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The best general-purpose printer for Cricut projects is a color inkjet printer. Cricut does not require a proprietary or “Cricut-certified” printer: Print Then Cut sends your design from Design Space to a compatible printer, then uses registration marks to guide the cut. For most users, choose an inkjet with reliable color, adjustable media settings, and a rear or specialty-paper feed.
The right model depends on what you make. A cartridge-based photo inkjet is sensible for occasional stickers and cards; a refillable ink-tank printer is better for frequent batches; and a wide-format photo printer is worth considering for large artwork, thick media, or premium color.
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- 【Ultimate Craft Cart】 Our all-in-one Craft cart stores all your DIY craft supplies. The top shelf can hold cutting machines, and the middle shelf can hold heat presses, while the side hooks can hold cutting mats, vinyl weeding tools, and other accessories. The vinyl roll organizer stores up to 30 vinyl rolls. It comes with 3 fabric drawers. All your machines and supplies have dedicated spaces, allowing you to craft seamlessly and efficiently.
- 【Great Craft Workstation】 Keep your craft supplies organized and accessible with this convenient workstation. Its four universal wheels glide smoothly, with two locking wheels to secure it in place when needed. You can effortlessly roll it around your workspace or stow it away when done, keeping your craft room tidy and clean. This is an ideal space solution for crafters, craft lovers, craft beginners
- 【Universal Compatibility for Craft Storage】Overall dimensions: 11.8"D x 23.6"W x 30.9"H. Top & middle shelves: 11.81"D x 23.6"W. Vinyl roll organizer diameter: 2". The middle shelf accommodates heat presses up to 12"x12", while the top shelf is compatible with all Cricut machines, including Cricut Maker 4, Cricut Maker 3, Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Explore 3, Cricut Joy, EasyPress Mini, EasyPress 2, and Silhouette Cameo series.
- 【Stylish and Sturdy Design】Crafted from high quality metal and premium MDF board, this craft cart boasts a water-resistant treated surface, easy to clean and maintain. The well-built structure and premium materials ensure a high load-bearing capacity of up to 110lbs, ensuring stability and solidity for your long-term use.
- 【Support Your Crafting Journey】We are care much about your shopping experience! Whatever product details, installation difficulty, or quality issues before-or-after sales, just e-mail our service teams! Our professional service teams are always on standby and will check your e-mail in 24 hours. Get ready to start your crafting journey now
Quick comparison
| Printer | Best for | Ink system | Useful capability | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon PIXMA TS8820 | Most home Cricut users | Cartridges | Color and photo-oriented multifunction printing | Running costs can be high for large batches |
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 | Frequent crafters and premium artwork | Refillable tanks | Six-color ink, rear specialty feed, and up to 13 × 19-inch output | High purchase price |
| Brother MFC-J5855DW | Home businesses and document-heavy users | High-yield cartridges | 11 × 17-inch printing and a 100-sheet multipurpose tray | More office-focused than photo-focused |
| Current entry-level Canon PIXMA or similar color inkjet | Occasional crafting | Cartridges | Low initial cost | Limited media handling and higher long-term ink cost |
Prices change frequently. Canon listed the TS8820 at a special price of approximately $249.99 and a regular price of $324.99, while another Canon listing showed $323.99 during research in August 2026. Epson displayed $749.99 for the ET-8550, with a promotional price of $599.99. Treat these as price signals, not permanent prices.
Which printer should you buy for Cricut?
Best overall: Canon PIXMA TS8820
The Canon PIXMA TS8820 is the most approachable choice for beginners and moderate users making sticker sheets, printable-vinyl decals, labels, invitations, cards, and other colorful projects. Its photo-oriented color output is a better match for craft artwork than a basic monochrome office printer.
It is not automatically the cheapest printer to operate. Cartridge costs matter much more when you print large batches or sell stickers, so compare current cartridge yields and prices before buying.
Best premium option: Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the strongest fit for serious crafters, photo-heavy work, and frequent printing. It uses six-color Claria ET Premium dye-based ink plus pigment black, supports borderless printing up to 13 × 19 inches, and has a rear feed for specialty media. Epson’s documentation permits thick paper or cardstock from 0.61 to 1.3 mm through that feed under specified conditions, with some media loaded one sheet at a time.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →That combination is useful for detailed stickers, photos, invitations, scrapbook layouts, and larger artwork. The ET-8550’s higher color capability can produce smoother gradients and more nuanced photographic color than a basic four-color printer, but the difference is less important for simple labels or solid-color shapes.
Choose the smaller-format Epson ET-8500 instead if you want the same general six-color photo-and-tank approach but do not need output beyond 8.5 × 11 inches.
Best for home-business volume: Brother MFC-J5855DW
The Brother MFC-J5855DW is a practical choice when Cricut projects share space with invoices, templates, invitations, and other office work. It supports paper up to 11 × 17 inches, includes a 100-sheet multipurpose tray, and uses high-yield INKvestment cartridges. Brother rates its black cartridge at approximately 6,000 pages and each color cartridge at approximately 5,000 pages, although real-world yield varies with coverage and settings.
It is better positioned as a high-volume, document-oriented multifunction printer than as a dedicated photo printer. If smooth gradients and photographic reproduction are your priority, a photo-oriented Canon or Epson is a better match.
Best budget approach
A current entry-level color inkjet from Canon PIXMA, Epson Expression, or a similar line can handle occasional stickers, labels, and cards. This is often the sensible choice if you print only a few sheets each month and want to keep the initial purchase price low.
Rank #2
- 【Ample Storage Space】The Cart can be used as an organizer compatible with Cricut Machines and Cricut tools, so all your craft materials get neatly organized for easily accessible and Saving space.Set up your machine on the top shelf.Place your spare machines or heat press in the middle shelf.3 fabric drawers can store vinyl roll ，craft accessories and supplies.Hooks are for hanging frequently used tools.The lower vinyl roll holder and side hanging vinyl roll organizer hold up to 19 vinyl rolls.
- 【Rolling Craft Station】This cart is a perfect rolling craft station .It rolls on 4 wheels with 360° rotation,2 lockable wheels allow a stable stop,so you can roll it around within the workspace for use or secure it in place wherever you want.
- 【Dimensions & Compatibility】 Overall dimensions: L23.62" x D13.78" x H29.53". The middle shelf: L21.6" x D13.39" x H9.8".The vinyl rack hole diameter:2".The top compatible & middle shelf with all Cricut machines like Cricut Maker, Cricut Maker 3, Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Explore 3, Cricut Joy, EasyPress Mini, EasyPress 2, Silhouette Cameo series, etc
- 【Sturdy and Great Design】This cart is built with premium particle board and heavy duty iron frame，ensure a high load-bearing capacity of up to 110lbs.The stable structure design can easily support the machine running smoothly.
- 【Assemble and FULL WARRANTY】The Cart is easy to assemble with the instruction included.Our products have been properly designed and we are confident in its stability and durability. If you have any issues, please contact us immediately, we will give you the best reply.
The trade-off is usually a smaller paper path, less forgiving specialty-media handling, and more expensive ink over time. A cheap printer is not a bargain if frequent cartridge replacement becomes part of your craft-business costs.
Does Cricut work with any printer?
Print Then Cut is broadly printer-agnostic. The printer must be able to feed your chosen sheet, produce solid and readable registration marks, connect to the device running Design Space, and print without changing the design’s scale.
Cricut recommends an inkjet printer for printable vinyl, sticker paper, printable iron-on, and other printable materials. That recommendation is about practical media compatibility, not a special printer certification.
A printer and a Cricut machine have separate limitations. A printer may feed a thick sheet successfully while the Cricut cannot cut it cleanly. Conversely, a material may be approved for your Cricut but too glossy, thick, curled, or slippery for a particular printer.
Inkjet versus laser printers
Why inkjet is the default
- Cricut recommends inkjet printing for many printable craft materials.
- Inkjet printers are generally better suited to photos, gradients, colorful illustrations, stickers, and printable vinyl.
- They commonly support photo paper, sticker paper, printable iron-on, and other small specialty sheets.
The disadvantages are possible smearing, printhead clogging after long periods of disuse, and high cartridge costs. Dye-based ink may also be less resistant to water and ultraviolet exposure than some pigment-based alternatives.
When laser can make sense
A laser printer can be useful for ordinary paper crafts, text-heavy templates, and transfer methods specifically designed for laser output. Toner is dry as soon as it exits the printer, which can be convenient for infrequent users.
Laser is not the safest general-purpose choice for Cricut printable materials. Its fuser uses heat, and that heat can damage or warp media that is not laser-rated. Always follow the material manufacturer’s technology rating and feeding instructions. Do not assume that a laser printer is automatically better, and do not assume that laser printers never work with Cricut.
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Rear or straight-through media feeding
A rear or specialty-media feed reduces sharp bends through the printer. That matters for cardstock, sticker sheets, printable vinyl, photo paper, and transfer media. The ET-8550’s rear feed is a useful example, but always check whether the printer requires thick sheets to be loaded one at a time.
Media settings
Look for selectable settings such as plain paper, matte photo paper, glossy photo paper, heavy paper, and cardstock. The correct setting controls ink application and feed behavior. Cricut’s calibration guidance recommends using the highest available print-quality setting during calibration.
Rank #3
- 【360° Rotating Tabletop & Expansive Workspace】 This craft storage cart features a 360° rotating desktop for flexible positioning. Rotate to 180° to unlock a larger 54.9” L workspace, perfect for simultaneously using a heat press and cutting machine. The integrated design combines a work table and organized storage in one unit
- 【Massive & Organized Storage for All Craft Supplies】 Effortlessly organize your crafting essentials. The cart holds up to 26 rolls of vinyl in various sizes on the paper tier. Two spacious drawers secure tools and materials, while the side pegboard with 12 included hooks keeps scissors, knives, and tools within easy reach
- 【Heavy-Duty & Stable Construction for Demanding Use】 Built with a robust iron frame and thick wooden boards, this craft table supports up to 200 lbs. The water-resistant surface is easy to clean and maintain. It’s a durable, long-lasting solution for your intense crafting sessions and heavy equipment
- 【Easy Mobility & Secure Parking with 6 Casters】 Move your entire craft station smoothly with 6 durable 360° swivel casters. Three casters feature locking brakes to securely park the cart in place during detailed work. Enjoy both effortless portability and stable operation whenever you need it
- 【Versatile Multi-Purpose Mobile Craft Station】 Ideal for craft enthusiasts and professionals. Use it as a dedicated cutting machine table with storage, a stable heat press station, a 3D printer stand, or a general utility cart. It seamlessly fits into craft rooms, studios, garages, or any space needing organized mobility
Color quality
Photo-oriented models are valuable for photos, character art, subtle gradients, skin tones, detailed illustrations, and full-color transfers. More advertised DPI alone does not guarantee better stickers. Ink formulation, paper coating, color management, feed accuracy, and registration-mark clarity are equally important.
Ink economics
Compare the purchase price with current replacement cartridge or bottle prices, included ink, estimated yields, cleaning cycles, and the amount of artwork coverage you normally print. Media, lamination, wasted sheets, and failed cuts also affect the cost of a finished sticker.
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Ink tanks usually reduce the cost of frequent printing but cost more initially. They are not automatically economical for someone printing only a few pages per month.
Paper size and thickness
Standard letter-size output is enough for many sticker sheets and cards. Choose an 11 × 17 or 13 × 19-inch model for posters, large decals, scrapbook layouts, or oversized artwork. A 13 × 19 printer does not automatically enable a full 12 × 12 Print Then Cut design: Design Space and the Cricut machine impose separate printable and cuttable-area limits.
Wireless and multifunction features
Wi-Fi, scanning, copying, duplex printing, and an automatic document feeder can be useful when the printer also serves a home office. They should not outweigh reliable specialty-media feeding if craft work is the main purpose.
Paper and specialty-material compatibility
Use media explicitly labeled for your printer’s technology. Common categories include:
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute- Printable sticker paper and vinyl: choose inkjet-rated sheets for an inkjet printer and allow them to dry before cutting.
- Printable iron-on: follow the sheet’s loading, mirroring, and heat-press instructions.
- Photo paper: select matte or glossy media settings as appropriate.
- Cardstock: confirm the exact weight or thickness and use a rear or multipurpose feed where recommended.
- Waterproof media: “waterproof” does not automatically mean outdoor-safe. Ink, vinyl, laminate, ultraviolet exposure, water, and adhesive all affect durability.
- Laminated sheets: test them before a full batch because glare can interfere with optical registration-mark scanning.
- Sublimation paper: this is a separate workflow. An ordinary inkjet cannot become a sublimation printer simply by changing paper; use the correct sublimation ink, printer, paper, and heat-transfer process.
Machine capability matters too. According to Cricut’s Print Then Cut material guidance, Maker machines, Explore 3 and later, Venture, Joy Xtra, and Joy 2 have stronger sensors for supported colored paper and cardstock workflows. Older Explore Air 2 and earlier machines require white materials for Print Then Cut. A better printer cannot remove that older-machine restriction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to print and cut successfully
- Open or create the design in Cricut Design Space.
- Set the relevant elements to Print Then Cut.
- Select Make It and review the mat preview.
- Confirm the design fits within Design Space’s Print Then Cut area.
- Select Continue and choose the connected printer.
- Enable Bleed when appropriate for the design.
- Open the printer’s system dialog if you need additional settings.
- Choose the correct paper size, media type, and the highest practical print quality.
- Disable Fit to Page, Scale to Fit, or similar resizing. Use Actual Size or 100% scaling.
- Print on a flat, compatible sheet and allow ink to dry.
- Place the sheet on the Cricut mat in the orientation shown by Design Space.
- Start the cut so the machine can scan the registration marks.
The printed page should contain the artwork and a clear black registration-mark border or corner pattern. Keep the marks unobstructed. Borderless printing is normally unnecessary and can complicate margins, so use it only when a particular project requires it.
For Joy 2, Cricut advises completing the entire Print Then Cut process in one Design Space session; see its Joy 2 guidance.
Rank #4
- 【Holds 2 Machines & Full Accessibility】Designed to accommodate two Cricut machines simultaneously, the elevated middle shelf provides extra height for each machine to open completely. Enjoy seamless operation without needing to reposition your devices.
- 【Ample Storage & Tidy Desktop】Featuring two sturdy particle board shelves plus two spacious fabric drawers, this stand offers well-organized storage for all your crafting essentials. Keep your workspace clean and clutter-free by storing tools, accessories, and supplies neatly within reach.
- 【Broad Compatibility & Versatility】Our stand is engineered to fit Cricut Maker/Maker 4, 3, 1, Explore Air 1/2/3, Silhouette models, and most craft machines. It’s perfect for stacking two cutting machines and also ideal for mini heat presses, sublimation printers, tools, and craft supplies.
- 【Robust Construction & Sleek Design】Built with strong steel tubes and high-quality particle board, each shelf supports up to 40 lbs. The minimalist design ensures stability while blending effortlessly with any home or studio decor.
- 【Easy Assembly with All-Included Kit】Everything you need for setup comes in the box. With pre-packaged hardware and straightforward instructions, you’ll have your stand ready to use in minutes—no extra tools required.
Calibration and troubleshooting
Cricut says users should recalibrate Print Then Cut if they have not done so since June 2022. Use the current calibration instructions rather than relying on an old video or saved printer preset.
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Cricut cannot read the registration marks
- Confirm the printer used the correct paper size and 100% scale.
- Reprint through the system print dialog using high quality.
- Try white, matte material without laminate.
- Flatten the sheet and adhere it squarely to the mat.
- Improve lighting and remove glare.
- Check that ink has not smeared and that the black marks are solid.
- Recalibrate Print Then Cut.
The cut is offset
Check printer scaling, page size, mat orientation, calibration, sheet movement, and whether artwork or registration marks were clipped. A constant offset in one direction often points to scaling or calibration. Variable error can indicate media movement, feed variation, or a scanning problem.
The printer smears
Select the media setting recommended by the paper manufacturer, test a small corner, and let sheets dry flat before handling. Heavy ink coverage may need additional drying time. If smearing continues, the ink and material may be incompatible.
Paper jams
Common causes include excessive thickness, curled sticker paper, adhesive layers separating inside the printer, the wrong tray, or multiple thick sheets loaded together. Use the rear or multipurpose feed, load one sheet where required, flatten curled material, and never force a sheet through the mechanism.
Colors look dull
Plain-paper mode on coated media, low-quality output, incorrect color management, monitor brightness, and dye-ink limitations can all affect results. Select the correct paper type, use the manufacturer’s media profile when available, and judge a test print on the actual craft material rather than on ordinary paper.
Ink dries out
Inkjet printers generally benefit from periodic use. Keep cartridges or tanks installed, run an occasional small color test if the printer sits unused, and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions. Do not buy an expensive photo printer solely for occasional use unless its image quality justifies the cost.
Which printer type fits your projects?
- Occasional stickers, labels, and cards: choose a cartridge-based color photo inkjet such as the TS8820 or an equivalent current model.
- Frequent sticker batches or a small shop: choose a refillable ink-tank model and compare its upfront price with current ink costs.
- Photos, gradients, and premium artwork: choose a six-color photo printer such as the ET-8550.
- Large decals or layouts: choose a model supporting 11 × 17 or 13 × 19 media, while checking Design Space’s separate Print Then Cut limits.
- Cricut projects plus office work: consider a Brother-style multifunction printer such as the MFC-J5855DW.
- Laser-specific transfers or ordinary paper templates: a laser printer may work, but only with media explicitly rated for laser use.
Buying checklist
- Is it a color inkjet if your materials are inkjet-rated?
- Does it support your required sheet size?
- Can it feed the exact thickness and coating of your cardstock, vinyl, or sticker paper?
- Does it have a rear, straight-through, or multipurpose feed?
- Can you select the correct media type and disable automatic scaling?
- Have you checked current cartridge or ink-bottle prices?
- Does it support your computer or mobile device and current Design Space workflow?
- Does your Cricut machine support the material color and finish you intend to use?
- Can you return the printer if your specialty media does not feed reliably?
FAQ
Do I need a special Cricut printer?
No. Print Then Cut works with a compatible printer that can feed your chosen media and print clear registration marks at the correct scale. Cricut recommends an inkjet printer for many printable craft materials.
Can I use a laser printer with Cricut?
Sometimes. Use a laser printer only with media explicitly rated for laser printing and suitable for its feed path and fuser heat. A color inkjet is the safer general-purpose choice for printable vinyl, stickers, and many craft sheets.
Why is Cricut cutting my printed design in the wrong place?
Check that the printer did not resize the page, confirm the correct paper size and mat orientation, and recalibrate Print Then Cut. Glare, sheet movement, faint marks, or incompatible material can also interfere with scanning.
Will a 13 × 19 printer let me Print Then Cut a full 12 × 12 design?
Not automatically. Design Space and the Cricut machine set separate printable and cuttable-area limits, regardless of the printer’s maximum paper size.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
