Guide
Maker 4: How to make your first project with the cutting plotter a success
by Stefanie Lechthaler
The fabulous Cricut Joy 2 has turned me into a sticker maniac
7/3/2026
Translation: Eva Francis
Pictures: Stefanie Lechthaler
The Joy 2 is Cricut’s new generation mini cutting machine. It’s more compact, more versatile and equipped with an improved Print-Then-Cut sensor. I tested it right after its release. Read on to find out if it delivers what Cricut promises.
Since the mini cutting machine’s been on my desk, I’ve become obsessed with turning everything I see into a sticker. I didn’t expect to be so impressed by this overhauled cutting machine.
Cricut has kept the size of its predecessor Joy, but added a whole range of functions to the new generation. In terms of colour and format, the Joy 2 fits much better into the Cricut range. The maximum material width of 13.9 centimetres means it’s suitable for creating small projects such as stickers, labels or postcards. For beginners or those who like to experiment, the starter bundle’s ideal, as it includes a large selection of materials, the most important tools and – my personal highlight – a trimmer.
The manufacturer has based The Joy 2’s functionality on the larger model Joy Xtra. I’m most excited about three of the new features Cricut mentions: the revised design program, which aims to simplify handling, the improved Print-Then-Cut sensor, which is said to make it easier to process stickers from a standard printer, and the new scoring tool to create folds.
In theory, creating stickers already worked with earlier cutting machines, but various users experienced difficulties, as this Reddit forum (thread in German) shows. Stickers with dark colours proved to be particularly tricky to make with the former sensor. Fellow editor Michelle Brändle also mentioned this in her article on the Joy Xtra.
The sticker test: colourful motifs and three types of foil
I want to put the Joy 2 through its paces and make my own stickers. To do this, I create a few motifs and print them on various materials: two of the included printable vinyl foils, iridescent sticker paper by Silhouette and label paper by Avery Zweckform.
Design Space: more user-friendly, but problems in print preparation
Before I get to printing, I create my designs in the new Cricut Design Space, which is much more streamlined and tidy than before the update. Because it’s more user-friendly, I find it easier to keep track of all my projects. Inserting and customising stickers is intuitive.
After just a few mouse clicks, my first compilation is ready for printing. However, the user-friendliness ends when it comes to arranging the stickers. The program tries and usually fails to arrange the stickers in a space-saving way. If you want to correct this, you have to rotate and move each sticker individually – all while staying exactly within the red dotted line or it will jump back to its original position. It’s a bit of a faff.
Source: Screenshot Cricut Design Space
Once I’ve arranged everything nicely, there’s usually enough space to squeeze in more stickers. I want to make full use of the available space, but unfortunately, this view doesn’t allow you to duplicate anything. Instead, you need to return to the workspace and duplicate the stickers there. In doing so, you lose any space-saving arrangements you’ve previously made. The same happens when you adjust the paper format.
Source: Screenshot Cricut Design Space
Easy printing, almost trouble-free cutting
Once I’ve arranged the stickers, everything works like clockwork. The program guides me step by step through the printing process. As soon as I’ve selected the correct feed tray, paper and format, the printer gets to work. I then cut the sticker paper in half along the inserted line so that it fits into the mini cutting machine.
Source: Screenshot Cricut Design Space
As usual with Cricut projects, I fix my projects to the mat before cutting. The Joy 2 recognises the sticker foil as soon as it comes into contact with the feed rollers and checks whether it’s positioned correctly. Once everything’s fine, it starts the cutting process automatically. Unfortunately, there’s no manual start or eject button. This means if the Joy 2 doesn’t start cutting, all you can do is sit and wait for a miracle. Sometimes it works after a few attempts, other times I have to restart the project or disconnect the device. As far as I know, there’s no better solution.
Three materials, two good results and one borderline case
First things first: the cutting machine recognised every material I used and cut out the stickers along their silhouette. It even handled dark motifs without any problems. Both the label stickers and the stickers made from the brand’s own material could be easily peeled off. Only the iridescent stickers caused problems. The cut was there, but it wasn’t deep enough, probably because the wrong blade was used.
Fold, draw, cut – creating postcards with a clean edge
Creating folds wasn’t possible with the Joy Xtra, but it is with the Joy 2. The bundle includes a folding tool and the Cardmap, a cutting mat specially designed for folded cards.
In the workspace, you define where a fold, a line or a cut needs to be. The Design Space then tells you which tool to use and when. A postcard is created just as quickly as stickers. I love this device.
If you’re like me and want to become a sticker maniac, here’s how to start a project:
In a nutshell
Perfect cutting machine for your desk
The Joy 2 is ideal for beginners or anyone who wants to create their own small creative projects. With a maximum material width of 13.9 centimetres, it’s perfect to make stickers or postcards. The attractive bundle contains various types of papers and foil, a trimmer, two cutting mats, a card map and starter tools. Unfortunately, there’s no manual start button. This occasionally forced me to restart the Joy 2 or close the project. Nevertheless, it does a good job and works well with different types of material, including those from other brands.
Pro
- Compact size, perfect for a desk
- Ideal to create stickers or postcards
- Attractive bundle price
- Easy cutting
Contra
- Cutter can only be started via the Design Space
Header image: Stefanie Lechthaler
Painting the walls just before handing over the flat? Making your own kimchi? Soldering a broken raclette oven? There's nothing you can't do yourself. Well, perhaps sometimes, but I'll definitely give it a try.
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