CricutExplore 3

Fantastic machine, haven't stopped using it since I bought it! The first one I ordered was faulty and just wouldn't work but Amazon replaced it and I have been crafting away ever since. For me it was a lot of money to spend but it was well worth it. There is so much you can do with it, you'll never be bored! Easy to get started, good instructions. Definitely one of my best purchases!

I had never heard of this machine a few months back. A friend had the smaller version and had shown me some stickers that they had made.I immediately went home and started researching different models and what they were capable of. The fact you can make your own t-shirts was enough for me to take the plunge, and this model was perfect for me.I had already watched loads of YouTube videos before this was ordered and had arrived. From understanding how to use the machine, what type of additional accessories were needed and what sort of products you can make with it.Someone has reviewed and mentioned the instructions aren't great. This is true, but I didn't even need them as I'd watched enough people demonstrating how to use the machine already, that I knew exactly what I was doing.You need to download the Cricut software and setup an account. There are paid options, but I've honestly been fine without signing up for anything that was paid. The paid options give you access to images and some additional fonts. Not something I really needed.The software is fairly easy to use, but again I'd watched hours of YouTube videos of people talking through image layering, tips and tricks, how to position pictures etc. I'd highly recommend doing research before buying and see how it all works before making the purchase. It really helped me get up and running within minutes of the machine arriving.I use a Mac for my design, and you can download fonts for free off the internet. Someone has mentioned that you have to pay for fonts from Cricut, and whilst this is an option, you really don't need to at all. You can download thousands of fonts from the internet. (Example can be seen in the picture "five nights at freddies" that I've attached. A free downloaded font from the internet.The machine is plug and play. You can buy official branded Cricut heat transfer vinyl, which means you don't need to use the mat. Or you can buy cheaper non branded heat transfer vinyl and you do need to use the mat. The software tells you whether to use a mat or not depending on what you are doing / making, and there are instructions on the heat transfer vinyl telling you whether to use a mat and what pressure the cutting pin needs to be set at. It's really all very straight forward.You do need to buy various accessories, so your investment isn't just the Cricut machine. I had to buy the heating plate/iron, different colour heat transfer vinyl, a cutting machine, tape measure, heat tape etc. The biggest investment next to the Cricut machine was the heating plate/iron. (You don't need this if you aren't making t-shirts though). There are loads of companies selling non branded Cricut accessories, so you can save a fortune this way. The non-official mats are much cheaper and work perfectly for example!You can use this machine without a printer, however if you want to really get the most use out of the Cricut an inkjet or laser printer is a required. I already had one so didn’t include this as an additional cost. With the printer for example, you can copy and paste any image you can find on the internet, print it off, and transfer the image permanently to an item of clothing, or make stickers.It's early days for me with this machine, I’ve made some custom t-shirts and people have commented on where I’ve bought them from.My advice to anyone looking at the machine is – watch as many YouTube videos as you can before you buy. From how the machine works, how the design software works, the different types of heat transfer vinyl out there, different techniques such as print then cut or basic cut and how to use the heating iron for best results. I can imagine that if I hadn’t done this and just bought the machine, figuring out how to make it do what I wanted would have been very frustrating.

I purchased the Cricut for my wife as she is a professional crafter and wanted the ability to design and make unique projects, this machine and package is providing just that. It takes patience and practice to learn all the functions and settings the machine provides, the online subscription package also present challenges, but interesting and fulfilling challenges learning how to create your own designs and sharing them with others if you wish via the social media platform. There is a vast amount of designs, fonts etc. included with the subscription for you to put through your Cricut and create fantastic projects such as greeting cards, iron on designs for fabrics such as t-shirts, bags, cushions etc., wall, glass and ceramic designs, the creativity ability is vast. This is an excellent investment and is already proving it's worth. Just one observation that the manufacturer needs to address is the packing distorts the back casing of the machine and can warp it enough to prevent the lid to be fully opened, we have seen other comments regarding this issue from others who have purchased this machine. It can be gently pulled out enough to allow the opening of the casing, but the issue needs addressing.

Very good bit of kit, well made and this was for my missus who does all this crafty stuff with T-Shirts and mugs and cups and all sorts of stuff like that.

The only issues I've had with this model is the glossy vinyls don't cut all the way no matter what setting you use I've bought more blades £10 a packet you get X3 a light medium and heavy blade, The issue wasn't the blade it's the vinyl on this model! It's good for everything else no issues

Very nice

Best thing I spent my money on

Read the instructions. Use the web and watch YouTube videos, this will give you a pretty good understanding of how to use the basics and just use, use, use it. Until you keep trying it and then practicing (and you will make mistakes) you will not appreciate how much it can do and then some more.