Have you ever spent hours designing the perfect sticker or label, only to have it print out blurry or dull? As a Cricut crafter, your printer is just as important as your cutting machine. A high-quality print is the secret ingredient to making professional-looking projects that truly pop. If your printer doesn’t cooperate, your hard work ends up in the trash instead of on your crafts.
Choosing the right inkjet printer can feel like a headache. You might worry about ink costs, paper jams, or whether the colors will actually match your screen. Many crafters waste money on machines that cannot handle thick cardstock or produce sharp, vibrant images. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by technical specs and endless brand names, leaving you stuck with a machine that simply doesn’t fit your needs.
In this guide, we take the stress out of your shopping experience. You will learn exactly what features matter most for “Print Then Cut” projects and which models offer the best value for your budget. We cut through the confusing jargon to help you find a reliable printer that works perfectly with your Cricut setup.
Ready to upgrade your craft room and start creating flawless designs? Let’s dive into the best inkjet printers that will take your Cricut projects to the next level.
Top Inkjet Printer For Cricut Recommendations
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (2)
- Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ― Save with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges (1) – that’s enough to print up to 4,500 pages black/7,500 color (3)
- Stress-Free Printing — Up to 2 years of ink in the box (4) – and with every replacement ink set – for fewer out of ink frustrations
- High-Capacity Ink Tanks ― Epson’s exclusive EcoFit ink bottles make filling easy and worry-free
- Zero Cartridge Waste ― By using an EcoTank printer, you can help reduce the amount of cartridge waste ending up in landfills
- The Envy 6155e is perfect for homes printing everyday quality color documents like homework and borderless photos. Print speeds up to 7 ppm color, 10 ppm black.
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- KEY FEATURES – Color print, copy and scan, plus auto 2-sided printing and a 100-sheet input tray
- HP'S MOST INTUITIVE COLOR TOUCHSCREEN – Smoothly navigate your printer with the easy-to-use 2.4" touchscreen
- 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK WITH HP+ ACTIVATION – Subscribe to Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled.
- The DeskJet 2855e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm color, 7.5 ppm black
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- KEY FEATURES – Color printing, copy, scan, and a 60-sheet input tray
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable Wii-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues.This printer is only 2.4 ghz capable.
- 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK WITH HP+ ACTIVATION – Subscribe to Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled
- SET IT UP ONCE AND PRINT WITH CONFIDENCE. No complicated maintenance. Just easy, reliable printing you can count on.
- INK FOR YEARS. NOT MONTHS. Up to 2 years of ink included. Get thousands of pages of cartridge-free printing. More pages, less hassle
- KEEPS PRINTING WELL AFTER COMPETITORS HAVE QUIT. No complex maintenance. Sharper text, richer colors.[2] Only with HP Smart Tank
- INNOVATION YOU CAN TRUST. Cartridge-free printing that keeps you printing longer with fewer interruptions, powered by the trusted HP innovation you rely on today
- PREMIUM SUPPORT - Strong technical expertise to solve issues faster.
- Wireless 4-in-1 (print | copy | scan | fax)..Power Consumption: 7W (0.8W Standby / 0.3W Off)
- 8.8 / 4.4 ipm print speed.
- Designed for easy ink cartridge installation and replacement.
- Auto 2-sided printing and auto document feeder.
- Produce quality documents, photos and boarderless prints up to 8.5" x 11".
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
- 20 sheets Printable Vinyl 8.5 in x 11 in (21.6 cm x 27.9 cm) in White; 20 sheets Vinyl Laminate 8.5 in x 11 in (21.6 cm x 27.9 cm)
- Waterproof and UV resistant up to 2 years
- Requires inkjet printer
- Compatible with Cricut Maker 3/4, Explore 3/4, and Joy Xtra machines
- Wireless Print/Copy/Scan
- Up to 2 years of ink included (2)
- Print up to 6,000 black & white / 7,700 color pages using a single set of inks! (1)
- Save up to $1,000 on ink (1)
- 1.35” Square LCD display
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing an Inkjet Printer for Cricut Projects
If you love making stickers, labels, or iron-on transfers, you need a great printer. A Cricut machine cuts your designs, but your inkjet printer brings them to life. Choosing the right printer makes your crafts look professional. Use this guide to find the perfect match for your creative space.
Key Features to Look For
First, check the print resolution. High resolution means your colors look sharp and clear. Next, consider the paper handling. Your printer must handle thick cardstock or glossy sticker paper without jamming. Finally, look for wireless connectivity. Printing directly from your phone or tablet saves you a lot of time.
Important Materials
Your printer needs to handle various crafting materials. Most crafters use printable vinyl for stickers. You might also need to print on heat transfer paper for t-shirts. Always check if your printer supports “borderless printing.” This feature allows you to print to the very edge of the page, which is vital for sticker sheets.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The type of ink matters most. Pigment-based inks are best for stickers because they resist water and fading. Dye-based inks offer bright colors but can smudge if they get wet. Another factor is the alignment. If your printer head is not aligned, your Cricut machine will struggle to read the registration marks. Always run a calibration test before you start a big project.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use your printer. If you run a small business, look for a tank-based printer. These printers use refillable bottles instead of expensive cartridges. This saves money on high-volume projects. If you are a casual hobbyist, a standard cartridge printer works fine. Most users prefer printers that offer a simple mobile app. This makes it easy to send designs from your design software to the printer in seconds.
10 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a special printer for Cricut?
A: No, any standard inkjet printer works. However, models that handle thick paper perform much better.
Q: Can I use a laser printer for stickers?
A: Most Cricut users prefer inkjet printers. Laser printers use heat, which can melt some types of sticker vinyl.
Q: What is “Print Then Cut”?
A: This is a Cricut feature. You print a design with your printer, then your Cricut machine cuts around the edges.
Q: Why does my Cricut not see the registration marks?
A: Your printer might have printed the marks too lightly, or the paper is too glossy and causes a glare.
Q: Is pigment ink better than dye ink?
A: Yes, pigment ink is more durable and water-resistant for stickers.
Q: How do I prevent paper jams?
A: Use the rear feed tray if your printer has one. This creates a straight path for thick paper.
Q: Can I print on heat transfer paper?
A: Yes, most inkjet printers work perfectly with standard heat transfer paper.
Q: Does the printer brand matter?
A: Not really. Brands like Epson, Canon, and HP all offer great options for crafters.
Q: Should I buy a printer with refillable tanks?
A: If you print many stickers, yes. It lowers your cost per page significantly.
Q: How often should I clean the print heads?
A: Run a cleaning cycle if you notice lines or missing colors. Do this once a month to keep the printer in top shape.