Cricut Expression 24-Inch Personal Electronic Cutting Machine
Ideal for scrapbook layouts, classroom decor, signage, and more, this electronic cutting machine uses a cartridge-based system (no computer required) for cutting thousands of beautiful letters, shapes, or phrases in a variety of sizes and styles with just the touch of a button. The unit accommodates anything from vellum and paper to cardstock or vinyl. Simply attach the material to be cut to the included self-adhesive cutting mat, load it into the machine, insert the cartridge, ma (more…)
5.0 out of 5 stars
Expression is wonderful
I’ve only had the Expression for about a month and I really love it. No technical problems so far. It really is fun to make such different stuff and build great looking cards and…
The Expression is an awesome machine! I have no cons about the machine itself. About the cutting mat, if it’s too sticky, press a clean t-shirt down on the mat & peel it up to remove some stickiness. If the mat has lost stickiness, wash thoroughly with dish soap (Goo Gone might be needed) and dry thoroughly. Spray with Krylon Easy-Tack, let the Krylon dry thoroughly and, if needed, press & peel a clean t-shirt to remove excess stickiness. Use a lint roller after cutting especially “linty” paper and after each session with your Cricut. The mats will last a really, really long time this way.
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. (Not Cricut Design Studio, but other, non-Provo Craft programs such as Sure Cuts A Lot.) Google is your friend.
I wish Provo Craft would release their own software that will allow Cricut users to cut their 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.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love the machine
So far I love this machine. It does what the website says it can do. Just wish the cartiages were cheaper.
I first used the Cricut Expression cutting machine at a weekend scrapbooking retreat. My friend had recently purchased one and brought it along with several cartridges. I already have a sizzix with a few alphabets and other dies.
The Cricut is SOOOO much faster to use than the sizzix. And the versatility you get by being able to choose any size (from about.5″ to 11.75″ in .25″ increments) is amazing. It really opens a whole new world of possibilities. Most cartridges also have alternate versions of the alphabets as well such as italic, bold, tall, etc. Or even being able to place the text inside a tag or other object. Most cartridges also allow you to create a shadow of the letter with a different color for matting purposes wich really adds depth to the scrapbook page.
There are a few cons. First being the price, not only is the machine itself VERY pricey, each cartridge will run between 60 and 90 dollars pre-tax/shipping. This makes each new phont or shape set a whole new investment.
Second con is how quickly the cutting mat loses it’s “sticky” over the course of that weekend retreat we had to move onto a second cutting mat and that had begun to lose adhesion as well. Without the stick the page will slide around during the cutting process ruining the letters. We resorted to using repositionable adhesive on the back of the paper to make it stick to the mat. Definitely not ideal.
I just ordered one for myself and am very excited to start using it.
I purchased the Cricut Expression after testing it with a friend that had just purchased one. I use it constantly! No more cutting out letters by hand for me!!! The letters are precisely cut without tearing. It also cuts designs, tags, and many more shapes too numerous to mention. I recently made Valentine Cards to share with friends using the cartridges that came with the machine and tried out the new color ink cartridges (purchased separately). The lettering was super fantastic! The ink did not smudge and the letters were precisely drawn. A big THANK YOU to this company for making my scrapbooking and card making easier!
The only downside was the $$$…however, if you do your homework by shopping around, you can save. I took a sale ad from a well known fabric store to a different local craft store that had the machine. Low and behold, they honored the other store’s sale ad! This saved me lots of $$$. I plan to buy most of the cartridges at our local discount store that has them for less $$. The finished product makes it worth the $$$.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Worst spent money
This machine is nothing like the quality the commercials and advertisements make it out to be. It is suppose to be able to detect the edges of your papers and it does not so…
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don’t be duped.
I got this as a gift for Christmas. I bought all the accessories, including the deeper blade. I found that the machine does not cut chip board as the product claims.
1.0 out of 5 stars
cricut expressions
I have had my machine for almost 3 weeks, I have yet to use it because I didn’t receive the cartridges that are supposed to be packaged with it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cricut machine
My Cricut got to my house in Hawaii, 3 days after it was ordered, very fast shipping. I love it. Best purchase I have made.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A quilter’s dream
Any quilter looking for a better way to cut those difficult applique shapes or multiples of one shape – hearts for example – and have them all turn out the same needs the Cricut…
1.0 out of 5 stars
bad experience
I have shopped with Amazon for years. The are usually very reliable, (although i have found they also can be late with delivery if you order older CDs).
1.0 out of 5 stars
Couldn’t get past turning it on! …and No tec support
I installed the blade with ease…next step insert cartridge and turn on…no problem…except machine will not recognize that there is a cartridge inserted!
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful machine
still finding out more about it and loving it. can do so many things and make own stickers etc.