Looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use press for all of your heat transfer vinyl projects? Don’t miss my Cricut EasyPress Review.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
My friends, I never met a plain t-shirt I didn’t want to embellish or a blank piece of wood that wouldn’t prefer to be a sign. Making custom t-shirts and handmade signs has been one of my favorite activities for years.
While it’s possible to make a custom design and apply it using an iron, I’ve never had great luck with it. It was rare that I got more than a couple of washes out of my cute custom t-shirts before they warped and peeled. And, you don’t even want to get me started on sign making…
In 2016, I decided it was high time to invest in a heat press machine. I carefully researched available machines and read every review I could find before settling on and purchasing my machine.
It came. I hated it. Not only did the machine take up half of the work table in my studio, but didn’t come with instructions. I had a hard time getting it to work any better than the iron.
I very nearly gave up my dream to add a bit of vinyl to every piece of clothing.
My Experience with the Cricut EasyPress
The Cricut EasyPress released in 2017 and, while skeptical, I really couldn’t wait to try it out. I was thrilled with the results from day one. It’s not a stretch to say this machine revolutionized my crafting (or at least t-shirt) world.
I’ve used the Easy Press for a number of projects that I’ve shared on the blog, including this short list:
- Sunshine and Hurricanes T-Shirt + Cut File
- Girls Just Wanna Have Sun Tote Bag + Cut File
- Easy DIY Mini Mouse Costume
- Kringle Cookie Co. DIY Sign
You can look at more projects using the search term “cut file.”
Cricut EasyPress Review
I recently added the 6×7 and 9×9 EasyPress 2 to my tool collection, courtesy of my friends at Cricut.
With the addition of the two new machines to my collection, I thought it would be a good time to revisit why the Cricut EasyPress makes so much more sense than an every day iron or investing in a large heat press and provide you with a full Cricut EasyPress review.
I will also talk about the difference between the original EasyPress and EasyPress 2, as well as whether I would recommend an upgrade.
What’s New with the Cricut EasyPress 2?
Let’s get started with the basics.
The newer presses were launched in summer 2018. There are still some of the original machines on the market, but they are getting a bit harder to find.
The good news is since the EasyPress 2 has been out for almost a year, it’s fairly easy to find a great deal.
Check out the current prices on Cricut, or comparison shop on Amazon.
Here’s a quick comparison table of the Easy Press machines on the market:
| EasyPress 2 6×7 | EasyPress 9×9 | EasyPress 2 9×9 | EasyPress 2 12×10 |
| $159 MSRP | $150 MSRP | $209.99 MSRP | $279 MSRP |
| Raspberry, Mint | Blue | Raspberry, Mint | Raspberry, Mint |
| 3.3 lbs | 5 lbs. | 5.73 lbs. | 8.6 lbs. |
| kids t-shirts, baby onesie, small bags | t-shirts, tote bags, pillows | t-shirts, tote bags, pillows | larger t-shirts, signs, banners |
Size. The most obvious difference between the EasyPress and EasyPress 2 is the variety of sizes now available. The EasyPress 2 comes in three sizes.
Heat. The new Cricut EasyPress 2 heats up 25% quicker than the original EasyPress. It also gets hotter! The original machine had a max temperature of 360°F, while each of the new tools will reach a max temp of 400°F.
Each of the new machines comes with a thicker heating plate, which results in less variation in temperature across the surface. The first press had a variance of +/- 9°, compared to +/- 5°.
The change in temperature and thicker, more stable heating plate means that the EasyPress 2 will work on more materials than the original blue machine, including sublimation and iron on transfers.
Memory. The EasyPress 2 remembers the most recently used press time and temperature – a great feature when you’re recreating the same project frequently.
Finally, the newer machines all have a USB port for firmware updates.
Cricut EasyPress vs Cricut EasyPress 2
Purchasing a machine for the first time? Buy the Cricut EasyPress 2. If you are unsure what size to purchase, I’ve found the 9×9 Cricut EasyPress 2 perfect for my needs.
Work with smaller projects or larger projects? Select the EasyPress 2 machine that best suits your size needs.
And, if you own the original EasyPress and you’re happy with the size and functionality, hang on to it and upgrade later.
Cricut EasyPress vs Household Iron
The Cricut EasyPress has a larger, heavier, flat pressing surface, while the iron provides less uniform pressure and heat across a much smaller surface.
The Easy Press machine has a digital time and temperature display. It’s easy to ensure that the right heat is applied and kept on the project surface for the appropriate amount of time. There’s no more guessing as to whether you’ve accounted properly for time and heat.
The Cricut EasyPress helps to create a superior, more consistent result than a household iron.
Cricut EasyPress vs. Heat Press
A standard heat press can weigh well over 50 lbs. and take up more than two feet of space. And, while timing varies, my heat press often took nearly 15 minutes to reach a temperature of 350°.
As if the size and weight weren’t difficult enough, my heat press came with absolutely no instructions (most of them come from China). I spent hours in online forums and community groups trying to better understand my machine and achieve positive results.
As the name implies, it’s easy to get started with Cricut’s press from the moment you receive it. It’s small, compact size provide an infinite number of storage options and it’s also portable!
I sold my commercial heat press within weeks of obtaining the original EasyPress and wouldn’t reverse my decision, even if a state of the art commercial press was offered to me for free.
If large-scale projects that would normally require a heat press are in your future, purchase the 12×10 Cricut EasyPress 2.
What Comes with the Cricut EasyPress?
Each Cricut EasyPress comes with the following items:
- EasyPress Machine
- Safety Base (upgraded on EasyPress 2 machines, keeping work surfaces up to 60° cooler)
- Welcome Book (also available online)
- Time and Temperature Reference Guide (also available online)
- Practice Materials
- Warranty
- Muslin Storage Bag
What Else Do I Need to Use an EasyPress?
You will be able to use your EasyPress right out of the box.
If you’re looking at compatible accessories, I recommend the following Cricut products:
- Cricut Maker (I recently upgraded, you can read all about it here.)
- Essentials Toolkit
- EasyPress Mat (Great for protecting work surfaces.)
- Heat Transfer Vinyl (Better than most store brand products)
If you’re purchasing an EasyPress for the first time, a bundle deal may be the way to go!
Upgrade Your EasyPress Storage Bag
As soon as I received my new Circut EasyPress machines, I decided to test them out.
I upgraded the simple muslin storage bag for my 6×7 EasyPress with a cute, crafty saying.
You can download a copy of the cut file below.
I’ve loved sharing this Cricut EasyPressy review with you. If you’re an avid crafter/entrepreneur looking for a lightweight, easy-to-store tool that works well on a variety of materials the Cricut EasyPress is definitely for you.
Intricate transfers will stick after repeated washes and larger projects or layered iron-on designs are a breeze with this machine.
Have you tried the Cricut EasyPress? What are your thoughts?
Tauni Everett
Creative Director at Tauni Everett
- Cricut Maker vs Cricut Explore Air 2: Is it Time to Upgrade Your Cricut?
- Dinosaur St. Patrick’s Day Cut File + DIY T-Shirt
- Chocolate Bunny Bar DIY Easter Sign
- Love is a Battlefield Cut File + Valentine’s Day Shirt
- DIY Winter Wreath with Skis
- Spoiled Dog Treat Jar Cut File Project with Milo’s Kitchen
- DIY Kindle Cover + Free Cut Files
- DIY Halloween Pillow Featuring Sarah Sanderson’s Song
I debated for MONTHS about whether to buy a heat press or the raspberry Easy Press 2 – I settled on the latter and I am SO glad I did. I love it.
Elise, Oh gosh. I am so glad you found your way to the EasyPress. The original heat press I owned was nothing but a waste of money. Isn’t it crazy how sometimes the thing that works best, isn’t the most expensive?! xo Tauni