What Cricut Subscription Covers

Cricut offers two main subscription tiers: Cricut Access and Cricut Access Premium. Both unlock designs, fonts, and features you cannot use without paying. Cricut Access costs around $10 per month or $95 per year. Cricut Access Premium costs around $120 per year and includes a monthly shipment of physical materials — vinyl, iron-on, cardstock — sent to your home.

Without a subscription, you can use Cricut's design software and your machine to cut materials, but you are limited to a small library of free designs. Most of the designs in Cricut's catalog — hundreds of thousands of them — require either a subscription or a one-time purchase per design. The subscription gives you unlimited access to that entire library instead of paying per design.

Both subscription levels also include monthly deals on individual designs and projects, discounts on Cricut materials and tools, and access to Cricut's design apps and tutorials. Premium adds the physical materials box, which Cricut says contains enough supplies for multiple projects each month.

Key Takeaways

  • Cricut Access ($10/month or $95/year) unlocks unlimited access to Cricut's design library; without it, most designs cost extra or are unavailable.
  • Cricut Access Premium ($120/year) includes everything in Access plus a monthly box of vinyl, iron-on, cardstock, and other materials shipped to your door.
  • You can cancel either subscription at any time; Cricut does not lock you into a contract or charge cancellation fees.
  • The subscription covers designs and materials only — you still need to buy a Cricut cutting machine separately if you do not already own one.
  • Free designs remain free whether you have a subscription or not; the subscription expands what is available, not what is required.

How to Start and Cancel a Subscription

To start a subscription, you create a Cricut account on Cricut.com or in the Cricut Design Space app, then choose your plan from the subscription page. You enter a payment method and confirm. Your subscription begins immediately, and you can start using designs from the library right away.

Cricut charges your payment method on the same day each month (for monthly plans) or each year (for annual plans). You can change your payment method or billing address in your account settings at any time.

To cancel, log into your Cricut account, go to Account Settings, find the Subscription section, and select Cancel Subscription. Cricut asks you why you are canceling but does not require you to answer. Once you confirm cancellation, your subscription ends at the end of your current billing period — you keep access until that date, then lose it. Cricut does not offer refunds for partial months or years.

What Happens When Your Subscription Ends

When your subscription expires, you lose access to the design library. Any designs you downloaded while subscribed remain on your machine and in your account, but you cannot download new ones from the library. You can still use free designs and any designs you purchased individually before the subscription ended.

If you have Cricut Access Premium, your materials box stops arriving. Any box already shipped before your cancellation date will still be delivered, but no future boxes will be sent.

You can restart a subscription at any time by logging back into your account and selecting a plan. Cricut does not penalize you for canceling and restarting — you simply pay for the months or years you use.

Comparing Subscription Cost to Buying Designs One at a Time

Individual Cricut designs typically cost between $0.99 and $4.99 each, though some specialty designs cost more. If you use more than 20 designs per year, a Cricut Access annual subscription ($95) usually costs less than buying them individually. If you use fewer designs, buying them one at a time may be cheaper.

Cricut Access Premium ($120/year) makes sense if you regularly use materials and want a steady supply delivered monthly. The materials box typically contains vinyl, iron-on, cardstock, and specialty papers. If you already buy these materials separately, Premium may offset its cost. If you rarely use materials or prefer to choose your own, the standard Access plan is usually the better choice.

Subscription Discounts and Trial Periods

Cricut occasionally offers discounts on annual subscriptions, particularly during holiday sales or when promoting new machines. These discounts appear on Cricut.com and are usually advertised via email to existing customers. There is no standard trial period, but Cricut sometimes offers the first month at a reduced rate for new subscribers.

If you buy a new Cricut machine, the box sometimes includes a code for a free month or discounted period of Cricut Access. Check your machine's packaging or the welcome email from Cricut to see if your purchase included a code.

What You Need to Know About Design Ownership

Designs you download through your subscription are yours to use, but you do not own the design itself. Cricut's terms allow you to use downloaded designs for personal projects and for selling physical items you make (like t-shirts or mugs), but you cannot resell the design file itself or claim it as your own creation.

If your subscription ends, you keep the designs you downloaded, but you cannot download new ones. The designs you have are permanent — Cricut does not delete them from your account or machine when your subscription expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Cricut machine without a subscription?

Yes. You can cut materials and use free designs without any subscription. A subscription only unlocks the paid design library and materials box. Your machine works the same way whether you subscribe or not.

Do I lose my designs if I cancel my subscription?

No. Designs you downloaded while subscribed stay in your account and on your machine. You simply cannot download new designs from the library once your subscription ends. Any designs you bought individually before canceling also remain yours.

Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?

Cricut does not offer a pause feature. You can cancel and restart whenever you want, but there is no way to temporarily suspend a subscription. If you think you might resubscribe later, canceling and restarting is the same as pausing.

What payment methods does Cricut accept?

Cricut accepts major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and PayPal. You enter your payment method when you start your subscription and can update it in your account settings anytime.

Is there a difference between subscribing on the website versus the app?

No. Your subscription works across both Cricut.com and the Cricut Design Space app. You manage your subscription in your account settings, and it applies to both platforms. Billing is the same regardless of where you start.