Tried & Tested - Cricut Machines
Following the launch of the brand new Cricut Maker™ 3 and Cricut Explore™ 3, we thought it was time to take an in-depth look at all of the Cricut machines
Whether you are new to creating or an experienced maker, Cricut smart cutting machines, tools, materials and accessories give you the freedom to make DIY magic happen anywhere, any time. With Cricut you can design, cut and embellish intricate, professional-quality projects using hundreds of materials.
Your creative journey starts with Cricut Design Space™ a free, easy-to-learn design app for Cricut smart cutting machines. Here, you can browse thousands of images, projects, and fonts in the Cricut Library, or design your own project from scratch! Because it’s cloud-based, you can start a design on your computer and finish it on your mobile device using the Design Space app for iOS or Android.
You can choose from over 130,000 different images in the Design Space library, and you can infinitely resize and edit them, meaning you have limitless options. A subscription to Cricut Access (£7.49 per month) means you can choose and cut whichever image you like so it is much more cost-effective than purchasing new dies. Alternatively, you can purchase and create with images individually and there are over 1,000 free images and fonts too.
Cricut Explore™ family
The most popular materials used on Cricut machines are vinyl, iron-on (or heat-transfer vinyl) and paper/card. The Cricut Explore family is ideal for these types of projects, in fact, Explore machines can cut more than 100 different materials, allowing you to customise everything from clothing and accessories, to home décor, and of course make cards and scrapbooking a breeze.
Cricut Explore machines works with six tools to cut, write, score and embellish with ease. The latest addition to the Explore family Cricut Explore™ 3 is twice as fast as its predecessor when cutting Smart Materials™ which can create long, continuous cuts up to 12 feet (3.6m). Smart Materials are loaded directly into the machine and do not require a mat. Just load and go!
# Win a Cricut Explore 3 AND accessories worth £385!
Cricut Explore™ 3
ABOUT THE PRODUCT:
RRP: £279.99
Cutting size: 29.7cm wide and 12ft (3.6m) long with Smart Materials™
Features: Cuts more than 100 materials including Smart Vinyl™, Smart Iron-On™ and Smart Paper™ Sticker Cardstock. Works with 6 tools: fine point blade, bonded fabric blade*, deep point blade*, scoring stylus*, pens* and Foil Transfer Tool*
In the box: Cricut Explore 3 smart cutting machine, premium fine-point blade plus blade housing, quick start guide, USB cable, power adapter and power cord, material for test cut, bonus materials.
Who is this machine for? Anyone who wants to create customised or personalised projects using vinyl, iron-on or paper and card.
Cricut Maker™ family
The ultimate smart cutting machine, with more tools and more possibilities, the Cricut Maker can cut more than 300 materials including fabrics, leather, basswood and chipboard.
Cricut Maker has a completely different technology built into the machine than Cricut Explore machines. The Adaptive Tool System™ allows for an expanded suite of tools you can use for a number of cutting and scoring applications. The Adaptive Tool System can control your tools to cut from side-to-side, move up and down, and lift and turn, so you can cut more materials with more pressure than ever before and do more with a range of decorative effects.
Maker tools currently available include: knife blade, rotary blade, scoring wheels, debossing tip, engraving tip, wavy blade and perforation blade. Everything designed to be used in Explore machines is also compatible with Cricut Maker, including pens and the Foil Transfer Tool.
Cricut Maker™ 3
ABOUT THE PRODUCT:
RRP: £399.99
Cutting size: 29.7cm wide and 12ft (3.6m) long with Smart Materials™
Features: Cuts more than 300 materials including basswood, chipboard and fabrics without needing to be pre-stabilised, Smart Vinyl™, Smart Iron-On™ and Smart Paper™ sticker cardstock. Features an Adaptive Tool System™ for scoring*, debossing* and engraving*, as well as a wavy blade*, perforation tool* and knife blade* for thicker materials. All Explore tools are also compatible with Maker machines: fine point blade, bonded fabric blade*, deep point blade*, scoring stylus*, pens* and Foil Transfer Tool*.
In the box: Cricut Maker™ 3 smart cutting machine, premium fine-point blade plus blade housing, quick start guide, USB cable, power adapter and power cord, material for test cut, bonus materials.
Who is this machine for? Perfect for crafters who want to do more. Cricut Maker is designed to grow with you as you master each new craft.
Cricut Joy™
Don’t be fooled by this compact machine - this pint-sized powerhouse makes it easier – and faster – than ever to personalise your life with practical, everyday projects. Cricut Joy was designed to be at your beck and call, any time and every day. It fits in a cupboard, sets up instantly, and it packs up easily. Equally, its stylish, ergonomic design means it also looks great on your desk or kitchen counter!
Cricut Joy cut 50+ materials…everything from vinyl and iron-on to cardstock, peel-and-stick label paper, and even your existing craft supplies like paper and card. The first Cricut machine to offer Smart Materials (without the need for a mat), Cricut Joy can cut up to 20 feet at one time, just load and go!
Cricut Joy can also write / draw and a new Foil Transfer Tool is available meaning you can add shine to your projects too. One of its greatest features is the ability to make custom cards in minutes. Simply pop a pre-scored card onto the innovative card mat and let Cricut Joy do the rest! The contrasting inserts are then slotted into the corner cut marks to create a card fit for any occasion.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT:
RRP: £179.99
Cutting size: With Smart Materials™, Cricut Joy can cut an individual, continuous shape up to 11.4 cm wide and 4ft long, and repeated cuts (like stars, hearts, and confetti) up to 20ft long (6m)! With a cutting mat, Cricut Joy can cut up to 10.79x15.87cm, or 10.79x29.84cm.
Features: Cuts 50+ materials including Smart Vinyl™, Smart Iron-On™, Vinyl Labels, Smart Paper™ Sticker Cardstock and Writeable Label Paper. Compact and easy to set up, Cricut Joy is also compatible with a companion app designed specifically for simple, single-material projects like cards, stickers, and iron-on designs. The perfect projects for when you have 15 minutes or less.
In the box: Cricut Joy smart cutting machine, premium fine-point blade plus blade housing, standardgrip mat (11.4x16.5 cm), power adapter and power cord, material for practice cut.
Who is this machine for? If space is limited or you don’t have a dedicated craft room the Cricut Joy is the perfect way to enjoy the benefits of a digital smart cutting machine.
The Cricut EasyPress™ family
If you are looking to make projects with iron-on designs – also referred to as heat transfer vinyl – a Cricut EasyPress and companion EasyPress mat are must-have items.
With the speed of an industrial heat press combined with the convenience of a household iron, an EasyPress offers quick, consistent, professional heat transfers that last and last!
With even heat from edge to edge, simple controls, and smart safety features, the Cricut EasyPress family takes the guesswork out of heat-transfer projects. There are just three simple steps to iron-on perfection: set the time and temperature using the online Cricut Heat Guide as a handy reference, apply heat to the design and material, and enjoy long-lasting results wash after wash.
There are three sizes of Cricut EasyPress available: a 30.5x25.4cm, 22.5cm square and the compact EasyPress Mini™, the perfect shape and size at just 4.8cm wide and 8.3cm tall, it provides ideal tip and edge control so you can place heat exactly where you need it. Cricut EasyPress Mini easily takes on curved surfaces as well as hard-to-reach spots between seams and buttons making it the ideal tool for smaller, more intricate applications and is also the ideal sewing companion for seam pressing.
To find all the latest Cricut offers on CraftStash click here!*
*Current offers valid until 4th August 2021