When it comes to precision cutting, plotting and crafting, Cricut Machines will make any project easy. Cricut Machines gives you the freedom to create all kinds of projects, from paper crafts to vinyl decals. Simply connect your tablet, smartphone or PC to a Cricut and it’s a guarantee that your project is off to a good start.

There are a number of Cricut models to choose from though. If you are planning on purchasing a Cricut to use at home to create t-shirts, which is the best one? We have three favorites that we want to share with you today. Hopefully, this will help you find a machine that will work the best for your needs and budget.

Cricut Maker

This machine literally does it all. You will be able to make everything with the Cricut Maker. It works with all types of materials from paper and vinyl to things as thick as balsa wood. It’s got an expandable set of tools. It comes out of the box with a blade, pen and scoring tool. Simply upload your t-shirt design and this machine will easily cut your design out of iron-on vinyl. Even more, if you are into sewing and quilting, the Cricut Maker makes that work easy, easily handling cutting of those materials.

While this model is far and away the most popular one, there are a couple of disadvantages you need to take into account. The blade that allows you to cut extra thick materials is sold separately. So if your plan is to use the machine for more than making t-shirts, you are going to have to make some additional purchases. Secondly, some users complain that not all the images in their image library are free. This can make the cost of producing t-shirts climb as you make more and more t-shirt projects.

Features At A Glance

  • With expandable tools: rotary blade, knife blade and pens
  • Rotary blade can cut fast and accurately
  • Knife blade can handle thin and thick materials
  • With fine point pen, 12 x 12 inches cutting mats
  • Comes with hundreds of digital sewing patterns
  • With simple design app; load projects on a computer or mobile device
  • You can use your own designs
  • With a device docking slot
  • With Bluetooth wireless technology
  • With a USB port to charge your device while in use

Cricut Explore Air 2

If you don’t have a need to cut extra thick materials and want to focus strictly on t-shirts, you can do a lot with this personal DIY cutting machine. It will handle t-shirt transfer vinyl and much more. This machine will let you upload our own designs or you can use any design from their huge library of pre-made designs. If you make your designs on your personal computer, simply import it to Cricut Design Space. The Design Space app works on Android devices as well as iOS devices. This machine can connect to your PC or device and it also works via Bluetooth to cut materials wirelessly.

Features At A Glance

  • Cut intricate details with ultimate precision
  • With Cricut Pens to create “handwritten” cards and other projects
  • With more than 370 fonts to choose from
  • With Scoring Stylus to fold cards, boxes, envelopes, acetate and to make 3D paper crafts
  • With Fast Mode for 2X faster cutting
  • You can work with more than 100+ kinds of materials
  • Uses Design Space to work on files from any device
  • Works with an Android or iOS device
  • Wireless cutting with Bluetooth
  • Come with Cricut Image Library

Cricut Mini

If you are going to be using your Cricut to make t-shirts in multiple locations, the Cricut Mini is just what you need. You will appreciate the Cricut Mini because even though it’s small, it can cut up to 8.5’’ x 12’’ materials and can cut shapes and fonts 1/4’’ to 11.5’’. You get precise cuts all the time. From its name you know that it is portable and light, you can take it anywhere you want to go. You do need a laptop or a desktop that is connected to the internet to use the Cricut Mini so you can connect to the Gypsy. 

Features At A Glance

  • Can cut up to 8.5’’ x 12’’ materials
  • Can cut shapes and fonts from 1/4’’ to larger cuts up to 11.5’’
  • Must be connected to a laptop or computer to run the Cricut Gypsy
  • Works with the free Cricut Craft Room online design software
  • You can use numerous images from the Cricut Image Library
  • Edit designs with size, slant, rotate or flip features
  • Can work with all kinds of materials from thick vinyl to a fragile thin foil
  • Small and portable
  • Lightweight
  • Quiet to use
  • Comes with free 4 sheets of cardstock 8.5’’ x 11’’

BONUS TIP: Cricut Easy Press 2

If you are going to be making lots of t-shirts, transferring your vinyl designs to t-shirts is a very important step. While there are lots of ways to do this, by far the easiest way is using the Cricut Easy Press 2 Heat Press. This simple to use device will make applying your vinyl heat transfer designs a snap.

Features At A Glance

  • 9 inches x 9 inches (22. 5 inches x 22. 5 inches) size ideal for basic T-shirts, tote bags, pillows, aprons, and more
  • Professional iron-on results in 60 seconds or less
  • Advanced heat plate design with a ceramic coated surface
  • Precise temperature control up to 400 degrees F (205 C). Just enter the recommended time and temperature settings for your HTV or Infusible Ink project
  • Easy to learn, simple to use. Lightweight, portable, easy to store, and compatible with most major brands of heat transfer vinyl (HTV); Requires maximum input 120V outlet
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