Cricut Easy Press vs. Heat Press: Which Is Right For You?

If you're asking yourself Cricut Easy Press vs. Heat Press or want to get Cricut Easy Press or Heat Press but are unsure which machine is best or right for you, then keep reading this post. Here we will compare Cricut Easy Press vs. Heat Press; what are the major differences, which materials you can use with both machines, what kind of projects you can make with it, and more.

A heat press machine is a commercial-grade iron that applies heat and pressure to a garment. And it is an essential tool in almost every kind of custom T-shirt printing and a useful tool for other types of decoration.

There is nothing better than diving into comparative analysis using a table. To explain, they are a great way to show those little pieces of information that can be boiled down to just one word or note. This is the best part of comparing crafting tools, so you know what you're getting into.

Comparison Table: Cricut Easy Press vs. Heat Press

 Cricut Easy Press vs. Heat Press Comparison

Cricut EasyPress

Standard Heat Press

Pressing Area

12″x10″           

15″x15″

Machine Size Dimensions

16.93″x15.16″x7.63″  

19″x16″x 17.5″

Machine Weight

14 pounds      

43 pounds

Temperature Range

230-400 degrees F    

0-699 degrees F

Auto Shut-Off

Yes

No

Heat Plate Material

Ceramic

Teflon

Digital Display (Time & Temp)

Yes

Yes

Closure Type

Manual

Clam-Shell

Pressure Setting      

All Manual      

Dial Set

Prices

$141.55

$459.95

Overview: Cricut Easy Press vs. Heat Press

The Cricut Easy Press is a hybrid between an iron and a heat press. It has the quality and accuracy of a heat press but at the convenience of an iron. You can use it (with your cutting machine) to transfer iron-on vinyl or infusible ink to fabric or other surfaces. Four different sizes with different colors are below:

●    Cricut Easy Press Mini

●    6×7 Cricut Easy Press 2

●    9×9 Cricut Easy Press 2

●    12×10 Cricut Easy Press 2

On the other hand, the heat transfer process has become increasingly popular among T-shirt makers and screen printers. Heat transfer designs are best for small orders and on-site printing. Buyers can select the shirt size and color they want, and you can print it on demand. You can sell T-shirts at a higher profit while eliminating overstock printed shirts. Rather than storing 100+ T-shirts in your garage and waiting for someone to buy them, you can simply print T-shirts as orders have a heat transfer T-shirt printing machine.

Pros and Cons: Cricut Easy Press vs. Heat Press

The following are the pros and cons of Cricut Easy Press and Heat Press:

Cricut Easy Press

Pros:

●    Various sizes are available for different projects.

●    It can be purchased locally at craft stores.

●    Power doesn't increase.

●    Travel-friendly.

●    It is lighter weight than a traditional heat press.

●    Shut itself down.

●    Small and easy to store.

●    It can be used with HTV, Infusible Ink, and Sublimation.

●    It heats up quickly.

●    Ceramic coated (Please double check with the Cricut machine to be safe).

Cons:

●    You must apply pressure; sometimes, the pressure can come off in spots.

●    A little more expensive than traditional presses, but now they go on sale for a lot more.

●    It only goes up to 400 degrees.

●    You must use a Cricut Easy Press Mat or towel to protect the surface when pressing items.

Heat Press

Pros:

●    Even pressure.

●    Best for large projects.

●    You will get a higher temperature of up to 699 degrees.

●    No mat is required as the heat press includes a mat built in and a stand, so you are not applying pressure directly to your table.

●    It's a great machine if you're creating huge money for something like running your business.

Cons:

●    Large, heavy, and bulky. It takes a lot of space.

●    It draws a lot of power. Depending on the breaker the room is using, it can surge power.

●    There is no auto-off model.

●    It can only be purchased online unless you've a craft store.

●    Teflon coating can be difficult for some pets like birds.

What Material Can You Use on a Cricut Easy Press vs. Heat Press?

When applying heat to stick the material to a shirt or any other base material (yard flag, cutting board), you need a cohesive sheet of hot glue hot enough to form the adhesive or activate ink of the material. To explain, it's usually done between a temperature of 230°F and 400°F.

What Kind of Items Can You Make on Cricut Easy Press vs. Heat Press?

Many materials can be used on a Cricut Easy Press or a standard heat press. Because you're only looking to apply heat, there are a ton of materials you can use a heat press on to hold it all together. Some of the favorites are:

●    Shirts

●    Koozies

●    Fabric

●    Banners

●    Blankets

●    Lanyards

●    Cutting Boards

●    Wood Planks

What Materials Can Cricut Easy Press vs. Heat Press Apply?

The materials you can apply your design to are very broad, no different from the objects on which you can apply the design. On the other hand, there is no difference between what you can apply with the Cricut Easy Press vs. Heat Press. Some materials to apply using heat are:

●    Heat Transfer Vinyl (Iron-On Vinyl)

●    Sublimation Ink

●    Cricut Infusible Ink