What is a Cricut Universal Keypad Overlay?

What is a Cricut Universal Keypad Overlay?

by Sean Curran

Did you know that you only need one Universal Overlay for all square-shaped cartridges? These cartridges were all launched after August 2013. Sometimes they are referred to as "SM" cartridges, or just "small" cartridges. Because you only need one universal overlay for these 80+ cartridges, it means just one overlay to learn, organize, and store!

*The Universal Keypad Overlay is sold separately. It is available for purchase here.

Universal Keypad Overlay explained:

In this post we will be breaking down the differences between the two styles of cartridges and why you need to be using all cartridges to maximize your creativity. It is important to note that ALL Cricut Cartridges will work with ALL Cricut Machines (with the exception of the obsolete Cricut Mini Machine). But as you probably know, there are two different ways to use Cricut Cartridges, depending on if the cartridge was designed before August 2013 (traditional way), or if it was designed after (updated way), and also depending on which Cricut Machine you are using. There are new Cricut Cartridge users everyday and this is one of the trickiest things to understand as they get started, depending on which style of cartridge they are first introduced to. Yet both the traditional way and updated way are super easy to use, and neither slow down Cricut creators from finding their inspiration.

Traditional Cartridges: Designed before August 2013. These cartridges work with all Cricut Machines.

Every Cricut cartridge prior to August of 2013 was made with its own unique keypad overlay and instructional handbook. It's easy to tell which cartridges will have their own overlay, versus requiring a Universal Keypad Overlay. It's pretty easy to spot the traditional way of designing with Cricut. One indicator is the cartridge storage binders will be tall and rectangular shaped, and its dimensions are about 8x4x2 inches. Another hint would be that it includes a keypad overlay, and the overlay is specifically designed for the cartridge it came with. The keypad overlay will be included when you purchase one of these cartridges. An example of one of these titles is Wrap it Up Cricut Cartridge. These cartridges will work with all Cricut die-cutting machines, but you particularly get the most use out of them with legacy machines; Expression, Expression 2, Personal Cutter, Create, Imagine, and Cake Machines. The Expression 2 and Imagine will not use overlay in general, as they have touchscreen keypads built into the machines.You can also link all of your Cricut Cartridges to Design Space by using a USB Cricut Cartridge adapter and connecting it to your computer. That way the content on the cartridges are compatible with machines such as Explore and Maker.

Updated/Small/SM Cartridges: Cricut Cartridges designed after August of 2013 require a Universal Keypad Overlay. These cartridges work with all Cricut Machines.

These cartridges are easy to spot. The cartridge binder is half the size as the traditional cartridges, which is great for saving space. They come in a square-shaped storage binder, which is about 4x4x2 inches. Inside is the cartridge and a square-shaped instructional booklet that will give you step-by-step instructions on how to use the cartridge with the Universal Overlay. The Universal Overlay is not included inside the cartridge binder, it is sold separately. You can purchase one here. The good news is you only need one Universal Overlay. Your Universal Overlay is compatible with all square-shaped cartridges. One example of these cartridges is 3D Floral Home Decor Cricut Cartridge. These newer cartridges have the same amount of great content as the older cartridges, they just take up a lot less room on the craft shelf. It's nice to save some space with these cartridges, and its great to have this universal approach where you can expect consistent and efficient instructions and tips for your Cricut. Each cartridge has its own instructional handbook that goes hand in hand with the Universal Keyboard Overlay. These newer cartridges will work the same way as the older ones as far as machine compatibility. These cartridges will work with all Cricut die-cutting machines, but you particularly get the most use out of them with legacy machines; Expression, Expression 2, Personal Cutter, Create, Imagine, and Cake Machines. The Expression 2 and Imagine will not need the overlays, as they have touchscreen keypads built into the machines.You can also link all of your Cricut Cartridges to Design Space by using a USB Cricut Cartridge adapter and connecting it to your computer while logged in to Design Space. That way the content on the cartridges are even compatible with the Cricut Maker, as you link them to your Design Space account. Cricut Explore Machines all have a Cartridge port where you can plug in your cartridge to the machine and it will load it directly into Design Space. No need for an additional Cricut Cartridge Adapter unless you are using Maker.

Recap:

If the cartridge storage binder is rectangular-shaped then it was designed with its own unique keypad overlay. If it is square-shaped then it will require a Universal Keypad Overlay when using it with specific Legacy machines. The Universal Keypad Overlay is the new way of designing and cutting with Cricut Cartridges and Cricut Machines. You only need one Universal Keypad Overlay as they work with all of the small, square-shaped cartridges and legacy Cricut Machines (i.e., Cricut Expression Machine, Original Personal Cricut Machine V1, Cricut Create Machine, and Cricut Cake Machines). The cartridges made before 2013 are taller and rectangular-shaped, and come with a keypad overlay designed for that specific cartridge. The smaller, square-shaped cartridges like the ones made by Anna Griffin, for example, are designed to work with the Universal Keypad Overlay. In total there are 450+ Cricut Cartridges. The last 100 or so cartridges that released are these updated, small, square-shaped cartridges made after 2013 that will work in conjunction with the Universal Keypad Overlay. Each handbook is inside the cartridge binder and it will explain how to use the Universal Keypad Overlay. There are also many tutorials online.

Cricut Machines that require the use of a cartridge and overlay:

  • Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter
  • Cricut Expression
  • Cricut Create
  • Cricut Cake Expression
  • Cricut Cake Mini

Cricut Cartridges that require a Universal Keypad Overlay:

*Cartridge titles with links below will take you to the item available for sale on CraftyCartridges.com.

Cricut Cartridges were designed with (and include) their own unique keyboard overlay. These cartridges are not compatible with a Universal Keypad Overlay.

  • 3 Birds Life’s a Party
    3 Birds on Parade
    9 Months
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    A Frightful Affair
    A Quilted Christmas
    Accent Essentials
    All Mixed Up
    All Occasion Collection
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    Best of Cricut Cards
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    Creative Memories – Holiday Frames and tags
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    Creative Memories – This & That Cricut Cartridge
    Creative Memories – Tiny Treasures
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    Cricut Alphabet
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    Don Juan
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    Nickelodeon – SpongeBob Squarepants
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    Pack Your Bags
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    Paper Dolls Teen Scene
    Paper Lace
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    Paper Play
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    Pet Shop
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    Princess Party
    Printing 101
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    Speaking of School
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    Splish Splash
    Sports Mania
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    Spring Fever Seasonal
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    Stamped
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    Stone Script
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    Street Sign
    Stretch your Imagination
    Suburbia
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    Summer Bliss Seasonal
    Summer Celebrations
    Summer in Paris
    Summer Vacation
    Sweater Weather
    Sweet Shop
    Sweet Tooth Boxes
    Sweet Treats
    Sweethearts
    Tablescapes Fall & Winter
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    Tags, Bags, Boxes & More
    Tags, Bags, Boxes & More 2
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    Tear Drop
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    Teresa Collins – Chic & Scary
    Teresa Collins – December 25th
    Thanksgiving
    The First Few Years
    Tie the Knot
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    Trick or Treat
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    Ultimate Creative Sampler
    Varsity Letter
    Victorian Romance
    Walk in My Garden
    Wall Decor and More
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    Wild Card
    Wild Card 2
    Wildlife
    Winter Frolic
    Winter Lace
    Winter Woodland
    Winter’s in the Air Seasonal
    Word Builders 1 A Word Party
    Word Builders 2 A Garden of Words
    Word Builders 3 An Ocean of Words
    Word Collage
    Word of Mouth
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Cricut Cartridges designed to ONLY work with the Cricut Imagine Machine and Cricut Expression 2 Machine. These machines are NOT compatible with Cricut Cartridge overlays., as they have a built in digital display/touch screen.

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    Yummy12
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