Cricket printer
The more expensive Cricut models are capable of cutting a huge variety of materials: the first two on our list, for example, can each tackle more than 300 materials. What should you be looking for when choosing the best Cricut machine for you? Well, if you're after a cutting machine, the most obvious factor to consider are the types of materials you want to cut. The best Cricut machine for you How do I choose a Cricut? It's not a cheap approach, especially if you don’t already have a Cricut cutting machine, but it's a solid, reliable and easy way to print customised mugs. It works really well in practice, creating professional-looking microwave and dishwasher-proof results that stand the test of time. Once you’ve done that, you wrap your transfer around your mug, put it in the machine, press the button and the Mug Press does the rest. Just be aware that you’ll also need a Cricut cutting machine to cut out your transfer, which needs to be on a Cricut Infusible Ink sheet (you can’t use normal vinyl). Pressing your design onto blank mugs, it couldn’t be easier to use – in fact, it has just one single button. For smaller items, you'll want to look at the Cricut EasyPress Mini (see below).Īnother recent addition to the Cricut stable, this – as the name suggests – is the best Cricut machine for making custom mugs. The 9 x 9 inch (22.5 x 22.5cm) model is good for standard items, while the 12 x 10- nch (30 x 25cm) model is ideal for larger items. There's also a larger surface area than most irons, so you can adhere the whole design in one go. The base plate of the EasyPress provides a consistent heat, making it better than a normal iron, where the core of the plate is hottest.
This takes all the guesswork out of the process, making it much more likely your designs will be transferred successfully.
Once you’ve programmed the correct settings, you apply the plate to your materials for the suggested time, using the timer function. It’s very easy to use in practice, and Cricut’s online guide provides the ideal heat settings to use for different projects.
The best of these is the Cricut EasyPress 2, which allows you to transfer Iron-On or HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl) designs to any piece of fabric. The company also manufactures iron-on machines for making custom-designed T-shirts, tote bags, pillows, aprons, sweatshirts, banners, blankets and much more.
All in all, however, if you’re crafting as a hobby, this is a great, low-cost choice, particularly if you want a machine that's light and portable.Ĭricut machines aren’t all about cutting. Note that while you can connect this machine to your computer via Bluetooth, it doesn't have a USB connection (unlike the devices listed so far). More generally, it can be used to cut over 50 types of material, including iron-on, cardstock, vinyl, paper, and smart materials. In fact, you can use the Cricut Joy for continuous cuts without a cutting mat, up to 20 feet long and four inches wide. That doesn’t mean it’s not capable of bigger things, though. We'd say it’s the best cricut machine for labels, for instance, and the best cricut machine for stickers and the best cricut machine for greetings cards. Measuring just 21.4 x 13.8 x 10.8cm, it’s significantly smaller than other models, and with a light weight of 1.75kg, it’s easy to store and carry from place to place. This makes it the ideal choice for smaller crafting tasks. The Cricut Joy is wonderfully compact and portable.