Perfect Print Then Cut Every Time - Top 8 Picks
By TestMyPrinter Team | Updated December 2025
Expert Picks
Hours Testing
Test Cuts
Success Rate
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If you own a Cricut machine, you already know the magic of Print Then Cut. This revolutionary feature lets you print colorful designs on regular paper, sticker sheets, or vinyl, then have your Cricut precisely cut around them. But here's the catch: your results are only as good as your printer.
After testing over 30 printers with various Cricut models (Maker, Explore, and Joy), we've discovered what truly matters: color accuracy so your designs look exactly as intended, borderless printing for maximum design space, reliable registration mark detection for perfect cuts every time, and consistent quality across different paper types.
Whether you're making custom stickers for your Etsy shop, creating vinyl decals for tumblers, or crafting personalized greeting cards, the right printer transforms your Cricut from a good tool into an unstoppable creative powerhouse. We've done the testing, made the mistakes, and wasted the paper so you don't have to.
Bottom Line:
The Canon PIXMA TS9521C is our top pick for Cricut users in 2025, offering wide-format printing, exceptional color accuracy, and flawless registration mark detection. But depending on your budget and project needs, our other seven picks might be the perfect match for you.
Canon PIXMA TS9521C
$229
Wide format 11x17, borderless, perfect registration marks
Buy on AmazonEpson EcoTank ET-2850
$249
Ultra-low ink costs, perfect for high-volume sticker production
Buy on AmazonEpson EcoTank ET-8550
$599
6-color ink, photo-lab quality, 13x19 borderless
Buy on Amazon| Rank | Printer | Price | Max Size | Borderless | Cricut Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | Canon PIXMA TS9521C | $229 | 11x17" | ✅ | ⭐ 9.8/10 | Overall Best |
| 🥈 2 | Epson EcoTank ET-2850 | $249 | 8.5x11" | ✅ | ⭐ 9.4/10 | Best Value |
| 🥉 3 | Canon PIXMA iX6820 | $249 | 13x19" | ✅ | ⭐ 9.3/10 | Wide Format |
| 4 | HP Envy 6455e | $129 | 8.5x11" | ✅ | ⭐ 9.0/10 | Budget Pick |
| 5 | Epson EcoTank ET-8550 | $599 | 13x19" | ✅ | ⭐ 9.9/10 | Premium Stickers |
| 6 | Canon PIXMA TR8620a | $179 | 8.5x11" | ✅ | ⭐ 8.9/10 | All-in-One |
| 7 | Epson WorkForce WF-7820 | $299 | 11x17" | ✅ | ⭐ 8.8/10 | Large Projects |
| 8 | Canon PIXMA G620 | $349 | 11x17" | ✅ | ⭐ 8.7/10 | Photos + Cricut |
Your designs need to look exactly as you intended. Poor color accuracy means disappointing stickers and unhappy customers.
Maximize your design space and eliminate waste with true borderless printing capabilities.
From thin sticker paper to thick cardstock, your printer needs to handle it all without jamming or misfeeding.
Your Cricut uses registration marks (those black rectangles around your design) to align the blade perfectly with your printed image. If your printer produces inconsistent colors, blurry marks, or skewed prints, your Cricut will struggle or fail to detect them.
The result? Wasted materials, ruined projects, and frustration. That's why we test every printer with multiple Print Then Cut projects before recommending it.
Best Overall Cricut Printer
Key Specs:
Cricut Compatibility Notes:
Works flawlessly with all Cricut models (Maker, Maker 3, Explore Air 2, Joy). The 11x17 capability means you can print 4-6 sticker designs per sheet, dramatically increasing productivity. Registration mark detection is near-perfect even with glossy sticker paper. For best results, use Canon's genuine CLI-281 inks.
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Best Value for High-Volume Cricut Projects
Key Specs:
Cricut Compatibility Notes:
If you're running a sticker business or doing high-volume Cricut projects, this is your printer. The ink cost savings are extraordinary - traditional cartridges would cost you $500+ for what this printer includes in the box. Registration marks are crisp and consistent. Works perfectly with all Cricut machines. The only limitation is the 8.5x11 max size.
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Best Wide Format for Large Cricut Projects
Key Specs:
Cricut Compatibility Notes:
Perfect for creators who need maximum design space. The 13x19 capability lets you print giant sticker sheets with 8-12 designs per page. Registration marks are incredibly accurate even at this size. Works flawlessly with Cricut Maker and Maker 3 (which can cut up to 12x24). If you don't need scan/copy features, this is the ultimate Cricut companion.
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Best Budget Cricut Printer
Key Specs:
Cricut Compatibility Notes:
Great for beginners or hobbyist Cricut users who don't need large format printing. Registration marks work well on regular and matte sticker paper (use rear tray for glossy). Consider HP Instant Ink subscription ($0.99-10.99/month) to keep costs low. Perfect starter printer before upgrading to professional models.
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Best Premium Printer for Professional Stickers
Key Specs:
Cricut Compatibility Notes:
The ultimate printer for serious Cricut sticker businesses. The 6-color system produces colors so vivid and accurate, your stickers will look professionally printed. Registration marks are absolutely perfect every single time. The 13x19 capability combined with EcoTank economics means you can produce premium stickers at budget-friendly costs. Worth every penny for professionals.
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Best All-in-One for Home Crafters
Key Specs:
Cricut Compatibility Notes:
Ideal if you need one device for both Cricut projects and everyday home office tasks. The 5-ink system delivers vibrant sticker prints, and the ADF is handy for scanning artwork. Registration marks work reliably. Best for crafters who also need scanning/copying capabilities and don't require large format printing.
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Best for Large Cricut Projects & Business
Key Specs:
Cricut Compatibility Notes:
Best for Cricut users who also run a home office or small business. The 11x17 capability is great for large sticker sheets, and the fast speeds help with batch production. Use XL ink cartridges to reduce per-page costs. Registration marks work well but occasionally require brightness adjustment in Cricut Design Space.
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Best for Photo Printing + Cricut Projects
Key Specs:
Cricut Compatibility Notes:
Perfect for crafters who split their time between photo printing and Cricut projects. The 6-color system produces stunning photo-quality stickers with smooth gradients and accurate skin tones. MegaTank system keeps costs low for high-volume production. Registration marks are crisp and reliable. Best for mixed-use scenarios.
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Upload your image or create a design. Click "Make It" and select "Print Then Cut" when prompted. Design Space will automatically add registration marks around your design.
When the print dialog appears, select these critical settings:
Wait 5-10 minutes for inkjet prints to fully dry. Wet ink will smudge when the Cricut blade moves across it, ruining your project. For best results, let prints dry for 15 minutes.
Align the top-left corner of your printed sheet with the top-left corner of your mat. Press down firmly with a brayer or scraper to ensure no air bubbles or lifting edges.
Insert your mat into the Cricut. When prompted, press the blinking "Go" button. Your Cricut will scan the registration marks using its built-in sensor. This takes 30-60 seconds.
Pro Tip: Ensure adequate lighting. The Cricut sensor needs good light to detect marks accurately.
Once calibrated, your Cricut will precisely cut around your printed design. Don't disturb the machine during cutting for best results.
Common Success Tips:
Weatherproof, vibrant colors, works with all inkjet printers. Perfect registration mark detection.
$24.99 / 100 sheets
View on AmazonAffordable, widely available, good quality for casual projects.
$18.99 / 100 sheets
View on AmazonBest For:
Custom stickers, planner decorations, product labels, laptop decals
Premium quality, excellent durability, waterproof when sealed. Professional results.
$34.99 / 50 sheets
View on AmazonGreat starter option, good adhesion, works with all inkjet printers.
$19.99 / 25 sheets
View on AmazonBest For:
Tumbler decals, car stickers, outdoor signage, waterproof labels
Vibrant colors, 65lb weight perfect for Cricut, smooth finish for great prints.
$22.99 / 250 sheets
View on AmazonUltra-smooth, 80lb, excellent ink adhesion, professional quality.
$29.99 / 500 sheets
View on AmazonBest For:
Greeting cards, invitations, gift tags, scrapbooking, paper crafts
For Registration Mark Detection:
For Print Quality:
Most Common Causes & Fixes:
Solutions:
Color Accuracy Fixes:
Paper Handling Solutions:
Drying & Smudge Prevention:
Check these maintenance tasks quarterly for optimal Print Then Cut performance:
The Canon PIXMA TS9521C is the best overall printer for Cricut Print Then Cut in 2025. It offers exceptional color accuracy, borderless printing up to 11x17 inches, precise registration mark reading, and five-ink system for vibrant sticker and vinyl prints. For budget-conscious users, the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 offers the best value with ultra-low ink costs.
While any printer can technically work with Cricut, the best results come from printers with accurate color reproduction, borderless printing capabilities, and consistent print quality for reliable registration mark detection. Inkjet printers generally work better than laser printers for Cricut projects because they handle specialty media better and produce darker registration marks.
You don't need a special printer, but you need one with good color accuracy and the ability to print on various paper types including glossy sticker paper. Printers with pigment or dye-based inks that can handle heavy media work best for sticker making. The rear specialty tray is essential for feeding sticker sheets without jamming.
Common causes include dirty printer rollers, low-quality paper, faded ink, poor lighting on the Cricut mat, incorrect calibration, or registration marks that are too light. Clean your printer, use quality paper, ensure adequate lighting, and recalibrate your Cricut regularly. Always print on "Best" quality settings, never draft mode.
Yes, EcoTank printers like the Epson ET-2850 and ET-8550 work excellently with Cricut. They offer very low per-print costs, which is ideal for high-volume sticker and decal production, and provide consistent color output perfect for Print Then Cut projects. The refillable tank system means you'll never run out of ink mid-project.
Standard 8.5x11 inch paper works for most projects. However, if you want to create larger designs or maximize productivity by printing multiple stickers per sheet, printers that support 11x17 inch (tabloid) or 13x19 inch paper like the Canon PIXMA TS9521C or iX6820 give you more creative flexibility and efficiency.
Inkjet printers are strongly recommended for Cricut Print Then Cut. They produce darker registration marks, handle specialty papers better (sticker paper, vinyl, cardstock), offer borderless printing, and create more vibrant colors for stickers and decals. Laser printers struggle with specialty media and can't print borderless.
Budget $129-249 for a quality Cricut printer. The HP Envy 6455e ($129) works great for beginners. Serious crafters should invest $229-249 in the Canon TS9521C or Epson ET-2850 for better color accuracy and lower long-term costs. Professional sticker makers should consider the $599 Epson ET-8550 for photo-lab quality and maximum size.
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 offers the lowest per-print cost at about $0.01 per page. It includes enough ink for 7,500 pages in the box - equivalent to about 50 traditional cartridge sets. While the upfront cost is $249, you'll save hundreds of dollars in ink costs if you print frequently. For casual users, the HP Envy 6455e with HP Instant Ink subscription offers predictable monthly costs.
Get the Canon PIXMA TS9521C and start making professional stickers today!
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