Which Is The Best Cricut Machine For Shirts? [Full Review]
Hello crafters, this blog is all dedicated to the best Cricut machine for shirts. I know you have been thinking of a perfect machine for shirt making. However, there is no perfect machine, but some are better than others. So, we will discuss those machines that may be your best choice for shirts. I've been using a machine for a long time, and with time, I came across some pros and cons that I must tell you with the review.
I chose some top-notch Cricut machines for you that I have used a lot during my crafting days. But before that, I would say go with your budget. Also, if your needs are modest, you don’t need to invest in an expensive machine. You can rather buy a less expensive machine with maximum benefits. There are 4 main Cricut machines we are recommending. Let’s get started.
The Best Cricut Machine For Shirts
Here, we have Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut EasyPress 2, and Cricut Joy, along with their pros and cons. Have a look at them.
Cricut Maker
We keep this machine at number 1 with the ability to cut over 300 materials. It does more than the Cricut Explore Air 2. It provides a bigger cutting size of 12” X 24,” and you can use some specific tools for the specific jobs. For instance, rotatory blades are for fabrics, and knife blades are for thicker materials.
Plus, it's a great choice to work with multiple materials. You can make decals or cards when there is no requirement for shirts. This is how you can adjust to seasonal change. However, the accessories are the same as Cricut Explore Air 2. Due to the heavy demand, sometimes it can be out of stock. But worry not, it gets available soon.
Pros
- The machine is capable of cutting anything with its 4000 g cutting power.
- It is considered the fastest electric cutting machine.
- You get the accessories at a low cost so that you can utilize them effectively.
Cons
- It's a little expensive machine.
- You can use the Design Space online only.
Cricut Explore Air 2
This machine is of the previous generation, still the best choice for making shirts. It is one of the affordable models since it's not the flagship model. It has been tested for many years and stands out as a valuable machine. With this, you have to use heat transfer vinyl. It can handle HTV easily with its 350g cutting power.
It provides a cutting size of 11.5 X 23.5 inches. Therefore, you can create designs for your shirt easily. Also, you get double the speed with Explore Air 2 than the other vinyl cutters. Additionally, you get noise reduction too.
The software makes a big difference; it can keep you connected with the product or just move on from it. But with Cricut Explore Air 2, you get a simple Cricut Design Studio. You can simply turn the dial to your material and press the cut button when the design is done. And then, it will be cut in a few seconds.
But wait, the Design Studio needs a constant internet connection to run. So, it might not be convenient for everyone living in places with poor internet services. Usually, we see the big brands sell their low-cost products and take the profit from accessories. Many people fall into this trap and end up buying low-cost machines. But with the Cricut, you don’t have to deal with such things.
Pros
- It's a cost-effective choice with many things to explore.
- Its dual carriage will accelerate your workflow.
- The machine is easy to use, and even beginners will feel comfortable working with it.
Cons
- As it's a previous-generation machine, it may seem outdated.
- It lacks specialized machines such as rotatory and knife blades.
Cricut Easy Press 2
This one is the best professional choice. Once you are done cutting vinyl, the next step is to transfer the design onto materials like a shirt. It does more than the regular home iron. It helps to transfer the design onto your project or material smoothly with an accurate temperature and pressure.
Does your traditional iron do this? No, the traditional irons are specialized to remove wrinkles by applying heat. But the heat generated isn’t enough for creating T-shirts. Also, the iron doesn’t evenly spread heat. This is why you move your iron while ironing your clothes.
While the Cricut Easy Press does all to transfer your design onto shirts. The machine has a timer that instructs you how long you should press it.
Pros
- The machine is portable and does the job fast.
- It works as a professional heat press without demanding heavy investment.
- It spreads the heat evenly so that the vinyl perfectly sticks to your material.
Cons
- It can’t handle material in bulk.
- It works well on flat surfaces.
Cricut Joy
It is a tiny machine that looks cute and works well. However, it is specified for a niche, so you can’t use it on anything. It has a work surface of 4.5” X 6.5” and is compatible with paper and vinyl. As we said, it's a niche product; you can use it at fairs, trade shows, baby showers, etc. In short, it's ideal for crafters on the go. However, it's more expensive than the Cricut Explore Air 2, and the accessories are a bit overpriced.
Pros
- It's ideal for kids and school crafting projects due to its ease of use.
- Extremely portable and ideal for people on the go.
- It works fast and takes 15 minutes or less for a project.
Cons
- The accessories are expensive.
- Their cutting mat and blades can’t be used in other Cricut machines.
Conclusion
I hope, by now, you know which Cricut machine you wanna go with. I hope my blog has helped you in deciding the right fit for making shirts. By this blog, Cricut Maker stands out as the best choice ever with its fast speed and capability to cut over 300 materials. Cricut EasyPress 2 is more than a regular iron and a less expensive heat press. It delivers desired results with no hassle. So, you can try them out for making your shirt.
On the other hand, Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Joy are good in the competition, but they are suitable for a few crafters. But, still, many can take benefit from them. Now, you may know which is your best Cricut machine for shirts.
Visit: cricut.com/setup
cricut setup explore air 2
cricut setup
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