Cricut makes crafting easy for everyone with the launch of two new machines

Love crafting but struggling to find the time? Get your creative juices flowing with the help of a Cricut™ smart cutting machine, designed to help personalise everything from T-shirts and glasses to suitcases with ease. The brand has become a household name for its beautifully compact machines that make personalising everything from simple stickers to birthday cards – and even leather – easy, quick and fun.

Whether it’s everyday use or special occasions, users can design and create custom projects in just a few clicks. The Design Space™ app provides step-by-step support to remove any guesswork and help new crafters feel confident from the moment inspiration strikes.

Marking the 20th anniversary of the first-ever Cricut cutting machine in 2006, the brand has launched two new-generation machines. The Cricut Joy™ 2 and Cricut Explore™ 5 are the newest additions to the lineup, designed to simplify the crafting experience from start to finish.

Both new machines have been created with a smaller, more modern design, an easier software experience and all-in-one starter bundles that are jam-packed with tools. What’s more, users can create 35 projects straight out of the box with the Cricut Joy 2 and 65 with the Cricut Explore 5 – making it easier than ever to start creating immediately.

Cricut is ideal for everyone from crafting novices looking to learn a new skill to busy parents, wedding planners and even serial crafters. For over 20 years, Cricut has provided a creative platform that allows people to easily turn ideas into meaningful personalised items and now welcomes a new era of crafting. Keep reading to find out more.

Cricut Joy 2 takes the brand’s most compact cutting machine to the next level. Its handy 4.5-inch size offers a brilliant, portable way to create everyday projects. Designed to fit comfortably in even the most cramped of desk spaces, it’s ideal for making custom cards, labels and vinyl decals in minutes. A major new feature for this small machine is the addition of a Print Then Cut sensor, which allows users to create full colour stickers using an inkjet printer.

The machine is compatible with more than 75 materials (including vinyl and cardstock), and can also cut, write, draw, foil and score with impressive precision. While you can purchase the machine alone, the Essential Bundle includes key crafting tools along with a selection of popular materials – providing enough supplies to complete up to 35 projects.

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Redesigned to be 30 per cent more compact than the previous generation machine, the Cricut Explore 5 builds on the brand’s most popular model, making it more accessible for those wanting to craft at home. The smaller size fits more naturally into modern living spaces while still delivering the same powerful performance. The machine can be used for an impressive 65 different projects straight out of the box – from vinyl decals and personalised apparel to greeting cards, magnets, rubber stamps and colour stickers. It’s also compatible with more than 100 different materials.

The machine features improved writing and drawing experiences, with a snap-in pen slot and a streamlined interface for easier use. Plus, it works with six tools, including the Deep Cutting Tool for thicker materials like foam and rubber.

Crafters can buy the machine alone, as part of a subscription, or in bundle options that include the essential tools and materials needed to start making straight away.

What is Design Space?

All Cricut users need to download the Design Space software to use their machine. Alongside the exciting machine launches, the improvements made to this innovative platform are the biggest updates you’ll see to Cricut this year. Design Space can be downloaded as an app on your PC, mobile or tablet and is used to control the cutting of the machine.

Purpose built, Design Space offers new guided flows which intuitively respond to a user’s project idea, providing step-by-step support from concept to finished project. The app is free for users to access thousands of images, fonts and ready-to-make projects, and with a subscription users can take advantage of over 1.5 million of these assets.

Additional updates also include automatic canvas sizing (based on your project type), project preview for users to visualise their design, and Create AI which is available to paid subscribers and generates custom, single-layer, cut-ready designs.

Design Space means you have all you need to feel confident to create your next project.

Which Cricut machine is better for my crafting needs?

While both the Cricut Joy 2 and Cricut Explore 5 have a wide range of exciting new capabilities, they’re designed to serve different needs.

The compact and budget-friendly Cricut Joy 2 is ideal for families looking to elevate weekend crafts, scrapbook enthusiasts, and anyone short on space. In contrast, the Cricut Explore 5 carries a slightly higher price tag but offers a far broader range of capabilities. Noticeably more compact than its predecessor, it’s a powerful upgrade and perfect for experienced crafters ready to push their creativity further, from debossing leather to scoring rubber stamps.

The full Cricut range can be purchased here, and is also available from retailers including Amazon, Hobbycraft, John Lewis, Very and Currys

To find out more about what Cricut can do for you, visit ‘What is Cricut’ now