Cricut Expression 2 Electric Cutting Machine
2Cricut Expression 2 Electric Cutting Machine
- 12 in x 24 in cutting capability
- Compatible with all cricut cartridges ? including cricut imagine cartridges. (cricut imagine cartridges will just cut images, not print images or patterns.)
- Larger, faster, full-color lcd touch-screen display with stylus. no keypad overlay required!
- Cartridge content pre-loaded on the machine.
- Deep cut blade is for cutting material up to 1.5mm thick such as chipboard, magnet material, stencil material and much more. It looks like a green tube with a white label down the left side (underneath the top of the black power cord)
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List Price: $ 249.99
Price: $ 164.99
KYP
Cricut Expression vs. Personal vs. Making Memories Slice,
Expression vs. Slice
There is no comparison – if you can only get 1 machine get the expression – it’s worth the extra money…why?
I have the Slice – that was my first machine (I got it 2 weeks ago) only because it had the designs I wanted (tags) and also had some cool accessories and it’s my first die cut machine. You have to hold it down to use it, there aren’t that many cartridges and if you wait for sales – they are both about the same $. If you need a machine to cut a couple of things here and there and go for the slice. (Read my Slice review for more details).
Expression vs. Personal
The personal cricut only cuts to 5.5″ – and it’s pretty much like the Slice – around the same price point as well. It does NOT compare with the capabilities of the Expression. Expression cuts in larger sizes, more feature – the LCD screen is more detailed, it’s a far more sophisticated machine (think of composition notebook vs. laptop) – also spoke with a cricut user at a store – she said that the Personal wastes a lot of paper
Expression vs. Sizzix – I didn’t even really look at the Sizzix, I get they’re cheaper, and they have a lot of cartridges and they’re cheaper…there’s a reason why the machine and cartridges are cheaper – they’re VERY BASIC (it’s like comparing 3rd grade education to graduate school), reviews on the Sizzix weren’t very “WOW” and if I’m going to invest $$ – I rather get something WOW – the functionality and capabilities of Cricut products (even the personal) is far superior than the Sizzix
Expression Features that makes this machine SUPERIOR:
Cuts 1/4″ – 23.5 inches (most machines cut from 1/2″ and at 1/2″ increments – this is 1/8″ increments – and about 7″ max)
Cartridges – very intricate shapes – when you find them on sale – it’s WORTH IT! Plus they have the licensed shapes (Spongebob, Dora, Hello Kitty, Disney…)
Each cartridge seems to hold ALOT of options and information. There are so many varieties
Layering options available (exp – trees – it will cut the “bark” then i set another option to cut the individual leaves – a little bit of spray adhesive and tweezers, BAM – I have a fully functional colored tree)
Design is clean, tight and slim, it’s very light and portable (not that I intend on schlepping it, but if I had to, I will)
you can leave it – program and walk away
What I wish came with the machine:
For the $$ – There should have been extra blades + 12″ x 24″ mat (it can cut up to that, so why no mat?) + spatula!
It seems really silly to nickel & dime customers for equipment they need to make the machine useful – I have a spatula from my Slice tool kit (slice doesn’t include that either)
What I’ve done/thoughts so far (I’ve only had it for 2 days):
AWESOME – I can program what I want it to cut and walk away! with the Slice, I have to hold the machine in place.
SPEEDY!! It might be worthwhile to buy an extra mat anyways to load your next set of media while you’re removing it off the first mat. (This would be important if you’re into efficiency)
MUST read directions of the machine first! Then load the cartridge and read those directions! YOU HAVE TO SET ASIDE A SOLID HOUR OF FOCUS TO USE THIS MACHINE! There are so many functions/features you don’t want to miss anything.
Had I read the directions first i’d figure out how to load the paper. It’s aligned on the bottom left corner (DUR)
You can use ANY size paper as long as it’s 3″ x 3″ – just set the paper size and it’ll know and plan for you to minimize waste
Cardstock set blade at 3 – pressure at medium – speed (doesn’t really matter)
Paper – set blade at 1 – pressure low – speed (doesn’t really matter)
Foam (set blade at 6 – pressure max – speed SLOW) I feel like I need the deep cut blade (another accessory) – the cuts aren’t very clean but it works (I’m using the “Printing 101” Cartridge – making alpha puzzle pieces to teach my kiddo letters)
Speed – the slower the better it seems like but for thinner media it doesn’t matter
Make sure to have enough table space – you’ll need space behind the machine for the feeder
Projects in the future:
Definitely making cards!
More foam shapes (Spongebob cartridge) – and letters
Cardstock animals to teach my kiddo (same with food / etc). (Animal Kingdom Cartridge)
I want to try to use other medium – fabric, adhesive, magnetic sheets, stamp, embossing
I want to get the design software to make my own “cuts”
Helping my kiddos with their school project – making adhesives to stick on walls
Getting sticky textured cardstock to make our own “stickers”
FINAL THOUGHTS:
If you get Expression – Buy spatula (unless you already have one)
If you plan on doing projects larger than 12″ buy the 12″ x 24″ mat
Buy an extra set of mats anyways – it’ll help keep your machine cutting while you’re…
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Read some discussion boards for tips & tricks.,
I’m sure Provo Craft does not recommend doing anything other than buying new mats, but those who’ve been using the Cricut since the beginning have found ways to work around the mat issue.
There are also software programs that are compatible with the Cricut that will allow you to cut the True Type fonts installed on your computer, as well as many other file types and designs. (Not Cricut Design Studio, but other, non-Provo Craft programs such as Sure Cuts A Lot and Make The Cut.) Google is your friend. 😉
I wish Provo Craft would release their own software that will allow Cricut users to cut our own fonts, but it hasn’t happened (despite begging from customers).
Search the web for discussion boards with Cricut topics. There’s a wealth of info out there, as well people who are excited about their machines and eager to help. 🙂
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