Owning a Cricut machine is wonderful! There is so much you can do with it. But sometimes you want to venture out beyond the means of what Cricut provides, like with Cricut pens.
I don’t know about you, but there have been many times I wish I could use a Sharpie or Bic marker with my Cricut machine.
So what if I told you there was a stupid simple easy way to make almost ANY pen work with your Cricut?!
Are you doing your happy dance?
Well, if you aren’t yet, you will by the end of this post. Not only am I going to give you the full tutorial on how to use non-Cricut brand pens
(video at the end of this post) but also a large list of both non-Cricut and the best Cricut brand pens to use with your machine!
This tutorial will work with Cricut Explore Air, Cricut Explore Air 2 and the Cricut Maker machines.
Brand new to the world of Cricut? Be sure to check out my Cricut resource section on the blog!
This post contains affiliate links.
How to use any pen with your Cricut machine
So are you ready for the secret sauce? Here it is…
THIS pen adapter set will transform your world of pens for Cricut use. For those of you who may not know, inside of clamp A on your Cricut machine you have a pen adapter. And this adapter is actually removable!
That means you can change out the Cricut adapter for new ones that will hold a variety of different brand pens.
The best part? Even if one of the adapters is labeled “BIC markers” to use with BIC pens, that doesn’t mean there may not be other brand pens that work with that adapter!
I discovered that my Tombow duel brush pens work with the Uni-ball Signo adapter. Can you say, hello flawless brush calligraphy?!
Best Cricut Pens to Use
Non-Cricut Pens (you will need this pen adapter set here)
- Sharpie Fine Point (Regular, Metallic & Neon)
- Sharpie Ultra Fine Point
- Sharpie Pen Art Pen
- Pilot Precise (V5 & V7)
- Bic Marking (Fine & Ultra Fine)
- Bic Cristal
- Sakura Gelly Roll
- Amaza Gel Pens
- Sharpie Oil-Based Paint (fine and extra fine)
- Uni-ball Signo UM-153
- Tombow Brush Pens (use with Uni-ball adapter)
—- Crayola —-
Cricut Brand Pens
- Cricut Ultimate Fine-point pen set
- Cricut Black pen set
- Cricut Glitter Gel pen set
- Cricut Peacock pen set
- Cricut Calligraphy Black pen set
- Cricut Candy Shop pen set
How excited are you to try new pens out with your Cricut machine?! Tell me below in the comments and be sure to watch the video below on how to change the pen adapter on your machine!
Changing Your Cricut Pen Adapter
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Holly Cassidy says
Will these adapters work with a Maker?
Abbi says
Yes! I use them with my Maker all the time. 🙂
FierceFluff says
Do you know of any edible markers/pens that can be used with the cricut?
Abbi says
While I am not sure exactly which pen would work with Cricut I’m sure one of the pen adapters in the link above would probably fit something like this: https://amzn.to/2M0zsQv
Patricia says
Will these work with Cricut Explorer One?
Abbi says
Yes they will!
Becky says
Wow! How cool. I had no idea this was possible!
rocio says
HELLO I HAVE A QUESTION, I DIDNT REALIZED I PURCHASED CRICUT EXPLORE PENS AND I HAVE A CRICUT MAKER. WOULD I STILL BE ABLE TO USE THEM. OR I NEED THESE APPLICATORS
Abbi says
Cricut pens work seamlessly with both Explore and Makers. The adapters come into play when you want to use a non-cricut pen. 🙂
Terri says
Will these work with the Expressions?
Abbi says
Hi Terri!
If the Expressions has a pen adapter then I don’t see why not! 🙂
Denise says
I’m new to this I bought a use explorer air. I’m trying to use the design space I created a picture I want to put on vinyl.The blade won’t come down is that because I don’t have a pen in the place for it.
Abbi says
Hi! The blade will work without a pen. It sounds like the blade may not be installed in the clamp properly. You may want to google Cricut help to see a video of how this is done. More than likely the blade just needs to be pushed down into the clamp. 🙂
Audra Johnston says
I cant seem to find the link for the pen adapters for the Cricut Air 2. Is it still available? Thank you. Audra
Abbi says
Hi! Yes, you can purchase it here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/485896064/ultimate-cricut-exploremaker-pen-adapter?ref=shop_home_feat_2&bes=1&source=aw&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=us_location_buyer&utm_term=3657&awc=6220_1580261085_3a0ff0ce9377bf9741888e23e7266d5c&utm_content=542181
Linda Matola says
Do you know if the adapter will work for Marvy uchida dual tip pens?
Abbi says
Hi Linda! I haven’t tried that exact brand but I have used many other similar brands like Tombow dual brush pens and they work well!
Kelly says
Thanks! This worked great! I even tried pens that were not listed and most of them fit in one of the holders.
Penny says
This is so great! I love that I can use other pens!
Gail says
This is incredible! I have this set and would love to see how the Tombow writes when used. Which fonts do you use when using the Tombow?
Abbi says
I’ve used anything with a thin style calligraphy script with success. 🙂
Fran Kress says
Are your free classes for Cricut Joy?
Can I use the Cricut Ultimate Fine point pen set with my cricut joy. Someone gave me a box if pens for the cricut explore machine.
Abbi says
Cricut Joy will require Cricut brand compatible pens for the Joy only because the machine is smaller.
Betty says
This is so cool! I love your site!
Marmalade says
Hi, how do I use a non-cricut pen for my Cricut Joy machine?
Abbi says
Because the cricut joy is a smaller machine they will require only Cricut brand pens. 🙂
Alba says
Can i use on the Cricut Joy?
Abbi says
Unfortunately the Cricut Joy has a unique pen holder compared to the other machines so this tutorial will not work.