What are the features that make for the best printer for Cricut? First and foremost, it comes down to the compatibility between your printer and the Cricut cutting machine. You don’t want to spend a lot of time and money finding the best printer for your needs just to find out that it doesn’t work with your Cricut. In this sense, the top rated printers for Cricut usually offer wireless connectivity to your mobile device or computer.
A close second is your printer’s ability to work with a wide range of paper types. Your Cricut machine can work with virtually any type of paper, and you want the printer you buy to do the same. The same goes for paper sizes. Most Cricut cutting machines can work with paper up to 12 inches wide, so you’ll want to be sure your printer can handle the same.
Finally, the best printer to use with Cricut machines can also function as standard home printers for any of your document or photo printing needs. They should offer all the same features and functionalities you’ve come to expect from a high-quality home printer. Keep reading to learn more about the best printers for Cricut.
Top Printers For Cricut
#1 Cricut Explore Air 2 Printer
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: We adore this printer for the slew of different printing modes that it comes with. And that is achieved through the enormous amount of printing tools it comes with.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Includes Bluetooth for wireless printing
- Has built-in storage compartments for the included tools
- Two weeks worth of free access to Circuit Access
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Uploading a custom design is not free
- Many reliability issues
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
The Cricut Explore Air 2 Printer comes equipped with the brand’s “Premium Fine-Point Blade” for precisely cutting almost every material for plotting purposes. On top of that, it has many different printing modes for giving users the liberty to create most custom designs without any hassle, just as they want. It also comes with two weeks’ worth of free Circuit Access, the cloud platform you need to use with this printer for storage. But uploads aren’t free after that period.
It has built-in Bluetooth for wireless printing from smartphones and tablets. And besides its storage compartments for its included tools, it also has a sturdy dock for holding smartphones and tablets in order to take inspiration from thousands of available custom designs from other users while printing. It also has support for many premium printing materials like HTV vinyl, adhesive foils, faux leather, cardstock, etc., for making stickers, making this a great cardstock printer.
#2 Cricut Explore 3 Machine Printer
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: We love how fast this printer is even while printing complex designs. It is also compatible with the brand’s much more advanced intelligent printing items.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Extremely fast printing speeds
- Compatible with the brand’s newer innovative printing mediums
- Includes six different tools for precise cutting
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Does not have a smartphone holder/dock
- Does not have any USB port for charging external devices
- It does not work with 12 inches or longer printing mediums
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
The Cricut Explore 3 Machine Printer is a supremely fast device, even while working with complicated printing textiles. It is almost twice as fast as competing models, and unlike many, it doesn’t even need a machine mat to reduce the noise and vibrations at that speed. It will also give you access to hundreds of ready-to-make custom printing projects on the brand’s portal, which you can take inspiration from. However, it does not have a smartphone dock.
Its whole UI and functions are also very user-friendly overall, and best of all, this printer supports the brand’s newer intelligent printing items, which in most cases, will improve the outcome. But that does not mean that it does not support more conventional printing items like card stocks, bonded fabric, glitter, etc., for printing stickers and custom skins for electronic devices. It has six different cutting tools for precisely cutting a vast number of printing items.
#3 Cricut Joy Machine Compact Printer
Award: BEST FOR LARGE PRINTS
WHY WE LIKE IT: We mainly like how well this printer handles large printing works without requiring any substantial rearrangement or modifications. And that will be highly convenient to veteran crafters for saving time.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Includes almost every piece of equipment necessary for professional-level cutting
- Bluetooth support for wireless printing
- It gives access to fifty different ready to make projects for free
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- The UI isn’t very intuitive
- The plotter doesn’t function very well
- The user needs to subscribe in order to get access to the image library
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
The Cricut Joy Machine Compact Printer is ideal for both new users and veterans for the extreme simplicity that it offers. It comes with an included 4. 5 inches x 6. 5 inches grip mat and a fine point pen, which is pretty much all you need to get started. And with the Cricut Access subscription, you get access to thousands of customizable designs. But, its software’s user interface could have been a bit more intuitive.
Thanks to its simplistic design, this printer also has a very fast printing speed. And despite being compatible with 50+ printing materials, its premium blade design cuts through all of them with utmost precision. You can even plot out large projects using this printer without modifying anything. And that simplicity is treasured by professionals, as it drastically reduces the amount of work that goes behind multiple projects.
#4 Cricut Champagne Maker Digital Printer
Award: BEST VERSATILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: It has a large set of tools for cutting out even the most complex designs with ease, and best of all, they are user expandable.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Includes a phone docking system
- It has a USB port for charging external devices
- Rotary blade for increased versatility
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- The software is somewhat hard to use
- Replacement parts are not widely available
- Locked behind the brand’s own design space cloud platform
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
Despite specializing in cloth materials and textiles, the Cricut Champagne Maker Digital Printer swiftly cuts over 300 different printing materials, from balsa wood to premium vinyl. And that is mainly thanks to its extensive suite of cutting blades and other tools that it features. Both the knife blades and the rotary blades are as sharp as X-ACTO knives, which are perfect for precise cutting and writing. However, the replacement parts for these blades aren’t very widely available.
Along with its large number of cutting tools, this printer also comes included with two 12 inches x 12 inches cutting mats and a premium fine point pen. It also has a wide storage space inside its body for storing all the included blades within an easy-to-reach place. In addition to that, it has a dock that supports tablets and smartphones for making last-minute changes, and its USB port helps charge those external devices quickly for long crafting projects.
#5 Cricut Maker Beginner Bundle Printer
Award: MOST USER FRIENDLY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Thanks to its easy-to-understand guides and printing software, this crafting printer is almost perfect for novice users taking on challenging crafting projects for the first time.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- It includes a vast number of instrument options
- It comes included with the brand’s starter guide, glitter sheets, and two transfer pens
- It gives access to an inspiration ebook for novice users
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Requires a monthly subscription to continue functioning
- Subpar build quality
- It does not have a phone dock
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
Even though the Cricut Maker Beginner Bundle Printer is mostly used for fabric materials, it also supports more rigid materials like leather, metal, basswood, quilting, and foils for creative printing. It is also extremely easy to use for new users, mostly thanks to its simple printing software. And it comes bundled with a lot of printing instruments for fine-tuning your projects precisely. However, having a separate smartphone dock would have been even better for making last-minute changes.
Besides precision cutting, this printer also supports both engraving and debossing of different printing materials and can perforate and create waves on command. On top of that, it has built-in Bluetooth for wireless printing and editing, and the Cricut Design Space online software works very well from almost all platforms (smartphones, tablets, and PCs). Its included sewing kit is top-notch too, for combining all the parts and chunks that it plots out.
#6 Cricut Maker Vinyl Bundle Printer
Award: BEST USABILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: It is a superb crafting printer for professionals, as it features a large number of interchangeable cutting tools and supports over 300 printing materials.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Extremely easy to use application
- It gives access to a variety of digital sewing projects for free
- Includes a docking slot for smartphones and tablets
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- It doesn’t have access to the brand’s free upload service
- Build quality issues
- Loud operation
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
The Cricut Maker Vinyl e Printer comes with a ton of different printing modes for various printing materials and is best suited for professional usability. But that does not mean new users can’t take advantage of some of the advanced functionalities that it features. It includes a free trial of the Cricut Access cloud platform, where novice users can get access to 50 ready-to-make design ideas. But, it does not have access to the brand’s free upload service.
The application for designing your own custom designs is entirely free to use, so as long as you have sufficient storage on your device, not having access to an uploading service should mostly be a non-issue. It also has a built-in smartphone/tablet holder for fine-tuning your designs wirelessly at the last minute, and its USB port supports quick charging for those external monitors. Despite being free, the designing app is also extremely easy to use for both veterans and novice users alike.
Beginner’s Guide to Printers for Cricut
What Are Printers for Cricut?
If you own a Cricut cutting machine, you know that while it is an extremely versatile crafting tool, it lacks printing functionality. Since printing is an essential part of any crafter’s arsenal, having a printer that can work with your Cricut is a huge addition to your crafting toolkit.
Printers for Cricut give you the ability to print a graphic on nearly any type of paper or paper size and then insert that paper into your Cricut machine to cut it out. All in all, though, printers for Cricut are standard-size printers with a feature set that allows them to work seamlessly with your Cricut. If you also have photos in one of your gadgets that you need to print, a high quality portable photo printer should come in handy.
Printers for Cricut vs. Traditional Printers
If you were to compare Cricut printers and traditional printers side-by-side, you wouldn’t find any differences. That’s because the best printers for Cricut aren’t made specifically for use with the Cricut machine. Instead, they provide features and functionality that allow them to be used effortlessly with the Cricut. However, a printer for Cricut can operate completely normally as a standard home printer.
How Printers for Cricut Work
At their core, printers for Cricut provide the same functionality and form factor as a standard printer. Since most Cricut users want to print colorful images and graphics to use in their scrapbooks or projects, the best printers for Cricut are typically inkjet printers. These printers use microscopic droplets of ink ejected from cartridges to create your image or text on paper.
There are, however, a few core features that the best printers for Cricut offer over other types of printers. For starters, printers for Cricut are usually compatible with a broad range of paper types, including printable sticker paper, glossy paper, and specialty paper. These printers are also often wide format printers so you can use paper up to 12 inches wide.
Next, many printers for Cricut offer wireless connectivity so you can print from anywhere in your home. This is incredibly helpful if your dedicated crafting space is smaller. The last thing you want is a printer taking up your entire workspace.
Do You Really Need a Printer for Cricut?
If you craft a lot with your Cricut machine, you know just how helpful it is to have a high-quality and reliable printer on hand. The Cricut does a lot, but you can really take your crafting game to the next level when you pair it with a printer. In the end, you absolutely need a printer for Cricut if you want to get into more comprehensive crafting projects without needing to run to the craft store on a regular basis.However use a high performing printer for photographers if you need to print high-quality photos at home or on the go.
Is a Printer for Cricut Worth Buying?
- You Want a More Comprehensive Crafting Setup: Owning a Cricut without an accompanying printer means you’re missing out on a full crafting setup. If you want to complete your crafting toolkit, then a printer for Cricut is an absolute must. This way, you won’t be stuck in a place where you can’t move forward because you need to print something to cut out on your Cricut machine.
- You Use a Printer for Non-Crafting Situations: The best printers for Cricut also allow you to print non-Cricut items. If you want to print pictures on glossy photo paper or Microsoft Word documents for school and work, then owning an all-in-one printer for Cricut is a great idea.
- Still Includes Advanced Functionality: Depending on the model you purchase, your printer for Cricut may offer additional features and functionality. This can include functionality like double-sided document printing or cloud-compatible printing with Google Cloud Print. You can also get features like Quiet Mode for silent printing, ink tanks for more printing capacity, and faster print speeds.
Why a Printer for Cricut May Not Be For You
- You Don’t Own a Cricut: If you don’t own a Cricut, then purchasing a printer for Cricut might not be the best approach. While the printers in this buying guide can still be used as normal printers, they may offer additional, more expensive features that you won’t use on a regular basis. As such, you might be better offer purchasing a standard home-office printer.
- You Prefer Purchasing Accessories from Craft Stores: If you don’t like creating and printing your own accessories or additional graphics, then a printer for Cricut might not be the best choice for you. Craft stores carry a lot of pre-made graphics and stickers and if you don’t mind the extra cost, then a printer for Cricut isn’t as useful for you.
How Long Will a Printer for Cricut Last?
In recent studies conducted by top consulting firm InfoTrends, your printer for Cricut should last an average of three to four years before needing to be replaced. This is a standard lifespan trend for the printing industry.
Of course, the life of your Cricut printer can vary greatly depending on how you treat it. If you’re constantly printing 24 hours a day on specialty printing paper, you might expect to see a decrease in overall lifespan. Similarly, if you store your printer in a dirty, dusty room, you may experience problems sooner than usual.
In crafting rooms, you always run the risk of spilling glitter or other crafting supplies on your printer, which can cause issues. This is why we recommend storing your printer away from the bulk of your crafting supplies and using a model with wireless connectivity.
How to Choose the Best Printer for Cricut
Choosing the best printer for Cricut doesn’t have to be complicated when you approach the available products with a good plan in place. Read through the following questions and formulate answers for your specific needs and wants. Then, use those answers to find a printer for Cricut that fits your preferences.
Printer for Cricut Key Factors to Consider
Use these questions and their associated answers to determine which printer for Cricut will work best for your crafting needs.
1. What type of printer best suits your needs?
In general, there are two main types of printers to consider when buying a new model: laser and inkjet. Let’s take a look at the two types of printers and what’s different between them:
- Inkjet: An inkjet printer is one of the most common types of printer available today. They utilize ink cartridges that deposit microscopic droplets of ink directly onto your paper. Because of their high-quality color printing capabilities, these printers are an excellent choice for use with Cricut cutting machines.
- Laser: Instead of using ink cartridges, laser printers use toner cartridges to print. Toner is a powdered ink. The laser printer beams a laser onto a drum, which then presses the toner onto the paper. Laser printers offer excellent monochrome printing and higher printing speeds than inkjet printers.
The best inkjet printer for Cricut is always a solid choice for professional crafters and hobbyists alike, thanks to its ability to print bright colors and compatibility with different types of paper like card stock, art paper, and sticker paper. However, laser printers can also work well for crafting with your Cricut. They just tend to be larger than inkjet printers and may take up more space in your crafting and design space.
2. What model of Cricut do you own?
There are a wide variety of different Cricut models available today, and it’s always possible you own a model that has gone out of production. The specific Cricut model you own can inform your purchase of a new printer in many ways.
For example, if you have a Cricut Explore Air 2, one of the more recent models, you’ll likely want to purchase a printer with a few specific features. The best printer for Cricut Explore Air 2 is a wide-format printer and offers the ability to print on various types of paper and connect wirelessly to your computer or mobile device.
Consider the capabilities of your Cricut and the size of paper you can use with it, and then choose a printer that fits those specifications.
3. Do you need any special features or functionality in your printer?
While every printer available today can print images and text without much of a problem, there are plenty of options that take functionality a step further. With a wide variety of advanced and specialized features and functionality from which to choose, you may want to consider some of these options:
- All-in-One vs. Printer Only: If you need zto perform more than just printing, then you’ll want to consider an all-in-one inkjet printer for Cricut. These printers offer print, scan, and fax functions so you don’t have to rely on multiple devices.
- Various Connectivity Options: Having a wide variety of options for connectivity is essential on your printer for Cricut. While wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi Direct, Apple AirPrint, etc.) should be a top priority for you, you may also want to consider an option that provides USB ports and SD card slots.
- High Printing Speeds: Crafting often involves using large amounts of paper materials or graphics. If you’re planning on printing these papers and graphics yourself, then having a printer with a high printing speed is incredibly valuable.
- Large Paper or Ink Capacity: Since you’ll likely print often on your printer for Cricut, you may want to consider purchasing an option with a paper tray that can store more sheets of paper or high-capacity ink cartridges. This way, you’ll be able to print more regularly before needing to refill your supplies.
- Other Features to Consider: As you look at all the options and features printers offer today, consider features like duplex printing, auto document feeder, media card slots, and more.
4. How much room do you have for a printer in your crafting room?
Today’s printers are getting smaller and smaller, but there are still plenty of models that take up a lot of room. In general, it’s safe to assume that you’ll need to dedicate a permanent spot for your printer for Cricut.
Consider the size of your crafting space and compare it to the size of the printer you want to buy. However, if you have a wireless printer for Cricut, you can place your printer anywhere in the Wi-Fi range.
