Joy's Life

Cricut Personal, Cricut Create, Cricut Expression Explained…

So, you’ve decided that you have to have a Cricut, right? Totally. You NEED one. Or… you just really want it and are now trying to justify it as a need…same thing…LOL.

Sometimes me saying, “Just go buy the Cricut Expression,” isn’t enough info for people…and I can understand that. Not only does it cost the most out of the 3 available Cricuts, it is hard to understand why you would want to spend $100 – $200 more when they all seem to do the same thing. Am I right? That’s what I thought. Well, here is a quick explanation of the differences between the 3 models. Now you can decide for yourself what best fits your needs and wallet.

Cricut Personal (also known as the Original):

• Cuts images and fonts as small as 1″ and as large as 5.5″. The longest it will cut is 11.5″.
• Uses the small Cricut mats sizes: 6×12
• Is this size: 11Hx16.5Wx8.5D”
• Weighs about 7 pounds
• Has handle for easy transport
• 4 direction button for moving blade
• Costs from $99 – $199 (depending on sale)

Cricut Create:

• Cuts images and fonts as small as .25″ and as large as 11.5″.
• Uses the small Cricut mats sizes: 6×12
• Is the same size as the Cricut Personal.
• Weighs about 7 pounds
• 8 direction button for moving blade
• Portrait mode (to cut taller images)
• Fit to Page mode (to cut the largest cut possible)
• Auto Fill mode (to mass produce cuts)
• Center Point function (cuts shapes and centers them on a designated point)
• Flip function (so your image can be cut facing the other direction)
• An improved display screen.
• Costs from $199 – $299 (depending on sale)

Cricut Expression:

• Cuts images and fonts as small as .25″ and as large as 23.5″.
• Uses the small Cricut mats sizes: 12×12 or 12×24
• Is this size: 22″L x 9″W x 8″H
• Weighs about 9 pounds
• 8 direction button for moving blade
• Multi-cut function – easily cut a wide range of materials including vellum, cardstock, poster board and vinyl; cuts up to 4 times over original cut lines
• Flip function – easily create a flipped or mirrored image cut of the shape you choose
• Line-return function – create line breaks between each cut for accurate spacing
• Center-point function – cuts shapes and centers them on a designated point; use on photographs or patterned paper in the landscape mode
• Fit-to-length and fit-to-page functions – easily set the size of the length of a designated cut; maximizes the size of the shapes on each page
• Auto-Fill mode – fills page with as many of the characters selected on the display as will fit on the page
• Quantity mode – lets you choose the number of cuts you want of those selected on the display
• Paper-saver mode – automatically arranges selections to take up the least amount of space possible on your paper
• Shadow option – creates a proportionately larger shadow image of each shape you select
• Mix and match – use a variety of creative features in the same cut; take advantage of the entire library of existing Cricut cartridges
• LCD screen – shows exactly what you’re typing
• Variety of sizes – cut portrait or landscape
• Costs from $299 – $399 (depending on sale)

All Cricuts:

• Come with at least one cartridge
• Can use any of the Cricut Cartridges (except those specifically for the Gypsy, which only the Gypsy can use)
• Can use Design Studio (special software for use with a computer)
• Can use the Same Blades & other Accessories
• Can use the Cricut Jukebox
• No Computer is needed to run your Cricut (only if you want to use Design Studio, which is not a requirement for using the Cricut)

You’re going to have fun with your Cricut no matter which one you choose. If the price tag for the Cricut Expression doesn’t put you off, I suggest getting it. It can do more than the other 2 Cricuts and you don’t want to buy the smaller one only to wish you’d waited and gotten the bigger one that has more functionality. If you go to a lot of crops though, you might want to go with one of the smaller ones since they are more portable. Now, plenty of people haul their Expression around, but I just thought I’d mention it. Maybe you’d do well to get the Expression and a smaller one!!

As for price…you really just have to look around. I like those bundles HSN offers and they often have Flexpay options, so you can pay a little at a time instead of the whole price at once. The craft store AC Moore also has some nice bundles. You will (I hesitate to say never because someone will say it’s worked for them) NEVER be able to use a coupon at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby or any of those places for a Cricut machine or most Cricut items. So, forget it. Too bad, huh? I wish we could. So, don’t wait on that 40% off coupon to roll around…it won’t help you. So sad.

Oh!! And the difference between the Pink Expression machine and the regular Cricut Expression machine?! It’s got pink on it. It also comes with the Journey cartridge which is only available if you purchase the Pink Expression. Oh, it also has a plastic pink housing for the blade instead of a metal one. Hmmm….

Best Crafting Wishes to You and Your New Bug Cricut!!