Can You Use Pen + Gear Fabric Transfer With Cricut Explore Air 2
Hi Daydreamers!
Today I want to tell you lot everything you lot need to know about Cricut Maker vs Cricut Explore Air two before you hit that buy push.
Earlier I got my Cricut I had then many questions. I read multiple articles, watched tons of YouTube videos, and there were still many questions.
In this article, yous will learn all of the differences between these 2 machines!
My very first post about the Cricut Machines was after buying the Cricut Explore Air 2. On that postal service, I was answering all of the questions I had – fifty+ – earlier I decided to buy and get into the Cricut World.
It's very informative, and if you have not idea what a Cricut is I totally recommend you to read it.
I said before I wasn't going to get a Maker, because I just wanted to cut newspaper, and I wanted more money for other materials… So before I tell y'all all of the differences – And after I eat my own words lol – If I could go dorsum in time, I would've bought the Cricut Maker in the first identify.
I don't desire to predispose you, simply this is how I experience… But keep an open mind and learn if we both concord or disagree… Savvy?
Disclosure: I dearest the Cricut Brand and all of the things that come with it, I feel that as a crafter I take more good than bad things to say.
Although I make a pocket-sized committee when yous purchase through my links. This is not a sponsored mail service, I bought both machines on my own money along with other materials and other and accessories you see here.
Are yous set? Let'south dig in
Did you lot know there are new machines? Read my Cricut Maker 3 vs. Explore iii comparing.
Quick differences between Explore Air Family Machines
Although this postal service is mainly directed to the Cricut Maker vs Explore Air 2 because those are the machines I happen to take on hand; there are two other versions of the Explore machines that you may desire to consider too.
All of the Cricut Explore Family machines can cut the aforementioned materials, and utilize the aforementioned tools. However, each one of them has different features.
- Cricut Explore One: Firstborn of the Explore family and only has one tool holder so y'all cut and depict, score separately. You demand to connect information technology with a cable to your computer or buy a separate adapter. (No longer offered on Cricut's website)
- Cricut Explore Air: Has Bluetooth, which is a must for me I don't like having a cord attached to my computer, and both tool holders and so you can cutting and draw at the same time! (No longer offered on Cricut's website)
- Cricut Explore Air 2: Has the same capabilities, that the explore air only information technology'southward two times faster.
- Cricut Explore 3: Newest add-on to the Explore family machines. It allows you to cutting matless and twice as fast as the Air 2 when using Smart Materials.
Check Out Prices and a Comparison chart on Cricut's Website
What practice the Cricut Maker and Explore Air 2 have in Common?
The Cricut Maker and Explore Air two are both EXCELLENT machines. You can feel the quality; everything seems then sturdy and well made. I am quite impressed.
You won't exist disappointed. Every time I take ordered from Cricut everything is packed to perfection and you can only feel that they truly treat what they practice.
With both machines you volition take:
- Both machines work with the aforementioned software Cricut Design Space for gratuitous
- Upload your own personalized designs and projects
- Complimentary Ready to cutting projects: Each machine comes with more than than 50 free projects. Normally ready to cut projects cost coin that you can become access by individual buy or via a monthly or yearly subscription called Cricut Access
- They both tin can cut more than 100 materials – the Most common ones – including newspaper, vinyl, material, leather, etc! To see the whole materials check out the total Cricut Guide.
- With both machines, you tin Cutting, Describe, Score and add foil effects with the "foil transfer kit."
- Both Machines come with a commencement Projection for y'all to go familiar with your motorcar
What are the differences between the Cricut Maker and Explore Air 2?
The biggest departure betwixt the Cricut Maker and any of the Cricut Explore machines is the cutting force. The Cricut Maker has 10X the force and cutting force than whatsoever of the Explore family machines.
The cutting force of the Cricut Explore Air ii is 400 grams and the Cricut Maker's cutting strength is 4000 grams. THIS IS A HUGE AND GIGANTIC STEP, and because of this force, you are now able to use more powerful tools and more complex materials.
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Cricut Maker -
Cricut Explore Air 2
Think of it similar the force and pressure you demand to apply when you lot cut a tomato vs a big sweet potato. The harder the cloth – sweet potato – the more pressure level and even bigger knife y'all volition need to succeed.
By adding 10 times the forcefulness Cricut has been able to add more powerful tools to cutting more than complex materials, like wood, cloth without backing material, etc.
Check out the following table and and then let's chat a little scrap more virtually some of the dissimilar tools you lot can use with either the Maker or Explore
| Feature | Maker | Explore Air 2 |
| Cutting Forcefulness | four kg | 400 gr |
| Applied science | Adaptive tool system | Smart Set Dial |
| Max Cut Size | 12 x 24 inches | 12 10 24 inches |
| Cartridge Slot | No – Needs Adapter | Yep |
| Software | Cricut Design Space | Cricut Design Infinite |
| Color | Blue Rose Champagne Lilac Mint | Pinkish, Mint, Black, Blueish, Crimson, more! |
| Weight | 15.02 Pounds | 14 Pound |
| Dimensions | 24 x 9.5 x ix.5 inches | 22.six x seven.1 x vi.2 inches |
| Max Depth Cut* | Up to ii.4 mm | Up two mm |
| Fine Point Blade | Yes | Yep |
| Deep Point Blade | Aye | Aye |
| Bonded Textile Bract | Yes | Yes |
| Foil Transfer Kit | Aye | Yes |
| Rotary Blade | Yes | No |
| Knife Blade | Yes | No |
| Quick Swap Tools | Yes | No |
| Cricut Pens | Yes | Yes |
| Scoring Stylus | Yes | Yes |
| Impress and so Cut | Dissimilar Colors | White Only |
| Cut | Yes | Yes |
| Depict | Yes | Yeah |
| Check out Prices | Cricut Maker | Explore Air two |
*Information technology depends on the type of fabric and/or blade.
Unlike tools you can use with the Cricut Maker vs Cricut Explore Air two
This is where things start to get improve!
We only talked about the cutting force and how of import it is to be able to cut strong materials. Now, what you need to consider are the tools y'all demand to cutting different types of materials.
I recollect the best mode to explicate this is by using examples of different knives you utilize when y'all are cooking.
When you lot need to spread something yous utilise a butter knife when you are cut breadstuff, a staff of life knife is better, and we all know the importance of a steak knife when nosotros cutting and eating meat.
Could you get away with cutting bread with a butter knife? Maybe, but your bread volition be tear autonomously. The same will happen with other unlike types of knives.
The same thing happens with the Cricut!
You may think that y'all tin cut everything with the same blade after getting a Cricut, but that'southward non possible. Each blade has been designed to cut unlike types of materials nether different types of pressure.
What tools does the Cricut Explore Air ii back up?
Check out an overview of all of the tools you can utilise with whatsoever of the Cricut Explore family machines.
Fine Point Blade
The fine point blade is the nearly common blade and it comes with all of the Cricut Machines. It'south made out of German language Carbide, which is an extremely durable and high-quality material most commonly used for cutting tools materials.
This blade is perfect for making intricate cuts and it's designed to cut medium-weight materials. It used to be argent, but it now comes in a cute golden color.
Although I only got my maker and it came in argent.
Deep Point Blade
If you need to cut thicker materials, the Deep Point Blade will be your best friend. You can use it with whatsoever of the Cricut Explore Family machines and/or Cricut Maker!
The angle of this blade is so much steeper – 60 degrees compared to 45 degrees for the fine betoken blade – This really allows the blade to penetrate and cut intricate cuts in thick materials.
Bonded Material Blade
The Bonded Fabric Bract was specifically designed to cut fabric. Don't apply this bract for any other type of material. You lot volition ruin your bract!
There's a big caveat with this blade though. The fabric y'all are going to cut needs to be bonded to a backing material. If you are a sewer you might know what bonded cloth is, but if are like me and have no prior experience with fabrics, permit me explain to you real quick.
Basically, the bankroll is a type of textile – like heat & bond – that y'all need to adhere – bond – to your fabrics in club to be cut with this blade, hence the proper nameBonded Fabric Blade.
Scoring Stylus
The Scoring Stylus is a tool that allows you to created folds on your materials. It'southward perfect for making boxes and menu making.
Foil Transfer Kit
The "Foil Transfer Kit" allows you lot to create beautiful and crisp foil effects on your projects.
It's compatible with the Cricut Maker and any of the Explore family machines. This kit is 3 tools in ane; information technology comes with fine, medium, and bold tips.
Cricut Pens
The Cricut Pens are amazing, because non only you can cut and score, just you can also write on your materials. The Pens let yous to create a more than personalized projection.
Print Then Cut
This is non the tool itself but is a characteristic that allows you to print – on white color paper – your designs and then cut them. This is great if you lot are into planner stickers, patterns, card making, etc.
What tools does the Cricut Maker support?
The Cricut Maker supports everything! Check out all of the details so you see the potential of this motorcar.
All of the Cricut Explore Air 2 blades & tools
The Cricut Maker allows you to utilise all of the available tools and features of the explore and this is why I get more inclined to recommend the Maker. I know it's more expensive just you go to abound with your machine because rumor has information technology that in that location are more tools coming up before long.
Note: the Print Then Cut option allows you to print on colored paper!
Rotary Blade
The Rotary Blade cuts through, pretty much, any blazon of fabric. And best of all, you don't need any backing fabric to stabilize the fabric on the mat. That lone should get you super happy!
This bract also comes with the Cricut Maker (this is a big deal considering you lot normally have to buy these sorts of tools separately or in a packet) and tin can only exist used with the Fabric Grip Mat.
Knife Blade
This blade is what makes the Cricut Maker a total-making machine. The knife bract is the strongest of all and with information technology, y'all can cut really stiff materials such equally thick leather, balsa, and basswood.
The projects you lot can practice with this baby are only amazing. You can create wood signs for your home, boxes, extremely sturdy cake toppers, and more.
Quick Bandy Tools
Unlike the rest of the blades that have a different housing, The QuickSwap organization allows you to use five different tools (2 blades, and 3 tips)
- Scoring Tip
- Engraving Tip
- Debossing Tip
- Wavy Bract
- Perforation Blade
Something cool, and that I am quite thankful for is that you can apply all of these tools with the same housing and that my friend equals savings!
Allow's encounter a little flake more than about all of these tools.
The Scoring Cycle is a tool that allows you to create cute, edgy, and crispy folds on your materials. To give you the best results, Cricut has designed The Scoring Bicycle with two unlike tips, 01 and 02. Depending on the material you select, Design Space will propose to you lot the tip you need.
The Engraving Tip is something that many crafters have been waiting for! With this tool, yous'll be able to engrave a wide variety of materials.
The Debossing Tip will push the material in, and it will create beautiful and detailed designs. The debossing will bring your projects to a whole new level because of the detail you can now add to your designs.
With the Wavy Bract instead of cutting on direct lines like the rotary or fine signal blade, this tool volition create wavy effects on your final cuts.
The Perforation Blade allows you to create projects with a tear finish. With this tool, a new world of possibilities has open. You can create coupons, raffle tickets, etc!
Physical Differences between the Maker and Explore Air 2
I actually think that the Cricut Explore Air two looks better than the Cricut Maker. They are both lovely but there are just some details that I like better from the explore air.
I know this is featherbrained… Just information technology'southward what I call back!
Most of them were mentioned in the comparison tabular array. Yet, let'due south conversation a little bit more about some of the concrete differences.
Weight & Colour: the Cricut Explore Air two comes in so many colors, but the maker but comes with three. Champagne, Blue, and greenish. I got a Mint Color for the Explore and Rose for my Maker
Storage Infinite: I like being able to store all of my blades and weeding tools on the machine itself. Both machines accept good storage for the tools and blades that they are capable of using. The Maker has way more storage than the explore, I like this because I am able to store more goodies in it.
Cartridge Slot: In the past, you could purchase physical Cartridges and connect them with your machine. A Cartridge is a set of images and/or ready-to-cutting projects; now all of these Cartridges tin can be bought within the software itself, then that's why the Maker doesn't have a slot for them.
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More Storage -
No Dial on the Maker
Smart Set Dial: The Smart Dial allows y'all to selection from a range of materials before you cutting. Although I love how cute the dial looks, I always leave it on "Custom" and I select materials from Design Space. In that location are so many types of iron-on, cardstock, etc. that using the dial only will crusade you lot to ruin your materials from fourth dimension to fourth dimension.
Adaptive Tool Organization: This system is what makes the Maker 10X stronger than any of the Explore Family unit Machines. This technology controls the direction and of the blade at all times. In fact, This tool is then amazing that it can adjust the pressure of the blade to friction match the materials y'all are working with!
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Smart Set up Punch -
Adaptive Tool System
Docking Station: The Maker allows y'all to dock your phone or Ipad on top of the machine. If you plan on using your Ipad or Telephone, this is a cool feature. In that location's also a USB port that allows you to charge your device as well.
Should you get the Explore Air 2 or Maker?
If you haven't purchased your machine I would truly encourage you lot to get the Maker. I know information technology'southward more than expensive – 100 to 150 dollars more – merely at that place are so many things going on for the Cricut Maker that I don't want y'all to feel like you lot are missing out.
I got the Explore Air ii starting time considering I work with paper and vinyl well-nigh of the fourth dimension, just at some bespeak, I still wanted some of the other things that the Maker is able to do like cutting material without backing cloth, wood, and making perfect and sharp folds on dumbo materials.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 is an splendid machine, It is cute, and if you already have i you don't have to go and run to get the Maker.
Hither's the thing; I mainly got it considering it'southward my line of work and I want to make sure I provide you tutorials for both machines as I need to keep my website upwardly to date.
If you lot are going to stick to just paper, vinyl, and other sparse materials, sure become for the Explore Air 2. Merely if it comes to mind that you will update your machine in the futurity because you may want to cut wood, and other thicker materials just wait a couple of weeks until you lot have a piddling flake more than coin.
In my first commodity, I said you should get a automobile that allows you lot to purchase extra materials because they can be expensive. I nevertheless believe that, but I as well believe that you can become effectually by practicing with newspaper and then as time goes on you lot can invest in other tools or materials.
At the finish of the day, the money is coming out of your pocket. So ask yourself, what do you really want from this machine?
I can't reply that for you, however, I really hope you can brand a wise decision by reading this mail.
Should you go a packet or a car?
Both times I got my machines I got a packet! If you actually look at the price of the automobile individually and the bundles, you'll run into that you are getting so much more than value for your money.
I retrieve a bundle is a nifty way for you to become you started. Normally you have bundles that come with dissimilar types of blades and a few materials; or some other bundles that come up with just materials.
The first bundle I got – on amazon – was a mixture between tools and materials, and the second one – from Cricut's website – was everything materials because I already had the blades and other important tools.
If y'all are starting from goose egg I recommend you to get a bundle that has a little bit of everything, and then expand every bit you go. These things tin become quite expensive.
If yous don't know what materials or tools you need, brand sure to check this super useful guide!
Here are some really cool bundles to go started with:
- Cricut Explore Air 2: It comes with a fine point blade and a lot of actress goodies for you to get started!
- Cricut Maker: This bundle is the ane I got and it comes with the fine point blade and rotary bract PLUS TONS OF MATERIALS!
Learning how to utilize your Cricut Maker or Explore
If yous decide to purchase a Cricut you may feel intimated at commencement by their software.
This machine comes with a learning curve. Even so, don't be discouraged I went through the same thing and this is why I have written multiple articles to help you with your Cricut Journey!
- Learn how to use Pattern Infinite from commencement to cease
- Learn how to utilize your Pattern Space from your iPhone/Ipad
- Check out all of my other Cricut Weblog posts
Oh!
And merely so you lot know, I also have a library total of free SVG files and Printables for all of my subscribers, a.m.a Daydreamers. You can see a preview correct hither or get access by filling out this course.
So…
This is it, I really hope this article helps y'all to brand the right decision. Whether it is the Maker or the Explore Air ii. I am sure y'all will exist amazed at all of the projects you tin can make.
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Can You Use Pen + Gear Fabric Transfer With Cricut Explore Air 2 UPDATED
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