T-shirts are a wardrobe essential. You can wear them all year round, even in winter. Pair your T-shirt with jackets or sweaters during cold weather. Given how popular this piece of clothing is, you may want your T-shirt to stand out from the rest. You can do that by creating your customized T-shirt. If you like DIY projects and T-shirts, then why not combine both of these?
With a Cricut machine, you can transform a plain T-shirt into a fashionable one. The Cricut machines range from $130 to $400. However, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. You need to invest in a good Cricut machine to get the job done right. Various Cricut models are available on the market that claims to be worth your money. This blog will discuss the best Cricut machines, their capabilities, price, and more so that you can make an informed decision regarding the best Cricut for making T-shirts.
Best Cricut Machine and Model for T-Shirt Making
All these Cricut Machines are up to the task of creating customized T-shirts, but they all have some pros and cons. By the end of this blog, you will have a clear idea about which to choose. So, let's begin.
Cricut Easy Press 2
Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) can be done in various ways. It's the best heat press for home use that can be used for almost any type of heat-transfer project. The Cricut Easy Press 2 falls between a professional press and a traditional home iron. You may also have seen a video tutorial or blog stating that HTV can be achieved using a conventional iron. Although it's achievable, it can do more harm than good. These irons were meant to generate steam and remove wrinkles; they were not designed to create shirts.
While using Cricut Easy Press 2, you don't have to worry about hurting your hands. It's very lightweight, ergonomic, and safe to use. It comes with its app, where you can control the machine's temperature and time. The Cricut machine is compatible with most iron-on materials and infusible ink. Compared to traditional iron, the heat is evenly distributed throughout the plate. Lastly, it comes at an affordable price tag.
Cricut Explore Air 2
This consumer-grade cutting machine is from the previous generation, but it's one of the best computer-operated cutting machines. Unlike Cricut Easy Press 2, it can't be used as a heat press. It's ideal for creating embroideries and stitch-on patterns. Easy Press 2 allows you to create custom T-shirts right from the ground.
It can cut over 100 materials with the cutting size, which is more than enough for any T-shirt design. The Fast Mode feature lets you perform the cutting twice at twice the speed without compromising on quality. It's compatible with six different tools, which you can choose according to your needs. With Bluetooth wireless technology, you can easily connect to any device. The Cricut machine also comes with its design app, which makes it relatively easy to use. The price tag is much lower than other Cricut machines as it is an older model.
Cricut Maker 3
Cricut Maker 3 is one of the most powerful Cricut Cutting Machines. It is compatible with over 300 materials ranging from soft fabric to more rigid materials. And has a maximum cutting length of 12 feet.
Cricut Maker 3 is also compatible with 13 tools and comes with its app.
Cricut Explore 3
It falls somewhere in between Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Maker. It's a bit bigger, but it does have some tricks up its sleeve. It has a maximum material cutting length of 12 feet. The additional feature that Explore 3 has to offer is that it can handle smart materials, which means it doesn't need a cutting mat. It is two times faster than Explore Air 2. Although the Cricut Explore 3 has a heftier price tag, the extra tools and features are worth the money.
Cricut Maker
If you don't want to put too much burden on your pocket and are dead set on buying a Cricut machine, then you could go for Cricut Maker. It's an older version of the Cricut Maker series. It does share some traits with Cricut Maker 3, such as cross-compatible cutting and folding tools and compatibility with up to 300 materials.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a Cricut machine for simple DIY projects, primarily for home use, then you should go for Cricut Easy Press 2, Cricut Explore Air 2. At the same time, other Cricut machines are bulkier and meant for commercial use. Hope this blog proves to be helpful.
