CricutExplore ™ 3 & StandardGrip Machine Mat, 30.5 cm x 30.5 cm (12" x 12") (1 ct), Green, One Size

I had never heard of this machine a few months back. A friend had the smaller version and had shown me some stickers that they had made.I immediately went home and started researching different models and what they were capable of. The fact you can make your own t-shirts was enough for me to take the plunge, and this model was perfect for me.I had already watched loads of YouTube videos before this was ordered and had arrived. From understanding how to use the machine, what type of additional accessories were needed and what sort of products you can make with it.Someone has reviewed and mentioned the instructions aren't great. This is true, but I didn't even need them as I'd watched enough people demonstrating how to use the machine already, that I knew exactly what I was doing.You need to download the Cricut software and setup an account. There are paid options, but I've honestly been fine without signing up for anything that was paid. The paid options give you access to images and some additional fonts. Not something I really needed.The software is fairly easy to use, but again I'd watched hours of YouTube videos of people talking through image layering, tips and tricks, how to position pictures etc. I'd highly recommend doing research before buying and see how it all works before making the purchase. It really helped me get up and running within minutes of the machine arriving.I use a Mac for my design, and you can download fonts for free off the internet. Someone has mentioned that you have to pay for fonts from Cricut, and whilst this is an option, you really don't need to at all. You can download thousands of fonts from the internet. (Example can be seen in the picture "five nights at freddies" that I've attached. A free downloaded font from the internet.The machine is plug and play. You can buy official branded Cricut heat transfer vinyl, which means you don't need to use the mat. Or you can buy cheaper non branded heat transfer vinyl and you do need to use the mat. The software tells you whether to use a mat or not depending on what you are doing / making, and there are instructions on the heat transfer vinyl telling you whether to use a mat and what pressure the cutting pin needs to be set at. It's really all very straight forward.You do need to buy various accessories, so your investment isn't just the Cricut machine. I had to buy the heating plate/iron, different colour heat transfer vinyl, a cutting machine, tape measure, heat tape etc. The biggest investment next to the Cricut machine was the heating plate/iron. (You don't need this if you aren't making t-shirts though). There are loads of companies selling non branded Cricut accessories, so you can save a fortune this way. The non-official mats are much cheaper and work perfectly for example!You can use this machine without a printer, however if you want to really get the most use out of the Cricut an inkjet or laser printer is a required. I already had one so didn’t include this as an additional cost. With the printer for example, you can copy and paste any image you can find on the internet, print it off, and transfer the image permanently to an item of clothing, or make stickers.It's early days for me with this machine, I’ve made some custom t-shirts and people have commented on where I’ve bought them from.My advice to anyone looking at the machine is – watch as many YouTube videos as you can before you buy. From how the machine works, how the design software works, the different types of heat transfer vinyl out there, different techniques such as print then cut or basic cut and how to use the heating iron for best results. I can imagine that if I hadn’t done this and just bought the machine, figuring out how to make it do what I wanted would have been very frustrating.

So I’ve waited a couple of weeks to give a review so I could learn to use it properly and even though I haven’t learned everything yet I have to say it’s incredible. I absolutely love my Cricut explore 3. I can’t wait to use it to its full potential

Very easy to use and the possibilities are endless, don’t know why I didn’t get one earlier, my inner creative soul is unleashed

I like this cricut explore tm3.i love this machine Its got lots of features.The best thing is about it's very fast easy to use.I recommend everyone to use this machine.This machine you can made lots of different things .This machine blades are very long lasting.You don't need to worry about to change the blade every month.The way it's work I love it.I really enjoyed to use the machine.please go for it.The price is very reasonable And you made the money very quick and easy.

I love this thing.The only annoyance is when making print and cut items the size is limited as the printer needs to draw a box around your item for the Cricut to reference. Hopefully in the future cricut will expand the size for this but for right now this does a great job cutting out, the material range is massive and the cricut software is easy to use.The Cricut Maker is the top line model but for home use this is all you need.

The media could not be loaded.  This machine is very clever. My problem is that I am too excited to see results and I press the go button before checking the position of design.I love that it can do detailed cutting. It's early day but I think I'm going to have loads of fun with it!

Does what it says on the tin.Brilliant equipment.

I've been looking at getting a Cricut for a while as like crafting stuff, and had watched a few videos showing how versatile the devices can be.I opted for the Explore 3 as it had one of the best specifications for the money, and was on offer over the prime weekend for £250.First impressions were good, it's well made and despite the utter lack of instructions, is relatively easy to get to grips with after following the first couple of tutorials. However, the lack of guidance, such as when you should or shouldn't use a mat, what the different types of blades available can be used for, and what materials are best for each project, is a little frustratng. The lack of any mats or weeding tools means you can't realistically buy this and use it beyond the basic tutorial tests using the included sample sheets.I have several rolls and sheets of vinyl from alternative suppliers so had to order mats separately, opting for the more expensive option of Cricut originals.Initial cuts have been good, including making my wife a Christmas card (see photo), and I'm looking forward to making decals for some of the glasses I use when I make candles, as personalised gifts.What is really disappointing though, is that probably 95% of what you might want to use it for is chargeable by Cricut. Want a different font? They'll charge for all but the few included. Like that Christmas card design? That'll be another £8 thank you.The unit itself is good value, but it does look like, in much the same way as you can buy a high spec printer for next to nothing but then pay through the nose for the ink, Cricut have followed the same path. Provide a great spec product, but then charge users for practically everything after initial purchase. There are a relatively small number of free designs available, and with a bit of effort you can create your own.I love this and am really pleased at what it's capable of. I'm only disappointed by the limitations unless you're prepared to subscribe or buy individual designs.

Auch für Anfänger super geeignet. Zubehör im Bundle war sehr günstig, hier auf Angebote gucken. Gerät funktioniert einwandfrei, man hat richtig Spaß beim kreativ sein und basteln.

Bellissima macchina da taglio per diversi tipi di lavoro

Como esperava.

Excellent produit je l’ai fait travailler penden des heures et elle est toujours fiable fier de mon achat

Et en plus de cela je dois payer un abonnement. L’appareil est déjà hyper cher à l’achat. Ne sachant pas comment ça fonctionne, je ne l’utilise pas . Dommage car j’en ai besoin