There are also other smaller updates to the design and overall look of Cricut Maker 3. The machine case color has been updated to a light silvery blue with a gloss finish and a silver lid, and the carriage and interior are white.

There are plastic guides on either side of the tray and a small black sensor on the left side that will help you feed your matless Cricut Smart Materials into the machine properly.

The machine button design has also been slightly updated, with a “play” triangle button replacing the Cricut “C” button on Cricut Maker.

Other than that, Cricut Maker 3 is basically the same as a Cricut Maker, so everything you can do with your Cricut Maker you can also do with this new machine. All of the same tools, mats, blades, and accessories work, so you don’t have to worry about also upgrading everything if you decide you want a Cricut Maker 3!

Matless Cutting and Cricut Smart Materials

Cricut Smart Materials are materials that are specifically designed to be cut without a Cricut mat. Matless cutting was introduced with Cricut Joy in 2020, but it’s now expanded to Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Explore 3.

This new feature allows you to make larger and longer cuts without the limitations of the Cricut Mat.  You can now cut up to 12′ at a time with Cricut Smart Materials that come in a range of lengths, up to 75′!  The maximum width is 11.7″, simply insert the material and go!

How to Make a DIY Sleigh Rides with Cricut Maker 3

I couldn’t wait to try out the new matless feature and create a large DIY sign for my holiday decor.  This sign was easy to design in Cricut Design Space and cut with the Cricut Maker 3. Follow the step-by-step directions to create your own personalized holiday sign.

DIY Sleigh Rides Sign with Cricut Maker 3

Print

Create a vintage-inspired large DIY Sleigh Rides Sign using the Cricut Maker 3. This simple project is easy to make with the free cute file available on Cricut Design Space.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Active Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $25

Materials

• Cricut Smart Vinyl
• Cricut Transfer Tape
• 24" x 36" Wood Sign
• Sleigh Rides SVG

Tools

• Cricut Maker 3
• Cricut Tool Holder
• Cricut Weeding Tool
• Cricut Scraper
• Cricut Design Space

Instructions

1. Open Cricut Design Space and the Sleigh Rides SVG file. Customize and personalize the design to fit your wood board.
2. Click on the "Make It" Button and then choose "Without Mat" when prompted.
3. Cut the design with Smart Vinyl to the width of your board and weed excess.

1. Apply Transfer Tape to Vinyl and burnish front and back with the Cricut Scraper Tool to adhere the vinyl to the transfer tape.
2. Center the image width and using the hinge method tack vinyl to board.
3. Slowly remove the backer from vinyl and transfer tape and apply to board using the scraper tool to press down and remove any bubbles.
4. Once everything is applied to the wood slowly remove the transfer tape from vinyl and board.
5. Sit back and enjoy your new holiday sign.