I was compelled to revisit the world of Cricut when talking about the best printer for Cricut projects. Read on!
Whenever you need a Cricut Printer and Cut, I’ve listed my top pick for 2022. Read on for more information!
Replaces Pixma Pro-100
Canon PIXMA PRO-200 Professional Color Printer
- This printer prints up to 13×19 inches
- The LCD screen measures 3.0″ in color
- A company called Layout Software and Mobile Device Printing, Inc. offers Wirless AirPrint
- Pixma Pro-200, model sold in the UK / Germany
I recently wrote about one of my favorite crafting tools as well, the Cricut cutting machine, a machine that allows for so many different projects and ideas that make them not just possible, but almost unbelievably simple to do. And now, a year later, Cricut has revamped their whole line, with the Cricut Explorer 3, The Cricut Maker 3, and the aptly named Cricut Joy.
There will be a discussion of the following questions
How does the Cricut work?
Can I use the Cricut Maker without a printer?
What kind of printer does the Cricut work best with?
Which printer does Cricut recommend?
Cricut printers are available in both inkjet and laser options. Which one is better?
Are special ink cartridges required for the Cricut Print and Cut?
Let’s first talk a little bit about what a Cricut is, what you use it for, and why you even need a printer to use one. But if you don’t want to read all that, here are my top recommendations for the best Cricut printers.
What is a Cricut?
An artist, crafter or DIYer can use a Cricut machine to cut objects. It is essentially a desktop or tabletop machine with a very sharp knife or other tool in place of a print head. Cricut machines connect to your computer via cables or wirelessly using software, allowing you to cut out designs effortlessly.
Those designs are cut out of papers, fabrics, leather, vinyl, preprinted stickers, sticker paper, or other materials, precisely following the shape, design, or illustration that you have loaded or created on your computer.
With these printers you can print gorgeous images on a variety of materials, which can then be cut with a Cricut with great precision and perfect neatness and finish.
Among the cutting machine manufacturers, Cricut isn’t the only one, but they make the most reliable, easiest-to-use machines. Just ask any crafter or artist who has ever used one!
Before we move on to the best Cricut printers, let’s reiterate that the three brand new Cricut models are significantly better than the older Cricut models based on my limited experience with them (so far) and on what I’ve heard as well as the rave reviews all around the web!
Cricut Maker 3 Deluxe Arts and Crafts Cutting Machine
- The machine fits over 300 different materials and is able to cut 13 tools (writing, cutting, scoring, foiling, debossing, engraving, etc.). Material can be up to 13 inches by 12 feet.
Cricut Explore 3 Arts and Crafts Cutting Machine
- Create unique vinyl decals, custom shirts, and intricate paper projects with an easy-to-use DIY machine compatible with Cricut Smart Materials
Cricut Joy 3
- It’s Easy to Design Custom Decals, Make Personalized Greeting Cards, and Make Custom T-Shirts With This Easy-to-Use DIY Machine for Quick Vinyl, HTV Iron On, and Paper Products
- Cricut Maker 3 – Cuts over 300 types of material, includes 13 tools (cutting, writing, scoring, foiling, debossing, engraving, etc), maximum material size 13 inches x 12 feet
- Cricut Explorer 3 – Cuts over 100 different materials, includes 13 tools (cutting, writing, scoring, foiling, debossing, engraving and more), maximum material size 13″ by 12″
- Cricut Joy – cuts over 50 different materials, includes two tools (cutting & writing), maximum material size is 6.5″ x 10″
Even though all of these machines are great, I strongly recommend the Cricut Maker 3 – it is much stronger, essentially a commercial-grade machine that will last a lifetime, and has far more capabilities.
All five will last forever, and are built to have great durability, but if you plan to use your new Cricut machine a lot, and especially if you don’t want to limit yourself to thinner or lighter materials, then the Maker 3 is probably the best choice – and it isn’t that expensive!
What Are the Benefits of Using a Printer with Your Cricut?
You could create shapes and designs on your computer and cut them out of plain, patterned, or pre-printed materials without a printer.
It is really the standard method, as it allows for so many possibilities and allows so many more ideas and inspirations to come to life, not just as ideas, but also as real, quick, and easy realities.
With a printer you can get your own artwork, designs, patterns, pictures, words and lettering, layouts, borders and decorations, photos, really anything by using pretty much any art, drawing or painting software, on any platform – Windows, Apple, Android. Then, you can print it and use your Cricut to cut it out exactly.
You can easily transfer your original design – whether it is a heart, oval, box, or even an irregular shape – to the Cricut software and it will cut every printout perfectly every time. With scissors, I’m pretty good, but I can’t compare to what a Cricut and a good printer can do!
That’s all there is to it. After a bit of experience and more confidence, you can start to experiment and follow your own creativity, for instance using your Cricut to score, emboss, and texture a piece of material or to selectively cut out pieces from that material.
With the best printers for Cricut, you can print on a great variety of materials, with amazing results. You can very successfully make the following things with the best Cricut machine and the best Cricut printer:
- Stickers made from vinyl
- Thermocouples and Heat Transfers
- Patches sewn on to clothing
- Wearables and Clothing
- Jewellery
- Cases and bags
- Paper Products: Invitations, Announcements, etc.
- Hangings for the walls are beautiful
- Labels, promotional pieces, and advertising
- Works of art that are limited editions or special editions
- Puzzles, games, and toys
- Household Decorations and Holiday Ornaments
- Embarrassing costumes for your pets
Or the short list – with a Cricut and the right printer you can:
- Decorate your home with beautiful things
- You can make beautiful presents for friends, family, and customers
- Profit from your efforts!
What Should You Look For in the Best Cricut Printer?
Cricut cutting machines open up a world of possibilities and inspire new and creative ideas.
I think it is important that a printer won’t limit your creativity or hinder your new ideas, especially with the Cricut Maker (and it is true for any Cricut machine).
When you look for the best printers for Cricut, make sure they run the same software, can handle the same range of materials, and can print oversized pieces.
Dot matrix printers are certainly preferable (for Cricut applications, as well as a range of other uses), and in this regard I would definitely choose them, for ease of use, quality, and – specifically with the Cricut – the ability to print on a variety of different types of paper and material.
Moreover, we want printers whose printing quality is stunning, which are well-made and reliable, and which offer exceptional value regardless of price.
As a rule of thumb, the best printer to use with Cricut cutting machines should have the following features:
- Work with a range of materials, weights and thicknesses
- Printing on 13-inch wide stock is possible
- High-quality prints
- Quality, reliability, and value in construction
Not only are these printers perfect for Cricut, but they are also excellent for all your other creative endeavors – photography, scrapbooking, drawing, painting, etc. crafts, gifts, and products of all kinds.
What Are the Best Printers for Cricut?
According to what I understand, the Cricut company does not recommend any specific printers, so we’re on our own! As you read on, keep calm – that’s what this guide is all about! That’s why we looked at brand new Cricuts, as well as the first-generation Cricut that you might still be using today.
Not only are there quite a few great printers for use with your Cricut, but they are also available at all price levels, and some of them are extremely affordable!
We can sort our results by price, so you can easily find the Cricut printer that will work well for you – from the least expensive to the most expensive – since our focus is on printers that I’ve specifically chosen to be as versatile as they can be.
No matter what level you choose, you’ll get the best printer for regular use or a Cricut machine and the best printer for arts, crafts, and design–with excellent prints, plenty of features, and long-term reliability.
There is a very specific form of printing that we will discuss in the Bonus section at the end of this article – sublimation printing – which is so beautiful (and, to be honest, highly sellable) that it seems to be tailored for the Cricut. Sublimation requires a dedicated printer, so let’s take a look at some great options.
We’ll also be covering printers that you can use for other things – in fact, for everything! Crictut – and they are the perfect complement to each other.
Make beautiful things for yourself, for your family and friends, or to sell in a shop or on the Internet, your printer must be the right one for the job, which is what you’ll discover in this buyer’s guide.
Overview: Best Printer for Cricut Print and Cut in 2022
Canon PIXMA PRO-200 Professional Color Printer
- A maximum of 13″ X 19″ can be printed
- The LCD screen measures 3.0″ in color
- A company called Layout Software and Mobile Device Printing, Inc. offers wireless printing
- In the UK / Germany, the Canon Pixma Pro-200 is sold
Canon IP8720 Wireless Printer, AirPrint and Cloud Compatible
- Full-Positronic Inkjet Nozzle Design (FINE)
- Ink tanks with 6 colors each
- Up to 13×19 inch borderless prints
- UK/German model – IP8750
Epson SureColor P700 13-Inch Printer
- The touchscreen is easy to use with a customizable 4.3-inch display, wireless connectivity, and internal LED light for quick, convenient operation. It accepts media up to 1.5 mm thick.
Epson Artisan 1430 Wireless Color Printer
- Printing in color with an inkjet printer
- Paper sizes up to 9 x 13 inches are allowed
- Two thousand four hundred and eighty DPI resolution
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 Wide-Format Printer with Scanner
- Sublimation printers that are best for commercial use
- Super Tank Printer – Best Professional Printer
- Printer type: Inkjet
- It is possible to print up to 13″ x 19″
- Four-hundred and one-hundred and two-hundred-pixel optimized resolution
- A 25 PPM black-and-white printing speed and a 25 PPM color printing speed
Canon G7020 All-In-One Printer
- Wireless Supertank (Megatank) Printer with Scanner, Copier, Fax, and ADF for Home Office
My Favorite Printer for Cricut
Replaces Pixma Pro-100
Canon PIXMA PRO-200 Professional Color Printer
- Printing is limited to 13″ X 19″
- Color LCD Screen, 3.0″
- Printing Software and Mobile Devices, Inc. AirPrint Wireless
- The UK / Germany model is the Pixma Pro-200
All the printers included in this 2021 buyer’s guide for the best Cricut printers are wonderful, and I would be thrilled to have and use any of them – with my Cricut or for any other purpose.
I am particularly fond of one printer, and have since I started using it. Canon Pixma Pro-200 professional color printer – one of my favorites ever, and perfect for any Cricut project.
It takes beautiful photos, is exceptionally quiet, and has a delightfully premium fit and finish with real long-term reliability. I am not even sure why I love it so much, but I guess it is just because it is so easy to use, basic, dependable, and compact.
Okay, I have a pretty good idea why I like it so much. Its impressive print quality — highly saturated, accurate colors, ultra-high resolution, and detail and depth, as well as Google cloud print capabilities — has made it something of a legend, especially at an almost inexplicably low price.
The Canon Pixma Pro-200 wide format printer is a joy to use and own and receives my strongest recommendation, especially when it comes to using it with a Cricut cutting machine.
Best Affordable Printer for Cricut
Best Value for Money
Canon IP8720 Wireless Printer, AirPrint and Cloud Compatible
- Inkjet Nozzle Engineering (FINE) for full-photolithography
- Ink tanks with 6 colors each
- Prints up to 13×19 inches without borders
- In the UK / Germany, IP8750 is available
Let’s get one thing out of the way right now: this is not the cheapest affordable printer ever recommended.
While the Canon IP8720 is a bit more expensive than some pretty great printers, such as the highly recommended Canon Pixma TR4520, but the Canon IP8720 takes print quality, versatility, build quality, and reliability to the next level.
With its easy design, full range of connectivity (including full AirPrint support), and wide-format printing capabilities (up to 13 inches wide – the same width as most Cricuts), this printer works wonderfully with Cricut machines.
A fully 6-color ink system (also unheard of at this price point!) and exceptional print quality make the IP8720 the best printer in its price class.
I recommend the Canon IP8720 as the best budget printer for Cricut in 2022 because it’s designed well, easy to use and well made. It’s a great match for any Cricut machine – in terms of quality, flexibility and the creative inspiration they provide.
Best Mid-Priced Printer for Cricut
Epson SureColor P700 13-Inch Printer
With a 4.3″ touch screen, wireless connectivity, and interior LED light, this device offers fast, convenient operation | Supports media up to 1.5 mm thick
Although Epson SureColor high-resolution inkjet printers are better and better known (they also handle photo paper well), the less expensive P700 remains a little-known gem — a printer that shares the same engineering approach and quality as its more expensive siblings, and offers a genuine bargain despite its slightly higher price point.
Users of the Cricut can also benefit from the Epson SureColor P700. Having a printer that can handle thicker materials and work with card stock won’t delay you from getting creative. Since it has the same width as most Cricuts, it won’t hold you back.
Since most of my audience consists of serious and discerning artists and crafters, and many of us also want the ability to sell our items, the P700 is an even better choice because of its amazing print quality.
With UltraChrome inks and ink cartridges, print heads and extreme engineering precision, printers produce colors that are more accurate, vivid, saturated, and sharper.
For a wide format printer of such high quality, the Epson SureColor P700 is surprisingly user-friendly, and surprisingly cost-effective to run. A range of connectivity options including AirPrint makes it an intelligently designed device in every aspect. My pick for the best medium priced printer for Cricut in 2022, and one of the best values on the market today, is the P700. It is great for artists, crafters, or photographers at any level.
Best Premium Printer for Cricut
High Quality
Epson Artisan 1430 Wireless Color Printer
- Type of printer: Inkjet color printer
- The maximum paper size is 9 x 13 inches
- Two thousand four hundred and eighty DPI resolution
Among the most exciting and attractive features of Cricut machines is the exceptional level of precision, control and quality that they provide.
If you are looking for the most beautiful and highest quality items that will impress your customers and will achieve premium prices, Cricut – and especially the Cricut Maker 3 – can help.
The Epson Artisan 1430 wide format printer is the clear choice for discerning artists and crafters (as well as discerning customers if that’s your bag).
While Epson Artisan is not a cheap printer, there are certainly others out there that can cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars more, and Epson Artisan performs better than a lot of them – perhaps most of them!
The Artisan 1430 is designed to be an upscale photo printer, so it is a top choice for even the most discerning photographers and designers, as well as a favorite of commercial artists, illustrators, and all types of creative people who want the best of the best.
With 6 colors of Claria ink, the micro-piezo print heads, borderless prints and your ability to create, cut, trim and even emphasize images on a Cricut, you will be able to create stunning results.
Besides being able to print up to 13 inches wide, running heavier stock and other materials, having an easy-to-use user interface that allows for easy wireless printing, and being a commercial-level printer in terms of material quality, reliability, and life, the Epson Artisan 1430 wide format printer is also ideal for our purposes in every other respect as well. But most of all, it is a printer that creates stunning results, and is an obvious choice for the best premium Cricutworthy printer.
Best Commercial Printer for Cricut
Best for Commercial use
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 Wide-Format Printer with Scanner
- Commercial Sublimation Printers
- Super Tank Printer – Best Professional Printer
- Printer type: Inkjet
- 13″ x 19″ is the maximum print size
- Optimized resolution of 4800 x 1200
- A 25 PPM black-and-white printing speed and a 25 PPM color printing speed
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 Wide-Format Printer with Scanner
I recommend the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 quite frequently as the best printer for small or medium businesses. It is one of my favorite printers.
This is not a cheap printer, but it saves money in the long run (on ink costs) and provides unmatched print quality, as well as plenty of useful features.
This all-in-one has a high resolution printer, copier, and scanner, as well as Epson EcoTank ink refillable tanks that drastically cut running costs and keep you from having to replace the ink for prolonged periods of time.
Furthermore, it is a heavy, durable, overbuilt printer that can handle commercial use, and it will provide years of reliable service at home or in the office.
In general however, this printer is not only capable in many aspects, but it is about printing quality and has the highest resolution (in fact, it is sharper and more detailed than the specs may indicate thanks to the exceptional print heads and precise alignment) and vibrant DURABrite pigment inks. Beautiful, energetic and bright prints!
Best Supertank Printer for Cricut
Canon G7020 All-In-One Printer
The Megatank wireless printer / copier provides wireless printing, scanning, faxing and automatic document feeder (ADF) for the home office
This Canon G7020 all in one printer costs about the same as our budget pick, but its quality is quite a bit higher.
Featuring an 11-inch maximum print width, the G7020 is a printer, scanner, and copier. It may not offer the same printing range as the IP8720 above (or most of the Cricut machines, for that matter), but it may make a better general office or home printer.
Despite having less impressive color quality and resolution than our first choice, this printer still produces better-looking prints than most others in its price range, and with its supertank ink system it performs at a lower overall ink and printing cost.
The new Canon G7020 all-in-one printer is a great choice for any artist or crafter, which is why it is the best supertank printer for Cricut in 2022. It has good print quality, is well designed and well built, and is relatively cheap to run.
