Being artistic is part of man nature, and given enough free time, about of us would even surprise ourselves with what we are capable of. The only problem is that no 1 is given plenty time.

Well, working from home has become the new norm, and with more time on our hands thanks to non having to commute to and from anywhere, many of usa can finally unleash our creative sides.

Nonetheless, while our imagination may be without boundaries, we are express by the tools and materials that nosotros have at our disposal, and since coin isn't so piece of cake to come by, we have to be very careful about what investments we make.

Cricut Heat Press

Well, crafting things at home is no unlike, and if yous similar getting creative and creating a lot of custom things, such as custom T-shirts, caps or plush toys, i cracking add-on to your crafting room would be a heat press.

The market is full of them, very few manage to actually do a skillful job, one perfect instance beingness the Cricut EasyPress 2. On that note, we will be looking over the Cricut EasyPress 2 and we volition be discussing what it is, what it can exercise, what yous can utilise information technology for, whether it is worth buying, and more.

What Is the Cricut EasyPress 2?

The Cricut EasyPress 2 is a heat press machine created to imprint graphic designs on a (regularly) flat surface, most commonly fabrics and clothes and, just like most other estrus presses, it performs the image transfer through the awarding of both heat and force per unit area.

However, once you lot exam out the EasyPress 2, y'all'll realise that it will become your everyday iron-on essential.

Of course, a scrap of Internet research will evidence you that y'all can use iron-on materials with other devices as well, including the typical household iron (become figures). More than and so, there are other brands of heat presses out in that location as well.

Given the wide range of alternatives, it's only natural that some of you may exist wondering:

Why not just use a regular iron or a different estrus printing?

Cricut EasyPress 2 vs. Atomic number 26

Cricut EasyPress 2 vs. Iron

For starters, permit's talk nigh the differences between using the Cricut EasyPress 2 and the regular household iron.

Modern-24-hour interval irons come up with a wide diversity of gadgets and intricate designs, virtually notably being the ones that involve the heating plate itself, most notably being the fact that you'll rarely ever find iron with a completely apartment surface anymore.

This is because most modern irons have holes in the plate to permit the steam out, and while this does make them magnificent for ironing and straightening clothes, this also makes the plate unevenly heated.

Not only that simply most household irons work by heating upwards the center of the heating plate, with the edges heating up mostly via conduction, and that's precisely why about fe-on tutorials that involve using a common iron recommend using a press cloth or Teflon sheet, to even out the heat distribution.

In guild to compensate for the presence of those holes, y'all'd be forced to basically move the iron over the surface of the vinyl just to distribute the rut evenly.

Unfortunately, this lilliputian workaround comes with some other problem, especially if you're working with a bigger decal pattern: while yous are moving your fe from left to correct or upwards and down to compensate for the holes, y'all're potentially leaving unabridged areas of the decals unpressed for a few seconds.

More and then, irons rarely have any advanced temperature settings (unless you lot have one of those expensive models that are quite bluntly non worth it), so virtually of the time y'all'll demand to work with whatsoever temperature presets the iron has, and hope that it sticks (literally).

Besides, pressing too difficult while using the wrong materials can even lead to smudges in the design, and that is why regular heat presses are made to be stationary.

Unfortunately, y'all can't leave the atomic number 26 in one place either, since the aforementioned holes will cause the vinyl not to stick at all, so when you lot remove the protective tape, you might actually accept the vinyl stick to information technology instead of the clothes.

Cricut EasyPress vs Regular Oestrus Press

Cricut easypress vs regular heat press which one

Now that we've established the household irons suited for the chore, we need to move on to the side by side contender and that is the traditional industrial heat press.

In all honesty, going from a regular firm atomic number 26 to a regular oestrus press is indeed a big upgrade, since the heat press does have some very useful features:

  • You take a built-in back up surface, so you don't have to worry about what you're placing the wearing apparel one
  • You lot have advanced temperature command settings
  • The heating plate is large enough to support any design that you'd regularly use for the average clothing item
  • The heating plate is completely apartment and evenly heated

Withal, professional oestrus presses still take a few notable drawbacks:

  • They are very expensive
  • They are very slow to work with
  • They are by and large designed for professional and large-calibration use
  • They are normally large, and therefore need a lot of space in your crafting room
  • Considering they are large, they are inherently heavy to the point where actually carrying ane by yourself may not be such a skilful thought.
  • While their temperature control settings may exist advanced, they may not be optimized precisely to your materials' needs.

Cricut EasyPress 2: Both an Iron and a Heating Printing

Now that you know the pros and cons of using the atomic number 26 and the professional person heating printing, it'due south time to run across where the Cricut EasyPress 2 stands.

In short, nosotros mentioned earlier that the Cricut EasyPress 2 brings the all-time of both a regular iron and a professional heating press, without having whatever of the drawbacks.

As such, here's what the Cricut EasyPress has to offer compared to the two alternatives:

  • It is portable, lightweight and easy to shop, just like an atomic number 26
  • Yous have advanced temperature control settings (encounter Heat Guide)
  • It is very affordable
  • The heating plate is big enough to back up any standard clothing iron-on design
  • The heating plate is completely flat and evenly heated.

Cricut EasyPress 2 vs. Cricut EasyPress

Cricut easypress 2 vs cricut easypress vs

Some of you lot may accept already used Cricut'south rut presses before, namely the commencement generation of Cricut EasyPress, and are now wondering what are the improvements brought to the second generation of machines, and whether these changes are worth the upgrade or not.

Well, there are plenty of changes in the second generation, some more noticeable than others, and you can see them all in the table beneath:

Name Cricut EasyPress Cricut EasyPress two
Bachelor sizes 1 2
Available colors ii 3
Remembers time and temperature settings No Yes
LCD screen brightness Standard Brighter
Super-fast heat-upwardly fourth dimension (up to 25% faster) No Yes
Streamlined Safe Base
(keeps piece of work surface up to 60°F libation)		 No Yes
USB port for firmware updates No Yes
Uniform, edge-to-edge heating No Yes
Precise temperature control upwardly to 400°F (205°C) No Yes
Large pressing expanse Upwards to 12"x10" Up to 9"x9"
Weight half dozen"x7" - 3.3 lbs. (ane.v kg)

9"x9" - 5.7 lbs. (ii.half dozen kg)

12"x10" - 8.6 lbs. (3.9 kg)

5 lbs. (2.3 kg)
Heating plate thickness Standard Thicker
Protective case thickness Standard Thicker
Cooldown time Standard 60% faster
Heat-up time Standard Faster

Note: Cricut doesn't fifty-fifty sell the starting time generation Cricut EasyPress anymore, so unless you lot want to buy it from a tertiary-party retailer that had it on stock, or buy a second-hand i, you'll take to purchase the EasyPress two.

How Do I Tell What EasyPress I Have?

If you lot're going to buy an EasyPress from a 2d-hand retailer, information technology'southward good to know how you tin can tell apart the Cricut EasyPress 2 from the get-go-generation model.

The quickest style to do and then is to check whether it has a USB port or not, since the Cricut EasyPress two has a micro-USB port on the back, near the ability cord. As mentioned in the table above, this port is used to update the device'due south firmware, and it is a feature that earlier Cricut EasyPress models do not possess.

Cricut EasyPress ii Review

Cricut EasyPress 2 Specs

Cricut easypress 2 review specs

It features adjustable heat up to 400℉ (205°C), and thanks to the safety features and how easy it is to control, Cricut likes to market information technology every bit a no-stress heat printing.

Withal, the Cricut brings the best of both worlds equally it combines the speed of a rut press and the convenience of a regular household fe, so that not only will you be creating your custom clothing in no time at all, but the designs volition stay on the fabric for a very long time as well, even through repeated washes.

One other swell thing most the Cricut EasyPress two is that information technology is perfectly aware that there are dissimilar kinds of transfer materials available, as well as different types of fabrics that yous tin can use them on, so the motorcar comes with a wide variety of temperature settings for every type of projection.

All you need to do is apply the rut, press the machine on the fabric and when the beep sounds, the transfer is complete.

The estrus plate is the cadre of the auto, and it is fabricated of aluminium with a ceramic non-stick blanket. In order to make clean the heat plate, you lot tin can apply whatsoever commercially bachelor atomic number 26 cleaner.

However, if you managed to accidentally stick iron-on moving picture to the plate, you can remove it using a thick rag to wipe it off, preferably as shortly as possible, while it'due south even so warm. Exist sure not to touch the oestrus plate; it'southward hot!

The overall build of the device makes information technology very lightweight, and its portable blueprint also makes it very piece of cake to store. More then, just because you lot're thinking of getting a Cricut heat press doesn't mean that you will be jump to using only Cricut consumables.

This is thank you to the fact that the machine is compatible with most major brands of HTVs (Heat Transfer Vinyls), as well as all Infusible Ink products.

Lastly, since the press works with all kinds of HTVs, information technology will piece of work bully with any other Cricut cutting machines, equally you tin can use them to cut out the vinyl designs, so use the EasyPress 2 to transfer the designs onto the clothes.

Of course, we all love items that tin practise multiple jobs at once, and fifty-fifty if you're not all that into design imprinting on clothes, or if you've only run out of materials, you can however use the tool equally a regular iron to continue your clothes bang-up and pressed.

Cricut EasyPress ii Blueprint

Cricut easypress 2 review colors

The entire purpose of this commodity is to talk about a device that can assist you craft things and brand your designs a reality, so it would be foreign non to talk almost the build and the design of the Cricut EasyPress2 itself.

For starters, they made it so that using and carrying information technology is as easy as possible thanks to the big ergonomic handle that it has, and because of the materials that it is made out of, the car is very light and like shooting fish in a barrel to carry everywhere as well.

If you take a knack for colours, you'll be happy to know that the device is currently bachelor in 3 different colours:

  • Mint (Green)
  • Lilac (Majestic)
  • Raspberry (Red)
  • Vanilla Pearl (Yellowish) – Limited Edition

Unlike Sizes of Cricut EasyPress 2

The Cricut EasyPress 2 comes in iii dissimilar varieties based on the size of the heating plate:

Cricut easypress 2 review sizes

  • Cricut EasyPress 2 – 6″x 7″ (fifteen cm 10 17.5 cm)
  • Cricut EasyPress 2 – 9″ x 9″ (22.5 cm x 22.v cm)
  • Cricut EasyPress ii – 12″ x x″ (30 cm ten 25 cm)

Now, besides the difference in size (and other obviously correlated differences such as weight or price), there is absolutely no difference between the two models as far equally capabilities and performance get.

Both versions accept the aforementioned advanced heat plate design with a ceramic-coated surface, then choosing between the smaller or the bigger version is merely a matter of what type of dress and designs you volition be working on.

For example, if you'll be working with small apparel for babies or toddlers, you're better off buying the ix″ x 9″ press, only if you lot'll exist working on designs (both big or modest) applied to regular adult clothes, you lot'll practice better with the 12″ x 10″ model.

How Practice I Employ The Cricut EasyPress 2?

At present that you know what the Cricut EasyPress 2 is, what it does and what it looks similar, it'due south time nosotros talk about actually using it:

How to use

  1. Plug in the machine to a power socket. It requires a maximum input 120V outlet.
    • Because of this, it is not recommended for use outside Northward America.
  2. Press the Power push.
  3. Ready the desired temperature and utilise the +/- buttons to adjust the values.
    • Come across Heat Printing guide for more details.
    • Once the Cricut EasyPress ii has reached the desired temperature, the Cricut logo volition switch from orange to green, and it will also make a beeping audio.
  4. Press the timer, then employ the +/- buttons to set the recommended time.
  5. Identify your piece of clothing or cloth on an fifty-fifty and flat surface.
  6. Preheat the textile.
  7. Identify the atomic number 26-on material over the surface of the clothing or cloth.
  8. Place the Cricut EasyPress Mat or a regular towel over the atomic number 26-on textile.
  9. Press and agree the Cricut EasyPress 2 over the mat or towel.
  10. Press the countdown button.
  11. Flip base fabric.
  12. Heat back side of design for the recommended time.
  13. The auto will make a beeping sound to permit you know when you can cease applying pressure level and remove it.
  14. Peel the protective moving picture from the design co-ordinate to the Heat Printing guide.

As far as onboard controls go, Cricut fabricated the device to be as intuitive as possible, since all y'all have are the On/Off push, the temperature (Fahrenheit/Celsius) button, the countdown buttons, and the temperature command buttons (+/-).

Simply press the buttons to set the temperature and duration, and whatever values you input will be clearly visible on the machine's very bright and clear LCD display. Cricut easypress 2 review buttons

Things to think about using the Cricut EasyPress two:

  • E'er utilise Cricut EasyPress at room temperature.
  • Make sure that fabrics and other base of operations materials are completely dry.
  • E'er render Cricut EasyPress to its Safety Base when you're done using it.
  • Before using it, make sure at that place is no tape or protective moving-picture show over its control panel.
  • Ever apply the EasyPress 2 on a business firm, even surface
  • Always employ the recommended settings for the atomic number 26-on and base material you're using.
  • Recall to employ estrus to both sides of the blueprint for the recommended corporeality of time for optimal results.

Cricut EasyPress 2 Protective Features

If you're looking to purchase the Cricut EasyPress 2, specially the small 9″ x 9″ version, then you virtually likely either have kids, or have kids come up by your place pretty ofttimes, so safety and security are things that you lot take very seriously.

Normally, a device that has components that heat to 400℉ would be considered very dangerous, to the indicate of beingness deemed a hazard, especially effectually children, but the Cricut EasyPress 2 comes with several helpful condom features that include an insulated Safety Base of operations and automated shut-off feature.

However, just because these features exist, doesn't mean that you lot need to exit the machine unsupervised then, whenever you're using information technology, try to continue it out of reach of the petty ones.

Cricut Heat Press Guide

We've already established that heat transfer machines like the EasyPress 2 work with loftier temperatures and that it supports a wide diversity of temperature settings based on the iron-on materials and the clothing limerick.

However, ane thing that many of you may be thinking is that there are a lot of Infusible Ink and iron-on materials out there, non to mention the fact that clothes present are made from a wide variety of materials and/or mixes.

Considering of this, knowing exactly what temperatures to use can be a bit tricky, especially if y'all're not exactly bang-up on called-for a square-shaped hole through your clothes.

Fortunately enough, Cricut realised that tens of combinations of temperature controls and durations are not something we similar to remember, and so they included a way to customize Cricut's EasyPress settings based on what iron-on materials you are using, and what type of clothing yous're working with.

This feature is bachelor both on the associated Cricut smartphone app, as well as on the official Cricut Heat Guide folio.

How Practice I Use The Cricut Heat Guide?

  1. Go to the official Cricut Heat Guide page.
  2. Select the Cricut oestrus press that you are using from the following:
    • Cricut EasyPress
    • Cricut EasyPress 2
    • Cricut EasyPress Mini
    • Cricut Mug Press
  3. Under Estrus-Transfer Material, select your iron-on textile of choice from the dropdown list.
    • For the purpose of our review, we selected Everyday Iron-On Mesh.
  4. Under Base Material, select from the dropdown list the material that your clothes are made out of.
    • For the purpose of our review, we selected 100% Cotton.
  5. Select whether yous will be using a Cricut EasyPress Mat, or a regular towel.

Cricut easypress heat guide

Once you've selected all of the settings, the online calculator will provide everything you demand in order to set up the Cricut EasyPress 2, including:

  • How much you lot need to preheat the car.
  • How much force per unit area needs to be applied.
  • The temperature you lot need to set it to.
  • How long yous need to apply the pressure.
  • What movements yous need to use during the application.
  • How to take care of the finished product so that the design will last equally much every bit possible betwixt washes.

Cricut easypress heat guide 2

How to Update Cricut EasyPress 2 Firmware (Windows & Mac)

Cricut is continuously upgrading their machines, and while little tin can be done to the actual hardware once y'all buy it, there's always the firmware that can exist updated to receive the latest and greatest features.

Hither'south how to upgrade your Cricut EasyPress 2 firmware:

  1. Open your browser and become to the Pattern Space website. Easypress 2 review design space
    • If you have Design Space installed on your PC, select Open
    • If you don't take Blueprint Space installed, select Download.
  2. Sign in using your Cricut ID and password.
    • If you don't accept one, register and create one outset.
  3. Connect your EasyPress ii to the PC by following the on-screen instructions. Easypress 2 review update frimware
  4. The software will browse and detect your automobile, so check whether in that location are whatever updates available or not.
    • If any updates are bachelor, it will provide instructions for putting your auto into firmware update mode.
  5. Click on Update. Easypress 2 review update frimware 2
  6. Await for the new firmware to download and and then install on your Cricut auto
    • A beeping sound will let you know when the firmware update was completed.
  7. Once the update is consummate, press either on Done, or the Ten button in the tiptop-right corner of the screen.

Cricut EasyPress 2 Drawbacks

No machine is perfect, and the same applies to the Cricut EasyPress as well since at that place are a few things that this machine cannot practice.

For case, the Cricut EasyPress ii will only work on flat surfaces, so if y'all try adding vinyl to rounded surfaces will non be easy at all.

Sure enough, in that location are plenty of workarounds that yous can try to avoid this particular limitation, but if you're involved in a project where y'all are dealing with majority orders, y'all'll be using a lot of time

On a like note, the Cricut EasyPress 2 isn't suited to apply designs to mugs either, since their surface isn't flat either.

In fact, not only would you need the smallest EasyPress model bachelor, but yous'll also demand to apply the press multiple times over the surface of the mug just to become it right once.

Still, if mugs are what y'all are interested in, don't forget that Cricut also has a dedicated tool called the Mug Press created specifically for that.

Cricut EasyPress Mini Review

Cricut easypress mini review

With so much talk nearly the Cricut EasyPress ii and how portable it is, nosotros thought it would be a real shame to mention a Cricut machine that takes that detail trait ane step frontward.

This machine is called the Cricut EasyPress Mini (go figures), and it is basically a smaller version of the EasyPress 2, with a ceramic-coated heating plate that can handle surfaces of the following sizes:

  • Iron-on
    • four″  x 3.five″ or 1.7″  x v.25″
  • Infusible Ink
    • 2.75″ x 2.75″ or i.625″ x 5″

Its meaty size makes it platonic for projects where the regular EasyPress 2 would be too large, and it too removes the drawback of but being able to work on flat surfaces.

That being said, the EasyPress Mini is smashing for atypical projects like hats, shoes, or stuffed animals, or other projects that have irregular or rounded surfaces.

More and then, considering of the very pocket-size heating plate, you lot tin besides use it to fix whatever transfer irregularities that may take occurred by simply pressing the Mini against the area where the HTV didn't stick properly.

Lastly, the meaty size makes information technology ideal for those of you that take to work with baby and toddler clothes, since the designs that go there are always very small and using a heat printing or the Cricut EasyPress 2 would be too much.

Notwithstanding, the smaller size also translates to some limitations, such as but accept 3 temperature presets:

  • Low – 255°F (125°C) – 295°F (145°C)
    • Great for lightweight, delicate, synthetic, or heat-sensitive fabrics
    • Information technology is also ideal for more delicate HTVs, such as Foil Iron-On
  • Medium – 300°F (150°C) – 355°F (180°C)
    • Commonly used for well-nigh fabrics and oestrus-transfer vinyl
  • High – 360°F (185°C) – 400°F (205°C)
    • Only recommended for Infusible Ink projects and blanks

If this corking device caught your eye, you tin go ahead and buy it from its official Cricut page, as well every bit from other popular 3rd-political party retailers such as Amazon.

FAQ: More Data Most the Cricut EasyPress 2

Is the Cricut EasyPress 2 worth it?

The short answer would be Aye, especially given how affordable the EasyPress is compared to other heating presses that come up close to its performances.

It is fast, lightweight, durable, precise, optimized for heat transfer projects, and it comes with plenty of safety features included, and so at that place's no need to worry near having the kids effectually it (don't let them play with information technology though).

What is the difference between the Cricut easy press 1 and 2?

At kickoff glance, in that location aren't many differences between the first and 2d generation of Cricut EasyPress machines.

Still, there are some minor quality changes, such equally a different push button blueprint, a thicker heating plate and prophylactic case, and the 2nd generation of Cricut EasyPress devices also come with an added USB port to allow firmware updates.

Can I use the Cricut EasyPress 2 on plates?

Yes, y'all can. Yet, keep in mind that in that location are a few limitations in terms of what plates you can use:

  • The plates need to be completely flat (The EasyPress 2 doesn't work well on rounded surfaces)
  • It's recommended that you lot utilize a transparent plate, because you will exist calculation the vinyl on the outer side, and since yous need to run across it, having it transparent would assistance you.

What comes with the Cricut EasyPress 2?

Besides the actual Cricut EasyPress 2 automobile, you'll also receive a Condom Base of operations, a Welcome Volume, and plenty materials for a practice project

What is Pare on a Cricut Machine?

When using Cricut machines or following the Cricut Oestrus Guide, know that Peel refers to removing the articulate iron-on liner after applying iron-on material to your projection surface, and information technology comes in two forms:

Cool Pare – Let the liner to cool completely earlier removing it. If yous remove the liner while it is still hot or warm, it may prevent your atomic number 26-on image from properly sticking to the material.

Warm Pare – You can remove the liner while still warm to the touch, just every bit long as information technology is non hot. If you remove the liner when it cooled off completely may prevent your iron-on image from properly sticking to the textile.

What is a Cricut EasyPress Mat?

Whenever you perform a heat transfer of a vinyl epitome onto a surface, you demand to put a protective cloth over the vinyl, and not apply the Cricut EasyPress 2 directly onto information technology.

Because of that, a  Cricut EasyPress Mat is ideal for efficient heat transfers and it comes in three sizes to match the sizes of the Cricut heat presses.

Practise I need the Cricut EasyPress mat?

While the Cricut EasyPress mat was created and optimized to exist used together with the Cricut EasyPress 2 auto, using it is non mandatory, as you lot can use other pieces of cloth or even towels to do the exact aforementioned chore.

How hard do I have to press on a Cricut EasyPress?

Depending on what type of project you're working on and the materials involved, y'all may exist asked to utilize one of ii levels of force per unit area:

  • Gentle pressure – i hand with 5-10 lbs. of torso weight.
  • Business firm pressure level – printing down with two hands and 15-20 lbs. of body weight.

Is the Cricut Rut Press Any Good? Decision

Subsequently testing information technology and comparing it to all other similar devices on the market today, we tin say for certain that the Cricut EasyPress 2 is indeed worth the investment.

The design is cracking, focusing on both portability and durability, and the results you'll get from using it to create your own custom projects will be more than satisfactory.

Lastly, there's something about the machine'southward precision that makes you lot experience prophylactic when working with your iron-on materials, peculiarly when yous use the Rut Guide for some actress help.

That existence said, this concludes our cursory review of the Cricut EasyPress two. We hope that we've covered as much ground as possible and that by reading our guide you'll feel like you now know whether this machine is worth buying or not.

For more great reviews like the 1 above, please submit your entries in the comments section below, and nosotros'll create a like article in no fourth dimension.