Not only does it cut better, but thanks to it's exclusive rotary and knife blades it can cut felt, fabric and wood WAY better than the. Explore Air 2 machine ...
This comprehensive guide answers the most common questions that I hear beginners ask (and I asked myself) when starting out: Which machine should I buy? What other supplies do I need to get started? Where should I buy my vinyl? Surprisingly, when I started SVGandMe.com, I couldn't find a great printable resource to refer people to, so I created my own! This is NOT a sponsored list (it makes me a bit skeptical when resource lists are sponsored by a brand and then all the products on there were from that brand). It does contain affiliate links that may make me a little bit of money at ZERO cost to you. Goals of this list: 1. Create an honest, unbiased list of supplies (NOT sponsored) 2. Save you money by understanding what you REALLY need 3. SIMPLIFY! SIMPLIFY! SIMPLIFY! = less frustration + better decisions I plan to update this list periodically as changes occur, so check back on SVGandMe.com for updates. Oh, and if you plant to print this guide, make sure to choose "Fit to Page" under your printer settings to ensure that nothing gets cut off. Alright, let's get to it! which should I Buy? Cricut Explore Air 2 Cricut Maker Trying to decide which to buy? I try to simplify things as much as possible for my readers, so I created this easy to use table so you can go through & highlight your answers to the 4 questions. Based on your responses, you can QUICKLY & EASILY make the best decision! Comparison Cricut Explore Air 2 Maker (recommended) I plan to mostly create... Are you on a strict budget? Which would describe your interest level and how often you'll use it? Paper + Vinyl Projects Yes - Usually on sale for $199 I'm a casual crafter. I'll probably make a few projects per month and nothing too complex. Paper, Vinyl, Home Decor, Felt, and Sewing Projects No ($399) On sale $349 I am a serious crafter or business and plan to use it often. I want to be able to cut thicker materials & fabrics and not feel limited. Will it upset you if you can't use newly released blades + accessories? No, I like to keep it simple and I have all the capabilities I need. Yes! I want to be able to get the latest and greatest tools & projects! Ready to buy! BUY NOW! BUY NOW! The Bottom Line: · Cricut Explore Air 2: if you are on a super strict budget and will mostly be creating paper and vinyl projects, this is a great machine to get started with. · Cricut Maker: The most powerful and versatile machine that I would recommend my best friend buy if she was in your shoes. Not only does it cut better, but thanks to it's exclusive rotary and knife blades it can cut felt, fabric and wood WAY better than the Explore Air 2 machine which is well worth the upgrade in my opinion. For more details, check out our blog post here. supplies Checklist After you decide which machine to buy, the next logical question is what else do I need? Well, there are a number of machine bundles out there but many include quite a few items that may be nice to have but aren't essentials in my opinion. So, I am breaking down the supplies I think every beginner should have when getting started: The Essentials Cricut Maker Only: Cricut Explore Air 2 or Cricut Maker Cricut Basic Toolkit Medium Tack Transfer Tape Siser EasyWeed Heat Transfer Vinyl* Oracal 651 Vinyl* Cardstock Variety Pack Green and Purple Mats Knife Blade Scoring Wheel Explore Air 2 Only: *I use black, white and gold the most often and then a few 12"x12" sheets of your favorite colors. Blue and Purple Mats Deep-Point Blade Scoring Stylus Add-Ons Heat Press OR Cricut Easy Press (w/ silicone mat) Padded squeegee Teflon sheets X-acto knife Self-healing cutting mat Pressing pillows OR DIY version: foam & Teflon sheets Freezer Paper Stencil vinyl (Oracal 813) Glitter cardstock Heat N Bond Ultra (Explore only) Speedball ink (stenciled shirts) Chalk Paints Blank shirts and apparel 12"x24" cutting mats Printable vinyl Paper Trimmer Sticker paper Etching Cream Painter's tape Chipboard (Maker Only) Basswood, 1/16" (Maker Only) Cricut Access See separate list of my favorite Amazon crafting blanks for more crafting supplies. vendor Comparison Another common question I get is, "Where is the best place to buy vinyl?" Ask 12 different people and you may get 12 different results, so I decided to compare them side-by-side for an objective comparison. While there are others, I am familiar with these six and confident enough in their customer service and integrity to recommend. Please note that pricing is subject to change. The Bottom Line: · Swing Design is the best all around vendor for stocking up on vinyl and HTV due to its low prices and free shipping over $35. (Where I typically order from) · 651vinyl.com is a close second due to it's competitive pricing and best pricing on transfer tape. However, it does have a slightly higher limit of $50 for free shipping so it's best to use when you have larger orders. · If in need of a roll of basic vinyl (e.g. black or white) quickly, Amazon can be a good option if you have Prime due to its free 2-day shipping. However, it has a very limited selection and products are mostly available in bulk, so I would not recommend it for general vinyl or HTV shopping.macOS Version 10.14 (Build 18A391) Quartz PDFContext Keynote