Canon TS9521C
EPSON SureColor P700
HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw
Crafters, do-it-yourselfers, and designers all around the world rely on Cricut Print and Cut machines and accessories for an array of uses. To create elaborate forms, drawings, and lettering, these machines employ computer software and digital images as input.
Crafters, scrapbookers, designers, and other artists love Cricut machines because they make it simple to cut intricate patterns and designs for their projects. In addition to the machines themselves, Cricut also sells a wide number of accessories, tools, and materials that can be used to facilitate the creation of even more complex DIY and design projects.
Blades and mats in Cricut machines help you cut various materials into precise shapes and designs based on digital images and patterns you generate in Cricut’s design software. It’s possible to pick and modify designs in the program and then transfer them to the Cricut machine over a wired or wireless connection. Adjustable blades and mats allow the machine to precisely carve the design out of the chosen material, no matter how thick it is.
Stickers, cards, and other print-and-cut designs can be made on any printer, in theory, with the Cricut. But, the best Cricut printers have a few important characteristics that facilitate the printing process and improve the quality of your final products. The type of printing technology, resolution for high-quality results, and all the additional features of a printer should all be taken into account when searching for the best Cricut printer.
Selection Criteria for the Best Printer for Cricut
There are numerous types of printer options on the market, each with its own benefits. Some are more suited for Cricut users who like to create designs for their own use, and others for professionals with stores selling these designs. Below, we take a closer look at some of the main aspects you might want to keep in mind when looking for the best printers for Cricut.
Inkjet Printers vs. Laser Printers
As they rely on different printing technologies, inkjet, and laser printers often produce different results when used to reproduce photographs or intricate patterns.
Liquid ink is sprayed onto paper using extremely fine nozzles in inkjet printers. They are frequently used for printing photographs and other designs that require a high level of color accuracy and detail. For printing photos or graphics with gradients, having an inkjet printer’s ability to produce a wide range of hues and tints is invaluable.
Contrarily, laser printers employ toner, a thin powder that is melted onto the paper using heat. This technology excels in printing text and line art due to its ability to create high-contrast, razor-sharp lines. When printing many copies of the same document, the speed of a laser printer is invaluable.
Your final decision between an inkjet and laser printer should be based on how frequently you anticipate using each and what kinds of art you plan to print. A laser printer could be more cost-effective if you mostly print text black and white line graphics and don’t need photo-quality output. An inkjet printer is recommended if you need to print images or graphics with colors that need to be true to life.
Print Quality
There are a number of indicators of how well an image has been printed.
The number of dots per inch (dpi) a printer is able to produce is directly proportional to the printing resolution of the printed photo. The greater the dots per inch (dpi), the crisper and more detailed the image would look.
Color accuracy is another factor to consider. When printing photos, it’s also important that the colors come out looking just like they did on the screen. In order to print a design that accurately represents its subject, the printer’s color reproduction capabilities must be high.
Supported Media
Cricut can handle a variety of materials, including vinyl, cardstock, and canvas. Nevertheless, this can only be done if the desired material thickness and size are supported by your printer. Printing Cricut designs on heavier, thicker paper is a common practice to achieve a more professional aesthetic. Hence, the thicker the media your printer can handle, the more possibilities you’ll have for projects in the long run.
Wireless Connectivity
Be sure the printer’s operating system and connection method are suitable for your needs before making a purchase. Almost any printer nowadays should be compatible with the Cricut Design program, though the method through which the printer communicates with your computer can vary (some utilize a cable to connect to your PC, while others employ wireless technologies like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth).
Aim for wireless connectivity, if your budget allows it, so you can also enjoy printing from multiple devices simultaneously.
Top Product Recommendations for the Best Printer for Cricut 2024
- Overall Best Printer for Cricut: Canon TS9521C
- Best Inkjet Printer for Cricut: EPSON SureColor P700
- Best Laser Printer for Cricut: HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw
- Best Printer for Cricut Sticker Paper: Canon PIXMA PRO 200
- Best Printer for Cricut Printable Vinyl: HP ENVY 6055e
- Best Printer for Professional Cricut Projects: EPSON ECO TANK ET-2850
1. Overall Best Printer for Cricut—Canon TS9521C
Selection Criteria
- Printing technology – Inkjet printer
- Print quality – 10/10
- Supported media – 9/10
- Wireless connectivity – 8/10
About Canon TS9521C
If you want to seriously explore the world of DIY projects like crafting stickers and other handmade items with the use of Cricut, the Canon TS9521C All-in-One Wireless Printer is an excellent option.
This printer provides a delightfully engrossing experience, making it simple to produce professional-standard output by virtue of its straightforward UI, vivid colors, and flexible printing options. ChromaLife 100 guarantees that your prints will remain colorfast for the lifetime of the product. There are five ink cartridges in this high-quality printer; four of them produce vivid colors, and the fifth is kept black. Due to its five-ink system, you can replenish the ink as needed without wasting any.
Print speeds of 15 and ten pages per minute (IPM) in black and color, respectively, are perfectly acceptable for a craft printer. Professional-quality stickers in stores are printed at a resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, and so are the ones you can print with this inkjet printer. Printing on picture paper, both matte and glossy, is also possible but do not load more than ten sheets at a time into the front paper tray, and only papers no thicker than 120 GSM if you’re using heavy stock.
The TS9521C’s primary “smart” feature is its compatibility with voice-activated assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Assistant, while it is also compatible with other platforms that support IFTTT scripting technology. This Canon printer comes with a few scripts already installed, but you may add more, as well as search for, download, and edit scripts online if you so choose.
Finally, it stores more than 40 unique printable patterns (including dots, squares, checkerboards, seasonal, and many more) that can be used as backdrops to inspirational quotes.
Pros:
- Superior print quality
- Wide variety of photo paper and thickness
- Canon print app, wireless connection, and voice activation are all standard with this printer
- Sets of backdrop patterns that can be used immediately after installation
- Affordable printer
Cons:
- Mac connectivity may have issues
2. Best Inkjet Printer for Cricut—EPSON SureColor P700
Selection Criteria
- Printing technology – Inkjet printer
- Print quality – 10/10
- Supported media – 10/10
- Wireless connectivity – 9/10
About EPSON SureColor P700
The SureColor P700 from Epson is an inkjet printer created with serious graphic designers in mind. It’s accurate in terms of color and detail, and you can use it to carry out a variety of tasks, such as vinyl and fabric printing. It also features a color touch screen that measures 4.3 inches and boasts excellent quality output. When compared to the interfaces found on competing professional photo printers, this one is intuitive in use.
The SureColor P700’s high-quality prints can be attributed to a number of factors, including its precise ten-channel MicroPiezo AMC printhead. One printer nozzle has the capability of dispersing droplets in three sizes, with the smallest being 1.5 picoliters.
Thanks to separate channels, the printer can quickly and efficiently transition between photo black and matte black without wasting ink on a nozzle flush. Nozzles are less likely to become clogged due to an ink-repelling coating. So you can expect the same printing quality and printing speed when you print documents on standard office papers and also when you create detailed prints that use more ink for graphics of stickers and other crafts.
ink cartridges for the P700 are from Epson’s new UltraChrome HD PRO10 set, which includes photo black, matte black, cyan, light cyan, vivid magenta, vivid light magenta, yellow, gray, light gray, and violet. By increasing Dmax, Epson’s new Carbon Black Driver mode improves black density on glossy paper, which is most times preferred when creating stickers.
Another thing to remember about the two black inks is that photo black is the one to use on glossy photo sheets. It is easier for matte black inks to soak and appear their best on matte papers because of the smooth, flat, non-reflective surface they provide. Based on the paper type and ICC profile, the P700 is able to select the appropriate ink for printing.
The type of paper you use to print images also makes a difference. The ICC profile of a high-quality paper specifies its characteristics, such as finish type, absorption rate, and other visual factors. Ink mixture and application in high-end printers like the P700 are based on the paper’s ICC profile.
The P700 can print on paper sizes ranging from four by six inches to 13 by 19 inches when using cut sheets. The printer can handle up to 13 inches of roll paper on a 2-inch core, too. Epson manufactures a wide variety of high-quality papers in both precut sheets and rolls to fit their printers. Epson not only provides excellent photo paper in sizes up to 13 by 19 inches but also presentation paper and a museum-quality Pro Imaging style.
Borderless images and papers can be printed on the P700 in a range of around ten different sizes, from 3.5 by five inches to 13 by 19 inches. The driver interface allows for customization to user-defined sizes.
Pros:
- Printing stickers is a breeze
- Ability to print wirelessly
- Professional grade prints
- Large variety of colors
Cons:
- Low ink warning levels cannot be turned off, often forcing you to throw out 15% of the ink in the bottle
- High initial and maintenance cost
3. Best Laser Printer for Cricut—HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw
Selection Criteria
- Printing technology – Laser printer
- Print quality – 8/10
- Supported media – 9/10
- Wireless connectivity – 10/10
About HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw
The Color LaserJet Pro M454dw from Hewlett Packard is a color laser printer ideal for use in small to medium-sized companies and artist workgroups. If you are interested in an HP printer that can handle Cricut design space and will print graphics in a time-sensitive manner, then this is a great printer to check.
The Color LaserJet Pro M454dw has a 2.7-inch color touchscreen, but you don’t have a lot of output customization choices. The control panel can be used to keep track of consumables, generate consumption data, and set up security measures, among others.
Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, and Wi-Fi Direct are the standard methods of connection. Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, HP ePrint, HP’s Smart App, and other mobile apps, as well as Mopria, are all other ways to link your mobile device so you can print from anywhere in your office without environmental constraints.
In addition to the standard 250-sheet cassette, this printer comes with a 50-sheet override tray, so you can print graphics, stickers, labels, and other media without opening the main drawer and possibly rearranging the paper trays. It is worthwhile to mention that this HP printer can even handle foil medium as Cricut’s print.
In terms of the monthly duty cycle, it can handle a little more than 4,000 pages. When it comes to imaging for laser printers, although it has some problems with the dark green-to-black backdrop gradient, its graphics are noteworthy. Otherwise, hues are true to life, blacks are deep, and gradients blend smoothly from one shade to the next, which is rather spectacular for a laser printer.
Overall, the M454dw will perform as well as, or even better than, competing models if you only need to print a few hundred pages per month. The value diminishes, however, until monthly print volumes approach several thousand pages. As long as the volume isn’t too high, this printer suits Cricut print needs just fine.
Pros:
- Great printer for Cricut print, especially when time is of the essence
- Auto duplex printing
- Affordable price
- HP smart app helps with designs and limits environmental constraints
Cons:
- High ink costs
4. Best Printer for Cricut Sticker Paper—Canon PIXMA PRO 200
Selection Criteria
- Printing technology – Inkjet printer
- Print quality – 10/10
- Supported media – 10/10
- Wireless connectivity – 9/10
About Canon PIXMA PRO 200
The Canon PIXMA Pro 200 is a fantastic printer for Cricut print, especially for sticker paper, since it can produce prints that are virtually indistinguishable from those produced in a professional lab. If you like to use Cricut Sticker Paper or you run a printing business, this inkjet printer is an excellent option to consider because it can print up to A3 size in a single pass without the need for trimming so that you can create faster, more graphics for cutting.
The manual feeder can accommodate cardstock up to 380GSM thickness, and the tray can hold up to 150 sheets of paper, making this a great option for designers and crafters, as a wider set of media can be used. The addition of a third feed option, which allows for direct printing onto CDs and photo paper, is even more startling. Skew Correction technology allows for precise paper loading on the PIXMA PRO-200, with paper alignment taken care of automatically by integrated sensors for consistently high-quality results.
This printer supports eight ink cartridges, but it’s well worth it if you want to make intricate designs for stickers with images that look like they came from a professional studio. Keep in mind that the results will change depending on the medium type you pick, even though this is the best printer for Cricut prints.
Canon maintains that their official dye inks will last for 100 years, so you don’t have to worry about your work fading anytime soon.
Printing in black and white still yields excellent results, but perfect brightness requires additional calibration time. So you can even create grayscale stickers that you can then finalize with the relevant Cut feature.
Pros:
- Wide range of mediums, great results on sticker paper
- Automatic feeder
- Large selection of key features that help with fast production of stickers
Cons:
- High ink maintenance cost
5. Best Printer for Cricut Printable Vinyl—HP ENVY 6055e
Selection Criteria
- Printing technology – Inkjet printer
- Print quality – 10/10
- Supported media – 10/10
- Wireless connectivity – 10/10
About HP Envy 6055e
Vinyl stickers are created on paper that has been coated on one or both sides with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Since it has been coated, this paper can withstand more use before ripping, is less likely to absorb water, and will not easily rip in half.
Vinyl paper printing normally requires a high-quality printer that can handle the heavyweight medium. The HP Envy 6055e’s printer’s inkjet cartridges employ solvent-based inks specifically formulated to bond with vinyl paper. With this method, the ink is sprayed onto the paper in tiny droplets that dry fast, leaving behind a crisp, colorful image.
After the printing process is complete, the vinyl paper can be further worked on by being cut or formed into other forms for your Cricut projects. Signs, banners, labels, and decals are just a few of the many uses for this material because of its versatility.
Pros:
- Easy wireless printing
- HP instant ink offers six months of free ink
- A great options among budget printers
Cons:
- If you print above your Instant Ink program, there may be an additional charge per page
6. Best Printer for Professional Cricut Projects—EPSON ECO TANK ET-2850
Selection Criteria
- Printing technology – Inkjet printer
- Print quality – 10/10
- Supported media – 9/10
- Wireless connectivity – 9/10
About EPSON ECO TANK ET-2850
The ET-2850 is a printer, scanner, and copier that uses ink stored in tanks that can be refilled from ink bottles. Disposable cartridges and the pricey machinery they require are unnecessary, which is a great deal for professional Cricut projects. Epson claims that you can make 7,500 black copies and 6000 color copies just from one ink bottle, which essentially means that, from an economic point of view, this is one of the best inkjet printers.
Control buttons for the device’s functions are located to the right of a 1.5-inch color display located on a swiveling panel. The screen can be tilted up to a full 180 degrees, allowing you to find the perfect position for you.
All you need to do to fill the tank to capacity is use the ink from the provided bottles. Then you can set up the printer for ink initialization. The ink tanks and, more importantly, which color ink goes into which tank are visualized for the user in an intuitive way, so you don’t have to worry about remembering which color goes in which tank. Having the steps laid out and the expected outcome graphically depicted is a good touch, especially for first-time users and people in a busy work environment.
Each tank has a unique key that prevents the wrong colored bottle from being placed in the wrong tank. One minute is all it takes to fill each tank, and once it’s full, the process will end on its own. In order to avoid any malfunctions, fill all of the tanks with ink before beginning the initialization process, which takes around ten minutes. If you use the app, you’ll need to ensure that the ink tanks are full.
Pigment black ink and the innovative Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology combine to create crisp text, along with high-quality color graphics, on nearly any paper type.
In regards to connectivity, you can use your phone, laptop, Macbook, or PC to connect wirelessly or even use your voice and work this machine with the help of voice-activated printing technology.
Pros:
- Cartridge-free printing, no replacement cartridges
- Budget printer
- High-quality results
- Can print on a variety of paper
Cons:
- No Bluetooth connectivity
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a number of elements to think about while deciding on the ideal printer for your Cricut Maker. With so many printer options, it can appear hard to decide. However, most printers on our list should cover most users’ needs.
If you need an all-in-one printer that doesn’t break the bank but yet produces professional-looking output, the Canon Pixma TS9521C is an excellent option.
If you’re ready to put in a little more money, the EPSON SureColor P700, with its many useful extras, good printing speed, and high print quality, is an option to think about.
We hope you found our analysis of the best printer for Cricut of 2023 to be helpful. Consult our associated guides for further sources of comparable items for the artistic lifestyle.
