Using a Cricut with traditional construction paper

[lovingthemouse]

I have been trying to cut traditional construction paper into shapes and letters with limited success. With cardstock I am fine but I like the longer paper, like 12 x 18. Any suggestions on pressure (been trying 3), needle pt (been using 4/5), so that the paper does not have that pulpy, shredding effect?

 

[Reddy]

construction paper has the pulpy made into it which is why it cuts that way & why we don't use it because it would be alot cheaper to use
sorry

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

I would make sure the mat is super sticky and the blade is sharp. What speed are you using? I would use a super slow speed. I've had actual cardstock act that way. If the above doesnt work I would try less pressure and multi cut. Good Luck!!

 

[dogcarbon]

if you need a longer than 12" cut, you could always use poster board and cut it down to fit on a 12x24 mat.

I never tried construction paper because it would make my mat less sticky really quick when it would leave behind the fibers.

 

[rlovew]

I was never successful with construction paper but bulliten board paper worked for me if I was trying to use someting longer. I used bulliten board paper to cut things for my class to use. I just needed to use a low speed and pressure and make sure the mat was sticky enough.

Rebecca

 

[Iris]

Back in High School my daughter had to make locker decorations for some of the football players because she was a cheerleader. There was no way I was going to use anything but construction paper for these projects since they were just torn down after each game and she had 3-4 players each week.

It worked fine for me but my pressure was set at 2, blade 3-4 and speed medium to slow with no shredding. I did use a new blade but it lasted the entire football season and I made sure the mat was sticky enough. I did have to test the settings before I was able to make the clean cuts so just try playing around with all the different settings. The construction paper I used was the bulk packs from Hobby Lobby, mostly black, orange, and white which was the school colors. Sometimes we used green for things like good luck shamrocks and I did notice that the green had more of that pulpy effect than the other colors, not sure why.

 

[lynner]

The problem that I've always had with construction paper is that I can't get it off the sticky mat without tearing, even with a spatula. I thought it would be the perfect solution for scrapping with my niece, but it just doesn't work very well.

 

[logan&tylersmama]

construction paper is too lint-ty (is that a word) its terrible to work with and too frustrating - it ruins your mat too-- dont waste your time -- some people say laminating it first -- you could try that -
i found it was not worth the hassle and agravation
Jennifer

 

[3pletprincesses]

I've used a few times and had to cut at slow and pressure at 2. Keep in my that your mat will be full of lint in the end tho. I used a spatula to remove what I cut and it didn't tear but it was small items that I cut.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Hey ladies, thanks for all your comments, I appreciate them. I did set it to lower pressure, medium speed and 4/5 on my blade. Actually, maybe it was the paper brand, but it did come out pretty well. The mat was ok, but i will only use it again if i have more construction paper bulletin board stuff. I'm not cheap, just like to save my own paper for my own projects!!!