5 Best Cricut for Making Shirts: Top Picks for 2024
Searching for the best Cricut for making shirts? I’ve got you covered! There are several models in the Cricut lineup, and finding the best one to create shirts can be tricky. Do you know which is the best Cricut machine for shirts? In this blog, I will list all the Cricut models and share which one I believe is the best based on my experience.
As a Cricut crafter, making personalized shirts for my customers is a part of my daily task. I enjoy creating different designs based on their preferences. Sometimes, customers have specific design requests. To fulfill these requests, I depend on my Cricut machine. I trust Cricut for its precision cutting, which consistently delivers the best results.
By the end of this guide, I will answer the question of which Cricut is best for making shirts. Throughout the blog, I will review each machine individually, listing its pros and cons. Let’s get started now!
1. Cricut Explore Air 2
The Cricut Explore Air 2 is the oldest model in the Cricut series, and it is still sold on Cricut’s official website (cricut.com/setup). It used to be my favorite because this was the first machine that I bought with my hard-earned money. Despite creating multiple types of projects, I also created many shirts. To my surprise, the results were fantastic. Here are the pros and cons that I observed while using the machine:
Pros:
- Capable of cutting more than 100 materials, including iron-on and infusible ink
- Suitable with regular infusible ink pens and markers
Cons:
- You need a cutting mat
- Doesn’t support Smart Material
- Reasonably portable
2. Cricut Explore 3
The latest addition to the Cricut Explore lineup is the Explore 3, an amalgamation of the Explore Air 2 and Cricut Joy. For beginners, it can be a win-win. I tried making a shirt on it, and I was amazed by the quality of the cuts it did on one of my client’s shirts. Here’s what I noticed about Cricut Explore 3 for making shirts:
Pros:
- It can also cut more than 100 materials, including iron-on and infusible ink
- Compatible with regular infusible ink pens and markers
Cons:
- It cuts Smart Material
- It can cut up to 20 ft long smart vinyl
3. Cricut Maker
This is another powerful Cricut model with a wide range of unique features. It is the best option for intermediate crafters. However, it is an earlier model of Cricut Maker 3, which I will discuss later in this blog. I think this is the best Cricut for making shirts for your children, customers, or yourself. Hope you are going to give it a try. Here are the pros and cons of using this Cricut cutting machine:
Pros:
- Cuts 300 + materials along with iron-on and infusible ink
- Compatible with markers and regular infusible ink pens
- Uses a knife blade to cut thin wood
Cons:
- Too expensive for occasional crafters
4. Cricut Maker 3
Finally, the latest machine in the Maker series is capable of cutting all the materials precisely and provides top-notch quality. When cutting a material, the most important thing is its cutting precision. Below are the steps that will give you the reasons why this is the best Cricut for making shirts. Here are the pros and cons of using Cricut Maker 3 for making shirts:
Pros:
- Cuts Smart Materials hassle-free
- Suitable with specialty Maker cutting tools
- Cuts 300 + materials
Cons:
- Too expensive for beginners
- Comes with a fine-point blade only
5. Cricut Joy
Here is something very portable and small in size. I love this tool as it offers a great range of features. Although it doesn’t cut more than 50 materials, it is worth investing in if you are a beginner and travel frequently but still want to make crafts. Users must look at the steps below to highlight the pros and cons of using this best Cricut for making shirts:
Pros:
- Compact size
- Easily portable
- Cuts Smart Material
Cons:
- Works only with a single-layer design
- Pressure is unavailable for leather and wood or for embossing metal
FAQs
Is Cricut Joy good for making T-shirts?
Yes, it is good for small designs and can make a variety of designs for your shirts. The machine is also portable, which is good for people who often travel. Since the machine is portable, you can get your T-shirt designed in minutes. In short, Cricut Joy will be the best option for beginners to get started in no time.
What is the best Cricut machine for shirts?
In my opinion, all Cricut models, including Cricut Explore Air 2, Explore 3, Maker, Maker 3, and Joy, are the best devices for making shirts. However, they vary in terms of price and features. Also, it depends on your experience, like whether you are a beginner crafter or an experienced one. Besides, the Cricut Maker 3 is the best because of its versatile features and robust performance.
Is Cricut Maker 3 worth it?
Cricut Maker 3 is worth the investment because it can cut more than 300 materials. It is suitable for making shirts, decals, stickers, and other operations, such as embossing, scoring, drawing, engraving, and more. Besides, it cuts everything precisely and makes the project stand out. In a nutshell, investing in a Cricut Maker 3 machine can be the best option.
Final Words
Now that you have understood, you might be able to decide on the best Cricut for making shirts. As mentioned earlier, all the Cricut machines are capable of doing a lot and can offer you the right assistance. This machine is a great option for those who are professional crafters and want to try a new type of project, like making shirts.
Source: Best Cricut for Making Shirts