Cricut Explore Air 2 is a creative sticker cutting tool that requires a competitive printer to handle prints. First, consider the paper type and printing technology required for sticker crafting. So, it uses special thick paper similar to cardstock of almost 80lb and requires low-temperature printing.
The question arises here what kind of printer do I need for Cricut? There are two types of printer’s inkjet and laserjet. An inkjet printer is an ideal piece to go with because it can handle rear and thick pages of cardstock and stickers close to and above 80 lbs. On the other hand, a laserjet can only hold 21 lbs of paper, which is very low. If we talk about the technology, laser beams of laserjet will ruin the printing media; therefore, again, I will go with an inkjet because it uses ink and is compatible with sticker papers.
I chose Epson for my Cricut Explore Air 2. You can visit the entire article for your better choice. For your kind information, there are many other brands you can check for better compatibility.
List of Printers Compatible with Cricut Explore Air 2
- HP ENVY 5055 Printer for Cricut Print and Cut
- Canon TS6320 Inkjet Printer for Cricut
- HP Envy Inspire 7955e Inkjet Printer for Cricut Explore Air 2
- Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Supertank Color Printer for Cricut
- Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Printer for Cricut Sublimation
- Brother HL-L23 Monochrome Laser Printer
HP ENVY 5055 Printer for Cricut Print and Cut
HP Envy 5055 is an entry-level wireless all-in-one color printer for Cricut explore air 2 and a unique design for families and home use. Boots your business to an entry-level with its low initial price compared to many competitors like Epson XP-7100.
Weighing only 12 pounds, envy is close enough to its multiple competitors, including the Pixma TS6320 AIO printer. HP 5055 contains an ADF but not an auto-duplexer. By the way, if you auto-duplexing, you must go with some of HP’s 7000 models. Compared to Epson XP-7100’s color screen, Envy 5055 has 2.2 inches of the monochrome display. Hp’s printer input capacity is only 100 pages with a monthly duty cycle of 1000 sheets.
HP offers various connectivity options, including Wifi, USB, Wifi-Direct, and a peer-to-peer network. Neither the HP nor the Canon support printing from an SD card despite multiple compatibility and options. On the other hand, Brother can print with a memory card.
Canon TS6320 Inkjet Printer for Cricut
With excellent print quality, Canon has advanced technology for voice activation printing. That’s not enough; this printer also has two paper input trays which I will discuss in detail. Moreover, a rich color five ink design device for richer black and broader color range. It’s among the printers for Cricut as well. That’s why this Pixma is ideal for moderate office and individual use.
Canon TS6320 is a wireless AIO device and a direct competitor to the Epson XP-7100, a photo-centric machine. One common feature between Epson XP-7100 and Canon TS6320 is they are five-ink machines with tremendous print output.
Canon holds two paper trays for multiple papers holding its main drawer arranges space for 100 sheets, while another drawer pulled out from the back of the printer holds rear pages like photo papers, envelopes, and many more. Canon TS6320 neither has the Automatic document feeder feature nor supports memory card printing.
HP Envy Inspire 7955e Inkjet Printer for Cricut Explore Air 2
HP printer for Cricut has a lower running cost per page with HP’s instant ink subscription program with solid printing output. HP Envy Inspire 7955e is a color inkjet wireless design for home and medium office use.
Envy 7955e and Photo 7855 are entry-level HP models, but Envy 7955e is a successor model. Moreover, both the HP models weigh close to 17 pounds only. The reason behind the heftier weight is the automatic document feeder. More likely, HP Inspire also contains 35 sheets of manual-duplexing ADF. While if we compare HP’s duplexer size, Canon has only 20 sheets of manual-duplexer.
As for paper handling, Inspire 7955e handles 125 sheets in its central drawer while the 15 sheets space is occupied for rear papers. In addition, the monthly duty cycle is 1000 pages. On the other hand, Pixma TS8320 and TR8620 have only 100 sheets tray only. Whatever the printer is but does not support SD card printing.
Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Supertank Color Printer for Cricut
Epson is a compact wireless design for home and small office use with tremendous printing output and low running cost. However, the printer supports multiple connectivity options that I will discuss soon.
As I mentioned above, the printer is compact, so it weighs only 13 pounds AIO device. In contrast, Canon G6020 and Epson ET-4760 are several inches bigger. Epson ET-2720 and ET-2760 have an Advanced voice activation feature for printing with various SD card support.
AS compared to the Epson ET-3760, ET-2720 has 1.44 inches of non-touch, but color displays a few number pads that command printer for single sided-print, copy, and scan as the device has no ADF but manual-duplexing. Although we talk about MegaTank machines, so only Canon G4210 holds ADF. For connectivity options, the printer entertains with Wifi-Direct, Wifi, peer-to-peer connection, and USB support. At the same time, the Epson lacks an Ethernet connectivity option.
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Printer for Cricut Sublimation
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is a wireless all-in-one printer with a free-cartridge super tank design with low running and is ideal for home and office use. This AIO provides your photo with a fabulous detailed and vibrant colors output or tabloid (11×17″) and super tabloid (13×19″) pages.
Like Brother HL-23, Epson ET-15000 bears 250 sheets in its central drawer. At the same time, the entry-level Pixma TS8320 and TR8620 hold only 100 papers. Like Canon 6320 and Epson ET-2720, ET-15000 also has the latest Voice Activation that you can control via Alexa and many other voice control devices.
EcoTank 15000 also entertains its consumers with 2.7 inches color touch display, but ET-2720 has only 1.44 inches non-touch screen. If you convert this superb classy printer to another technology, it will ruin its warranty.
Brother HL-L23 Monochrome Laser Printer
Brother HL-L23 is a monochrome laser printer with a low-duty cycle available for micro-offices and home use. With a low purchasing price, Brother provides good quality graphics and lean printing speed. HL-L23 will entertain you with multiple connectivity options, including Ethernet, USB, and Wifi-Direct.
The matte-black and gray Brother HL-L23 is a space-saving and lightweight design of only 15.9 pounds. While the Epson ET-2720 is only weighing 13 pounds. With its lean price, Brother provides a competitive input tray with a capacity of 250 sheets and one extra sheet for a multipurpose feeder.
Brother contains an automatic document feeder with auto-duplexing, which is the backbone for every AIO printer. With a monthly duty cycle of 15000 pages, it’s an outclass printer. On the other hand, HP Envy 7955e has a monthly yield of only 1000 pages. You will lack the Wifi connection with Brother HL-23.
What kind of printer is best to use with an Explore Air 2? (300W)
There are mainly two types of color printers laser and inkjet. Both have different features, but the essential thing to consider is how thick paper a printer handles and the output quality. Time to explore which one is compatible for cutting stickers and Cricut craft work.
Inkjet Printer Versus Laser Printer for Cricut
A laser printer holds a thin paper of only 21 lb, which is very thin and incompatible with stickers and Cricut. At the same time, the Cricut takes up a thickness of 80 lbs of cardstock. On the other hand, an inkjet printer can hold multiple papers while it is thick or thin. That’s why an inkjet will be suitable for Cricut and sticker cutting.
Another reason for purchasing an inkjet is printing technology. The laser uses electric beams to heat the toner for ting the in; this ink fuses on the printing media. In this way, the high-temperature ink ruins the sticker paper and does not make compatibility with it. On the other hand, inkjet works at room temperature and is compatible with inkjet. This way, it emphasizes your image and gives a next-level look to your printing output.
In short, a laser printer is incompatible with the Air 2 due to its low paper thickness and printing technology. On the other hand, using an inkjet will be ideal and beneficial.
How To Calibrate Printer with Cricut Explore – 150W
You need to follow the steps to fulfill Calibraty with your Cricut Explore.
Steps for Calibration Printer with Cricut Explore
- Log in to your Cricut account.
- Go to “Calibration” from the dropdown.
- Now place the cardstock or whatever your paper in your printer.
- Press “Continue.”
- Again, press “Continue.”
- Time to select the paper size from the dropdown.
- Select your Cricut device from the dropdown; mine is “Cricut Explore.”
- Load the mat.
- Click on the double arrow on your screen.
- Now flash the “Go” button on your machine.
- Select the “Yes” bullet.
- Hit “Continue.”
- For the “Top,” select the number which goes to the center. For “left,” select the alphabet same, which goes to the center.
- Click “Continue.”
- If you have selected the right cut, press “Yes.” Otherwise, choose no and repeat the process.
Buying Guide – 3 Things to Avoid while buying a printer for Cricut Explorer 2 (200W)
There are multiple things to consider while purchasing a printer to use with Cricut explore air 2, but here are some key factors you should avoid while using any Cricut printer. Let’s get started.
Budget Versus Quality
Budget is a pivotal factor to consider while looking for any printer. Eventually, the price has a directly proportional relationship with the quality. You will be able to enjoy as high as the price as the superb featured printer. Never compromise the price over the quality.
Thin Paper Compatible Printer
Paper holding is a significant factor; never buy a standard printer that holds thin document papers. Select a printer holding cardstock because we use a Cricut printer to cut thick stickers and craft paper. In this case, if you purchase a thin paper-holding printer, then it is useless and garbage.
Lower Speed Printer
For crafting and Cricutting, speed matters a lot. Avoid purchasing low printing speed printers. Otherwise, your crafting engagement will be slow and take a long time to complete your chores.
