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I am going to say something that I have not said on this blog for many years…..CRICUT. I own a cricut product guys! BIG DAY! I am normally team silhouette–I prefer the silhouette cameo to cricut cutter (I actually wrote up a whole post about pros and cons here) One common not know fact is that most silhouette specialty media and most cricut supplies can be used with all cutting machines! Most people are pretty funny and think–Silhouette tattoo paper can only be used with the silhouette! NOT TRUE! You might have to adjust some settings between machines! So if you are team silhouette but dying to try the new infusible ink from cricut–GO FOR IT!
So today I’m going to review the Cricut easypress 2–pros and cons and tell you–Is the Cricut Easypress worth it?
What is the Cricut Easypress?
The Easypress is used to iron on HEAT TRANSFER VINYL onto fabric. (all heat transfer vinyl is heat activated.) For the past 800 years I have used an iron. I just don’t have the room for a Heat Press. AND I don’t really mass produce shirts or projects-Usually I am just making one shirt for myself and that’s all. so I could never justify splurging on a heat press. So Cricut saw the hole- People don’t love the space the heat press takes up–but the iron isn’t always a best option. So they created the easypress.
PROS of the Cricut Easypress.
A. It comes in 3 different sizes (plus a mini for hats and shoes) 12×10, 9×9, 6×7 and the mini 1.92×3.25
You can choose what works best for you. I personally love the large one. (I have the 12×10 and the 6×7) It s pretty much the perfect size for any t-shirt decal. But if you have an etsy shop where you are putting vinyl on little bags–then the smallest easy press will be a great fit. (honestly–I’m not sure who is buying the smaller sizes. Go big or go home!)
B. It has a big flat base to iron on your projects.
The biggest complaint with an iron is that it has vent holes–so when you are applying vinyl- You have to move it around so every section gets the same amount of heat! So this is sweet!
C and D. The timer and visual heat settings! Each specific HTV has a different heat setting. It’s so nice to set the heat and it beeps once it’s ready. Then soon as you put the heat press down you click the timer button and it starts counting down! I always forget to count! It’s awesome! (FYI: most heat presses have this feature!)
E. You aren’t going to burn the house down. It comes with it’s own base that is raised up so it’s not just sitting on your workspace getting hot! AND–it automatically shuts up if you don’t use it after 10 minutes!
and this wouldn’t be an accurate review without me spilling the cons!
CONS of the Cricut Easypress
A. Cricut sales Pressing pads that fit the size of each easypress. They are padded and great—and NOT INCLUDED! I know it’s not neccarilsy a con-but for the price I think the pressing pads should be included! It’s totally part of the pressing process.
If you are new to htv–you don’t necessarily need the pressing pads- but they are really nice to have!
and these ones are thick and have 5 layers on insulation-
B. You still have to press. The cricut easypress is heavish–but you still have to press down when making a project. I’m not pressing nearly has hard as with my iron–but I thought these things would be heavier and wouldn’t need any muscle.
C. Pricepoint. When these presses first came out–they were the same price (or more) than some heat presses. So the only reason, in my opinion, to not buy a heat press over a cricut easypress is a space issue. So this is a con-ish. I would definitely think they would be a better deal if the pressing mat was included–! Amazon sometimes has sales– and the price has gone down since first launching–but they are still over $100!
Okay. So here is my review. Much better than an Iron. Way faster than an iron (think of how small an iron is–it can take over a minute to press with an iron and the big press can do it in 15 seconds. NOT as good as a heat press. So if you are in the htv business–selling shirts and bags etc–I would say SPLURGE FOR THE HEAT PRESS –BUT if you are like me–a blogger who is just making projects for herself and her kids and occasionally for the friend–and who doesn’t want to put the heat press as a centerpiece on her dining room table since that’s the only open spot beside my storage room downstairs- the Easypress is perfect. One (or 5 ) steps up from the Iron !
If you are looking for an AMAZING heat press– I totally recommend this one!
I’ve heard good things about this one amazon-–
FYI: I always get my vinyl from Expressions vinyl (they are the best!) They even have a heat setting printable so you know what temperature to put your easypress!
If you are looking for more heat transfer vinyl projects–check out these post!
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