Cricut Easy Press 2 Review

Is It As Good As A Hot Press?

The Cricut Easy Press 2 is a compact, easy-to-use alternative to more traditional ironing boxes and heat presses.With precise temperature control, fast preheat times and a 9″ x 9″ press area in a portable, lightweight frame, the Easy Press 2 will give you professional ironing results in 60 seconds or less. It provides ideal results for basic t-shirts, tote bags, pillows, aprons and more, while ensuring quality transfers that last a long time, even after multiple washes! The even and continuously heated press area gives the Cricut Easy Press 2 quality and value over other alternatives.

Design

The Cricut EasyPress 2 is available in two sizes, 9 x 9 inches and 12 x 10 inches. Both sizes are perfect for completing projects such as personalized apparel or tote bags as well as working with other materials such as wood and metal.

The Cricut EasyPress 2 comes in a stylish white and raspberry color combination. One look at the machine shows how easy it is to handle and operate. There are six buttons on the front of the machine, including power, time, temperature, up, down and Cricut’s “start” button. A small LED display also shows the temperature setting and the time remaining on the timer. Because of its thick and wide design, there is plenty of room to place both hands on the handle. This makes applying the right amount of pressure to your design a breeze.

The machine has an advanced hot plate design with a ceramic coated surface that provides a fast and even heat source. The temperature can be adjusted to an invariable +/-5° C to get the ideal heat setting. easyPress 2 has an automatic shut-off feature and the machine is equipped with a safety base. So when you are not using it, you can place it on the base to protect the area you are working on. It’s also handy to know that your heat press won’t cause any damage while it’s cooling.

Cricut EasyPress 2 has a USB port that can be used to update your machine to ensure it is running efficiently. It will also remember your last temperature, which comes in handy when working on multiple projects at once. easyPress 2 is also great for sublimation inks and Cricut Infusible Ink, as well as Cricut Infusible Ink Markers.

How The Cricut Easypress Works

To start the device, you simply press the power button on the left side of the display. Once the unit is turned on, you will need to find a surface that is strong, flat and heat resistant. Once the press surface is in place, set the timer and temperature to meet the needs of your project.

Then adjust the timer button, using the +/- buttons to specify the desired heating time for your ironing project. When the temperature button is pressed, the machine will begin to heat up; use the +/- buttons to raise or lower the temperature. (Note that the Cricut unit displays orange when adjusting the temperature and turns green when the desired setting is reached.)

It typically takes approximately 2 minutes 45 seconds for the unit to warm up from 0°F to 350°F. The unit will automatically beep to indicate it is ready for use. Place your shirt or other substrate on the silicone foam pad and preheat for 3 to 5 seconds to remove wrinkles. Place your vinyl design on the substrate. Remove the Easypress from the base and place it directly on the vinyl applique.

Finally press the green Cricut button to start the timer. Hold the machine in place and press gently until the unit beeps. Remember to keep the machine stationary throughout the process. When the press is complete, place the press back in its stand and wait for the liner to cool, then remove it from the heat transfer vinyl.

Key Features Of Easypress

Now that we have a general idea of what Easypress 2 looks like and how it operates, let’s take a closer look at its specific features.

Easy to press

With the Cricut EasyPress, you need to use very little pressure, whereas an iron requires a lot of pressure. These machines weigh between 11-14 pounds, which is enough to provide pressure.

Digital Temperature

You need a machine that can control temperature while working with a variety of materials. The digital temperature settings on this machine allow you to set the actual temperature settings you need. You don’t have to guess anymore when it comes to sublimation transfer. With their orange light, you know the unit is warming up. The green light tells you it’s ready.

Digital timer

The digital timer display helps you set the time based on what you are working on. Most heat transfer vinyl manufacturers will indicate the exact time of the expected project. You can start the countdown timer by pressing the Cricut C button. After the desired time has elapsed, the unit will beep once.

Faster and better pressing than an iron

This machine tends to have a faster press than an iron. the Cricut EasyPress is heavier than an iron and can reach higher temperatures. With this feature, transfer paste on T-shirts takes very little time. A press also tends to be better than an iron because it can be pressed with more pressure. With the exact temperature and time, accurate results are sure to be achieved.

Uniform heat

Heat needs to be evenly distributed across the machine to get accurate results. the EasyPress is designed to help distribute heat evenly across its platens. This is not the case with home irons, which can sometimes cause wrinkles on clothes. With an aluminum heat plate, the EasyPress does not make mistakes. The aluminum plates are also covered with ceramic.

Automatic shut-off

You will love using your EasyPress machine because it has an automatic shut-off feature. With this feature, you don’t have to worry about turning it on at any time. Sometimes you may have to deal with them while using other tasks. The auto-shutdown feature helps to turn it off after 10 minutes of non-use. You also don’t have to wait long for it to get hot when you start using it again and again. It heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly across the platen.

Flat Surface

The Cricut EasyPress has a flat surface and does not have steam holes like an iron. Steam holes can be annoying as they can cause poor quality transfers. The flat surface and lack of holes on the EasyPress ensure even heat distribution.

Pressing more substrates

The EasyPress machine is versatile and can press on a wide variety of surfaces other than fabric. Some of the substrates include wood, silk, canvas cardstock, knitted mesh, burlap, etc. Each material requires a specific set of temperatures and times.

Large Press Area

Cricut EasyPress machines tend to have a larger press area than an iron. This press area measures 9 x 9 inches and is large enough to handle a variety of projects. With this, you can finish each press faster. It saves you from having to press the iron transfer multiple times. You can make larger transfers with the same amount of time, pressure and heat.

Cricut EasyPress Mat

Cricut also sells pads to protect your surface while ironing. These pads are a must if you want to get the best results.

Some people recommend a towel, but there are many reasons why this is a bad idea. Towels do not have the ability to wick away moisture and they do not have a flat surface, two things that can lead to poor adhesion.

Imagine that you are using a nice shirt or an expensive item and you obviously want everything to be right. EasyPress solves all of these problems. easyPress mats consist of 5 layers of heat resistant, moisture wicking insulation. They are available in 3 sizes and fit perfectly.

What Is The Difference Between Easypress 2 And A Standard Iron?

While you can use a standard iron to iron on items, it is definitely convenient. The shape and smaller size of the iron makes it difficult to apply heat and pressure evenly. You may need to make multiple passes and overlapping may disrupt your design. While a regular iron may be a good place for beginners to start, the Cricut EasyPress or heat press will allow you to work on a wider range of projects and to a higher professional standard.

What is the difference between the EASYPRESS 2 and a traditional heat press?

Let’s start with the similarities. both the Cricut EasyPress and the traditional heat press will heat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and evenly over their plates. They are also both steam-free, which is critical to the success of Iron-On. Both have temperature control settings and timers, so you know exactly when to start and stop.

Verdict

The Cricut Easy Press is a lovely press that can be used by hobbyists, small craft businesses, or even just to create your own designs to wear.

It is easy to set up, you just place it on the base and turn it on. It has only 2 settable controls, heat and temperature, which are located on the top of the press next to an easy to read LED display. There’s also no guess work in figuring out the settings you need, as Cricut also provides a chart to help you. Using this press is as easy as 1-2-3: turn it on, wait a minute, and press.

The heating time is quick, less than 60 seconds depending on the temperature you choose. This gives you more time to actually press your design, and less time to wait for it to heat up.

It also has the ability to be carried around and used in the field as well. Overall, this is a lovely heat press that is perfect for small and large projects, and you know you can trust your name on it. The Cricut Easy Press will help anyone looking to create original t-shirt designs or create a series of home linens, and is also a fun way to design shirts for your family.