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Product Description
Electronic Cutting Machine
Features You’ll Love on 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 free Cricut Craft Room online design software.
- Cuts a wide range of materials—including cardstock, vinyl, vellum, fabric, chipboard, and even thin foils—in sizes ranging from ¼" to 23 ½" (12" x 24" cutting mat sold separately).
- No computer required. Just insert a cartridge into the machine, select your image, adjust the size, and press CUT.
- You can also design on your computer—just connect to the free Cricut Craft Room online design software and start creating with the Cricut images you own.
- Auto Fill and Quantity features 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.
- Comes with two cartridges so you have immediate access to 4 fonts, 16 borders, 24 tags, 16 3D images and 100+ layered images, all at a price that is easy on your budget.
Comes with two cartridges so you have immediate access to 4 fonts, 16 borders, 24 tags, 16 3D images and 100+ layered images, all at a price that is easy on your budget.
Accent Essentials
With 50 versatile images to choose from, this cartridge is perfect for any number of projects. You can use the images by themselves or layer them in a variety of ways so you can get just the look you want.
Plantin SchoolBook
Use the three classic fonts and assorted images on this cartridge for cards, scrapbook layouts, school projects, and other projects.
Design. Cut. Create.
The Cricut Expression 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 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 350 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 machine, choose the images you like, select the size, and press CUT. Thousands upon thousands of designs are possible!
If you prefer to design on a computer, the Cricut Expression machine allows you to do so with the free online Cricut Craft Room design software. With Cricut Craft Room 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 machine to your computer with a USB cable (sold separately) so you can cut what you’ve designed. You can also use Cricut Craft Room to explore the entire Cricut image library (including exclusive digital images) and purchase digital images for immediate use.
The Cricut Expression 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 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.
Virtually Limitless Design Possibilities
You will love how easy it is to create gorgeous projects with your Cricut Expression machine. Whether you want to create a unique birthday card for a loved one or capture the fun and laughter of a family vacation in a special scrapbook layout, the Cricut Expression machine and one-of-a-kind artwork make the process simple and affordable. Creating the perfect crafts has never been this easy!
Your special events—and the people you love—deserve the best crafts you can create. Whether you’re making a gift for a friend, watching a child graduate from high school or college, planning a loved one’s wedding, having a baby, decorating your new home, or creating projects with your children, the Cricut Expression machine can help you make the experience more memorable, creative, and fun.
Regardless of the occasion, holiday, or time of year, the Cricut Expression machine allows you to express the right sentiment in the right way—your way. The numerous images available in the Cricut image library let you customize your card however you like. The Cricut Expression machine allows you to make multiples of each card with the Auto Fill or Quantity modes. Whether intricate, simple, ornate, or classic cards, the Cricut Expression machine can help you quickly and easily give them a personal touch.
The Cricut Expression machine’s ability to easily and quickly cut vinyl opens up a world of possibility for home décor. Self-adhesive and repositionable vinyl can be used to beautify your home with custom images, meaningful quotes, or personalized arrangements. You also can add personality to a basic pillow or give dimension to a wall hanging by cutting images out of fabric. With the Cricut image library and the ability to cut a wide range of sizes, the Cricut Expression machine provides you with home décor possibilities that are virtually endless.
If you can imagine it with paper, you can make it with the Cricut Expression machine. Whether you want to make cupcake holders, gift boxes and tags, scrapbooks, banners, signs, invitations, table settings, party décor, school projects, or even a party of paper dolls, you can easily design it and quickly cut it with the Cricut Expression machine. Precision cuts and easy duplication allow you to produce paper projects that look professionally polished yet uniquely your own.
Freshen up your classroom and make more engaging visuals for your lessons with the Cricut Expression machine. It’s easy to be creative and save time and money by making banners, labels, and other school-related projects. Parents can also collaborate with their children to help them create displays for reports and presentations.
The Cricut Expression machine can draw any image, phrase, or font available in the Cricut image library. Simply remove the cutting blade and insert one of the Cricut Gel Pens or Cricut Markers instead. You can make coloring pages for children, add drawn images to a scrapbook page, and write sentiments on cards.
And So Much More!Design Possibilities Are Endless!
What's In The Box?
- Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine
- Plantin SchoolBook and Accent Essentials cartridges which include 3 fonts and over 60 layered images!
- 2 cartridge handbooks and 2 silicone overlays
- Cutting Blade
- 12" x 12" Cutting Mat
- AC Power Adapter
- Quick Start Guide
- User Manual
Customer Reviews
There is no comparison - if you can only get 1 machine get the expression - it's worth the extra money...why?
I have the Slice - that was my first machine (I got it 2 weeks ago) only because it had the designs I wanted (tags) and also had some cool accessories and it's my first die cut machine. You have to hold it down to use it, there aren't that many cartridges and if you wait for sales - they are both about the same $. If you need a machine to cut a couple of things here and there and go for the slice. (Read my Slice review for more details).
Expression vs. Personal
The personal cricut only cuts to 5.5" - and it's pretty much like the Slice - around the same price point as well. It does NOT compare with the capabilities of the Expression. Expression cuts in larger sizes, more feature - the LCD screen is more detailed, it's a far more sophisticated machine (think of composition notebook vs. laptop) - also spoke with a cricut user at a store - she said that the Personal wastes a lot of paper
Expression vs. Sizzix - I didn't even really look at the Sizzix, I get they're cheaper, and they have a lot of cartridges and they're cheaper...there's a reason why the machine and cartridges are cheaper - they're VERY BASIC (it's like comparing 3rd grade education to graduate school), reviews on the Sizzix weren't very "WOW" and if I'm going to invest $$ - I rather get something WOW - the functionality and capabilities of Cricut products (even the personal) is far superior than the Sizzix
Expression Features that makes this machine SUPERIOR:
Cuts 1/4" - 23.5 inches (most machines cut from 1/2" and at 1/2" increments - this is 1/8" increments - and about 7" max)
Cartridges - very intricate shapes - when you find them on sale - it's WORTH IT! Plus they have the licensed shapes (Spongebob, Dora, Hello Kitty, Disney...)
Each cartridge seems to hold ALOT of options and information. There are so many varieties
Layering options available (exp - trees - it will cut the "bark" then i set another option to cut the individual leaves - a little bit of spray adhesive and tweezers, BAM - I have a fully functional colored tree)
Design is clean, tight and slim, it's very light and portable (not that I intend on schlepping it, but if I had to, I will)
you can leave it - program and walk away
What I wish came with the machine:
For the $$ - There should have been extra blades + 12" x 24" mat (it can cut up to that, so why no mat?) + spatula!
It seems really silly to nickel & dime customers for equipment they need to make the machine useful - I have a spatula from my Slice tool kit (slice doesn't include that either)
What I've done/thoughts so far (I've only had it for 2 days):
AWESOME - I can program what I want it to cut and walk away! with the Slice, I have to hold the machine in place.
SPEEDY!! It might be worthwhile to buy an extra mat anyways to load your next set of media while you're removing it off the first mat. (This would be important if you're into efficiency)
MUST read directions of the machine first! Then load the cartridge and read those directions! YOU HAVE TO SET ASIDE A SOLID HOUR OF FOCUS TO USE THIS MACHINE! There are so many functions/features you don't want to miss anything.
Had I read the directions first i'd figure out how to load the paper. It's aligned on the bottom left corner (DUR)
You can use ANY size paper as long as it's 3" x 3" - just set the paper size and it'll know and plan for you to minimize waste
Cardstock set blade at 3 - pressure at medium - speed (doesn't really matter)
Paper - set blade at 1 - pressure low - speed (doesn't really matter)
Foam (set blade at 6 - pressure max - speed SLOW) I feel like I need the deep cut blade (another accessory) - the cuts aren't very clean but it works (I'm using the "Printing 101" Cartridge - making alpha puzzle pieces to teach my kiddo letters)
Speed - the slower the better it seems like but for thinner media it doesn't matter
Make sure to have enough table space - you'll need space behind the machine for the feeder
Projects in the future:
Definitely making cards!
More foam shapes (Spongebob cartridge) - and letters
Cardstock animals to teach my kiddo (same with food / etc). (Animal Kingdom Cartridge)
I want to try to use other medium - fabric, adhesive, magnetic sheets, stamp, embossing
I want to get the design software to make my own "cuts"
Helping my kiddos with their school project - making adhesives to stick on walls
Getting sticky textured cardstock to make our own "stickers"
FINAL THOUGHTS:
If you get Expression - Buy spatula (unless you already have one)
If you plan on doing projects larger than 12" buy the 12" x 24" mat
Buy an extra set of mats anyways - it'll help keep your machine cutting while you're working =)
Get a set of replacement blades if you intend on using this machine ASAP and ALOT (I've cut 9 foam sheets - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and 2 cardstock sheets) and I feel like my blade is getting iffy - or it just might be foam
DO NOT:
...Buy the Cricut bags (except maybe the duffel) most do not fit the expression - duffel will only fit expression if you expand it and it's not really "protective" - and doesn't hold much of anything, but if you're set on getting a bag - that's the only one that will work
...do this if you need silence - the machine is LOUD - think of your microwave running or the exhaust fan
...PAY FULL PRICE FOR CARTRIDGES - I got a ton for 60% off - really reasonable if you're willing to wait
I'm going to be making friends with local people who use Cricut and maybe do a cartridge exchange (borrow) b/c not many of the cartridges are repeat use for me - and the ones that are I've bought - I wonder if this is an item that the public libraries have...
...PAY FULL PRICE PERIOD! Most of the national chain stores WILL NOT take their coupons on the machine, but if you are patient, the machines will go on sale - or scope out online venues. Most national chain stores will let you use their % off coupons on the accessories
I'm sure Provo Craft does not recommend doing anything other than buying new mats, but those who've been using the Cricut since the beginning have found ways to work around the mat issue.
There are also software programs that are compatible with the Cricut that will allow you to cut the True Type fonts installed on your computer, as well as many other file types and designs. (Not Cricut Design Studio, but other, non-Provo Craft programs such as Sure Cuts A Lot and Make The Cut.) Google is your friend. ;)
I wish Provo Craft would release their own software that will allow Cricut users to cut our own fonts, but it hasn't happened (despite begging from customers).
Search the web for discussion boards with Cricut topics. There's a wealth of info out there, as well people who are excited about their machines and eager to help. :)
The Cricut is SOOOO much faster to use than the sizzix. And the versatility you get by being able to choose any size (from about.5" to 11.75" in .25" increments) is amazing. It really opens a whole new world of possibilities. Most cartridges also have alternate versions of the alphabets as well such as italic, bold, tall, etc. Or even being able to place the text inside a tag or other object. Most cartridges also allow you to create a shadow of the letter with a different color for matting purposes wich really adds depth to the scrapbook page.
There are a few cons. First being the price, not only is the machine itself VERY pricey, each cartridge will run between 60 and 90 dollars pre-tax/shipping. This makes each new phont or shape set a whole new investment.
Second con is how quickly the cutting mat loses it's "sticky" over the course of that weekend retreat we had to move onto a second cutting mat and that had begun to lose adhesion as well. Without the stick the page will slide around during the cutting process ruining the letters. We resorted to using repositionable adhesive on the back of the paper to make it stick to the mat. Definitely not ideal.
I just ordered one for myself and am very excited to start using it.
like this in New Zealand
and a big thank you
After following directions more than five times for a firmware upgrade, it failed each time. Read more
