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Product Description
Style: Without Starter Tool Kit Bundle
Amazon.com
Features You'll Love
New For The Cricut Expression 2 Machine!
- LCD touch screen allows you to create projects without being connected to a computer. The screen lets you see where images are placed on the mat prior to cutting and provides a detailed view of each image.
- You can also design on your computer—just connect to the free online Cricut Craft Room design software and start creating with the Cricut images you own.
- Use the LCD touch screen to choose from predetermined pressure and speed settings for most common materials or customize the settings for your special materials so you get the perfect cut every time.
- Enjoy additional easy-to-use features with the Cricut Expression 2 machine such as independent image sizing, image rotation, and vertical/horizontal image flipping.
- Comes with two pre-loaded cartridges so you have immediate access to 3 fonts, 40 phrases, and 110 layered images, all at a price that is easy on your budget.
And Just Like The Cricut Expression Machine:
- Virtually limitless design possibilities are yours with the images and fonts available in the Cricut image library.
- You can also purchase additional sets of affordable digital images in different themes with the Cricut Craft Room design software.
- Cuts a wide range of materials—including cardstock, vinyl, vellum, fabric, chipboard, and even thin foils—in sizes ranging from ¾" to 23 ½" (12" x 24" cutting mat sold separately).
- Additional features include Auto Fill and Quantity which allow you to cut multiples of the same image so you can quickly create a batch of invitations, place settings, party favors, or other projects. You also can maximize the size of your image without trial and error by using the Fit to Page feature.
200+ Pre-loaded Images!
Comes with two pre-loaded cartridges so you have immediate access to 3 fonts, 40 phrases, and 110 layered images, all at a price that is easy on your budget.
Cricut Essentials Cartridge
Dress up any of your projects with this multipurpose cartridge. With it, you will have access to images that will inspire your new creation and give each project your personal touch. Here is a sampling of the included images:
Cricut Alphabet Cartridge
Your words never looked so good. Whatever the message may be, this font cartridge, with its set of letters, numbers, and images, is sure to help your writing jump right off the page. Here is a sampling of the included images:
Design. Cut. Create.
The Cricut Expression 2 Electronic Cutting Machine enables you to create things you never thought you could. Whether you'd like to make cards with a personal touch, beautify your home with crafted décor, celebrate holidays with custom banners and signs, or add polish to your scrapbook with meaningful elements, the Cricut Expression 2 machine can help you create it all.
The design possibilities are virtually endless with the vast Cricut image library. The image library contains sets of digital images at affordable prices for use in the Cricut Craft Room design software. You can also purchase physical Cricut cartridges that work directly with your machine. Cricut cartridges contain hundreds of professionally drawn and thoughtfully designed images, and some cartridges include fonts as well. There are over 300 Cricut cartridges available. They cover a wide range of themes such as weddings, new baby, animals, holidays, sports, and more. Simply insert a Cricut cartridge into the Cricut Expression 2 machine, choose the images you like, select the size, and press CUT. Thousands upon thousands of designs are possible!
The LCD touch screen allows you to create projects without being connected to a computer. The screen lets you see where images are placed on the mat prior to cutting and provides a detailed view of each image.
If you prefer to design on a computer, the Cricut Expression 2 machine allows you to do so with the free online Cricut Craft Room design software. With the Cricut Craft Room design software you can design with and cut all of the Cricut images you own. Just select an image and drag and drop it on the virtual cutting mat. Then size, slant, rotate, weld, or flip images to create the perfect project. When you're finished, connect your Cricut Expression 2 machine to your computer with a USB cable (included) so you can cut what you've designed. You can also use the Cricut Craft Room design software to explore the entire Cricut image library (including exclusive digital images) and purchase digital images for immediate use.
The Cricut Expression 2 machine can cut a wide variety of materials at a whole host of sizes. You can cut images and fonts on cardstock, vinyl, vellum, fabric, chipboard, and even thin foil at sizes as small as ¼" and as large as 23 ½". Some images are very intricate and will cut best at larger sizes, while simple images can be cut at smaller sizes.
With a vast library of professionally designed images and the ability to cut a wide variety of materials and sizes, the Cricut Expression 2 machine enables you to create things you never thought you could. Join the Cricut product family, and we will provide you with inspiration to get you started and keep on creating everything from holiday cards and seasonal décor to gift ideas and home décor.
Product Description
With the Cricut Expression 2 , you'll be able to bring all those wonderful ideas swirling around inside to life, because it's chock-full of all-new features to love. Cricut Expression 2 is perfect for new and not-quite-so-new users alike -- it's easy and fun to use for all your personal creative projects. A sleek, new exterior and thoughtful innovations make Cricut Expression 2 a must-have for any craft room
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
620 of 655 people found the following review helpful
Style Name:Without Starter Tool Kit Bundle
I am writing this review from the perspective of a comparison between the Cricut Expression 2 and the Silhouette Cameo. My review is also approaching the application of these machines from a more industrial perspective, NOT from and arts & crafts perspective. In other words, what applications can inexpensive computer-controlled cutting machines be put to outside of the usual arts & crafts world, and how do the two most popular machines of that type compare in those divergent applications?
By Arts & Crafts, I am referring to applications that involve the usual 'hearts, flowers, puppy dogs, cupcakes' shape cutting. By Industrial, I am referring to other tasks such as cutting stencils for spray painting numbers on shipping crates, cutting gaskets, cutting of labels and industrial markers, cutting picture frame masks, and so on.
I have obtained and used both machines during the same time period. I have had extensive communications with both manufacturers, both in pre-sales discussions and in post-sales customer/technical support. If I mention a feature of a product, it is one that I have used and verified personally. If I mention a limitation of a product, it is one that I have experienced personally AND also discussed with the manufacturer to see if I was missing something and/or if there was a work-arounf or alternative way of achieving the goal.
Both machines will cut out shapes from sheets of flat materials under computerized control. Both machines are very similar in design and layout, and both work in the same mechanical fashion. Both machines are about the same size and can cut shapes from similar sized pieces of raw material. Both machines use a tiny metal knife that us moved up and down under computer control, while the knife holder moves sideways and the material moved front and back. Both machines use a knife blade that swivels so that it always cuts regardless of the direction the materials is moving in relative to the knife itself.
Other than these similarities, there are significant differences in the philosophy between the two products. Henceforth in this review I will refer to the Cricut Expression 2 as the "Cricut" and the Silhouette Cameo as the "Cameo".
The Cricut is fundamentally designed to provide a wide range of predefined symbols and symbol sets from which the user can select adn assemble the desired craft projects. It does this without the need for any additional equipment, and specifically the user does not need to have a personal computer or have any knowledge of software or computers. It is the more portable of the two products because you can pick it up and take it to another location easily without the need to lug along a personal computer (or have a personal computer in the new location). The Cricut is self-sufficient.
The Cameo is fundamentally designed to act exactly as an inkjet or laser printer does when connected to a personal computer; it is in effect a computer printer that produces patterns by cutting them from material as opposed to producing them by putting ink or toner on material. It cannot be used without a personal computer. Its user mist be able to learn and use computer software, the same as learning other software such as word processors, photo editing, web browser, page layout, and other popular applications. The Cameo is not self sufficient.
The Cricut does not allow the user to create shapes from scratch. You must find a suitable shape, or group of shapes, from within the huge library of predefined symbols that is spread across a large number of Cricut cartridges. It is possible to 'weld' different shapes together and this offers some flexibility, but ultimately the shapes must originate in the cartridges. When the user has a specific shape in mind and cannot alter it to suit what can be found in the cartridges, it can become quite frustrating. In the task of trying to assemble the designed custom shape, the user might have to purchase several cartidges, and they are not cheap. It is also quite possible that the desired shape cannot be cut at all.
The Cameo allows the user to create shapes from scratch. There are no cartridges at all. If the user does not wish to design their own shapes, there is also an extensive library of online shapes designed by other users. Cameo does not limit where the shapes come from, but does offer a great many from their own online library at 99 cents per shape. The user can buy only the shape, or shapes, desired and does not need to buy an expensive cartridge only to get a single shape from it. Instead of purchasing shapes designed by others, the user can draw any desired shape using the compter software, and can offer it to others for use.
The Cricut has a nice display, consisting of a color LCD screen with touch sensitive surface. All the operations can be performed by touching the screen, or for more precise selections a plastic stylus is included. Once a given cartridge is plugged into the Cricut, all of its shapes can be viewed on the screen as tiny thumbnail images, and the desired shapes can be selected to a queue, from which they can be dragged to a virtual cutting mat, showing where they will appear on the material to be cut. Any shape can be selected, enlarged, and resized.
The Cameo has a small simple display like a calculator's or an older cell phones. It diplays only one color and shows only text. It is used for diagnostics and for messages like "Load the material" and "Unload the material". All other operations are done using the included computer software, using the computer's keyboard, mouse and screen.
The Cricut can be used, optionally, with the free Craft Room software on a personal computer. This software must be downloaded from the Cricut website; it is not included with the machine. The software includes a library of all currently known cartridges, and allows the user to assemble a complete cutting session before the actual cartridges needed have been purchased. The Craft Room software will not function unless the computer is currently online with Cricut; this is important, since it means that you must have an internet connection anywhwere that you want to use the Cricut in conjuction with the Craft Room software. The Craft Room does not allow the user to design their shapes, but it does provide a more user-friendly interface for the Cricut, since more tools and objects can be viewed on the larger computer screen.
The Cameo must be used with the included Studio software; this comes on a CD-ROM in the box with the machine. For a fee of about $50, it will upgrade itself to the more advanced Designer Edition. The main advantages of the Designer Edition are the ability to import a wider range of graphics from other programs. Both the regular version and the Designer Edition allow the same design and cutting functionality, so for most people there is no need to buy the Designer Edition. The Cameo's software only needs to be online with the Silhouette website when you wish to purchase shapes from their library, or when you wish to do an upgrade to a newer version. Otherwise, the software works without the need for an internet connection.
The Cricut includes a white LED headlight next to the blade, so you can see what it is cutting as it does so. The Cameo does not have such a light.
Both machines use cutting mats, which are clear plastic sheets with a special adhesive on the top surface to make it a bit tacky. This holds the material to be cut so that it does not slide around during cuttings. The mats wear out due to wear from the blades cutting through into them, and from the adhesive wearing out.
Both machines use blades that attach to a tool holder on the machines. The Cricut uses tiny blades that fit into a blade holder, while the Cameo requires the user to replace the blade holder when the blade wears out; this makes the Cameo blades a bit more expensive, but on the other hand it is much easier to handle the larger blade holder then it is handling the tiny (and sharp!) Cricut blades. The Cricut blade depth can be adjusted while the blade holder is attached to the machine, whereas the Cameo blade holder muct be removed from the machine in order to change blade depth. Both machines seem to cut equally well.
The Cricut is not intended to make its cuts on specific areas of the mat (you can get close, though, using the Craft Room software). The Cameo allows very precise cuts relative to the material, so you can specify that a shape be cut starting 1/2", for example, from the edge of the material.
The Cricut is not intended for cutting out pre-printed materials; it is intended to cut out shapes in different materials (of materials of different colors) that can be later assembled to form a multi-colored overall shape.
The Cameo is not a printer, but it does allow importing and designing shapes in any desired color or combination of colors. Then it will send the image to the printer of your choice, printing on the material to be cut; this is limited only by the ability of your printer. The Cameo software will print registration marks on the printed sheet, and when the printed sheet is then loaded into the Cameo machine, it used an electric eye to scan for the registration marks, and will syncronize and align the cutting with the pre-printed images. This allows an infinite number of printed images and cut shapes to be made. The syncronized cuts are very accurate, matching the desired printed images. The user can specify where the cuts are to be made relative to the printed shapes, or the software can automatically figure it out. This even applies to graphical objects imported into the Cameo software, as opposed to being designed in that software. Read more ›
By Arts & Crafts, I am referring to applications that involve the usual 'hearts, flowers, puppy dogs, cupcakes' shape cutting. By Industrial, I am referring to other tasks such as cutting stencils for spray painting numbers on shipping crates, cutting gaskets, cutting of labels and industrial markers, cutting picture frame masks, and so on.
I have obtained and used both machines during the same time period. I have had extensive communications with both manufacturers, both in pre-sales discussions and in post-sales customer/technical support. If I mention a feature of a product, it is one that I have used and verified personally. If I mention a limitation of a product, it is one that I have experienced personally AND also discussed with the manufacturer to see if I was missing something and/or if there was a work-arounf or alternative way of achieving the goal.
Both machines will cut out shapes from sheets of flat materials under computerized control. Both machines are very similar in design and layout, and both work in the same mechanical fashion. Both machines are about the same size and can cut shapes from similar sized pieces of raw material. Both machines use a tiny metal knife that us moved up and down under computer control, while the knife holder moves sideways and the material moved front and back. Both machines use a knife blade that swivels so that it always cuts regardless of the direction the materials is moving in relative to the knife itself.
Other than these similarities, there are significant differences in the philosophy between the two products. Henceforth in this review I will refer to the Cricut Expression 2 as the "Cricut" and the Silhouette Cameo as the "Cameo".
The Cricut is fundamentally designed to provide a wide range of predefined symbols and symbol sets from which the user can select adn assemble the desired craft projects. It does this without the need for any additional equipment, and specifically the user does not need to have a personal computer or have any knowledge of software or computers. It is the more portable of the two products because you can pick it up and take it to another location easily without the need to lug along a personal computer (or have a personal computer in the new location). The Cricut is self-sufficient.
The Cameo is fundamentally designed to act exactly as an inkjet or laser printer does when connected to a personal computer; it is in effect a computer printer that produces patterns by cutting them from material as opposed to producing them by putting ink or toner on material. It cannot be used without a personal computer. Its user mist be able to learn and use computer software, the same as learning other software such as word processors, photo editing, web browser, page layout, and other popular applications. The Cameo is not self sufficient.
The Cricut does not allow the user to create shapes from scratch. You must find a suitable shape, or group of shapes, from within the huge library of predefined symbols that is spread across a large number of Cricut cartridges. It is possible to 'weld' different shapes together and this offers some flexibility, but ultimately the shapes must originate in the cartridges. When the user has a specific shape in mind and cannot alter it to suit what can be found in the cartridges, it can become quite frustrating. In the task of trying to assemble the designed custom shape, the user might have to purchase several cartidges, and they are not cheap. It is also quite possible that the desired shape cannot be cut at all.
The Cameo allows the user to create shapes from scratch. There are no cartridges at all. If the user does not wish to design their own shapes, there is also an extensive library of online shapes designed by other users. Cameo does not limit where the shapes come from, but does offer a great many from their own online library at 99 cents per shape. The user can buy only the shape, or shapes, desired and does not need to buy an expensive cartridge only to get a single shape from it. Instead of purchasing shapes designed by others, the user can draw any desired shape using the compter software, and can offer it to others for use.
The Cricut has a nice display, consisting of a color LCD screen with touch sensitive surface. All the operations can be performed by touching the screen, or for more precise selections a plastic stylus is included. Once a given cartridge is plugged into the Cricut, all of its shapes can be viewed on the screen as tiny thumbnail images, and the desired shapes can be selected to a queue, from which they can be dragged to a virtual cutting mat, showing where they will appear on the material to be cut. Any shape can be selected, enlarged, and resized.
The Cameo has a small simple display like a calculator's or an older cell phones. It diplays only one color and shows only text. It is used for diagnostics and for messages like "Load the material" and "Unload the material". All other operations are done using the included computer software, using the computer's keyboard, mouse and screen.
The Cricut can be used, optionally, with the free Craft Room software on a personal computer. This software must be downloaded from the Cricut website; it is not included with the machine. The software includes a library of all currently known cartridges, and allows the user to assemble a complete cutting session before the actual cartridges needed have been purchased. The Craft Room software will not function unless the computer is currently online with Cricut; this is important, since it means that you must have an internet connection anywhwere that you want to use the Cricut in conjuction with the Craft Room software. The Craft Room does not allow the user to design their shapes, but it does provide a more user-friendly interface for the Cricut, since more tools and objects can be viewed on the larger computer screen.
The Cameo must be used with the included Studio software; this comes on a CD-ROM in the box with the machine. For a fee of about $50, it will upgrade itself to the more advanced Designer Edition. The main advantages of the Designer Edition are the ability to import a wider range of graphics from other programs. Both the regular version and the Designer Edition allow the same design and cutting functionality, so for most people there is no need to buy the Designer Edition. The Cameo's software only needs to be online with the Silhouette website when you wish to purchase shapes from their library, or when you wish to do an upgrade to a newer version. Otherwise, the software works without the need for an internet connection.
The Cricut includes a white LED headlight next to the blade, so you can see what it is cutting as it does so. The Cameo does not have such a light.
Both machines use cutting mats, which are clear plastic sheets with a special adhesive on the top surface to make it a bit tacky. This holds the material to be cut so that it does not slide around during cuttings. The mats wear out due to wear from the blades cutting through into them, and from the adhesive wearing out.
Both machines use blades that attach to a tool holder on the machines. The Cricut uses tiny blades that fit into a blade holder, while the Cameo requires the user to replace the blade holder when the blade wears out; this makes the Cameo blades a bit more expensive, but on the other hand it is much easier to handle the larger blade holder then it is handling the tiny (and sharp!) Cricut blades. The Cricut blade depth can be adjusted while the blade holder is attached to the machine, whereas the Cameo blade holder muct be removed from the machine in order to change blade depth. Both machines seem to cut equally well.
The Cricut is not intended to make its cuts on specific areas of the mat (you can get close, though, using the Craft Room software). The Cameo allows very precise cuts relative to the material, so you can specify that a shape be cut starting 1/2", for example, from the edge of the material.
The Cricut is not intended for cutting out pre-printed materials; it is intended to cut out shapes in different materials (of materials of different colors) that can be later assembled to form a multi-colored overall shape.
The Cameo is not a printer, but it does allow importing and designing shapes in any desired color or combination of colors. Then it will send the image to the printer of your choice, printing on the material to be cut; this is limited only by the ability of your printer. The Cameo software will print registration marks on the printed sheet, and when the printed sheet is then loaded into the Cameo machine, it used an electric eye to scan for the registration marks, and will syncronize and align the cutting with the pre-printed images. This allows an infinite number of printed images and cut shapes to be made. The syncronized cuts are very accurate, matching the desired printed images. The user can specify where the cuts are to be made relative to the printed shapes, or the software can automatically figure it out. This even applies to graphical objects imported into the Cameo software, as opposed to being designed in that software. Read more ›
116 of 123 people found the following review helpful
By garage saler
Style Name:Without Starter Tool Kit Bundle
This is another great Cricut machine. It cuts great. No need for an overlay, you can see it on your LCD. You can also zoom on the images so you can see them even larger. It cuts with all Cricut cartridges.
As far as the other reveiewer, this is not a machine that lets you cut out images that you design on your own. If that is something you wish to do, you need to explore other types of cutting machine. With Cricut, they have cartridges that you insert into your cutting machine. They have over 300 cartridges that you can buy with many different types of images available. There are so many to choose from.
Cricut has great quality products. They even have a Cricut Craft Room where you can purchase and design online and then you can cut it with your Cricut machine.
This is another awesome Cricut machine. You will love it!
As far as the other reveiewer, this is not a machine that lets you cut out images that you design on your own. If that is something you wish to do, you need to explore other types of cutting machine. With Cricut, they have cartridges that you insert into your cutting machine. They have over 300 cartridges that you can buy with many different types of images available. There are so many to choose from.
Cricut has great quality products. They even have a Cricut Craft Room where you can purchase and design online and then you can cut it with your Cricut machine.
This is another awesome Cricut machine. You will love it!
44 of 49 people found the following review helpful
By montyjasper
Style Name:Without Starter Tool Kit Bundle
I've been using the Silhouette craft cutter for the past 2 years and found it terribly difficult. I just received my Cricut Expression 2 and am totally in love! SIMPLE to operate, intuitive and thoughtfully engineered. Yes you have to use their cartridges, yes you cannot create your own stuff (images) but since I am not a graphic designer I find this machine completely refreshing. The only drawback I would comment on is it's size. It is simply huge. I'm not familiar with the previous models but it is much bigger than the silhouette.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT!!!
I am not a high tech genius and was concerned about being able to figure this machine out....I DID! And, if I can, anyone can.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Read more
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Read more
Published 8 days ago by Marcie
2.0 out of 5 stars
Love the idea but not the function
There is no way to cut out your own pictures or logos. Images are limited to what you can buy on the company's website. Sad that you can cut out anything
Published 10 days ago by barney lowery
2.0 out of 5 stars
Only worked for two weeks
I bought the Cricut Expressions 2 from Hobby Lobby December of 2012. I am very disappointed to say that it only worked for about one cutting mats worth of projects (~20 shapes). Read more
Published 15 days ago by S. Keller
5.0 out of 5 stars
It exceeds my expectations!
Because I use a lot of 12x12 paper it fits perfectly on the mat. I can select multiple sizes within the area of the mat.
Published 22 days ago by gail dodski
1.0 out of 5 stars
Cricut Expression 2 and Mac are not compatible
If you own a Mac, I do not recommend this product. It does not communicate well with Mac and there is nothing that the Cricut support team can do for you, as I have found out. Read more
Published 23 days ago by CarmieCarms
5.0 out of 5 stars
Greatwest gift I could have got.
She loved it. Great item and will be well used and often. Her scrapbooking will be fantastic. Now she needs more programs.
Published 25 days ago by Don Melancon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cricut Expression 2
I love this Cricut. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to operate it but it was pretty easy. Love, Love, Love it !!!
Published 27 days ago by Brenda Coleman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wondering why it took so long to get one
I had used one before that belonged to someone else and for the life of me i cannot figure out why i never got one before now. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Hecticharriet
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect for Crafters!!
I absolutely love this product!! I use it for scrapbooking and making my own cards. I highly recommend it for its ability to be versitile, cut out awesome product, and for coming... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Autumn Mollet
1.0 out of 5 stars
Cricut expression 2
I bought this hunk of junk one month ago and it still doe not work. What a waste of money! I could never get past the License agreement page!!!
Published 1 month ago by Ida Davis
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