Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional maker, the LOKLiK iCraft is making waves as a formidable rival to long-standing craft cutters. With a massive 5,200g of cutting force, it’s a powerhouse designed to handle far more than just paper.
If you’re wondering exactly what you can load onto that cutting mat, here is the ultimate guide to the 100+ materials the iCraft can tackle.
1. The "Daily Drivers": Vinyl & Paper
Most crafters start here, and the iCraft excels at high-precision cuts for these thinner materials using the Fine-Point Blade.
- Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV): Perfect for custom t-shirts, tote bags, and hats.
- Adhesive Vinyl: For car decals, water bottles, and home signage.
- Cardstock & Glitter Paper: Essential for cake toppers, greeting cards, and 3D paper crafts.
- Vellum, Acetate, & Mylar: Ideal for delicate overlays and custom stencils.
- Sticker Paper: Combined with the iCraft’s "Print-then-Cut" feature, you can turn any digital design into a professional-grade sticker.
2. The "Heavy Hitters": Thick & Tough Materials
Because of its high cutting force (significantly higher than many competitors), the iCraft can slice through materials that usually require a lot of "hacking." You’ll want the Deep-Point Blade for these:
- Faux Leather & Real Leather: Craft earrings, keychains, and wallet components.
- EVA Foam: A dream for cosplayers making armor or prop details.
- Magnet Sheets: Create custom fridge magnets or car signage.
- Shrink Plastic: Make your own charms and jewelry.
- Chipboard & Heavy Cardboard: Perfect for structural boxes and sturdier 3D models.
- Wood Veneer: Great for high-end bookmarks, wedding invitations, or inlaid designs.
- Balsa Wood: Create 3D models or sturdy wooden signs.
3. Fabric
The LOKLiK iCraft features a specialized Pink Fabric Grip Mat designed specifically for textile projects. Unlike the standard mats, the pink mat is engineered to hold fibers in place without leaving a sticky residue on your cloth.
The Golden Rule for Fabric: To achieve clean, precise cuts without fraying or jamming, the iCraft requires the use of Bonded Fabric. This means your fabric must be backed with a stabilizer (like Heat-n-Bond, Wonder-Under, or fusible interfacing) before being placed on the mat.
Why "Bonded" Matters:
"Bonding" your fabric turns it from a loose weave into a stable sheet, similar to paper. Without the bonding agent, the drag of the blade can pull the threads, leading to jagged edges or "chewed" fabric. Once your design is cut, you can usually peel off the backing and iron the fabric directly onto your final project!
Fabrics You Can Cut:
- 100% Cotton: Perfect for quilting squares and detailed appliques.
- Denim & Canvas: Great for sturdy patches or heavy-duty decor.
- Polyester & Blends: Ideal for custom apparel accents.
- Felt: Use for plushies, ornaments, and kids' crafts (the stabilizer helps the blade glide through the fuzz).
- Flannel: Soft textures for baby items or cozy appliques.
4. Wood Veneer & Balsa Wood
Because the iCraft features a professional-grade motor and 5,200g of force, it can handle softwoods that usually stall other machines. It is capable of cutting materials up to 2mm thick.
- Wood Veneer: Create high-end bookmarks, wedding invitations, or inlaid designs.
- Balsa Wood: Ideal for lightweight 3D models, architectural prototypes, and aircraft models.
Pro Tips for Wood:
Deep-Point Blade Required: You must use the Deep-Point Blade (60° angle) to cut through the density of wood.
The Purple Mat is King: Always use the Purple Strong Grip Mat for wood. We recommend adding a border of painter's tape around the edges of the wood to ensure it doesn't shift during the multiple passes.
Pro Tip: Choose the Right Mat
| Mat Color | Grip Strength | Best For... |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Light Grip | Vellum, Thin Paper, Washi Tape |
| Green | Standard Grip | Vinyl (HTV/Adhesive), Cardstock |
| Purple | Strong Grip | Balsa Wood, Wood Veneer, Leather, EVA Foam |
| Pink | Fabric Grip | Bonded Fabrics Only (Cotton, Denim, Felt) |
Quick Reference: Matching Blades to Materials
| Blade Type | Recommended Materials |
|---|---|
| Fine-Point Blade | Paper, Vinyl (HTV/Adhesive), Washi Tape, Thin Cardstock |
| Deep-Point Blade | Faux Leather, Magnet Sheets, EVA Foam, Thick Cardboard |
| Scoring Tool | Creating fold lines in cardstock and boxes |
| Foil Transfer Tool | Adding metallic accents to cards and invitations |
Maximum Cutting Thickness & Depth
The LOKLiK iCraft is a powerhouse in the hobby world, capable of cutting materials up to 2mm thick with the appropriate deep-point blade. While its massive 5,200g of cutting force allows it to power through dense items like balsa wood, leather, and heavy chipboard, it is important to remember that thickness and density work together; for materials at the 2mm limit, you may need to select multiple passes (often 2 to 4) in the IdeaStudio software to ensure a clean cut all the way through. For standard materials like vinyl and cardstock, the machine typically handles them in a single pass, providing precision down to 0.01mm.
| Material Type | Recommended Blade | Recommended Mat | Suggested Passes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Vinyl | Fine-Point (45°) | Green | 1 Pass |
| Glitter Cardstock | Fine-Point (45°) | Green or Purple | 1–2 Passes |
| Bonded Cotton | Deep-Point (60°) | Pink | 1–2 Passes |
| Felt (Bonded) | Deep-Point (60°) | Pink | 2 Passes |
| Faux Leather | Deep-Point (60°) | Purple | 2–3 Passes |
| Balsa Wood (up to 2 mm) | Deep-Point (60°) | Purple + Tape | 3–4 Passes |
| Heavy Chipboard | Deep-Point (60°) | Purple + Tape | 4+ Passes |
A Quick Note on "Force"
The iCraft is unique because it uses a dual scale for cutting pressure in the IdeaStudio software:
LOKLiK/HTVRONT Materials: Uses a scale of 1.0 to 11.0.
Other Brands: Uses a scale of 100 to 800.
If you find that a material isn't cutting through even at the maximum force of 11.0, don't just keep cranking the pressure—try adding an extra pass instead. This preserves the life of your blade and prevents the material from tearing!
Note: While the iCraft is incredibly powerful, it is not designed to cut or engrave metal, thick wood, or glass. For those, you’d want to look at a laser engraver like the LOKLiK iEngrave.
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