Have you ever dreamed of bringing your coolest designs to life with your Cricut machine? Maybe you’ve got a brilliant idea for a custom t-shirt, a personalized mug, or a unique sticker. But when it comes to printing those colorful, intricate designs onto special paper or vinyl, you might be wondering: “What kind of inkjet printer should I even use with my Cricut?” It’s a question many crafters ask, and it can feel a bit overwhelming with so many printers out there!
Choosing the right inkjet printer for your Cricut projects can be a real puzzle. You want vibrant colors, crisp lines, and a printer that plays nicely with your cutting machine. But with all the different brands, ink types, and features, it’s easy to get confused. You don’t want to end up with a printer that costs too much, has expensive ink, or doesn’t print your designs the way you imagined. That’s where we come in!
In this post, we’re going to break down exactly what you need to look for in an inkjet printer for your Cricut adventures. We’ll help you understand the key features, talk about what makes a printer great for crafting, and steer you away from common mistakes. By the end, you’ll feel confident about picking a printer that will help you create amazing things and make your crafting dreams a reality. Let’s dive in and find the perfect printing partner for your Cricut!
Our Top 5 Inkjet Printer For Cricut Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Inkjet Printer For Cricut Detailed Reviews
1. Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer with Mobile and Tablet Printing
Rating: 9.3/10
The Canon Pixma MG3620 is a super handy printer that does a lot of jobs. You can print, copy, and scan with it. It’s black and looks neat on your desk. Plus, it’s wireless, so no messy cords! You can even print right from your phone or tablet, which is really cool.
What We Like:
- It’s a 3-in-1 printer: print, copy, and scan all in one machine.
- You can easily print and scan from your phone or tablet.
- It prints pretty fast for everyday tasks.
- It automatically prints on both sides of the paper, saving you time and paper.
- It’s ENERGY STAR certified, meaning it’s good for the environment.
- It has a small design that doesn’t take up much space.
- You can connect it to Alexa to get alerts when you’re low on ink. Alexa can even help you order more ink from Amazon!
- Smart reordering with Alexa means you’ll always have the right amount of ink.
- There’s no monthly subscription needed for smart reordering.
What Could Be Improved:
- The print speed for documents isn’t the fastest if you need to print a lot of pages quickly.
- The paper tray only holds 100 sheets, so you might need to refill it often if you print a lot.
This Canon Pixma MG3620 is a great choice for home use. It makes printing and managing your documents simple and convenient.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – The Ideal Basic Home Printer – White
Rating: 9.0/10
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a fantastic printer for your home. It’s wireless, so you can print from anywhere. This all-in-one printer can also scan and copy your documents. It’s designed to be super easy to use for all your basic printing needs.
What We Like:
- It’s cartridge-free! This means you don’t have to buy expensive ink cartridges anymore.
- Filling the ink tanks is simple and clean with Epson’s special EcoFit bottles.
- You can save a lot of money on ink. It costs up to 90% less than traditional cartridges.
- You get a huge amount of ink in the box, enough for about 2 years of printing.
- It helps the planet by reducing cartridge waste.
- Prints look great, with sharp text and colorful photos.
- It has a built-in scanner and copier for your convenience.
- Epson offers a 2-year warranty for peace of mind.
What Could Be Improved:
- This model is designed for basic home use. It might not be the best choice for very heavy printing jobs.
- The initial cost of the printer is higher than some cartridge printers.
If you’re looking for an affordable and easy way to print at home, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a smart choice. You’ll save money and hassle with its innovative design.
3. Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer [Print
![Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer [Print, Copy, Scan], Works with Alexa](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21-0hP0b2eL._SL500_.jpg)
Rating: 8.8/10
The Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer is a handy gadget for your home or small office. It can print, copy, and scan your important documents and photos. Plus, it connects easily to your Wi-Fi so you can print from anywhere in your house. You can even use your voice to control it with Alexa!
What We Like:
- The 1.44-inch OLED screen is bright and makes it easy to see and use the printer’s features.
- Setting up the printer with your phone or computer is a breeze.
- Built-in Wi-Fi means you can print from any room without messy cords.
- You can print directly from your phone or tablet using the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint, or Mopria.
- Creative printing is fun with the Easy-Photo Print Editor App and Canon Creative Park App.
- It works with Alexa, so you can print using voice commands.
What Could Be Improved:
- The ink cartridges can be a bit pricey, which might add up over time.
- Some users might find the initial setup process for advanced features a little confusing, though it’s generally straightforward.
Overall, the Canon PIXMA TS6420a is a user-friendly and versatile printer for most home needs. It offers convenient wireless printing and creative options that make it a solid choice.
4. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – The Ideal Basic Home Printer – Black
Rating: 9.4/10
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer is a fantastic choice for your home office needs. This printer makes printing, scanning, and copying simple. It uses special Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology to create clear and colorful prints. You can print up to 10 pages each minute, which helps you finish your work quickly.
What We Like:
- Innovative cartridge-free printing means no more buying expensive small ink cartridges.
- Save a lot of money on ink – up to 90% less than traditional cartridges!
- You get a huge amount of printing done with each ink bottle set, printing thousands of pages.
- It comes with enough ink to last up to 2 years, so you won’t run out of ink often.
- By choosing this printer, you help reduce waste that goes into landfills.
- Prints are vivid and detailed.
- It’s wireless, so you can print from anywhere in your home.
What Could Be Improved:
- The printing speed of 10 pages per minute might be slow for very large print jobs.
- This model is designed for basic home use; more advanced features might be missing for some users.
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 offers amazing value and helps you save money while being kinder to the environment. It’s a smart, simple printer for all your home printing tasks.
5. HP DeskJet 4255e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 9.2/10
The HP DeskJet 4255e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer is a great choice for any home. It handles printing, scanning, and copying with ease. This printer is perfect for your daily tasks, like printing to-do lists, letters, and even recipes. It comes with a 3-month free trial of HP’s Instant Ink service, which means you get ink delivered right to your door.
What We Like:
- HP AI makes printing web pages and emails neat and tidy, so no wasted paper.
- Wireless printing is super reliable and connects automatically.
- The HP app lets you print, scan, and copy from your phone or tablet.
- Comes with a 3-month Instant Ink trial to get you started.
- It has a compact design that fits anywhere.
- Made with a good amount of recycled plastic and is good for the environment.
- The auto document feeder makes scanning multiple pages easy.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print speeds are a bit slow for color printing (5.5 ppm).
- The printer only works with HP ink cartridges.
- After the free trial, Instant Ink costs money unless you cancel.
This printer is a solid, user-friendly option for most home printing needs. Its smart features and eco-friendly design make it a worthwhile addition to your home office.
Finding the Best Inkjet Printer for Your Cricut
So, you have a Cricut machine and you want to make amazing printed crafts! That’s fantastic. But wait, you need a printer to print those designs first. Not just any printer will do. You need an inkjet printer that plays nicely with your Cricut. This guide will help you choose the perfect one.
Why an Inkjet Printer for Cricut?
Inkjet printers are the champions for Cricut projects. They spray tiny drops of ink onto paper. This is great for printing colorful designs and detailed images. Other printers, like laser printers, use toner. Toner is more for text and less for vibrant graphics. Inkjets give you the best color for your print-then-cut projects.
Key Features to Look For
When picking an inkjet printer, keep these important things in mind.
1. Print Quality
This is super important. You want your printed designs to look sharp and bright. Look for printers with high resolution. This is measured in dots per inch (DPI). A higher DPI means a clearer picture. Good color accuracy is also key. You want the colors on your screen to match the colors on the paper.
2. Ink Cartridge System
Printers use ink cartridges. Some have two cartridges (black and color). Others have multiple individual cartridges for each color. Individual cartridges are often better. You can replace just the color that runs out. This can save you money in the long run.
3. Connectivity Options
How will you connect your printer to your computer or device?
- USB: A simple cable connection.
- Wi-Fi: Lets you print wirelessly from many devices.
- Cloud Printing: Some printers let you print from anywhere with internet.
Wi-Fi is very handy for Cricut users. It makes sending designs to print quick and easy.
4. Paper Handling
Your Cricut will use different types of paper. Make sure the printer can handle them.
- Paper Size: Most printers handle standard letter size (8.5 x 11 inches).
- Paper Thickness: Can it print on sticker paper or cardstock? Check the printer’s specifications.
Important Materials
The printer itself is important. But so are the things you print on and with.
Ink
High-quality ink makes a big difference. Use the ink recommended by the printer manufacturer. Third-party inks might be cheaper, but they can sometimes cause problems. They might not produce the best colors or could even clog your printer.
Paper and Media
This is where your Cricut shines! You’ll be printing on:
- Sticker Paper: For making custom stickers.
- Cardstock: For greeting cards, invitations, and decorations.
- T-shirt Transfer Paper: To iron your designs onto fabric.
- Photo Paper: For vibrant, glossy prints.
Make sure your printer can handle the weight and finish of these materials.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Let’s talk about what makes your prints look great or not so great.
Factors That Improve Quality
- High DPI: As mentioned, a higher DPI means sharper images.
- Good Ink: Using quality ink ensures vibrant and accurate colors.
- Correct Printer Settings: Choosing the right paper type in your printer settings helps a lot.
- Clean Print Heads: Printers have small nozzles that spray ink. If they get clogged, your prints will look bad. Most printers have a cleaning function for this.
Factors That Reduce Quality
- Low DPI: Fuzzy or pixelated images.
- Old or Low Ink: Colors look faded or dull.
- Wrong Paper Settings: If the printer thinks it’s printing on plain paper but you’re using sticker paper, the ink might not dry right.
- Clogged Print Heads: Streaky lines or missing colors in your prints.
- Using the Wrong Type of Printer: Remember, inkjet is best for Cricut!
User Experience and Use Cases
How will you actually use your printer with your Cricut?
Ease of Use
You want a printer that’s easy to set up and use. A friendly interface on the computer or printer itself helps. Wireless printing is a big plus for convenience.
Common Use Cases
- Printable Stickers: Design your own stickers in Cricut Design Space, print them, and let your Cricut cut them out perfectly.
- Custom Cards and Invitations: Print beautiful designs for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion.
- Party Decorations: Create banners, cupcake toppers, and other fun party elements.
- Personalized Gifts: Print designs for mugs, t-shirts (with transfer paper), or custom stationery.
- Educational Crafts: Teachers and parents can print learning materials and fun craft templates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I need a special printer for my Cricut?
A: You need an inkjet printer. It doesn’t have to be a “Cricut” printer, but it must be an inkjet model.
Q: Can I use a laser printer with my Cricut?
A: No, laser printers are not ideal for Cricut print-then-cut projects. Inkjets produce better colors for graphics.
Q: What is DPI and why is it important?
A: DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It measures how many tiny ink dots the printer can fit in one inch. A higher DPI means your prints will be sharper and more detailed.
Q: How do I know if my printer can handle sticker paper?
A: Check the printer’s manual or specifications. It will list the types and weights of paper it can print on.
Q: What happens if I use non-brand ink?
A: It might work, but colors might not be as good. Sometimes, it can even cause the printer to have problems.
Q: My prints have lines on them. What’s wrong?
A: This usually means the print heads are clogged. You should run the printer’s cleaning cycle.
Q: Can I print directly from my phone to my Cricut printer?
A: If your printer has Wi-Fi, you often can. You might need a special app from the printer company.
Q: What is “Print Then Cut”?
A: It’s a feature in Cricut Design Space. You print your design, and then your Cricut cuts around it precisely.
Q: Should I buy a printer with multiple ink cartridges or one with just two?
A: Printers with individual cartridges for each color are usually better. You only replace the color that runs out.
Q: How often should I clean my printer’s print heads?
A: Only clean them when you notice print quality issues. Cleaning too often can use up ink.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
My name is Gary Flores, the creator of deepskyblue-owl-132507.hostingersite.com.. With a passion for creating cozy, functional, and beautiful spaces, I share my personal experiences and expertise about everything related to home improvement. From practical tips to design inspiration, my goal is to help you make your home the best it can be.