Best Cricut for Making Shirts & More: Our Top Pick in 2023 is…
If you’re in the market for a new Cricut machine, and you’re looking to make T shirts, then you’ll want to consider the following recommendation. It’s our top pick for the best Cricut for making shirts this year.
The biggest challenge people face when it comes to Cricut machines is figuring out which one is the best Cricut for their specific needs. There are a variety of machines on the market, and each one has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
One of the most common challenges people have is choosing the right machine. It can be difficult to know which one is right for you without doing some research. With so many different machines available, it can be hard to decide which one is the best fit for your needs.
In this article, we’ll help make the decision a little bit easier by discussing the benefits of each machine and helping you figure out which one is right for you.
What is the best Cricut for making shirts?
The Cricut Maker 3 is the best Cricut for making shirts. It has a number of features that make it the perfect machine for this purpose of cutting heat transfer vinyl for your custom T shirts. Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of the Cricut Maker 3 along with a few other options:
Cricut Maker 3 (Our Top Pick)
Overview:
- Max Cut Length: 12ft
- Versatility: Use for 300+ Materials
- High Performance: Commercial Grade Performance & Durability
- Fastest Cutting Speed
- Strongest Cutting Force
- Compatible with Cricut Design Space app
Top Benefits:
Max Cut Length: 12ft
The Cricut Maker 3 can cut material up to 12 feet long. This is a great feature for those who need to make long cuts or mass produce T shirts. This also saves money in materials by enabling you to purchase bulk rolls of Cricut iron on vinyl or other materials.
Versatility: Use for 300+ Materials
The Cricut Maker 3 is a versatile machine that can be used for over 300 different materials. This includes everything from vinyl to fabric to paper. If you’re looking for a machine that can do it all, then the Cricut Maker 3 is a great option.
With this versatility you can make and create many types of products:
- T-shirts
- Stickers
- Hats
- Greeting Cards
- Business Cards
- Digital Business Cards
- Posters
- Wall Signage
- and plenty more
Also you’ll remove all limits with Cricut materials with the ability to use smart vinyl — specifically the Cricut Smart Iron-On heat transfer vinyl. This material is only compatible with the Cricut Maker 3 and one other model (we’ll discuss shortly).
BONUS: Couple the right laptop and the best printer for Cricut print and cut projects for a extreme versatility and more creative results.
Commercial Grade Performance & Durability
The Cricut Maker 3 is a high performance machine that is built to last. It’s made with commercial grade materials and components. This makes it a durable machine that can withstand heavy use.
If you’re looking for a machine that will give you the best performance and durability, then the Cricut Maker 3 is the best Cricut.
Fastest Cutting Speed (2X Speed)
Get more done in a shorter span of time. The Cricut Maker 3 is the fastest cutting machine of all the Cricut machines. It can cut material up to 2X faster than its predecessor. This is a great feature for those who need to make a lot of cuts or mass produce T shirts.
Strongest Cutting Force (10X the cutting force)
The Cricut Maker 3 has the strongest cutting force of any of the Cricut machines. It can cut through tougher materials with ease. This is a great feature for those who need to cut through thicker materials or multiple layers of material even outside of Cricut Iron on material.
Pricing:
The Cricut Maker 3 is priced starting at $429.99. This price includes the machine, Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing, USB cable, and a Power adapter.
Also you’ll need to purchase a StandardGrip Machine cutting mat for this model and the Cricut Explore cutting machines.
Bottom Line:
The Cricut Maker 3 is the best overall machine for making shirts. It’s versatile, durable, and can cut a variety of materials. If you’re looking for the best possible machine, then the Cricut Maker 3 is the way to go.
Cricut Explore 3 (Best Value)
Overview of Cricut Explore 3:
- Max Cut Length: 12ft
- Versatility: Use for 100+ Materials
- Faster Cutting Speed
- Compatible with Cricut Design Space app
Top Benefits of Cricut Explore 3:
Max Cut Length: 12ft
The Cricut Explore 3 can cut material up to 12 feet long. This is a great feature for those who need to make long cuts or mass produce T shirts. This also saves money in materials by enabling you to purchase bulk rolls of vinyl or other materials.
Versatility: Use for 100+ Materials
The Cricut Explore 3 is a versatile machine that can be used for over 100 different materials. This includes everything from vinyl to fabric to paper. If you’re looking for a machine that can do it all, then the Cricut Explore 3 is a great option.
Also take advantage of as many available options with the ability to use the Cricut Smart Iron-On heat transfer vinyl. This material is only compatible with this and the Cricut Maker 3.
Faster Cutting Speed
The Cricut Explore 3 is a faster cutting machine than its predecessor. It can cut material up to 2X faster. This is a great feature for those who need to make a lot of cuts or mass produce T shirts.
Pricing for Cricut Explore 3:
The Cricut Explore 3 is priced starting at $299.99. This price includes the machine, Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing, USB cable, and a Power adapter.
Also you’ll need to purchase a StandardGrip Machine cutting mat for this model.
Bottom Line for Cricut Explore 3:
The Cricut Explore 3 is the best value Cricut machine for making shirts. It’s versatile, durable , and can cut a variety of materials. If you’re looking for the best value machine, then the Cricut Explore 3 is the way to go.
Cricut Joy (Best Budget Machine)
Overview of Cricut Joy:
- Portable Size
- Light Weight
- Great for Beginners
- Compatible with Cricut Design Space app
Top Benefits of Cricut Joy:
Portable Size
The Cricut Joy is a small and portable machine. This makes it easy to take with you on the go or store away when not in use. As Cricut describes, “Fits in a cubby, packs away easily, sets up instantly.”
Light Weight
The Cricut Joy is a light weight machine weighing in at only 3.9 pounds.
Great for Beginners
The Cricut Joy is a great machine for beginners. It’s easy to use and doesn’t require a lot of experience to get started.
Pricing for Cricut Joy:
The Cricut Joy is priced starting at $179.99. This price includes the machine, Blade + Housing, USB cable, and a Power adapter.
Bottom Line for Cricut Joy:
The Cricut Joy is the best Cricut machine for making shirts on a budget. It’s easy to use, portable, and lightweight. If you’re looking for an affordable machine, then the Cricut Joy is the way to go.
Cricut Explore Air 2
Overview of Cricut Explore Air 2:
- Classic Cricut Machinery
- Simple Design
- Compatible with Cricut Design Space app
Top Benefits of Cricut Explore Air 2:
Classic Cricut Machinery
The Cricut Explore Air 2 is a classic Cricut cutting machine. It’s simple to use and has a wide variety of materials that it can cut for T shirt designs.
Simple Design
The Cricut Explore Air 2 has a simple design that is easy to use. You may need a bit more power than the Cricut Joy — which is where the Cricut Explore Air 2 comes into play. This makes it a great machine for beginners or those who don’t want to deal with a lot of bells and whistles.
Pricing for Cricut Explore Air 2:
The Cricut Explore Air 2 is priced starting at $249 landing in at the second least expensive Cricut machine available.
Bottom Line for Cricut Explore Air 2:
The Cricut Explore Air 2 is a great machine for making T shirts. It’s simple to use and has a wide variety of materials that it can cut. If you’re looking for an affordable machine with classic Cricut features, then the Cricut Explore Air 2 is the way to go.
Cricut Maker
Overview:
- Versatility: Use for 300+ Materials
- High Performance: Commercial Grade Performance & Durability
- Strongest Cutting Force
- Compatible with Cricut Design Space app
Top Benefits:
Versatility: Use for 300+ Materials
The Cricut Maker is a versatile machine that can be used for over 300 different materials outside of Cricut Iron-On material. This includes everything from vinyl to fabric to paper.
If you’re looking for a machine that can pretty much do it all, then you’ve found your option.
High Performance: Commercial Grade Performance & Durability
The Cricut Maker is a high performance machine that is built for commercial grade durability. If you’re looking for a machine that can handle heavy use, then this is a great option.
Strongest Cutting Force
The Cricut Maker has the strongest cutting force compared to the other Cricut machines other than the Cricket Maker 3. This makes it a great option for those who need to cut through thick materials or multiple layers at once.
Pricing:
The Cricut Maker is priced starting at $349.99. This price includes the machine, Rotary Blade + Drive Housing, Premium Fine Point Blade + Housing, FabricGrip Machine Mat 12×12″ , Light Grip mat 12×12″, Power adapter & 2A USB Adapter
Bottom Line:
The Cricut Maker is the best Cricut machine for making shirts if you want the power of the Cricut Maker 3 plus more starting material and save $50. It’s versatile, powerful, and has a strong cutting force. If you’re looking for a machine that can do it all and create amazing T shirts, then this is the way to go.
FAQ: Best Cricut for Making Shirts
Q: Which Cricut is best for making shirts?
A: The Cricut Maker 3 is the best machine for making shirts. It’s versatile, powerful, and has a strong cutting force. If you’re looking for a machine that can do it all and create amazing T shirts, then this is the way to go.
Q: What are the benefits of using a Cricut to make shirts?
A: Using Cricut machines to make T shirts has many benefits. First, it’s much faster than doing it by hand. Second, it’s more precise so your designs will look better. Third, you can use a wide variety of materials with a Cricut which gives you more options.
Finally, Cricut machines are just plain fun to use!
Q: What should I look for in a Cricut machine for making shirts?
A: When looking for a Cricut machine for making T shirts, you want to make sure that it’s versatile, powerful, and has a strong cutting force. You also want to make sure that it’s easy to use so you don’t waste time trying to figure out how to use it.
Q: How much does a Cricut machine for making shirts cost?
A: The cost of a Cricut machine for making T shirts varies depending on the model and features that you choose. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $179-$399 for a good quality machine.
Q. Do I need a Rotary Blade for shirts?
A. No, you don’t need it for a t shirt. However, it will make cutting fabric much easier. If you’re only going to be cutting vinyl or paper, then you don’t need to get a Rotary Blade.
Q. What type of heat press do I need to transfer my designs unto the T shirt?
A. You’ll need a Heat Press Machine to transfer your designs onto the T shirt. Your best bet is to use a Cricut heat press machine. I suggest either going with the Cricut EasyPress or the Cricut Autopress.
Q: Are there any other cutting machines that can be used for making a T shirt?
A: Yes, there are other cutting machines that can be used for making T shirt. However, Cricut machines are the best option because they’re versatile, easy to use, and have a wide variety of materials that they can cut.
Q. How much does it cost to replace Cricut blades?
The average cost for a Cricut blade (i.e. a fine point blade or deep point blade) is $37. If you use your Cricut machines more than once a week and have to replace the blades every 6 months, that’s $74 a year for one blade.
BUT, by sharpening your own blades, you can easily save yourself hundreds of dollars per year.
Wrap Up
The best Cricut for making shirts is the Cricut Maker 3. It’s versatile, powerful, and has a strong cutting force.
If you’re looking for a machine that can do it all and create an amazing T shirt, then it’s is the way to go.
But if you’re looking for other Cricut machines for portability or lower price, the other Cricut cutting machines in this post are also great machines that can create any beautiful custom T shirt.
Just remember to pick the machine that best suits your needs and budget.