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For most Cricut Print Then Cut projects, buy a color inkjet printer. Choose a refillable ink-tank model if you print stickers, labels, or other full-color sheets regularly; choose a cartridge or photo inkjet if you print occasionally or want a compact setup. The printer’s paper path, material compatibility, and print settings matter more to successful Cricut cuts than its advertised DPI alone.
Cricut does not require a special printer brand. It recommends inkjet printers for printable vinyl, sticker paper, printable iron-on, and other printable materials. However, accurate cutting depends on the complete printer–material–Design Space workflow, including calibration, scaling, registration marks, and how reliably the printer feeds each sheet. See Cricut’s Print Then Cut guidance.
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Do you need a printer for Cricut?
Only if you want to use Print Then Cut. Cricut machines generally do not print: your printer produces the full-color artwork, then the Cricut reads printed registration marks and cuts around the design.
- Print Then Cut: Use a printer for stickers, labels, printable vinyl, printable iron-on, cards, decals, and similar projects.
- Cut-only projects: Use ordinary vinyl, cardstock, iron-on, or other materials without a printer.
Print Then Cut is supported by Cricut Joy Xtra, Joy 2, Explore machines, Maker machines, and Venture. The original Cricut Joy is not Print Then Cut capable, so purchasing a printer will not add that function. Verify your exact machine model in Cricut’s compatibility guidance before shopping.
#1 Best Overall
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
What type of printer works best with Cricut?
Inkjet: the default choice
An inkjet is the safest general-purpose choice for printable vinyl, sticker paper, printable iron-on, photo-like stickers, gradients, and colorful graphics. Inkjet printers also tend to offer more useful options for craft media, such as adjustable paper types and rear or manual feeding.
Cricut’s printable vinyl, sticker paper, waterproof sticker sheets, and printable iron-on are intended for inkjet printers unless the material’s manufacturer explicitly states otherwise. A laser printer should not be treated as a universal alternative. Heat, toner adhesion, coating, and sheet construction all affect compatibility. Check Cricut’s printer FAQ and the exact material instructions.
Ink-tank inkjet: best for frequent printing
Refillable tank printers usually make the most sense for regular sticker batches or a small handmade business. Their higher purchase price can be offset by lower ongoing ink costs and the large amount of ink supplied with the printer.
They are not automatically cheaper for every user. Actual ink consumption depends on image coverage, print quality, maintenance, environmental conditions, and which color runs out first. Epson’s ET-2980 page, for example, advertises up to three years of ink under stated usage assumptions while warning that real yields vary. A page filled with saturated artwork can use substantially more ink than a standardized office test page.
Cartridge inkjet: suitable for occasional users
A cartridge printer can be a sensible choice if you print only a few sheets per month, need a compact machine, or want the lowest initial purchase price. The trade-off is replacement cost: repeated full-color sticker sheets can consume cartridges quickly. Also check whether a particular model requires an account, subscription, or proprietary cartridge program before buying.
Rank #2
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
Photo inkjet: best for image quality
A dedicated photo inkjet is worth considering for artwork with subtle gradients, portraits, photographs, or premium-looking stickers. Extra color channels can improve tonal transitions, but they do not improve Cricut registration or cutting by themselves. Confirm that the printer can feed your chosen specialty sheets; some photo models are optimized for photo paper rather than thick adhesive media.
Laser, thermal, and dye-sublimation printers
Laser printers can be useful for ordinary office labels and documents, but use one for Cricut printables only when the exact material is explicitly laser-compatible. Thermal and dye-sublimation printers serve different purposes and are not general replacements for an inkjet Print Then Cut workflow.
The buying criteria that matter most
| Criterion | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Material compatibility | Printable vinyl, sticker paper, and iron-on have different coatings, thicknesses, and printer requirements. |
| Feed path | Rear, manual, or straight-through feeding can reduce curling, scraping, and skew with specialty sheets. |
| Print quality | High-quality modes improve solid fills, small text, gradients, and color consistency. |
| Ink economics | Tank systems generally suit repeated full-color printing; cartridges may suit low volume. |
| Paper size | Letter-size output covers many projects; wide format is useful only for a genuine wide-format workflow. |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB, and mobile support determine whether the printer works conveniently with Design Space. |
| Maintenance | Infrequent use can lead to dried ink or clogged nozzles, especially on tank printers. |
| Footprint | Allow space behind the printer for rear feeding and in front for the output tray. |
| Support | Warranty, replacement ink, and consistent availability matter for business use. |
1. Match the printer to the material
Do not judge compatibility by ordinary copy-paper performance alone. Check the material’s inkjet or laser designation, maximum thickness or weight, matte or glossy surface, carrier backing, and recommended paper setting. Feed one sheet at a time if the manufacturer advises it.
For the easiest sensor workflow, use matte or non-reflective material. Cricut warns that reflective, metallic, glitter, and glossy surfaces can interfere with registration-mark detection. Newer or higher-end families—including Maker machines, Explore 3 and later, Venture, Joy Xtra, and Joy 2—support some non-reflective white, lightly colored, and simple patterned materials. Explore Air 2 and older machines have more restrictive guidance. Review Cricut’s current material compatibility rules.
2. Prioritize paper handling over headline DPI
A rear or specialty-media feed is often more valuable than an impressive resolution number. Look for adjustable guides, manual feeding, and a path that does not force thick sheets through a sharp turn. No feed design guarantees compatibility with every brand of sticker paper or printable vinyl, so test the exact material before buying in bulk.
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3. Choose quality settings you can control
Look for settings labeled High, Best, or Photo Paper. Cricut recommends the highest available quality for Print Then Cut projects because it can improve brightness, crispness, and registration-mark readability. It also uses more ink and takes longer.
4. Consider your real print volume
Occasional crafters should compare the complete cost: printer, included ink, replacement cartridges or bottles, and maintenance. Frequent users should compare ink-bottle prices and expected yields, but should not convert a manufacturer’s office-page yield directly into a promised number of sticker sheets.
5. Do not assume wide format means larger Cricut projects
A 13-by-19-inch printer is useful for art prints and other large output, but it does not automatically enable a 12-by-12-inch Print Then Cut project. Cricut’s registration marks, machine model, Design Space settings, material, and printable area remain limiting factors. For ordinary U.S. Letter projects, an 8.5-by-11-inch printer is usually enough.
6. Check connectivity and workflow support
Confirm Windows or macOS support, mobile compatibility if needed, stable Wi-Fi, and USB fallback. AirPrint or a comparable mobile-printing feature can help, but wireless connectivity alone does not guarantee a smooth Design Space workflow.
Current printer candidates by use case
These are current product examples from manufacturer listings, not independently tested winners. Features, availability, and prices change.
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- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The Envy 6155 is perfect for homes printing everyday high-quality color documents like homework and borderless photos. Print speeds up to 10 ppm black, 7 ppm color.
- 3 MONTH TRIAL OF INSTANT INK – Subscribe to the Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out, and you save up to 50% on ink. After 3 months, a monthly fee applies unless cancelled.
- KEY FEATURES – Color print, copy and scan, plus auto 2-sided printing and a 100-sheet input tray
- HP'S MOST INTUITIVE COLOR TOUCHSCREEN – Smoothly navigate your printer with the easy-to-use 2.4" touchscreen
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
| Model | Best for | Strengths | Main drawback | Price signal seen Aug. 16, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-2980 | Frequent home crafting | Tank ink, wireless, USB, AirPrint, scanner/copier, 100-sheet tray | More basic paper handling and speed | Epson listed $329.99; promotional variants showed lower prices |
| Epson EcoTank ET-3930 | Larger home batches | 250-sheet tray and faster listed output than entry models | More expensive than basic printers | $389.99 MSRP listed by Epson |
| Epson EcoTank ET-3950 | Cricut plus office work | Tank system, larger tray, automatic document feeder | Higher purchase price and not a dedicated photo model | $419.99 listed by Epson |
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 | Premium artwork and photos | Six-color dye ink and output up to 13-by-19 inches | Expensive and potentially excessive for labels | $749.99 listed; $599.99 promotion displayed |
| Epson EcoTank ET-15000 | Genuine wide-format needs | Up to 13-by-19 output plus scan, copy, fax, wireless, and duplexing | Large and unnecessary for many Cricut users | $699.99 MSRP listed by Epson |
| Canon PIXMA G6020 | Used or old-stock comparison | Previously popular tank-style option | Canon identifies it as no longer available or discontinued | Do not treat displayed pricing as current availability |
Practical recommendation: Start with an ET-2980-class tank inkjet for regular home Cricut printing. Step up to the ET-3930 or ET-3950 if you also print office documents or larger batches. Choose an ET-8550-class photo printer for premium artwork and photographs. Choose the ET-15000 only when wide-format output is a real requirement. Verify live pricing and media specifications on the manufacturer’s page before purchasing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to set up Print Then Cut correctly
Before printing
- Confirm that your Cricut model supports Print Then Cut.
- Choose compatible, preferably matte, printable material.
- Check ink levels and flatten curled or damaged sheets.
- Upload the artwork to Design Space.
- Use Flatten when a layered design should print as one image with one outside cut line. Attach does not perform the same function and may leave individual elements to be cut separately.
Print from Design Space
- Continue through the normal Design Space Print Then Cut flow and select your printer.
- Use the system print dialog when available.
- Select the correct paper size and orientation.
- Choose High, Best, or Photo quality and the material-appropriate paper type.
- Disable scaling, Fit to Page, Shrink to Fit, and other size adjustments.
- Do not use borderless printing unless the exact workflow supports it.
- Print one page per sheet without changing margins, centering, or registration-mark placement.
Do not save the project as a PDF and print it through a browser or another application as a substitute for the normal workflow. Cricut says the Print Then Cut process should be completed in one Design Space flow and on the same device; outside printing can change the registration-mark size or position.
Load, dry, and cut
- Allow ink to dry according to the material manufacturer’s instructions.
- Place the printed sheet on the mat exactly as Design Space shows, aligned to the top-left corner.
- Keep the sheet flat and remove dust, scraps, and smudges from the mat and sensor area.
- Load the mat squarely and let the machine scan the registration marks.
- Run a small test cut before committing an expensive sheet or a large batch.
Calibration and printer settings
On desktop, open Design Space, go to machine calibration, choose Print Then Cut, select the printer, print the calibration sheet, place it on the mat as shown, and complete the guided cut-and-answer process. Labels can vary between desktop and mobile versions, so follow the current prompts for your platform. Cricut’s calibration instructions include separate Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android guidance.
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Recalibrate after significant Print Then Cut changes, including the changes Cricut introduced beginning in June 2022, or whenever cuts are consistently offset. Correct a large offset before attempting fine calibration.
Print Then Cut troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | First fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cut is consistently offset | Stale calibration, scaling, skewed feeding, or poor mark detection | Reprint from Design Space, disable scaling, verify size and orientation, then recalibrate. |
| Sensor cannot read marks | Glossy, metallic, glitter, reflective, faint, cropped, or smudged marks | Use matte material, reprint at high quality, check ink, clean the sensor area, and test plain white paper. |
| Colors are streaky or dull | Draft mode, clogged nozzles, wrong paper type, low ink, or incompatible coating | Use High/Best/Photo quality, run a nozzle check, choose the correct media setting, and test another sheet brand. |
| Sticker paper feeds crooked | Curled or flexible media, loose guides, overloaded tray, or a sharp internal turn | Use rear/manual feed, one sheet at a time; square the guides and verify thickness limits. |
| Paper works but sticker media does not | Differences in coating, backing, thickness, adhesive, or drying time | Pair the printer with a compatible sample pack before buying bulk supplies. |
| Every layer is cut separately | Attach used instead of Flatten | Flatten the printable artwork before sending it to Print Then Cut. |
| Printed design is too large or small | PDF, browser, printer-dialog, or Design Space scaling | Use the normal Design Space flow and set printing to 100% with no fit or fill option. |
Cartridge or tank: a simple decision
- Print a few sheets per month: A cartridge inkjet may be adequate, particularly if space and initial price matter most.
- Print regularly or sell stickers: Compare refillable tank printers first. Lower running costs can matter more than the higher purchase price.
- Print photos and artwork: Compare the printer’s color system, media handling, drying behavior, and maintenance—not just DPI or ink price.
- Use the printer rarely: Include the possibility of dried ink and cleaning cycles in the ownership cost.
Materials, lamination, and durability
A printer does not make a sticker waterproof. Durability depends on the ink, printable coating, adhesive sheet, laminate, drying time, and the conditions of actual use. Waterproof media and sensor-friendly media are separate considerations.
Glossy or laminated surfaces can interfere with the optical sensor even when they look better. If you laminate before cutting, confirm that the exact material and Cricut model support that workflow. Test a finished sample for color, smearing, adhesion, water exposure, and cut registration before producing a large batch.
Quick Recap
Choosing the right printer in one minute
- Occasional labels or cards: Buy a color cartridge inkjet with a suitable specialty-media path.
- Regular stickers or small-batch products: Buy a refillable ink-tank inkjet with reliable feeding and adjustable quality settings.
- Premium artwork and photographs: Choose a photo inkjet such as the ET-8550 category.
- Cricut plus office work: Consider the ET-3930 or ET-3950 category for larger trays and office features.
- Wide-format art printing: Consider the ET-15000 or similar only if you genuinely need output beyond Letter size.
- You already own a color inkjet: Test it with your chosen printable material before buying another printer.
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.
