Need to Register?

SandyM114 · December 10th, 2008

I do engraving on jewelry and monogramming, but I'm interested in a way to cut vinyl lettering. I saw a little cricut machine at Walmarty today for under 300.00. It can cut up to 8 inch letters. I'm just wanting it to make my own bannets for shows and to advertise my own business, so I'm wondering if this would work for me. I'm sure the expensive cutters that hook to a computer would do so much more, but do you think this would work for what I want done? Thanks for the help. Sandy

Rodney · December 10th, 2008

If budget is a primary concern, I think you can get a decent cutter for around $300 that you'll be able to grow with as your business/hobby grows.

Look here: USCutter MH Vinyl Cutter - 12", 25", 33", or 50" inch ($269 for a 12" cutter, $350 for a 25" cutter)

Or here: USCutter LaserPoint 24", 36", or 48" Vinyl Cutter w/ CONTOUR CUTTING ($419 for a cutter than does contour cutting)

I've never heard of the cricut cutter, so I can't help you there. But I think there are lots of options for people who want to start cutting vinyl without a huge budget.

clayboyrat · December 10th, 2008

I was looking at them last night.Even watched some of the video. It will do what you want. It works on a cartridge system. Seems real easy to use. But if you don't have the cartage with what font you want then you have to buy a cartridge that has it.Dono how much they are though. So you would be stuck in there world.It was made for scrap booking. You might also want to look at the Craft robo. Comes in 2 sizes. Small one is close to the cricut. I also think the craft robo has an optic eye so you can print and then cut it out.But the robo need a computer and software. Hope this helps

martinwoods · December 10th, 2008

I have watched the cricut infomercials many times (and he is cute) but like everyone else says go with a cutter/plotter instead

theflowerboxx · December 10th, 2008

Cricut machines are junk compared to a vinyl cutter. You'll be so limited and it will cost so much to buy their cartridges that you'll have a fortune in it and it will still be junk... Go buy a US Cutter from the link Rodney provided.

SandyM114 · December 10th, 2008

Thanks very much for the helpful thoughts. My thinking is that with the cricut I don't have to buy software. I'm thinking I'd need expensive software to run the other machines. I'm going to the site to check them out though. Thanks again!

SandyM114 · December 10th, 2008

Ok, I have checked out the us cutter site and see software is available with the cutter. There are 3 choices of software,does it matter which I choose? I'm also wondering what else I can use this cutter for, besides letters for the banners. What about cutting tackle twill letters for applique? Sandy

martinwoods · December 10th, 2008

with cricut you do have to buy cartridges for all the different stuff so it would be just as chea to buy a cutter, you will be able to do so much more with a cutter as well as the wider cut range. I do not think you will be disappointed if you go with the cutter instead of the cricut

Everyone on here knows what they are talking about and I always go with their advice and have never regretted it once.

baptistbuddy · December 10th, 2008

I must confess I bought the cricut machine this past weekend. I had intentions of making my own transfers. (Even though the t shirt forums have a some great posts that you cannot do this with that professional look.) I cut the design out using the opaque transfer sheet for color shirts and used my heat press and it came out faded--not the white crisp look I was looking forward. So yesterday I set up my account with Transfer Express. I will look at other places later. This website is wonderful and very informational. Yes, I will use the cricut machine for my Sunday School class, the kids will love it.
--Baptist Buddy

charles95405 · December 10th, 2008

The cricut is for scrapbooking...not much else..check out youtube.com for some videos on this...If you want to do vinyl...check with US Cutters for the same $$ and get more...including the necessary software.

kenimes · December 11th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinwoods


	with cricut you do have to buy cartridges for all the different stuff so it would be just as chea to buy a cutter, you will be able to do so much more with a cutter as well as the wider cut range. I do not think you will be disappointed if you go with the cutter instead of the cricut Everyone on here knows what they are talking about and I always go with their advice and have never regretted it once.

Yes, and the cartridges run like $100 each, one thing they fail to let you know on the TV ads....

ARConcepts · December 11th, 2008

I bought the cricut for my wife and it is definetly a scrapbooking machine, not vinyl.

The trick is to get the "sure cuts alot" software. It's a program that cracked the machines code. Build all your graphics and save as a .svg, then import into SCAL and send to cutter. It's definetly no comparison to my Graphtec.

SandyM114 · December 11th, 2008

Ok, looks like us cutter is the way to go, but do I need the profile cutter, or just the basic one? I'm not sure how I'll use the machine yet. I know I'll do some lettering for my shop windows, a few banners at least, and some magnetic signs. What other things can I do with the machine? How about cutting out tackle twill applique letters? Also, is the free software good enough for basic lettering or do I need to invest more money and buy the 149.00 software. I really appreciate all the replies I've gotten.Sandy

kenimes · December 11th, 2008

Included software is fine, and the lower end units will cut everything you are looking to cut. Vinyl, twill, mylar, and alot of other materials up to 1mm in thickness. Sounds like you will mostly be cutting vinyl and twill for garments- no problemo.

EXTouch · December 11th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by charles95405


	The cricut is for scrapbooking...not much else..check out youtube.com for some videos on this...If you want to do vinyl...check with US Cutters for the same $$ and get more...including the necessary software.

As a former scrapbooker...I so agree.

I wonder how many people thought they were going to "break into the biz" with this cricut...

Need to Register?

Resources

T-Shirt Sites

Saw a cricut machine at Walmart today for under 300.00. Will this work?