Deciding which Cricut is best for making t-shirts is a bit tricky. First, having had the privilege to test all of the Cricut cutting machines, choosing a favorite seems almost like a betrayal.
However, even though they are all fantastic to work with when it comes to making t-shirts, my research points to one machine that stands above the rest.
Which Cricut is the Best for Making Shirts?
The Cricut Maker 3 is a revolutionary cutting machine that I call the “crafter’s dream.” It is the best for making t-shirts due to its versatility, crafting capability, commercial-grade performance, precision cutting, and overall ease of use.
If you are a beginner t-shirt maker or a professional designer looking for the best Cricut machine for making t-shirts, this article will end your search. We will discuss everything about the Cricut Maker 3 and what makes it the number one machine for making t-shirts!
Not only does the Maker 3 look sleek and sophisticated, but they have added great new features that will help to take your apparel design and crafting to a whole new realm. As with other Cricut machines, this brilliant machine cuts intricate designs out of transfer vinyl that you apply to your blank t-shirts.
Why Is The Cricut Maker 3 The Best For Making T-Shirts?
Let’s take a look at some of the features that make Cricut Maker 3 the best Cricut machine for making t-shirts in 2022.
T-shirt Design & Cutting Features
- Delivers pro-level cutting for T-shirt vinyl
- 2x The cutting speed of the original Cricut Maker
- 10x The cutting force of the Cricut Explore Air 2
- Compatible with over all T-shirt vinyl materials
- Compatible with Cricut Smart Vinyl, and Cricut Smart HTV Iron-On.
- Delivers super-precise cuts for multiple shirt designs up to 12 feet without a machine mat
- Powered by Design Space that provides fonts, and images for your own t-shirt designs
- and much more!
Smart Iron-On For T-Shirts
Smart Iron-on is Cricut’s Heat Transfer Vinyl for making t-shirts. The Cricut Maker 3 allows you to cut single images (up to 4ft) or repetition of images (up to 12ft). This makes it possible to make individual t-shirts, or t-shirts for an entire bridal party, bowling team, soccer team, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and many more!
Smart Materials are unique because they can be loaded directly into the machine without using a cutting mat.
What Is The Best Cricut Heat Press To Use For Making T-Shirts?
The best heat press to use for making t-shirts is the Cricut EasyPress 2. You can use this fantastic little machine for any type of heat-transferring project, especially HTV’s for t-shirts. You can transfer the most intricate designs flawlessly because it is optimized for HTV’s .
Better yet, you cannot burn yourself like you could with a regular iron. The ergonomic, lightweight design with ceramic-coated plate makes this heat press effortless with excellent results!
You can use Cricut’s smartphone app to control the machine’s time and temperature according to the t-shirt’s material and the properties of the HTV.
The even distribution means you get consistent, high-quality transfers that last longer than using a regular iron. This easy-to-use, efficient, and affordable machine is also compatible with major brands such as Infusible Ink.
You can buy this excellent heat press on Cricut’s Official Website or you can purchase it on Amazon.com.
What Do You Need To Make T-Shirts With A Cricut Maker 3?
- The Cricut Maker 3 Cutting Machine
- Graphic Fonts & Designs
- Cricut Cutting Mats
- A Weeding Tool
- Blank T-Shirts
- A Heat Press
- Material Trimmer
- Smart Iron-On, White
How to Make A T-Shirt With A Cricut Maker 3
With the new effortless but incredible Cricut Maker 3, making t-shirts is an effortless, straightforward task. The following step-by-step guide will show you just how easy it is to start making t-shirts with your machine.
Step 1 – Sign in to the Design Space Website.
Step 2 – Click “New Project.”
Step 3 – You will see a blank canvas and on the lefthand side of the screen is a navigation bar where you will click on “Text.”
Step 4 – In the pop-up text box, type a word, name, or phrase that you want on your t-shirt.
Step 5 – Move the cursor to the “Text” dropdown menu and click on the font style you would like to use.
Step 6 – If you want to adjust the alignment and the spacing, or you want to curve the words, select “Curve” or “Alignment” or “Spacing” to make the text according to how you want it to look on your t-shirt.
Step 7 – Once you are happy with your design, insert your Smart Iron-On material, select “Mirror” on the cut screen, and then click “Make It.”
Step 8 – When the cutting is complete, weed any excess iron-on materials around the text (be careful not to cut the design).
Step 9 – Finally, it is time to apply your smart iron-on design to your t-shirt with a heat press.
Well done! You’ve done it!
Conclusion
One machine; so many incredible designing possibilities! After you have worked with the Cricut Maker 3 to make t-shirts, you will be very critical of other machines that are made to do the same. This machine is truly a revelation in the world of cutting machines!
The Cricut Maker 3 gives new meaning to the phrase “Leave well enough alone,” and everyone who has experienced its brilliance will agree! That is why the Cricut Maker 3 is the best Cricut machine for making t-shirts in 2022.
Bryan E. Robinson is the former owner of TshirtGrowth. He has sold t-shirts since 2006 through dropshipping, screen printing, vinyl printing, DTG, Print on Demand, and more. Bryan has created his own t-shirt designs through Photoshop, Canva, and other platforms, as well as worked with freelancers to create many of his designs. Besides t-shirts, Bryan has over 18 years of experience in online marketing with eCommerce, B2B SaaS, B2C products, and more.
