand and see if the red button is stuck in the depressed position (can't be pushed in). If it's stuck, try to pull it out by hand. I don't mean out of the machine, just try to free up the button so it can go in and out like a doorbell. If you can pull it to the un-depressed position and it moves in and out freely, re-start your machine and try to print and cut again.
Q: Does Cricut Imagine work with Gypsy?
Yes! Cricut Imagine works with Gypsy. At launch, it will feature basic functionality, but exciting new features and functions will be added (available as simple upgrades) soon after.
Q: Can I save my project files on Imagine?
No, you cannot save any projects on Cricut Imagine.
Q: Does Cricut Imagine work with Cricut Design Studio?
No, not at this time.
Q: Does Jukebox work with Imagine?
Yes.
Q: What cartridge do I insert to get the Firmware update?
Nursery Tales (HSN customers), Imagine More (Retail customers). Both contain the same upgrade.
Q: How long does the upgrade take?
The upgrade can take from 5 to 20 minutes. Some machines will already be updated from the factory so will not require a cartridge update. In this case, the machine will go directly to the menu screen.
Q: When should I insert my ink cartridges?
Wait until the upgrade is complete and the Imagine will prompt you to install your ink cartridges.
Q: My machine seems to have locked up or frozen during the upgrade process, what should I do?
Do not turn the machine off if the on-screen instructions on the Imagine say not to, especially if the progress bar is showing on the screen. Let the machine continue with the upgrade process for at least 15 minutes. If the on-screen instructions do not specifically warn not to turn off the machine, and the machine seems frozen, allow one minute to pass to see if the machine self corrects. If it does not, turn the power off and back on again to resume the upgrade process.
Q: What do I need to do during the upgrade?
It’s simple! You’ll only need to plug in the cartridge during the upgrade. The machine will restart a couple of times during the upgrade process, which is normal.
Q: How do I know the upgrade completed successfully?
You will be prompted to calibrate the machine starting with the touch screen when the upgrade is complete. Just follow the on-screen instructions. After the screen calibration, the End User License Agreement will be displayed.
Q: My screen is frozen and unresponsive after clicking “Accept” on the End User License Agreement screen, what should I do?
Turn off the machine and turn it on again. The machine may repeat a part of the installation process to be sure all components are properly installed. When the machine re-starts, install the ink cartridges per the instructions in the quick start guide or the user manual and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the machine set up procedure.
Q: During the Ink Cartridge Alignment calibration routine I received the error, “Mat not detected, please try to insert the mat again.” However, it appears that the print calibration completed successfully. When I click on the “Retry” button, the Insert Mat screen comes up, but nothing happens when I click “GO”. What is the corrective action?

This error is typically generated because either the mat was not fed into the machine and the machine timed out or the mat was curled significantly prior to being fed into the machine, which caused a feed error. Try the following resolutions:

  1. If the mat was curled or bowed such that the adhesive side of the mat bows up when resting on a table, roll the mat up into a cylinder with the adhesive side to the inside to reverse the curl. Hold the mat in this position for at least 2 minutes using rubber bands or some other suitable means of securing the mat. Unroll the mat and repeat the calibration process. For best performance, the mat should be flat before being fed through the machine.
  2. Open and close the ink cartridge access door at the back left corner of the machine. Allow the machine about 30 seconds to reset and then follow the on-screen instructions to re-feed the mat with a clean sheet of paper into the machine and click “GO”.
  3. Turn the machine OFF and then back ON again using the power button on the front of the machine display. Then follow the on-screen instructions to re-feed the mat and to run the calibration again.
Q: Why should I update my Imagine?
Updating your Imagine ensures that you will be able to use all the latest Original Cricut Cartridges. Also, Provo Craft will make new features available on your Imagine through these updates. These features include things like improved Gypsy compatibility and edge-to-edge printing that will allow you to print a full 12x12 sheet of paper.
Q: How do I update my Imagine?
Click the Support link below to download and install the CricutSync software. This free software will allow you to connect your Imagine to your computer using the included white USB cable, connect your Imagine to the internet, and install your updates. As updates become available they will also be included on Imagine cartridges. If you have not updated your Imagine for a while and you insert a new Imagine cartridge, don’t be surprised if your Imagine prompts you to update from the cartridge.