Cricut Access is a monthly or annual subscription that unlocks design files, fonts, and project templates for Cricut cutting machines
Cricut Access gives you a library of ready-to-cut designs, fonts, and project instructions. You pay a monthly or yearly fee to keep the subscription active. When your subscription ends, you lose access to those designs and fonts — you keep any projects you've already downloaded, but you cannot download new ones or use the subscription-only fonts.
The subscription comes in two tiers: Cricut Access (standard) and Cricut Access Premium. Both unlock the same design library and fonts. The Premium tier adds a monthly physical item shipment — usually vinyl, cardstock, or other cutting materials — and removes ads from the Cricut Design Space app. Standard Access has no physical items included.
Key Takeaways
- Cricut Access Standard costs $9.99 per month or $95.88 per year (about $8 per month if paid annually), and Premium costs $119.88 per year.
- Both tiers unlock the same 100,000+ designs, 1,000+ fonts, and project templates; Premium adds monthly materials and removes app ads.
- You can download designs and fonts while subscribed, but lose access to new downloads if you cancel — already-downloaded files remain on your computer.
- A free trial period is usually offered when you first sign up, so you can test the library before paying.
- Cricut also sells individual designs and fonts outside the subscription, so you can buy one-time purchases if you only need a few items.
Monthly and Annual Pricing
Cricut Access Standard is $9.99 per month on a month-to-month plan. If you pay for a full year upfront, the cost is $95.88 annually, which works out to $7.99 per month. You can switch between monthly and annual billing, though you cannot get a refund if you switch from annual to monthly mid-year.
Cricut Access Premium is $119.88 per year only — there is no monthly option for Premium. That breaks down to $9.99 per month if paid annually. The Premium tier includes a box of materials (vinyl, cardstock, or other supplies) shipped to you each month, and it removes advertisements from the Design Space app.
Cricut frequently runs promotional pricing for new subscribers, typically offering the first month at a reduced rate or free. These offers appear when you first create an account or when you visit the Cricut website. Existing subscribers do not usually receive these promotions when they renew.
What's Included in the Design Library
The subscription gives you access to over 100,000 designs, 1,000+ fonts, and hundreds of project templates. Designs cover categories like home décor, apparel, cards, vinyl decals, and seasonal items. You can search by keyword, browse by category, or filter by material type (vinyl, cardstock, paper, etc.). All designs work with any Cricut cutting machine — Explore, Maker, Joy, or Venture.
Fonts in the library include both standard typefaces and decorative styles. You can use them in the Design Space app to customize any project. Fonts are subscription-only, meaning you cannot download them to your computer to use in other software — they only work within Design Space while your subscription is active.
Project templates are pre-designed layouts with step-by-step instructions. They include material lists, cutting settings, and assembly guidance. Templates are useful if you want a finished project quickly without designing from scratch. Many templates are free to all users; others require an active subscription.
How Downloads and Access Work After Cancellation
When you download a design or font while subscribed, the file is saved to your Cricut account and your computer. If you cancel your subscription, you keep those downloaded files permanently. You can continue to use them in Design Space and cut them with your machine.
What you lose after cancellation is the ability to download new designs and fonts from the library. You also lose access to subscription-only fonts if you try to open a project that uses them — Design Space will replace them with a default font. If you re-subscribe later, your downloaded files are still there, and you regain access to the full library.
This means you can use a subscription strategically: subscribe for a month, download dozens of designs you want to use, then cancel and use those files indefinitely. You pay once and keep the designs forever, though you cannot access new library content until you subscribe again.
Free Trial and How to Start
New Cricut accounts usually receive a free trial period — typically 30 days, though the length varies by promotion. During the trial, you have full access to all designs, fonts, and templates. You do not need to enter a payment method to start the trial, though Cricut will ask for one before the trial ends if you want to continue.
To start, you create a free Cricut account on the Cricut website or in the Design Space app. You then select the subscription tier (Standard or Premium) and confirm the trial offer. On the last day of the trial, Cricut sends an email reminder. If you do nothing, the subscription converts to a paid plan using the payment method you provided.
You can cancel the subscription at any time through your account settings. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — if you cancel mid-month on a monthly plan, you keep access until the next billing date. If you cancel an annual plan, you lose access at the end of that year.
Cricut Access Premium Materials Box
The Premium tier includes a monthly shipment of Cricut-branded materials. Each box typically contains one or two rolls or sheets of vinyl, cardstock, specialty paper, or other cutting supplies. The contents vary month to month and are chosen by Cricut, not by you.
Materials are shipped to the address on your Cricut account. Shipping is included in the Premium price. The box arrives around the same date each month. If you need to update your shipping address, you can do so in your account settings.
The materials are useful if you cut regularly and want a steady supply of stock. If you have specific material preferences or already buy supplies elsewhere, the monthly box may not add value for you. Standard Access does not include materials, so you would need to purchase supplies separately.
Alternatives to Subscription: One-Time Purchases
Cricut sells individual designs and fonts outside the subscription. You can buy a single design for $0.99 to $4.99, depending on complexity. Fonts cost $1.99 to $3.99 each. Once purchased, they are yours permanently — no subscription required to use them.
This option works well if you only need a few specific designs or fonts. If you plan to cut regularly and want access to thousands of options, the subscription is usually cheaper than buying individual items. A subscription pays for itself after you purchase roughly 10 to 15 designs.
You can also find free designs on the Cricut website and in Design Space. These are limited compared to the subscription library, but they cost nothing and require no subscription. Free designs are a good way to test your machine and learn Design Space before committing to a paid plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?
Cricut does not offer a pause feature. You can cancel and re-subscribe later, but you cannot freeze a subscription temporarily. If you cancel and re-subscribe within a short time, you may receive a promotional offer to return.
Do I need Cricut Access to use my cutting machine?
No. You can use a Cricut machine without any subscription. You can upload your own designs, use free designs from Cricut, or purchase individual designs. The subscription is optional and only unlocks the full design library and fonts.
What happens to my designs if Cricut shuts down the service?
Designs you have downloaded to your computer remain yours. Designs stored only in the cloud may be lost if the service closes. To protect your work, download designs you care about to your computer and keep backups.
Can I share my subscription with family members?
Each person needs their own Cricut account to access the subscription. You cannot share a single subscription across multiple accounts. However, multiple people can use the same cutting machine if they log into Design Space with different accounts.
Is there a student or teacher discount?
Cricut occasionally runs discounts for educators and students, but these are promotional and not permanent. Check the Cricut website or contact their support team to see if a current discount is available for your situation.