Sublimation printer and Cricut are what you choose from to better your craft projects. What you pick between these tools changes the outcome and what you are able to create. In this article we will look at the pros and cons of each to help you determine which is the best fit for your crafting needs.
What Is a Sublimation Printer?
A sublimation printer which is a special type of equipment that uses heat to put dye onto polyester fabrics and into coated surfaces. This method puts out very bright full color images which also happen to be very durable and resistant to fading. They are very much used for creation of personal t-shirts, mugs, phone cases and home decor items.
Advantages of Sublimation Printing
- Brings out brilliant full color prints
- We see smooth gradations and in depth color in the print
- The ink becomes a part of the material which in turn rules out cracks or peeling
- Durable results that resist fading
- Great for custom and commercial products
Drawbacks of Sublimation Printing
- Works only with polyester fabrics or specially treated surfaces
- You will need to invest in quality equipment which may be a large out of pocket expense
- Does not do well with cotton or dark colored materials
- Less flexible in what materials it will work with as compared to other methods which is a pro for some and a con for others.
What is a Cricut Machine?
A Cricut is a variable craft device which puts out precise designs. We see it used for personal home decor, custom t-shirts, in paper crafts and for special gifts. Also it is very popular among DIY people and small business owners.
Advantages of Cricut Machine
- Cuts out a large range of materials which include vinyl, cardstock, and fabric
- Enables fine and in depth crafting
- Great for personal as well as small scale business projects
- Provides creative choice for many craft types
Limitations of a Cricut Machine
- Expensive at the start, in particular for the more advanced models
- Time is a factor in learning the design software
- May require to purchase additional accessories or materials for some projects.
Sublimation vs Cricut: A Creative Look
Sublimation Printers
Best for the design which go on to live as part of poly fabric and coated materials Provides you with durable and machine washable results Also did you know: Cricut which is more of a general craft brand that also does sublimation but also works well with paper and non-poly materials. It’s a great all around tool for many crafts. Also they have a large community and resources for crafters. Both are great tools in the crafters toolkit in their own right. They just approach materials a little differently.
Cricut Machine
Great for cutting a variety of materials like vinyl, cardstock, and fabric Very useful for detailed and precise designs and custom projects
Mixing Methods
Cricut able to design heat transfer vinyl images. Sublimation also included to bring out color fast permanent graphics for complex layering. Together, they present creative flexibility hard to achieve with one process only.
Choosing Between Sublimation Printer and Cricut
When it comes to a sublimation printer or a Cricut which of your crafting needs and project types best fit. Sublimation printers they put out brilliant full color designs on polyester which is great for apparel, mugs and personalized gifts that come out very durable and professional.
Cricut machines do very well with detail work which they cut into vinyl, cardstock, fabric and the like. They are perfect for custom decals, home decor and paper crafts. Also they have user friendly software which appeals to both new and experienced crafters.
Your choice should play to what you want to create and your crafting goals.
Can You Use Both Together?
Using a combination of a sublimation printer and a Cricut machine broadens creative options. Sublimation printers put out brilliant full color prints on to coated materials, at the same time Cricut machines out precise cuts. By using both you are able to print in detail and then cut it to perfect size for use in apparel, decor or gifts.
This is a great value add which for example includes the ability to print in design and cut out stickers or heat transfers with Cricut. As a whole they simplify the craft process and improve the quality of the end product which in turn gives creators a platform to play with and develop new creative concepts.
Conclusion
The sublimation print method does very well with full color and vibrant designs on fabric which is great for apparel and promotional products. Cricut machines do very well with detailed designs on a variety of materials. What you choose depends on what you are trying to achieve in your project, the scale of the work you will be doing, and what materials will work best.