Top 10 Best Printer for Cricut Maker Projects

For the creative ones, being able to see your ideas come to life can be both exciting and stressful depending on the idea. There are several ways one can make such ideas come to life. The most common way people use is a Cricut Maker. However, there are lots of things attached to making a perfect Cricut maker project.

As much as we would make this post a guide that touches every important aspect of Cricut maker projects, we would focus a lot on the best printers for Cricut maker projects. Now you might wonder, why is that?

The truth is the type of printer you use while crafting your Cricut designs mostly determines how the design would end up like. For the most part, you want to ensure that the design is crisp and the color representation is as vibrant as it can be.

Top Printer for Cricut Maker Projects by Editors

• #
  Preview
  Product
  Rating
• Bestseller No. 1
  
  Canon Pixma iX6820 Wireless Business Printer with AirPrint and Cloud Compatible, Black,...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 2
  
  Epson WorkForce WF-7720 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer with Copy, Scan, Fax,...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 3
  
  HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer, HP Instant Ink, Works with Alexa (M2U85A)
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 4
  
  Canon Pixma TS6320 Wireless All-In-One Photo Printer with Copier, Scanner and Mobile...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 5
  
  Epson SureColor P600 Inkjet Printer
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 6
  
  Canon PIXMA TR4520 Wireless All in One Photo Printer with Mobile Printing, Black, Works...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 7
  
  Canon TS9521C All-In-One Wireless Crafting Photo Printer, 12X12 Printing, White, Amazon...
  Rating:

  
  

Printers are very tricky office equipment to buy and for good reason. They are very important because, without them, you can't get any work done in terms of printing out hard copies of your typed document. However, if you get it wrong while buying one, you can easily end up with a printer that stops printing after three months. Or you might end up with a printer that produces blurred or barely visible prints. And of course, as with every tech gadget in the world today, there is always a different variation of a gadget that makes choosing one very difficult. What with each gadget offering features that supposedly make it better than another device from a different brand? Or the different price ranges they come all in the bid of convincing you to buy one particular brand over the other?

We understand this feeling quite well and honestly, you're not alone. To help you from this nightmare, we would explore the important things you need to consider while getting a printer for your Cricut print and cut projects. There would also be a section where you can read about our top 10 picks of the best printers for Cricut maker projects.

NOTE: There would be nothing about how to make Cricut prints, how to make Cricut designs, or even how to clean your Cricut mats. This is simply a guide to help you make the right decisions when in the market for a printer that can print Cricut designs. With this guide, you should be able to analyze all the features a printer has, and thus, be able to identify what works best and what doesn't.

Without further ado, let's begin!

Buying Guide: Everything you need to know about Printer for Cricut projects

As aforementioned, this post would be in two sections viz:

- A Buying Guide section; and

- A review section

In case you are in a hurry and would simply love to read about the best printers for Cricuts on the market, click here to skip to the review section.

Depending on your decision, it is worth saying that no knowledge is lost, and while this might end look like a bulky write-up, it is compiled to ensure you get the best value for your money when you do purchase a printer for yourself as a Cricut crafter.

Price

Let's start with the most obvious thing to consider, Price! Essentially, when you decide to buy anything, whether it is food, technological gadgets, car, clothes, etc. the price of such an item influences whether you end up buying it or not.

The same goes principle applies to buying a printer for Cricut maker projects. It is an important factor to consider since it would give you an idea of what model offers the range of features you want in your printer and which offers the best value in the budget range that you are willing to offer.

The price of the printer also gives you an idea of how feasible it will be to save money for a better printer or just buy what you can afford. Because let's face it, some features in a printer are well worth the investment - features that make waiting for a bit more to save up for more money well worth it.

Software

In case you are wondering, printers for Cricut maker projects are just like your everyday printers. Modern office printers come with preinstalled software that automatically loads onto your computer when you connect your printer to it for the first time.

The same goes for printers used for printing Cricut designs. However, there are some distinct differences you would only notice if you have used both of them. Software preinstalled on printers used in Cricut crafting gives you access to a library of stock graphics, images, and fonts. These stock designs and images are editable which means you can create any graphics or image for your Cricut printing without having dedicated graphics editing software on your laptop.

Also, the best printers come with pretty intuitive software so you don't have to spend hours or days learning how to use the printer or how to access it on your computer.

So essentially, you have to consider how well-rated the software is by other users. A good way to know this is by checking out the user's review of the specific printer you have in mind.

Printer Resolution

Printer resolution is very important to consider and for good reason. All printers come with a printing resolution unique to them. It is often common to see multiple printers in different price ranges have different resolutions while printing.

The clarity and color vibrancy of any design you make depends on how high the resolution is on your printer. Hence, you might want to keep an eye on the resolution of each printer on your shortlist before making a final buying decision.

Power consumption

This is not something a lot of people consider but it can be quite important in the long run. Essentially low power consumption means you don't generate an overly costly power bill every month. Energy efficiency also helps promote a greener environment. So if you are big on promoting a greener environment it is important to consider how each within your budget range handles power consumption

Type of paper to print on

When making Cricut designs, there are several different paper types you can use for your craft. However, as you might already predict, each of them comes with unique originality, features, and usage. For instance, some paper replicates vibrant colors when you print on them with ink while others do not because there are no absorbent characteristics in their makeup component.

If you are a beginner just learning the craft of Cricut design making, you don't have to dwell too much on this. You can simply purchase any printer that fits all the other requirements you might have or have set for your hypothetical printer. Then all you have to do is research a printer that is compatible with it and uses it.

NOTE: The most recommended choice of computers for beginners in the craft is all-in-one printers. These types of printers can do more than just print. They also come with other features such as the ability to fax as well as scan documents. Some of their unique features also mean you can use them for your Cricut projects and not have to worry about any issues raring its head.

Top 10 Best Printers for Circut Maker Projects: Review 2023

1. Canon Pixma iX6820 Wireless Business Printer - Link

Canon is one of the biggest and well-respected brands when it comes to making premium and reliable printers. Hence, it is not so surprising to see the Canon Pixma iX6820 wireless printer coming in as one of the best printers for Cricut maker projects.

Although it is one of Canon's affordable or moderately priced printers, it comes with several features that make it flagship worth.

Right off the bat, you will be glad to know it is an inkjet printer which means it uses ink for printing. With this, you can be sure that your Cricut graphics will have vibrant and crisp color replication and detailing.

As you can probably already predict from the model name, this device comes with Wi-Fi connectivity options alongside its traditional USB port. This means you can print any design or document using the printer from any device the printer is wirelessly connected to without direct contact or interaction with the printer.

It also comes with a library of solution templates which you can download and edit as you see fit. Thus making your job of creating Cricut designs a lot more efficient. It has a low power consumption rating thanks to its auto power on/off feature. The auto power on/off ensures the printer automatically turns itself off after you stop using it for a couple of minutes.

Pros

• Sleek build and very easy to use
• Supports printing on a variety of paper sizes including the not so common 13″ x 19″ inch paper type.
• Comes with 5 high-performance standalone ink tank system for printing colored as well as black and white designs.
• One of the best value for money printers on the market today
• Comes with support for Air Printing as well as Google Cloud printing
• Energy efficient
• Impressive colored printing resolution of 9600 x 2400 dpi
• Comes with efficient software that helps you organize your photos without any hassle
• Supports Mac OS as well as Windows PC.

Cons

• It does not have multifunctional capabilities such as faxing or scanning capabilities. Although it is not necessarily a bad thing, for the amount it costs, one would hope it can do more than it currently does
• High maintenance cost due to the multiple ink tanks it uses

2. Cricut Explore Air 2 (Mint) - Link

If you are looking to start a home business that specializes in making decals, stickers, greeting cards, etc. then the Cricut Explore Air 2 (Mint) is for you!

The machine can cut at least 100 different materials used in Cricut home crafts. They include vinyl (all types of vinyl material), cardstock, adhesive foils, among others. It is capable of printing in monochrome as well as in color. Thus, you can use it to produce custom stickers, décor decals for home, homemade greeting cards, custom apparel, etc.

Out of the box, you get the machine and a whole bunch of tools and features so you can start making your designs immediately.

One thing we do not like about this device is that it comes with design software that you only have access to for 2 weeks. After which you have to pay a premium to continue using it. To its credit, the software significantly improves your design creating and overall crafting experience since it gives you access to hundreds of thousands of editable images and designs which you can use for your project.

By buying this device, you automatically become a part of a growing and active community. Essentially, you get to ask other members for help with designs or any other issues you might have when using the Cricut Explore Air 2. You can even use more community-shared designs and projects if you happen to like them.

Pros

• Extremely Easy to use.
• Comes with Intuitive and User-friendly software for creating designs.
• Best for card and decal making. You can also use it for stencil creation.
• Fast cutting speed while maintaining high accuracy.
• Easy to maintain

Cons

• The Cricut Explore Air 2 tends to make a lot of noise.
• It requires a subscription for you to enjoy full access to all the features it comes with. (NOTE: It comes with a 2-week free trial that grants you unrestricted access to all the features you will enjoy should you decide to subscribe.

3. Canon TS9521C All-in-One Crafting Photo Printer (Wireless support) - Link

The Canon TS9521C is one of Canon's dedicated printers for crafting and Cricut making. It comes with quite a several features that make it well worth its price. To give you an overview look at why the printer is worth having, here is a highlight of the best features the Canon TS9521C has on offer:

o Supports printing on thick media such as cardstock (which is about 2.5 mm thick)

o It is an inkjet printer which means it is capable of printing on glossy paper as well as other types of paper without issue.

o Comes with Wi-Fi support that allows you to print from your smartphone, tablet, or PC. It also supports printing directly from a memory card. If you are looking for a printer that supports Air Print, the Canon TS9521C also does that!

o Can print on any size of paper up to 12 x 12 inches.

NOTE: While it supports scanning 12 x 12 documents, it can be quite inconvenient This is because the scanner is quite small.

o It supports borderless printing

Pros

• Affordably priced
• Ink replacement is quite cheap
• Comes with multifunctional capabilities like scanning, faxing, etc.
• Supports Wireless printing
• You can download custom templates, edit, then print using the Canon Pixma TS9521C
• Has Amazon Dash replacement enabled, to make sure you are always stocked up on ink
• Comes with the Amazon Dash Replenishment feature. This keeps track of your printer's ink level and automatically sends you a prompt to order more when you start to run low.
• Supports voice control when you connect it to any Alexa-supported Device.

Cons

• Users often experience paper jams
• Canon Ink cartridge refill is expensive which increases the cost of maintenance. (NOTE: It does not support the use of off-brand ink cartridges i.e. third-party ink cartridges.)
• To print on thick materials, you need to use the rear paper tray otherwise you would experience paper jams. This quickly gets annoying.
• The automatic paper head alignment feature is a bit buggy.

4. HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-one Printer - Link

HP is one of the most renowned brands when it comes to office equipment. From computer systems to printers to copiers, scanners, and laptops!

The HP Envy 5055 is another testament to the brand's incredible quality. The printer is easy to set up and does not require any special drivers to work. it is an inkjet printer and supports all ranges of the paper size you might want to print on.

It does come with a slow printing speed but for its price, this is quite understandable. The printer is sleek and compact and would fit into your office without any issues. it also supports auto duplex printing (printing on both sides of the paper).

Pros

• Comes with Bluetooth support.
• Fast printing speed.
• Supports wi-fi connectivity, which in turn allows for mobile printing.
• It is an all-in-one printer so you can scan, fax, etc. using it.
• Comes with an HP instant ink service which when enable automatically buys you ink when you start to run low.
• Energy-saving device.

Cons

• Slow printing speed
• Online customer support is bad

5. Canon Pixma TS3320 - Link

Affordable, sleek, and easy to use, the Canon Pixma TS3320 will effortlessly handle most of your printing work.

Here is a summary of the best features you will enjoy on this printer:

o Hands-free printing when the printer is connected to any Alexa-powered device.

o Supports Wireless connectivity with your smartphone or tablet so you can print without connecting the printer to your PC.

o Supports Airprint

Pros

• Simple wifi connectivity option
• Excellent print quality
• Easy to set up and use
• Comes with a small 1.5 inch LCD screen that features an intuitive interface
• Supports borderless printing of 5 x 5-inch photos

Cons

• The instructions manual that explains how to connect the printer to your computer is very difficult to follow.

6. Workforce WF-7710 Wireless InkJet printer - Link

The Workforce WF-7710 Wireless inkjet printer is one of those printers that are not a dedicated Cricut printer. However, it comes with certain features that make it possible to print Cricut designs on it.

One of the things we love about this printer is that it comes can perform a series of functions such as scan, copy, fax without any compromise in its printing capabilities. It comes with Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet connectivity options. It also comes with Amazon's Dash Replenishment feature to make sure you never run out of ink.

The printer comes with a 4.3-inch color screen that allows you to select what you want to do on the printer.

Pros

• Supports borderless printing
• Can print on both sides of the page (Automatic duplex printing)
• Has fast printing speed both for monochrome and colored printing
• Comes with Wireless and Ethernet connectivity options so you can print directly from your smartphones and tablets.

Cons

• The print resolution could be better
• The cost of maintenance is high

7. Workforce WF-7720 Wireless Inkjet Printer - Link

The WorkForce WF-7720 is a direct upgrade of the WorkForce WF-7710 wireless inkjet printer. This is one of Epson's unique printers that are not dedicated to a particular category. You can use it as a traditional office printer. You can also use it as a printer for your Cricut projects. It also comes with certain features so you can scan, copy and fax with it.

Just like its predecessor, it supports Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity options. With these, you can print directly from your smartphone or computer without the need to download any driver. It also supports borderless printing if you want to print colored images or photos. It makes up for where its predecessor lacks by offering a better print resolution.

The only downside of this printer that you will notice while using this printer is that it does not support third-party ink cartridges. You have to use Epson ink cartridges or you risk losing the warranty on your printer.

The brand claims it uses 80% less power which makes it a nice buy if you are looking for an energy-efficient printer. it also comes with a paper tray and supports auto-duplexing like its predecessor.

Pros

• Supports borderless printing
• Can print on both sides of the page (Automatic duplex printing)
• Has fast printing speed both for monochrome and colored printing
• Comes with Wireless and Ethernet connectivity options so you can print directly from your smartphones and tablets.
• Print resolution is decent
• Support high volume printing
• Comes with Alexa support when connected to any Alexa-powered device.

Cons

• The cost of maintenance is high

8. Canon TS5320 All-in-One Printer - Link

Compact and design to project a premium feel, the Pixma TS5320 is a multifunctional office printer.

You can quickly set it up out of the box and waste no time in getting started! Yes, it's that easy to use. it is great for printing photos and other types of documents. It comes with wireless support so you can print directly from your phone without any need for a computer!

NOTE: To print on the Canon TS5320, you need to have the Canon Print App installed on your smartphone.

This device uses a two Cartridge ink system. It features a 1.44 OLED screen that lets you see what instructions your printer is carrying out.

Pros

• Allows scanning and printing to or from cloud-based platforms such as Facebook
• Supports wireless and Bluetooth connectivity options
• Decent printing speed
• Supports Alexa
• You can print directly from your iPad, iphone, and Mac via Air Print.

Cons

• Ink Cartridges are expensive
• Scanning with the printer itself is not possible despite the brand's marketing claims. You have to do this using an external utility that comes with the printer.

9. Canon Pixma TR4520 Printer - Link

The Canon Pixma TR4520 Printer is a mid-range printer that is pretty affordable. It offers an excellent performance experience and should be your go-to if you are more concerned about device efficiency.

Straight out of the box, the printer supports the Canon Print app and would let you print wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet without the need to download any driver. It does have a slow printing speed which is a bit of an inconvenience but nothing too glaring to make it unusable.

One of the things we love about the Canon Pixma TR4520 is that it supports hands-free printing provided you can connect it to any Alexa-powered device. This should help make up for its slow printing speed since you can simply use voice commands to get it to print anything you need.

Quite surprisingly, the printer comes with an Ink Dash replacement feature. This feature not only ensures you do not run out of ink, but it also helps you save money!

Pros

• Sleek and compact.
• Built-in ADF tray
• Supports AirPrint without the need to install any driver.
• Supports wireless printing.
• Power-efficient thanks to its auto power on and off feature.
• The brand claims the ink the printer comes with out of the box is sufficient enough to last for 8 months

Cons

• Slow printing speed.
• Takes a while to get the hang of the controls.
• Expensive canon ink refill since it does not support third-party ink.

10. Cricut Mug Press (Heat Press for Sublimation) - Link

To end the review, we have this unique printer - the Cricut mug press. Just as the name implies, this printer is pretty limited in function. It is only suitable for producing clean, vibrant, and professional customized mugs. This could act as a birthday, graduation, or even a wedding present. Or you could even make them sell as a side hustle.

The printer is very easy to use since it does not perform any complex functionality. To create designs to be printed on your mug, the printer comes with intuitive software that you can download on your PC or android!

Pros

• User friendly
• Excellent color replication
• Design mugs using this printer are safe to wash in a dishwasher.

Cons

• Expensive
• It is only useful if you want to print Cricut designs on your mug

FAQ for Printer Buyers for Cricut Maker Projects

What type of items can I craft on a Cricut maker?

Cricut makers are fun ways of crafting at home. They make working on home-made craft projects more easier and fun. That said, you might be looking for some ingenious ideas to try out on your Cricut maker. We got you covered.

• Vinyl Decal and Stickers

These are so much satisfying to create, print and cut. They involve printing on vinyl material and then cutting them out. Vinyl is incredibly easy to cut. All you have to worry about is making a design using your software. Then transfer your design to the vinyl using your Cricut printer.

• Fabric design cuts

This is a pretty common crafting idea aside from printing on Cricut paper. Most modern Cricut makers feature a rotary blade that makes it possible to print on fabric. These Rotary blades have unique rolling mechanics that make it possible to cut through any fabric. However, not all types of fabric can be cut using a Cricut maker. Silk, denim, chiffon are some of the most common materials you can cut using this machine.

NOTE: Not all Cricut makers can cut fabric. You have to make sure your cutter has this feature for it to work.

TIP: To make the cutting fabric easier while using a Cricut Maker, you need to buy a fabric Cricut cutting mat and use it alongside your Cricut maker machine.

• Balsa Wood Cuts

Lastly, you can also make Cricut designs on balsa wood. For this to work, you need to ensure that your Cricut maker is equipped with the necessary features for cutting materials such that are 2 to 2.5 mm thick. Balsa Wood is one such material that is as thick as the aforementioned thickness.

NOTE: Using a Cricut maker to craft balsa wood is quite technical. And while you will be surprised by how good the cut designs would look when it is finished, you require some technical knowledge to properly make them work.

What printer is best to use for a Cricut maker project?

Is there a specific best printer to use for your Cricut craft projects? The simple answer is no. However, this answer depends a lot more on personal preference as well as how you plan to use the Cricut maker.

That said, there is a popular consensus that works. What this means is that there certain brands that guarantee the best value for money. These brands include Epson, Canon, and the ever-reliable HP. These three are known for producing reliable, if not entirely affordable, printers for Cricut crafting. Some of them even come with features that make them multifunctional printing devices so that not only can you print Cricut designs you can also print other types of media.

NOTE: Depending on the material you are working with as well as the design or graphics you are trying to transfer to your material using your printer and Cricut maker, HP and Canon printers are highly recommended. This is because most of them work using ink cartridges instead of the more common toner cartridges. The implication of this is that such printers that use ink in place of toner generally produce better-colored designs.

What is the best printer for Cricut Print and Cut?

Cricut Print and Cut are done on Cardstock. Cardstocks are usually thicker than normal office printing paper (e.g A4, A3, A1, legal, etc.) Cardstocks are usually preferred because they have reusability features which means you can do multiple designs using the same cardstock; thus saving material and money. The only issue here is not all printers can print on cardstock.

Hence, there is no "overall" best printer for Cricut Print and Cut. You need to research each printer on your shortlist to be sure they can print on cardstock without causing damage to the printer or cardstock.

Can I use any printer for Cricut's work?

No, not all printers are suitable for Cricut. All printers have different features which make them suitable for different purposes.

Take for instance a printer for office use would first and foremost be designed with fast printing speed as well as sleekness. You won't want to buy a printer that looks bulky and out of the place in your office right?

Unfortunately, such a printer, despite its sleekness and fast printing speed might not be able to handle printing on cardstock or fabric - both of which are important materials in Cricut crafting.

As a result, you need to check the specs of each printer and be sure it can do exactly what you want - print on materials you intend to use for your Cricut projects or crafts.

Will I need a printer if I have a Cricut Maker?

To be quite honest, you don't. This is not to say a printer is not important when you have a Cricut maker but whether or not you need one depends on what type of material you plan to craft your items from.

If you plan on using Vinyl, for example, it is not important to use a printer. With the right settings, you can easily craft any design from vinyl using only your Cricut maker.

The important thing to note is that printers give you options for a wider range of materials you can craft from. Printers play an important role in printing Cricut designs so you can get the right results using your circuit machine.

Buy on Etsy

Canon Pixma iX6820 Wireless Business Printer with AirPrint and Cloud Compatible, Black, - Walmart Link

Epson WorkForce WF-7720 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer with Copy, Scan, Fax, - Walmart Link

HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer, HP Instant Ink, Works with Alexa (M2U85A) - Walmart Link

Canon Pixma TS6320 Wireless All-In-One Photo Printer with Copier, Scanner and Mobile - Walmart Link

Epson SureColor P600 Inkjet Printer - Walmart Link

Canon PIXMA TR4520 Wireless All in One Photo Printer with Mobile Printing, Black, Works - Walmart Link

Canon TS9521C All-In-One Wireless Crafting Photo Printer, 12X12 Printing, White, Amazon - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

Canon Pixma iX6820 Wireless Business Printer with AirPrint and Cloud Compatible, Black, - eBay Link

Epson WorkForce WF-7720 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer with Copy, Scan, Fax, - eBay Link

HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer, HP Instant Ink, Works with Alexa (M2U85A) - eBay Link

Canon Pixma TS6320 Wireless All-In-One Photo Printer with Copier, Scanner and Mobile - eBay Link

Epson SureColor P600 Inkjet Printer - eBay Link

Canon PIXMA TR4520 Wireless All in One Photo Printer with Mobile Printing, Black, Works - eBay Link

Canon TS9521C All-In-One Wireless Crafting Photo Printer, 12X12 Printing, White, Amazon - eBay Link

Conclusion on Cricut Maker Printer Reviews

Conclusively, we have compiled a list of the best printers for making your Cricut crafts and designs. The aforementioned printers in the review section are user-friendly, affordable, and provide unique premium values you don't want to miss. Some even support mobile and wireless printing which is a feature you only find on the most premium and pricey printers.

Cricut crafting requires a significant degree of skill but you also need the right tools to get the job done the right way. This guide would surely help make your buying decision stressful and hassle-free.