Products at a Glance
How We Picked the Best Printer for Cricut
Cricut machines can be used for a number of different craft products: from sublimation printing designs onto mugs or t-shirts, all the way down to custom stickers. As such, the best printer for Cricut designs needs to be a great all-rounder for craft projects and capable of printing a wide range of specialist media. We’ve chosen InkJet printers for our top picks today, with them being the best for detailed and color-accurate prints on a variety of different materials.
In addition to the physical functionality, we also took into account any additional features that make printing for Cricut easier: such as print speed, wireless connectivity options, and the general range of material available. We also considered a number of price points, so as to not alienate people working with limited funds for their hobby or small business.
We settled on five products, each with their own respective merits, that all serve as excellent printers for Cricut.
Product Reviews
- Versatile media compatibility
- Great color reproduction
- Slower than average
For the overall master of printing specialist media, the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is our top pick for the best printer for Cricut machines. Boasting excellent print quality on a range of materials, this printer is ideal for crafters of any skill level.
The ET-15000 is capable of prints as large as 13″ x 19″, making it ideal for anything from large graphics down to stickers. Print quality is stellar with a vivid color gamut and terrific detail even in the darkest shades, and it has high compatibility with a number of specialist materials. Epson printers are among our favorites in the market, and the quality on display with the ET-15000 is unmatched.
However, the level of quality that the ET-15000 provides is mitigated by the time taken to print: even on average-sized imagery, the print process is slower than average. It is hardly a black mark against this unit, though, and we still highly recommend this as the best printer for Cricut!
- Ideal for Cricut
- Affordable
- Quick-drying
- Limited media compatibility (no sublimation ink)
For a more affordable printer for Cricut, consider the Canon MegaTank G3270, a budget print solution from Canon. With a gamut of useful features found in much more expensive units, this printer serves as a great starting point for hobbyists or small businesses.
With a setup time measured in a handful of minutes, there’s immediately a lot to like about the G3270. Print resolution and speed are both sterling, and you have the option of printing onto various forms of specialist media such as cardstock. The ink is quick to dry, and renders details beautifully with minimal, if any, errors.
However, this budget printer may fall down for some Cricut users due to its lack of compatibility with sublimation ink – rendering it incompatible with Cricut’s range of heat presses. This still leaves it compatible with a number of other products, though, and allows it to retain its title as the best budget printer for Cricut Maker machines!
- Intelligent analysis systems
- Premium print quality
- High price point
At the other end of the spectrum, we have the Brother MFC-J995DW, a premium InkJet printer that offers great print quality. We’re big fans of Brother printers here at PC Guide, and this unit is ideal for pairing with Cricut Machines.
Print resolution is incredible, with 4K-quality images up to poster-sized prints. Employing a larger and smarter ink tank system, the MFC-J995DW boasts of having a whole year’s worth of ink complete with the printer (though of course this will vary with use). Regardless of use, the print quality relative to the cost-per-print is extremely valuable, and makes this printer an ideal pairing for large amounts of Cricut machine usage.
However, as the “Premium” header suggests, this printer isn’t cheap. If you can afford the high upfront cost, then the MFC-J995DW is an ideal printer for Cricut machines!
- Incredible ink economy
- Sublimation-compatible
- Poor interface
At a happy median between price and quality, the Epson EcoTank ET-2750 is another sterling option from Epson’s EcoTank range. Capable of being converted for sublimation, this printer is an ideal choice for those who like to create a wide range of custom designs.
With a quick setup and easy resupply process for ink and paper, the ET-2750 is highly suited for beginners or journeyman crafters alike. The ink economy is stellar with this printer thanks to the large ink reservoirs, and the printer works perfectly with a wide range of specialist media such as sticker paper or waterslide decals. You can print remotely from a phone or computer, and configure as many print settings as you desire.
That is the better way to do so, however: the display on the physical printer is small and unintuitive, which can be frustrating for checking certain print statuses. It’s a small hurdle to overcome, and the ET-2750 still serves as an excellent printer for Cricut users.
- High print quality
- Large print size
- High ongoing costs
If you need a relatively large-scale print that maintains photo-level quality across a range of media, then the Canon PIXMA Pro-200 is the best model for your needs. Boasting an eight-cartridge ink system, this provides an unmatched level of color detail, ideal for Cricut machines.
The printer is quick to unpack and install, with plenty of fine-tuned configuration options should you need them. You can print as large as 13″ x 39″ on a range of media such as posters or envelopes. You can input commands to the Pro-200 from a variety of devices – even your voice, via a smart speaker. Once printed, images are rendered to a high level of detail, ideal if your printing or Cricut machine requires you to print photographs.
Unfortunately, whilst the initial cost of the printer is low, Canon’s ink provided for this printer is expensive and can mount up quickly due to the eight-cartridge system. But if you require wide-format prints and can accept the ongoing cost, then the Pro-200 is ideal for your needs.
Features and Considerations
There are many factors that go into making the best printers for Cricut machines. Here are the top ones to consider before buying your choice printer:
Sublimation Compatibility
If you use Cricut heat presses for sublimation printing – a method of chemically bonding ink to a surface using heat – then you need to make sure that your printer is compatible with sublimation ink. Though specialist sublimation printers are always the better choice, many name-brand printers such as the Epson EcoTank range are capable of being converted for use in sublimation. Be warned: this process is irreversible.
Ink Cost
Regardless of sublimation ink, the cost of standard printer ink can vary wildly. Printers famously use the “razor and blades” model of business, where ink costs can quickly become untenable. Research the cost of ink for your choice of printer, so as to keep your overall balance stable.
Print Resolution
As mentioned before, the print resolution is valuable for those wanting to print photographs for scrapbooking or other image-based crafting with Cricut. Generally, photographs need a minimum of 1200 dots per inch (DPI) to be of good quality – though more is always better.
Connectivity
How you connect to your printer is just as important as what you print with it. We always prefer a wireless connection for convenience’s sake, but ensure that whatever device you intend to print from is compatible with the printer. General connection options include WiFi Direct, Bluetooth, Cloud Printing or Apple AirPrint.
Print Speed
Print speed generally isn’t as important as the quality of the print itself, but for high-pressure environments, it is always helpful to have a faster print speed. Equally, InkJet printers use hefty amounts of ink, so ensure that drying times aren’t too long either.
Can I use any printer for sublimation?
No: Specialist printers require sublimation ink in order to work, which can damage standard printheads. Make sure your printer is compatible before converting it for sublimation.
Do I need a printer for Cricut Maker 3?
Depending on what you plan to print and design, a printer can help you create more complex designs when cutting with the Cricut Maker 3. For example, printing a more complex pattern onto your specialist media before cutting can give you more variety before the design is finalized.
Our Verdict
Though it can be slow to print, the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is easily the best printer for Cricut machine crafting! With great color depth and detail, you can create far more varied and detailed designs before coupling them with your choice of Cricut craft process, resulting in stunning end-products!
Looking to craft with even more variety? We have guides on all kinds of printers, for everything from standard documents to edible ink – check them out today!