Cricut users know to make the most out of the Print and Cut feature, a companion printer is needed. The hard part is deciding which one is the best for various jobs from the Cricut.
There are hundreds of printers on the market. Deciding which one is the best for you and your art can be a job in itself… and a bit intimidating. I’ve done the bulk of the research for you and come up with a list of five excellent choices for the best printer for the Cricut Print and Cut, depending on what you want to create.
What is Cricut Print and Cut?
Print and Cut is a feature in the Cricut Design Space. The idea behind Print and Cut is that you can bring images, text, patterns, etc. together to create designs in the software. From there, you print the design on whatever medium you choose, and then take it to the Cricut to cut it out.
As you can imagine, the possibilities are as endless as your imagination. With the Cricut Print and Cut and a great printer, nothing can stop you from creating anything you can dream up. Given this, you need a printer that can get the job done.
How to Choose a Printer for Cricut Print and Cut
First, let’s talk about important criteria to consider when choosing a printer for the Cricut Print and Cut.
Of the criteria listed here, the media type is the one that’s most subjective to your personal needs for a printer. One person may want a printer that can handle relatively challenging print jobs, like printing on vinyl, fabric, or canvas. And another person could decide that a printer that prints on paper and cardstock are sufficient.
The other three criteria are objective, easy-to-identify features that are consistent considerations for choosing the best printer companion for your Cricut.
Inkjet or Laser
It’s important to know the difference between inkjet printers and laser printers as it relates to what kinds of jobs they can handle. Inkjet is the one you want for Cricut Print and Cut jobs. Laser printers are limited to printing only on regular office paper.
To print on Cricut compatible material, you need an inkjet printer. Certain materials like sticker paper and vinyl would cause problems for the laser printer. The heat from a laser printer could melt the coating on some of these materials and damage the printer and your artwork.
One other thing to note is that LaserJet is HP’s version of a laser printer. It’s easy to get confused by this term because the word “jet” is in its name. But an HP LaserJet printer is a laser printer, which is not an ideal printer for use with Cricut’s Print and Cut feature.
Able to Handle Various Types, Sizes, and Weights of Material (Media Types)
A printer used with Cricut Print and Cut could be tasked with printing on various types of material. This could include cardstock, vinyl, sticker paper, poster board, glitter paper, iron-on material, canvas, and even some kinds of fabric.
Inkjet printers can handle most of these types of paper and material. However, different printers will vary in print quality on things like fabric and thick cardstock. If the intended use of the printer is to print a significant amount on fabric, canvas, or heavy cardstock, you’ll want to invest in a durable printer, with high resolution, and superior print quality.
Wireless Connectivity
Most printers these days offer a wireless connection over WiFi or Bluetooth. This is as much of a convenience factor as a functionality factor. Having a wireless connection gives you the freedom to set your space up without worrying about the proximity of the Cricut to the printer. A wireless connection also allows the printer to be shared by the Cricut and other devices in the house. With a wireless connection, you’re not limited to printing from just one device. You can print from your mobile phone, tablet, laptop, etc.
Value
The price of printers varies from cheap to very expensive. The biggest challenge is to choose one that has the features and reliability you need at the best price possible. I’ll mention the price point for each of the printers I share here to consider the overall value of the machine.
The Best Printers for Cricut on the Market Today
- Best Printer for Cricut Print and Cut Overall: Epson SureColor P700
- Best Value for Printing on Fabric: Epson Expression Home XP-440
- Best Printer for Sublimation: Epson EcoTank ET-15000
- Best Printer for Canvas and Fabric Printing: Canon Pixma Pro-200
- Best Budget Printer: Canon – PIXMA Wireless Inkjet Printer – G3260
Best Printer Overall for Cricut Print and Cut – Epson SureColor P700
Selection Criteria
- Inkjet or Laser: Inkjet
- My score: 10/10
- Media Types: Various, including thick cardstock
- My score: 9/10
- Wireless Connectivity: yes
- My score: 10/10
- Value: ~$770 in price, high quality, large size paper, and various media type capabilities
- My score: 8/10
About Epson SureColor P700
I reviewed dozens of printers to pair with the Cricut Print and Cut, considering the criteria listed above. The overall quality, durability, and versatility of Epson’s SureColor P700 led me to pick this printer as the number one choice overall. Its price point is mid-to high-range, so it’s not the least expensive choice. But for the print quality and diversity of materials, it can handle, this printer is the best bang for your buck.
The SureColor P700 can print on up to 8.5 x 14-inch media size. It can also handle thick cardstock and other types of materials you may occasionally want to print on for fun projects with your Cricut. And the best part is that with its 5760 x 1440 DPI resolution and durable construction, this powerhouse handles all these jobs with excellent print quality.
Naming this the best printer for Cricut Print and Cut means it’s probably not going to be the choice for a “starter” printer. The Epson SureColor P700 is a good machine for a serious hobby crafter or a small-shop professional seller.
Pros
- High-resolution/print quality
- Easy to set up and use
- Touch-screen
Cons
- Relatively mid-high price range for a home printer
Best Value for Printing on Fabric – Epson Expression Home XP-440
Selection Criteria
- Inkjet or Laser: Inkjet
- My score: 10/10
- Media Types: Various, including fabric
- My score: 9/10
- Wireless Connectivity: yes
- My score: 10/10
- Value: ~$546 in price, high quality, large size paper, and prints well on fabric, goes through ink fast
- My score: 7/10
About Epson Expression Home XP-440
I discovered the Expression Home XP-440 by Epson has garnered great reviews for its ease and ability to print on fabric. This may have something to do with its 9600 DPI print resolution. Printing on fabric can be challenging, but from everything I’ve read, this printer can handle it.
The high resolution, plus affordable price, makes this machine a no-brainer pick as a good overall printer for the home that has the ability to stand up to a busy crafter’s expectations.
The Expression Home XP-440 prints on sizes up to 8.5 x 14 inches. The only real downfall I found with this printer is that some reviewers warn that it goes through ink fast. That’s to be expected, though, when printing on thicker materials.
Because the price is lower than some of the printers in the professional range of printers, the Epson Expression Home XP-440 would be a good choice for a starter printer that will grow as your experience level does.
Pros
- Very high resolution
- Handles fabric printing
- Relatively affordable
Cons
- Goes through ink fast
Best Printer for Sublimation – Epson EcoTank ET-15000
Selection Criteria
- Inkjet or Laser: Inkjet
- My score: 10/10
- Media Types: Various, including sublimation paper
- My score: 9/10
- Wireless Connectivity: yes
- My score: 10/10
- Value: ~$963 in price, durable, reliable, handles tough print jobs
- My score: 7/10
About Epson EcoTank ET-15000
The EcoTank ET-15000 by Epson is the highest price printer on my list, and it’s also the most versatile. It can handle the stickiness of sublimation print jobs, which can be tough on most printers. And this machine can print on sizes up to 13 x 19 inches.
The EcoTank ET-15000 offers 4800 x 1200 DPI resolution and cartridge-free printing. It has large print tanks that make it economical and eco-friendly to replace the ink. This makes up a bit for the higher price point of the printer.
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is probably more suited to a small professional shop than a home printer for the hobbyist.
Pros
- 13” x 19” print media capacity
- Cartridge-free; uses large ink tanks
- Durable and reliable for being able to print on sublimation paper
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- Probably overkill in price and durability for a home printer
The Best Printer for Canvas and Fabric Printing – Canon Pixma Pro-200
Selection Criteria
- Inkjet or Laser: Inkjet
- My score: 10/10
- Media Types: Various, including canvas
- My score: 9/10
- Wireless Connectivity: yes
- My score: 10/10
- Value: ~$790 in price, the value is in the sharpness of the print for high-quality artwork and photos
- My score: 6/10
About Canon Pixma Pro-200
The Pixma Pro-200 by Canon gets high marks for printing high-quality art on canvas. It boasts 8 dye-based inks, and it uses ink tanks instead of cartridges. This unique feature, along with a 4800 x 2400 DPI resolution, makes this printer worth the price when superb quality counts.
Like Epson’s EcoTank ET-15000, the Canon Pixma Pro-200 can print sizes up to 13 x 19 inches. This printer is advertised as a professional photo printer. It can easily serve as an affordable professional machine, and it’s also a semi-affordable option for the serious crafter at home.
Pros
- 8 dye-based inks
- Cartridge-free; uses large ink tanks
- Super-sharp quality for photo and detailed artwork
- 13” x 19” print media capacity
Cons
- Relatively expensive for a home printer
Best Budget Printer – Canon Pixma Wireless Inkjet Printer G3260
- Inkjet or Laser: Inkjet
- My score: 10/10
- Media Types: Various
- My score: 8/10
- Wireless Connectivity: yes
- My score: 10/10
- Value: ~$349 in price, economical and efficient
- My score: 8/10
About the Canon Pixma Wireless Inkjet Printer G3260
The Pixma G3260 by Canon is an affordable option for a home printer. Its print size capacity of 8.5 x 14 inches with 4800 x 1200 DPI resolution allows this printer to handle most any Cricut print and cut jobs. Like the previous two printers on my list, this one uses large ink tanks instead of ink cartridges. So in addition to the relatively low price of the machine, refilling the ink is economical.
My research turned up several user reviews that confirmed this printer’s excellent print quality. For a crafter at home or a small seller of crafted items, the Canon Pixma G3260 will get the job done nicely at a very affordable price.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Cartridge-free printing; uses large ink tanks
- Excellent print quality for the price
Cons
- Not the best printer for fabric or canvas
Final Thoughts
If so many printer options on the market seem overwhelming, simplify the decision-making process by starting with identifying what you will be using the printer for most of the time. Do you use your Cricut as a hobby, or are you planning on setting up a professional business? Or somewhere in the middle?
I’ve found that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on an expensive professional printer to do most things with the Cricut Print and Cut. This is especially true if your primary intent is to make things for friends and family or to sell from an Etsy shop.
However, as your craft grows and you get more creative or decide to produce higher quality and quantity merchandise to sell at high volume, it makes sense to invest in one of the professional printers on this list.