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Cricut EasyPress Projects Plus Heat Press vs. EasyPress 2

Find out all about the Cricut Easy Press and what it can do. Learn how to make a few easy Cricut Easy Press projects with these fun machines. 

One of the things I love most about crafting is making personalized everything!  If you like custom t-shirts, totes, pillows, gifts, cards, decor, clothing, etc then investing in an electronic cutting machine can end up saving you money.

I know the cost of the machines can be daunting, but when I think of how much money I’ve saved over the years from making all my own stuff, the initial expense is definitely worth it.

You could also open a small handmade business and pretty much make the price of the machine and some supplies pretty quickly.

In my last post, I talked about the Cricut Maker and all that it can do.  But if you are wanting to kick up your crafting a notch or want to start selling items, then some kind of heat press is definitely needed.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

cricut easy press vs heat press pin

I have always used a heat press machine, but Cricut recently sent me some of the new EasyPress 2 machines to try out. So I wanted to share some info about the EasyPress and then similarities and differences I’ve noticed between the two.

cricut easy press projects

Cricut EasyPress Information

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links from Shareasale, Cricut, Awin, CreativeFabrica, and Amazon.com. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my links (purple text). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Cricut EasyPress 2 is a family of four different sized machines that give professional iron on results.  The edge to edge heat plate will heat up quickly to 400F (like in under 4 minutes!).  

cricut easy press projects

There are four different sizes of EasyPress machines and mats depending on your Cricut EasyPress 2 project needs.

You will get the best results with the EasyPress 2 using a fluffy towel under your project or a Cricut EasyPress mat.  The EasyPress mats evenly disperse the heat to your iron-on vinyl, protects your work surface, and have matching sizes for each machine. 

Make sure to use a firm and flat surface that’s about waist high.  Don’t use an ironing board!

Also, make sure to use the interactive guide quick reference guide to get the exact EasyPress 2 heat settings you need.  I use this every time to find the perfect Cricut Easy Press settings. Or grab my free printable Easy Press settings guide!

There will be two different kinds of pressures mentioned.  “Light pressure” means press down with one hand and 5-10 lbs of your body weight.  “Firm pressure” means press down with 2 hands and substantial body weight.

To ensure the iron-on transfer stays on wash after wash, make sure to press the prewashed item for 3-5 seconds to get out the wrinkles and moisture.  Then after you press according to the reference guide, flip over the material and press it for 15 seconds on the backside.

Heat Press vs. Cricut EasyPress 2

So let’s match up the big guns and talk a heat press vs. Cricut EasyPress and a standard iron. As mentioned above, I used my heat press for years before I got an EasyPress 2. Since then I’ve sold it to have more room in my craft room!

Heat Presses Pros:

  • Large 15″x15″ surface
  • Does not require you to apply pressure
  • Even pressure throughout the whole surface.
  • Once the lid is locked, you could get something done quickly if you multitask!
heat press review

Heat Press Machine Cons:

  • Very large and heavy.  Takes up a lot of room.
  • Takes 20-30 minutes to heat up to correct temperature.
  • Hard to figure out pressure at first.  Trial and error until you get the hang of it.
  • Can never move it, unless you’re super strong!
  • You need to burn off the smell when you first get it.
  • Sometimes the handle is a little tricky to unlock (at least mine is!)
  • Will not shut off on its own.  I have forgotten I’ve turned it on before when I get busy doing something else… not good!!

EasyPress 2 Pros:

  • Very light and easy to lift.
  • Heats up super fast!!  The first time I used it I was shocked.  It was preheated before I got my weeding done.
  • Portable – can take it and craft anywhere!  And I can also store it anywhere.
  • Comfortable handle to push down on
  • Easy to press control buttons.
  • Cricut provides a downloadable settings chart or an interactive online resource to get the perfect press every time.  Input the iron-on material and base material in the drop-down menus and then whether you’ll be using a mat or towel and you’ll get a page of step by step instructions!screenshot of cricut easypress guide
  • It has an auto-shutoff!  It will automatically shut off after 10 minutes of non-use.  Huge PRO in my book!

EasyPress 2 Cons:

  • You have to apply pressure yourself with an EasyPress.  Some applications need light pressure and some need firm.  If you have bad wrists, this might be a problem.
  • You have to be active the whole time, ie applying pressure for the full 30 seconds.
  • I really can’t think of anything else!

Household Iron Pros and Cons

  • Pros – inexpensive, small, portable
  • Cons – does not apply even constant pressure, can not get as hot needed for Infusible Ink and other materials.

So, as you can see there are not many cons to the Easy Press 2.  Don’t get me wrong, I have loved my heat press and it has worked great for me over the past few years.  However, back when I bought it, there was no EasyPress.

If I had the choice now, I’m pretty sure I would get the EasyPress 2 since the costs are pretty comparable. The speed of heating it up, the size, weight, and portability are game-changers for me!

So now that you know all about the EasyPress, let’s make something!  I have a video tutorial and printable directions below on this Cricut Easy Press project so make sure to check them out.

DIY Spring decor using the Cricut EasyPress 2, burlap, and iron-on vinyl. Learn all about the Cricut EasyPress 2 and how it works! #ad #cricut #diydecor #springdecor

If you’ve been following me for a while you know that I love farmhouse decor and have made a ton of new decor items myself over the past few years.

One of my favorites is the super easy and cheap wood burlap sign.  Make sure to check out the tutorial by clicking the link for how to make the wood part.  One of the reasons I love this sign is that I can change out the burlap with every season.

Rustic Christmas decor DIY

I have made a cute Christmas truck iron on transfer burlap sign and then I made a fall burlap sign (with FREE SVG cut file!)

free svg files for cricut

Since spring is coming up, I figured it was the perfect time to make a spring burlap sign with my new large Cricut EasyPress!

I love the look of iron-on vinyl on burlap!  Burlap is so inexpensive and can be used year-round.  Applying iron-on vinyl to burlap is super easy too.

Ok, so for this easy press project I found a really cute spring image in Cricut Access that you can find here

Cut out all the sections with iron-on vinyl or heat transfer vinyl on mirror settings with a Cricut machine.  I used all spring vinyl colors and one glitter iron-on for the rose.  Weed off the extra vinyl.  If you need additional help with this step, make sure to check out my step by step tutorial on using iron-on vinyl.

Cut out a piece of burlap the size of your wood sign.  If you need more help on this part, check out my video on how to cut burlap.

How to Use a Cricut EasyPress

Heat up the EasyPress 2 to settings on the easy press settings guide.

 The interactive guide showed 305F.  However, I had better luck at 340 for 30 seconds.

Press the front of the burlap rectangle for 3-5 seconds to get the wrinkles and moisture out.

cricut easy press projects burlap

Center the wording in the middle of the burlap.

applying iron-on vinyl to burlap

Apply firm pressure (2 hands and substantial body weight).  Push on the C button and the timer begins.

using cricut easypress 2

Once the timer goes off, flip the whole burlap piece over and press the back for 15 seconds.

cricut easy press projects burlap

Turn the burlap back over and remove the plastic backing.  When using Cricut iron on vinyl I find it needs to be a cool peel. Meaning let the iron on vinyl cool down for a minute or so before removing the plastic backing.

If it’s not fully adhered, press for 30 additional seconds and then try to peel off.

Add a few flowers around the wording.  I did about 2-3 per time.  Make sure the plastic is not under any of the iron-on! 

cricut easy press projects burlap

Place a teflon sheet over the entire thing and firmly press for 30 seconds.

cricut easy press projects burlap

Flip the burlap over the press the back where the new flowers are for 15 seconds.  Flip back over and remove backing.

Keep repeating until all the flowers are on, pressing the front for 30, then the back for 15 seconds and then peeling off the plastic backing.

cricut easy press projects burlap

Apply your new burlap Spring sign to the wood with glue dots or a hot glue gun.

cricut easy press projects wood and burlap
cricut easy press spring projects

Quick and easy Cricut EasyPress project, right?!  If you’d like to see the little EasyPress 2 in action, make sure to hop on over to my faux leather earrings Cricut tutorial.

EasyPress Cricut Projects

So what else can you do with a Cricut Easy Press?? Here are a few other Cricut Easy Press 2 projects you might like.

20 Cricut EasyPress Projects!

There are so many things to make with a Cricut Easy Press that are not t-shirts. You can add iron-on vinyl to so many different materials with an EasyPress 2.

Burlap Sign Video Tutorial

Here’s a quick video showing a heat press vs an EasyPress 2 and how easy it is to apply the iron-on vinyl to burlap.  Printable instructions are at the end of the post!

Here are the printable directions for making a spring burlap sign with an EasyPress and heat transfers.

cricut easy press projects

How to Use a Cricut Easy Press to Make Burlap Sign

Yield: 1 sign
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $10

Take a look at the differences between a heat press and the Cricut Easy Press 2. Then learn how to make an easy home decor sign by applying iron-on vinyl to burlap.

Materials

  • burlap fabric
  • iron-on vinyl in color of your choice
  • file in Cricut Design Space

Tools

Instructions

  1. Make a wooden frame according to this post.
  2. Cut burlap to the size you need it and fray the edges.
  3. Find a design in Cricut Access.
  4. Cut out design with iron-on vinyl using the mirror settings. Place the shiny side of vinyl down on cutting mat. Weed off the extra vinyl.
  5. Preheat the EasyPress to 340F and set timer to 30 seconds. Press the front of the burlap for 3-5 seconds on a Cricut pressing mat or fluffy towel.
  6. Center the large wording and firmly press it for 30 seconds. Push the green C button to start the timer.
  7. After the timer goes off, flip the burlap fabric over and firmly press the back side for 15 seconds. Flip back over and remove the plastic warm.
  8. Place a few of the flowers that are near each other onto the burlap. Make sure not to overlap plastic and vinyl. Put a protective sheet over the whole design and firmly press for 30 seconds. Flip over and press for 15 seconds. Flip back over and remove the plastic.
  9. Repeat step 8 until all the flowers are applied.
  10. Adhere the burlap sign to the wood with glue dots or hot glue gun.
  11. Enjoy your new sign that you made!!

Notes

See post for full step by step video tutorial and to learn all the pros and cons of the Cricut Easy Press 2 and a heat press.

Recommended Products

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Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

What are some of your Cricut heat press ideas??

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a creative day!

leap of faith crafting

Ashley Claxton

Monday 30th of December 2019

Hey myName is Ashley and I got a cricut easy press two for Christmas and I do not have a cricut and I was wondering is there anything that I’m able to do with my cricket EasyPress 2 since I don’t have the cricut machine

Leap of Faith Crafting

Friday 3rd of January 2020

Hi Ashley! You can definitely cut iron-on vinyl with scissors or get iron-ons that are already cut. I know Cricut makes its own iron-on images. If you want something personalized, you can probably find someone off Etsy to cut something for you to apply.

LeapofFaithCrafting.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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