The Ultimate Dollar Hack for Using ANY Pen in the Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker

[@brianmi40]

INSTEAD of just using the marked paper for setting depth, CUT a scrap of wood (say, 1/2" by 3" long by the height from your piece of marked paper), or glue together a stack of cardboard/chipboard, etc. and you will have something to slide under, and then just press the pen down to make gentle contact with that thickness of object. No more sighting or verifying depth.

[@TheBowdy666]

I thought of that to make a scrap wood depth stop

[@spoketomyheart5800]

Good idea

[@kkawesomable]

anybody know the height? cricut maker 3 doesn't come with any pens/markers

[@HeatherAyersTMS]

Craft sticks make good depth gauges :)

[@opera13s]

@@kkawesomable Another video said just above the height of three nickels, in the Explore.

[@Tinu_ka]

Thanks for your very well explained tutorial. To adjust the height of the pen, there is a much easier way in my opinion: juste put a cricut pen (without its cap) next to the pen you want to use (also without its cap). Simply on your desk, not in the cricut machine. Make sure the tips of the two pens are exactly next to each other (leveled), for example by puching with a ruler against the two tips at the same time. Then, on the pen you want to use, stick a piece of sticky tape at the exact same height as the arrow on the cricut pen (the bottom of the sticky tape should align with the bottom of the arrow). When you then want to use that pen, to adjust the height, you look at the sticky tape, exactly as you would look at the arrow on a cricut pen. This way, it's way more acurate in my opinion AND you don't have to adjust the height with a piece of wood or paper every single time you use this sharpie. I hope my explanation was undersandable, English is not my first language and without a picture it's something hard to explain.

[@mandyneedham6641]

Hi Angie, If you cut the pencil holder in a spiral instead of straight, it holds the pen more centrally and more securely, and the spiral just adjusts to the size of the pen.

[@AngieHolden]

WHOA!! You just blew my mind! Thank you!!

[@samanthahanley9167]

hmm how do you mean in a spiral?

[@Seimonster27]

​​@@samanthahanley9167 going diagonal up the pencil holder, like a candy cane's stripes.

[@carenin59]

Thank you for the awesome idea!!

[@GlitterKitten1492]

This is so much more in depth, and explanatory than ANYTHING else i've seen online. thank you so much

[@carenin59]

Sorry I'm a little late to the party on this site. I'm recently retired, and I just purchased a used Cricut Explore Air on Ebay and just now learning how to use it. It can be a tad over whelming. I have an original Cricut (the first one) but this one is a whole different dimension! I'm so grateful for people like you that thoroughly explain what there demonstrating. I was so glad to find this video and know that I don't need to buy these expensive pens and makers just to run my Cricut. So, with that being said. THANK YOU!! I'll keep watching in the future.

[@AngieHolden]

So glad you are here!

[@fairychick77]

This is a great video! Thanks, Angie! For anyone trying to gauge the space on a Maker, I used 6 wooden coffee stir sticks bound together tightly with those tiny rubber bands used for hair braids. It is exactly the right height!

[@AngieHolden]

Great tip!

[@fernandamayoral3197]

Hahaha Americans will use everything but metric system

[@Vacilando22]

Would you mind measuring the depth of said 6 coffee sticks? I don't have any cricut pens or coffee stir sticks 😂

[@profwemo]

@@Vacilando22 I had to google the thikness of a coffee stir stick 😅

[@hudsonfrank1121]

Thank you for making this. Gotta love products that make you "think" you have to "use" their products only. You can also use crayons if set up correctly.

[@christie4258]

This is awesome! I already have hundreds of different pens & didn't want to be limited to Cricut pens. Thanks so much!

[@AngieHolden]

Happy to help!

[@paulhuyser1027]

Thank you, thank you. The pencil grips were a wonderful suggestion. It was exactly what I needed for the Sharpie paint pen. Loved the way you checked the depth also, great tips.

[@crystalratclffe3258]

Thank you! As a new owner of second hand Cricut, your video is helping set up from the start.

[@AngieHolden]

Wonderful!

[@flannelwhiskers]

This is a way late reply, but I'm loving your huge library of videos; they're still valuable for users, even years later! This was extra useful for me because - while I don't mind buying Cricut brand pens - I can't find just normal 1.0 markers in plain colors! I have a set of metallics, but if I want just basic colors of the rainbow, I'm stuck with 0.4 fine points. So, even as a Cricut loyalist, I needed this hack🙂 Thanks!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@debrasloan3415]

This is awesome! I use the Pilot Frixion erasable pens to mark fa ice because they are heat sensitive and the markings disappear when I iron them. I have been pulling my hair out as none of the points are long enough to touch the fabric in my Cricuit. I am going to get some of the grips from the Dollar Tree tomorrow and see if that will do the trick. Thank you

[@chandellecarter5247]

Did this work? Trying to find a solution for the Frixion pen as well!

[@honeymelon329]

My Cricut machine is the original 2014 Explore (10 years old now and still love it!), and I have always had the biggest problem using the actual Cricut brand pens in their own pen holder that came with the machine! They will get halfway through writing the message and then POP OUT ALL ON THEIR OWN! Ruins the project run and I have to start over. It was so frustrating. So, first I bought that set of 3 (pink, blue, mint) adapters for Sharpie markers shown in the video -- they work perfect for Sharpies - highly recommend those if you love Sharpies. But then I wanted to use my beloved Pilot G-2 1.0mm ball point pens, so I tried the dollar tree foam pencil grip hack and O.M.G. it is perfect!!! Now I use the cheap little foam pencil grip more than any other adapter because it basically works for EVERY type of pen (at least, all the ones that I have tried). This hack works for sure!!

[@mzaree3821]

I found a much easier way to use other brand pens. I insert the Cricut pen into the clamp A and shut the clamp. Using a permanent marker, draw a line on Cricut pen where it meets the top of the clamp. Now take out the Cricut pen and line up the tips of the pens and make a line to match the Cricut pen line. Do this with your other pens and markers.

[@AngieHolden]

That's a great idea!

[@michaletaylor7532]

Omg yyyyyeeeessss thank you❤ i hope you do more of these, just found you and i love it❤ thank you

[@AngieHolden]

Of course!!

[@cblu535]

TY! These devices are already such a joy to experiment & use your creative juices with, but This almost made me cry. I've only had this thing about a month, and had a shopping cart on their with pens in the cart...lol...knowing I was going to figure out a way to use any that wasn't too fat; then I saw the guy use the eraser measurement, but YOU really got my thoughts going when you showed that you could take the inner tube out. Now I don't have to worry with breaking it, so IT'S ON! I then put a pencil in and saw this bad boy draw a flower with a regular number 2 pencil... THESE PEOPLE CAN GET AS WELL KNOWN AS MICROSOFT JUST FROM THE NUMBER OF HACKS... THEY REALLY NEED TO ROLL WITH THIS, and I suppose they are, and that's why they have a huge sale on their brand pens. Thanks again, YOU ROCK!... btw: I just stand the pens n pencils up together on a flat surface and mark a line across them where the arrow is on the cricket pen since they all have varying lead lengths and pause printing and push them down as the lead gets shorter. I will eventually mark

[@rondathomas804]

I love this hack! I've been wrapping and taping paper towel around my markers. THANK YOU!

[@flossingdebi]

Angie thank you taking the time and sharing this amazing hack. I like you had bought those plastic pen adaptors as I had a lot of pens around the house before I bought my Cricut and did not want to spend money on more pens just to fit in the Cricut, but they only fit a small amount of pens. I also bought the Dollar Tree pencil tree holders but did not cut them down the middle, great idea!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JM-kh1jm]

YOU'RE A GENIUS! And, you're so generous to share with us! So glad I found you today! :)

[@AngieHolden]

Wow, thank you!

[@WeWillServeJehovah]

Thanks I found some thin foam and wrapped it around till it fit properly. It works!

[@AngieHolden]

Good to know!

[@cedricmcneal4711]

Your video saved me so much time and money...THANK YOU!

[@Reneesfun]

Thank you for testing all of those pens out for us! I can’t wait to try it with my Artesprix and regular ink pens.

[@AngieHolden]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@sb7615]

Did you try with the artesprix pens?

[@AbiNomac]

I’m so happy I discovered your channel. I’m about to purchase a Cricut Maker and your videos help eliminate the fears I have as a beginner.

[@AngieHolden]

You can do it!

[@AbiNomac]

@@AngieHolden - Thank you Angie, your tutorials will be with me every step of the way.

[@michellesteele7326]

Thank you so much! I'm so excited to give this a try. The depth hack is super helpful and I hadn't thought about that!

[@AngieHolden]

You're so welcome!

[@Veggiebaby08]

I really want to say thank you for the hack. It is awesome.

[@TheSouthbreeze]

I received some Zicoto pens as a gift, and they do not work as is. I wrapped a 2" piece of duct tape around lower portion of pen along with the provided Cricut pen adapter and it works. Your video gave me the idea. Thanks!

[@AngieHolden]

Thanks for sharing!

[@juliacleveland]

I am so thankful that I found your channel! I am totally new at this and you have helped me so much! Any question I have, you always have a video!! Thank you so much!!

[@JewelrybyJeanette]

Thank you so much for your honest advice and opinions. It was great to find an inexpensive and easy way to use my favorite pens in my Cricut Maker. Well done!

[@AngieHolden]

You are so welcome!

[@Carole_Williamson]

Got a pack of 15 adapters from Etsy that are marked with the type of pen they work with for about $7 - $10 total. Haven’t tried them yet but they look just like the adapters in this video

[@Sadipa89]

Have you tried them yet? I'd love a link if you're happy with them.

[@catmandu2875]

Just an fyi, for this process, I would make a piece of wood to use for creating an easy method to ensure the pen is positioned correctly. Just make the wood the proper thickness, slide it under the pen area, drop the marker in to the cricut, let it land on the wood piece. Tighten and pull the wood peice out. Hope this helps.

[@AngieHolden]

That's a great idea!

[@haert2run]

Do you know what height it needs to be?

[@3Dprint4you]

If you own a 3d printer the adapters are very easy to print with a little know how. I say a little know how because you should probably use a filament called TPU and it is a little trickier to use than printing with PLA. PLA will work but it is much stiffer and you may not get the grip you would with TPU. The files are available on pretty much all of the web sites that have .stl files available.

[@islandteaser]

wow i bought one of these grips cause in my mind i should be able to use different pens in my cricut machine and i couldnt get it figured out cause i didnt know i could remove the original holder . im glad i came across this video thanks

[@AngieHolden]

Glad I could help!

[@lauramartin7300]

Didn't think of the pencil grips for this. I 've used them on my crochet hooks. I'll be stealing from there. lol I put a cricut marker in my maker, took another marker to draw a line on it, for where it sat in machine, then matched to another marker ,drew a line. also I had cricut marker in, placed a stick under it to see for depth, as you did with the paper. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR VIDEOS!!! very helpful. Watching you is why I choose the maker..

[@AngieHolden]

YES! I had trouble seeing the lines with the pencil grip on it so came up with the paper but you can do that too!

[@AngieHolden]

YES! I had trouble seeing the lines with the pencil grip on it so came up with the paper but you can do that too!

[@sagetx]

Reusing the same pens over and over? Set the depth the first time, then wrap a strip of making tape around the pen level to the top of the clamp. Visual gauge right on the pen for next time!

[@BeCreativewithKathy]

Great video, Angie. Thank you!!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@created2bless322]

Squeaky brand spanking new learner! I’ll be watching more! You were the 1st person that I watched where Joy came out because I wanted one and Shhhhh I still do. My daughter opted for the Cricut Explorer Air ll. Thank you for your information and inspiration ✌🏼💕😊

[@AngieHolden]

Yay! Happy to have you!

[@lauramartin7300]

You will learn alot from Angie..

[@jesseelisabeatty8205]

Me too

[@coastalb1]

I don't know how I was not already subscribed to your channel, I've learned so much from your tutorials. Thank you!

[@AngieHolden]

Thanks for subbing!

[@mrnoname6327]

3D print the adapters, works like a charm!

[@onecraftycookie]

Girl that is just like my Cricut Explore Air 2 love it. Thanks for sharing hunny hugs Terrie

[@bargeiger50]

I did find a set of adapters at Amazon that has 7 adapters in the set. It will work with a really wide variety of pens

[@audra6403]

link?

[@halenarose5653]

LINK!!!!! Seconded! Thanks fellow crafter!

[@kristlynn7123]

thanks for the video. Before i watched this i had some painters tape laying next to me and so i used tape as a simple solution to hold the marker in the machine..

[@AngieHolden]

Excellent!

[@a3dpntr]

Angie, you're a genius! Love all these options! Thanks for your kind sharing.👌👏

[@diannerobert3822]

Very good hack for pens with cricut ! 🥰👍

[@chmtnwmn58]

I love your videos. You're a wonderful teacher. THANK YOU!

[@AngieHolden]

Thank you so much!

[@shannonharris1802]

OMG, This is brilliant! I searched high and low (I'm a teacher, I should have those pencil grips, right!?) and could not find one! However, I did have some stretchy Coban on hand that worked PERFECT!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robinrhodes8064]

Thanks Angie, I always learn something from you, great videos. Thanks for all you do to give us information so we can make an informed decision. Like I said before, totally new to cricut getting the joy for Christmas and just now getting ready to try it....lol

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@zubedaalawie2453]

This is a awesome video...thank you so much and can't wait wait to try it!!!!!

[@AngieHolden]

Hope you like it!

[@conniel.4601]

Very helpful, as usual. I did buy the Sharpie adaptors, per your suggestion. They work fine. Will be using the pencil grips for other pens. Thanks!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it helped!

[@joycebarker2288]

i saw somewhere that a craft popsicle stick under neath the tip is a great measurer

[@elfgirllizzie2018]

I’m late to the party but I got a pack of 12 adapters on Amazon for $5. I do have some gel pens I’m totally gonna try this with. Thanks

[@c.manygoats5731]

Thank you for sharing your hack! I did not have time to order adapters so this hack will do just fine for my project :D definitely going to order adapters though!

[@cowrazy0219]

This is a fantastic video. I had just purchased the pip squeaks for my Joy. Now they’ll work on my Maker as well. Love items that work that only cost $1!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KathysScraps]

Elaine Pierce, can I ask? Where did you find the Crayola Pip Squeak markers? I need more

[@elenawebb1864]

@@AngieHolden pp

[@MichelleColeCreates]

That pencil grip is a fantastic idea!!!

[@AngieHolden]

It really is!

[@MichelleColeCreates]

I just cleaned out a basket and found a pack of 10 of those grips! Score!!!

[@nikradik]

This helps me so much this machine gets expensive to use.. thnx so much

[@AngieHolden]

Happy to help!

[@dez5]

This Video is Priceless Hack. Thank you.

[@lindasuehundley6864]

Awesome video. Thank you, Ms. Angie!!!

[@patriciadelamarter3604]

Wonderful

[@Marysol805]

Thank you SO much for showing this hack 😃 I would have never thought of it 😋

[@Justin_W]

This is great! The only problem now for me is that my Cricut Explore 3 did NOT come with a pen. I guess I'm going to have to do a lot of trial and error.

[@AngieHolden]

Yes the new machines do not come with one. Sorry!

[@Justin_W]

@@AngieHolden No worries! This would have been an excellent hack. I can still do this if I buy a Cricut pen. So, thanks for this great video!

[@kkawesomable]

@@AngieHolden maybe you could measure for us and tell us?

[@nancysanders8013]

I am learning a lot from your videos. Thank you!

[@AngieHolden]

Happy to hear that!

[@lilness713]

This was a life and money saver!!! thank you!!!!

[@caryswanson4486]

❤🎉Oh my goodness!! Thank you very much

[@AngieHolden]

No problem 😊

[@AN-sx2iy]

Thank you so much. I just bought a maker on market place and it did not have a pen holder.

[@kendrac.8874]

This is so cool. I've never used the markers in my Cricut but definitely plan to soon.

[@AngieHolden]

Enjoy!

[@ShaylaM]

Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@briaellison3256]

Such a good hack, thank you for sharing.

[@AngieHolden]

You are so welcome!

[@lynncookcook6342]

Thanks, I found this very informative

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bonniepolanowski1283]

THANK YOU!! You've been so amazing!

[@kindredecho]

Thank you, thank you. I've been looking at those adapters and dreading the outlay of cash. You just saved me. Headed to the dollar store today.

[@AngieHolden]

Great to hear!

[@sharlaenlow8480]

I’m a complete newb at Cricut. I bought some markers a while back for signing my tumblers. I’ll try the hack with these but I have a question. Have you tried permanent markers on vinyl such as Oracle 651 or 631? And thank for the writing font filter hack! This will help me so much! I may just use mine tomorrow after 2 weeks of looking at it.

[@AngieHolden]

I haven't used markers on vinyl!

[@Autism_Forever]

Thank you! ♥ Just what I needed :) I wonder if a strip of adhesive craft foam can be used to wrap around most frequently used pens. I am going to try that :) Thank you again! ♥

[@AngieHolden]

Good idea!

[@chmtnwmn58]

The problem with the Cricut pens is that NONE of them are permanent! I write scripture on glass and wanted something permanent. this is PERFECT I can't thank you enough!!

[@AngieHolden]

Yep! Any time!

[@MissMolly3377]

Thank you, for this tutorial. I just won a Cricut Maker 3, so I am learning how to do this. Now, I am curious what you can do with the infused ink pens.

[@noneyabness8761]

OMG you lucky person! YAY!

[@lifeisbeautiful7464]

Ty so much for this video 🤝🏾

[@julias2855]

Love ur vids!! Always share ur dummies vid on Facebook. Love it!!!

[@AngieHolden]

You rock!

[@olgatorres4154]

Thank u so much !!! This is a fantastic tutorial.

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheChai85]

This is an amazing hack. Thank you!!

[@gdb1944]

Great info! How critical is the gap between the bottom of the pen tip and the paper? Could you use a block of plastic/wood so that the tip just touches the top of the block; this might be more reproducible?

[@AngieHolden]

Yes! You can definitely do that. I know not everyone has the skills or means to cut one but that would be perfect.

[@joycebarker2288]

popsicle stick

[@carriemcarthur2121]

Can you explain the difference between the pens? When would you use the fine tip, marker, infused, gel etc? I'm so confused about the differences between the pens and what to use them for.

[@AngieHolden]

It would just be the look you want for your project. You don't have to have all of the pens or any pens for that matter. I would say it would depend on what you are making and what you want it to look like.

[@michelle4eternity]

Just got my Cricut explore air 2 today and first thing I am noticing is that I want to put a scrap of paper on the bottom so I don’t get ink all over lol

[@chicagogirl8173]

This is awesome! You're the best. Now I can finally buy that giant Sharpie mega bulk pack from Costco, man I've been eyeing that thing for a while hoping I can find a way to use it in my cricut! This is gonna be fun lol. Thank you :)

[@AngieHolden]

Enjoy!

[@flocondeneige3856]

Thank you so much for your videos. I am a new " cricuter". I have the Maker😋

[@AngieHolden]

You are so welcome!

[@lguimarin06]

Great tutorial! I really appreciated that you showed several different hacks. Do you have a video or advice on choosing which pens to use with which types of projects/materials? I'm going to be writing on some balsa wood and looking for recommendations.

[@AngieHolden]

I don't. Writing on balsa I would do something that dries really quickly as it will run badly.

[@elizabethvallely4044]

Thank you Angie for this video was very helpful and thank you for explaining very well! Hugs Liz...

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nathaliarocha7962]

Thank you so much for this video! 💗

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@conniel.4601]

Thanks, Angie!

[@AngieHolden]

You are so welcome!

[@khoskins6533]

Excellent video. Very informative

[@AngieHolden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@CrazyCountess]

Thanks Angie!

[@59KYHighlander]

I have a 3d printer and found adapters online that I can print. No cost for the files.

[@gailrhodes7771]

Thank you so much

[@AngieHolden]

No problem!

[@joyscranfield5527]

Great info! Thank you for doing the hard part for us🌹

[@AngieHolden]

Any time!

[@sb7615]

Hey Angie. Have you made a video of how to make a T-shirt design using the artesprix marker? I’ve seen your other video that compare iron on, sublimation and printable iron on but I’m not sure about the process to get it on the shirt with a artesprix marker.

[@AngieHolden]

I used them on pillow covers here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYS3fWiwZp2apMk

[@tyem.6815]

Hi you could buy a pack of mechanical pencils at Dollar Tree and remove the pencil grips off the pencils and use it with markers or bic pens

[@AngieHolden]

Not sure at all. Sorry.

[@tyem.6815]

@@AngieHolden I’m sorry for the confusion lol I meant this works …. I do this all the time ….

[@inletseaster]

@@tyem.6815 I tried this with the grips that came on the mechanical pencils at Dollar Tree and they didn't work with the pens I needed to use. :(

[@tyem.6815]

@@inletseaster oh no if I find the brand I have I’ll let you know and also the bic pens fit for sure I have to look whenever I find them I’ll post it here I’m sorry it didn’t work

[@mindellica]

Thank you absolutely learned you’re awesome!

[@AngieHolden]

Happy to help!

[@cwilliams1961]

Thank you! game changer hack!

[@AngieHolden]

Right?!??

[@ehodge54]

Thank you Angie for your informative video. Cricut doesn't have any super fine point gold pens & I have a couple of ones I found at an office supply store that I think I can now use with your hack.

[@AngieHolden]

You are so welcome!

[@ehodge54]

@@AngieHolden I was able to do your hack & it worked perfectly! Thanks again, Angie!

[@MileyonDisney]

Creative! Thank you!

[@AngieHolden]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@juliegayson7947]

Thank you so much. 💓

[@highmaintenancegirly]

Sooo helpful! Thank you so much!!

[@AngieHolden]

You're so welcome!

[@jazmora5147]

This was so helpful!!!