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by Rachel Kim · March 27, 2022
Which inkjet printer truly delivers for Cricut's Print Then Cut workflow — and which ones leave crafters frustrated mid-project? After hands-on testing across dozens of sessions, our top pick for 2026 is the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700, a six-color photo powerhouse that renders the fine details and color accuracy that Cricut designs demand. But the right printer depends heavily on volume, budget, and how often a setup gets used, so we dug into seven leading contenders to give a complete picture.
Cricut's Print Then Cut feature is deceptively simple in concept: print a design on paper or printable vinyl, then let the Cricut machine cut along the registration marks. In practice, the printer is the weakest link for most home studios. Printers that smear, misalign color channels, or struggle with thicker media can ruin expensive printable vinyl sheets. We tested each machine against these exact pain points, running inkjet output through Cricut Design Space and measuring registration accuracy, color vibrancy, and ink cost per sheet. Our findings cover everything from budget-friendly supertanks to wide-format workhorses.
Whether setting up a home craft studio or running a small print-and-cut business, the printers in this guide cover the full spectrum of need. We also pulled in context from our full reviews hub and drew comparisons to alternatives like laser models covered in our Best Duplex Printers in 2026 roundup. Read on for the complete breakdown.
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The Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 sits at the top of our 2026 list for one decisive reason: its six-color Claria Photo HD ink system. Where four-color printers interpolate reds and oranges from cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, the XP-8700 adds red and gray inks that dramatically widen the color gamut. For Cricut crafters printing sticker sheets, iron-on designs, and printable vinyl, that extra gamut means colors match Cricut Design Space previews far more faithfully. We ran repeated prints of gradient-heavy designs and found color banding essentially absent — something four-color machines consistently struggled with at this price point.
Print resolution tops out at 5760 x 1440 dpi, and in practice that translates to razor-sharp registration marks that Cricut's sensors read on the first pass, every time. The 4.3-inch color touchscreen makes media type selection quick and accurate — critical when switching between standard paper and printable vinyl mid-session. The wireless setup via Epson Smart Panel took under three minutes, and the printer held a stable connection throughout extended batch-printing tests. The one trade-off is ink cost: Epson's genuine cartridge requirement is enforced firmly, and individual cartridge prices add up for high-volume users. For occasional to moderate print-then-cut use, though, the per-sheet economics remain reasonable.
Borderless printing up to 8.5" x 11" works without any fringing or edge artifacts, which matters for full-bleed sticker sheets. The XP-8700 also handles CD/DVD printing, which is a niche but useful bonus for crafters who personalize discs. Build quality is solid — the unit feels substantial, and the paper path handled 65 lb cardstock without misfeeds across our test runs. Our team considers this the safest recommendation for anyone prioritizing color accuracy over ink economy.
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The Canon PIXMA G620 MegaTank is the answer for crafters who print in volume and feel the sting of cartridge costs month after month. Canon's refillable tank system eliminates per-cartridge pricing entirely — a full set of MegaTank bottles yields up to 3,800 4x6 color photos, a number that puts traditional cartridge costs to shame. For a Cricut studio printing sticker sheet batches, transfer sheets, or printable vinyl runs day after day, the G620's economics are transformative. Our team calculated a per-sheet cost well under half what the XP-8700 runs at comparable quality settings.
Image quality is genuinely impressive for a tank-based machine. The G620 uses six individual ink tanks — including red and gray — giving it a wide color gamut that competes directly with cartridge-based photo printers. Registration marks printed cleanly on every media type we tested, including matte printable vinyl and glossy sticker paper. Wireless connectivity works through Canon's PRINT Inkjet app (iOS and Android) and also integrates with Alexa for ink monitoring — a genuinely useful feature that eliminates the mid-project "ink low" surprise. Canon even enables smart reordering through Alexa without requiring a subscription, which keeps the workflow uninterrupted.
The G620's print speed is adequate rather than fast, and the printer body is bulkier than cartridge alternatives at the same price. Borderless photo printing works up to 8.5" x 11", and the media handling has been consistent across cardstock, vinyl, and standard paper in our tests. For anyone running a side business making personalized stickers, labels, or iron-on transfers, the G620's combination of photo-quality output and dramatically lower ink cost makes it a standout choice this year.
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The Epson EcoTank ET-4850 occupies a unique position in this roundup: it is the only model here that combines cartridge-free supertank printing with a full office feature set including fax, an automatic document feeder, and Ethernet connectivity. For a home studio that doubles as a home office — or a small business that needs Cricut print-then-cut capability alongside document workflows — the ET-4850 is the most versatile machine on the list. The 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution is not quite at the XP-8700's level for fine photo detail, but for Cricut's registration mark system and design printing, it is more than sufficient.
Speed is a genuine strength. The ET-4850 reaches 15.5 pages per minute in black and 8.5 ppm in color — significantly faster than most photo-optimized printers in this category. Running batch Cricut prints for a product order? The ET-4850 churns through a 50-sheet run without the stop-and-wait cadence of slower machines. The supertank system provides approximately 2 years of ink in the box, and Epson's included ink supply represents excellent value upfront. The Epson Smart Panel app and AirPrint support make mobile printing seamless from iOS and Android devices.
The trade-off versus the XP-8700 is color depth. The ET-4850 uses a four-color CMYK system, which means it does not reproduce the full gamut that six-color machines achieve. For designs with saturated reds or nuanced skin tones in photo-realistic prints, the difference is visible. For the majority of Cricut sticker, label, and iron-on work, though, the output quality satisfies. The ADF and scan-to-cloud features also pair nicely with projects documented in our Best Document Scanner 2026 guide for anyone building an organized creative workflow.
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The Epson EcoTank ET-2803 is the entry point into supertank printing, and it earns its spot on this list by delivering cartridge-free economics at the lowest price of any EcoTank model. Each ink bottle set is equivalent to roughly 80 individual ink cartridges, and the ET-2803 ships with enough ink to print up to 4,500 pages in black and 7,500 pages in color. For casual crafters who run Cricut sessions a few times per month rather than daily, this machine eliminates the "I ran out of ink mid-project" problem almost entirely. The up-to-two-year ink supply bundled with each replacement set reinforces that reliability.
The ET-2803 covers the essential bases: wireless printing, scanning, copying, and AirPrint support. Print resolution is solid for Cricut's needs, and our team found registration marks reading accurately across printable vinyl and matte sticker paper. The compact body fits comfortably on a craft desk without consuming the footprint of larger all-in-ones. Setup via the Epson Smart Panel app is straightforward, and the printer maintains a reliable wireless connection without the dropouts we encountered in some cheaper competitors.
The limitations are real: no fax, no automatic document feeder, and print speeds are modest compared to the ET-4850. The color output lacks the depth of six-color machines, so complex gradient designs will show some banding at close inspection. For the target buyer — a home crafter who makes stickers, decals, and iron-on prints occasionally and wants to stop buying expensive cartridges — the ET-2803 is a genuinely smart choice. It is not the best printer on this list, but it may be the best value relative to actual usage patterns for a large portion of Cricut users.
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The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7820 solves a problem the other printers on this list cannot: printing wide-format Cricut designs up to 13" x 19". For crafters working with Cricut's larger mats, printing full-page banner elements, or producing oversized sticker sheets, this is the only machine in our lineup that handles the job without scaling or tiling. PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology drives the print engine, delivering fast output alongside DURABrite Ultra pigment ink that dries quickly and resists smearing — a real advantage when handling freshly printed vinyl sheets before loading them into the Cricut.
The WF-7820 is a full-featured office machine. The 50-page ADF, automatic 2-sided printing and scanning, and 250-sheet paper capacity make it capable of handling heavy workloads without babysitting. Alexa integration mirrors what Canon offers on the G620, enabling voice-activated ink monitoring. The 802.11a/b/g/n/ac wireless connection is the fastest wireless standard of any printer in this roundup, and in our testing it maintained a stable link even in congested Wi-Fi environments. Epson Connect Solutions add cloud printing, email printing, and iOS/Android app printing for maximum flexibility.
The WF-7820 is not a photo printer in the same sense as the XP-8700. DURABrite Ultra ink is pigment-based, optimized for document durability and quick-dry rather than the widest possible color gamut. For Cricut work that prioritizes precise, fast output on a variety of media sizes — especially anything larger than standard letter — this machine has no peer on this list. Home users with standard 8.5" x 11" needs probably do not require the wide-format capability, but for small business operators producing large-format crafts or signage, the WF-7820 is a serious tool. It also pairs naturally with workflows described in our Best Color Printer for Small Business 2026 guide.
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The HP Envy Inspire 7955e is the printer we recommend when someone is new to Cricut, new to printing in general, or simply wants a machine that works without requiring any configuration expertise. HP's setup process is the most polished of any printer in this roundup — the HP Smart app walks through every step, and the AI-assisted print formatting feature genuinely removes the awkwardness of printing web content or emails that usually requires manual margin adjustment. For Cricut beginners who are still learning Design Space alongside printer settings, this reduction in friction matters.
Print speeds reach 15 ppm black and 10 ppm color, which is competitive with the ET-4850 and well ahead of most photo-optimized machines. The separate photo tray enables simultaneous loading of photo paper and plain paper, so switching between Cricut printable vinyl and standard media does not require manual tray management. Automatic 2-sided printing, an auto document feeder, and borderless photo printing in multiple sizes round out a comprehensive feature set. The HP Envy Inspire 7955e also ships with a 3-month Instant Ink trial, which is worth factoring into the total first-year cost for occasional users.
HP's AI-enabled print formatting is the standout differentiating feature of 2026. It scans print jobs and removes headers, footers, and ads automatically, which keeps design reference prints clean. For Cricut color accuracy, the output is good — not at the XP-8700 standard, but consistently reliable on sticker paper, printable vinyl, and cardstock. The Instant Ink subscription model creates a recurring cost that some users prefer to avoid, and the ongoing cartridge dependency means per-page costs rise for heavy users who exhaust their plan allotment. For moderate crafters who value ease of use above all else, the 7955e is the right starting point. Those wanting deeper craft customization options might also find our Best Silhouette Machine 2026 guide useful for comparing cutting machine ecosystems.
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The Canon PIXMA TS6420a is a capable, compact all-in-one that covers print, copy, and scan duties without taking up significant desk real estate. For Cricut users with smaller craft spaces who need a reliable wireless printer at a sensible price point, it delivers solid performance. Print speeds of 13 ipm black and 6.8 ipm color are adequate for typical craft session volumes, and the dual paper feeding system — 100-sheet cassette plus 100-sheet rear feed — provides flexibility for managing multiple media types without constant manual switching.
Canon's PIXMA Print Plan offers savings of up to 70% on printing costs compared to standard cartridge pricing, which is a meaningful benefit for anyone running regular Cricut projects. The automatic 2-sided printing is included, and Alexa compatibility provides the same voice-activated ink management features found on the G620. EPEAT Silver and Energy Star certification make this the most environmentally conscious option in the roundup — a consideration that matters to an increasing number of buyers in 2026. Our team found the print quality clean and consistent across sticker paper, printable vinyl, and cardstock, with no registration mark misreads across an extended test batch.
The TS6420a does not push the boundaries on color reproduction or paper size, and it lacks the supertank economics of the EcoTank models. It is a competent, well-designed machine that handles Cricut's Print Then Cut demands reliably. For buyers who want a straightforward wireless printer that fits on a small desk, works with Alexa, and produces accurate Cricut output without complexity, the TS6420a earns its place on the shortlist. It is priced to compete directly with the ET-2803 and the HP Envy 7955e, and the dual feed tray system gives it a practical edge in day-to-day craft use.
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The single most impactful specification for Cricut print-then-cut work is the ink system. Four-color CMYK printers — including the ET-4850, ET-2803, WF-7820, HP Envy 7955e, and PIXMA TS6420a — cover the majority of designs well, but they compress the color gamut in reds, oranges, and certain greens. Six-color systems like the XP-8700 and Canon G620 add red and gray inks to expand that gamut considerably. For designs featuring photorealistic elements, gradient-heavy artwork, or brand-specific color matching, the six-color advantage is visible and meaningful. For text-heavy labels, basic sticker designs, and geometric patterns, four-color output is entirely sufficient. Our team's recommendation: if color accuracy is the priority, go six-color; if volume and ink cost are the priority, four-color supertank wins.
Ink cost per sheet is arguably the most important long-term factor for regular Cricut users. Traditional cartridge printers — the XP-8700, HP Envy 7955e, and PIXMA TS6420a — offer excellent print quality but carry higher consumable costs over time. Epson's EcoTank supertank system (ET-4850, ET-2803) and Canon's MegaTank system (G620) flip this equation: the upfront printer cost is higher, but per-sheet ink costs drop dramatically. A crafter running weekly print-then-cut sessions will likely recover the price premium on a supertank machine within a year of use compared to a cartridge printer used at the same frequency. The math strongly favors tank-based printing for anyone who crafts regularly.
Most Cricut print-then-cut work falls within standard 8.5" x 11" letter size. All seven printers on this list handle that size. The exception in terms of capability is the WF-7820, which prints up to 13" x 19" — a meaningful differentiator for crafters who work with Cricut's larger formats or produce oversized sticker sheets and banners. Beyond maximum size, paper path design matters: machines with rear feed slots handle thicker media — 65 lb cardstock, rigid printable vinyl sheets — more reliably than those with only a cassette tray. Checking whether a printer has both a cassette and a rear/specialty feed is worth the two minutes of specification review before purchase.
Every printer on this list supports wireless printing, and all are compatible with Cricut Design Space via standard wireless or USB. The practical differences emerge in the extended ecosystem. Alexa integration (G620, WF-7820, TS6420a) simplifies ink management. ADF-equipped printers (ET-4850, WF-7820, HP Envy 7955e) handle multi-page scan jobs for reference materials and project documentation. For users who print from mobile devices primarily, AirPrint support (ET-2803, ET-4850, HP Envy 7955e) provides the most seamless iOS integration. Anyone managing a larger creative production setup should also consider whether the printer connects via Ethernet (ET-4850, WF-7820) for a more stable shared network connection in a multi-device studio.
Our top pick is the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700. Its six-color Claria Photo HD ink system produces the widest color gamut and sharpest registration marks of any printer we tested, making it the most reliable choice for Cricut's Print Then Cut workflow across sticker paper, printable vinyl, and cardstock.
Yes — Cricut Design Space sends print jobs through the operating system's standard print dialog, so any wireless or USB-connected inkjet printer that the computer recognizes will work. The quality of the registration marks and color output varies by printer, which is why selecting a high-resolution model with reliable ink performance matters for clean cuts.
For users who run Cricut sessions multiple times per week, the answer is definitively yes. The Epson EcoTank and Canon MegaTank printers carry higher purchase prices but reduce per-sheet ink costs to a fraction of traditional cartridge machines. Most regular crafters recover the price premium within six to twelve months of use.
Most of the printers in this guide handle both media types reliably. Rear feed trays or specialty media slots provide the most consistent results with thicker materials. The Epson WF-7820 and ET-4850 are particularly strong performers with heavy cardstock, while the XP-8700 handles printable vinyl exceptionally well through its rear specialty tray.
It does. Dye-based inks (XP-8700, G620, ET models, HP Envy) produce more vibrant colors and wider gamuts, making them the preferred choice for photo-quality and color-critical Cricut designs. Pigment-based inks (WF-7820) dry faster, resist water and smearing better, and are more durable on uncoated media — ideal for quick-handling workflows but with a narrower color range.
Resolution affects both design quality and registration mark legibility. Cricut's sensors read the registration marks to position cuts accurately — a printer that produces crisp, high-contrast marks at 1200 dpi or higher gives the machine the clearest target. All printers in this guide meet that threshold, with the XP-8700 at 5760 x 1440 dpi representing the highest resolution available in this category.
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About Rachel Kim
Rachel Kim spent five years as a merchandise buyer for a national office supply retail chain, evaluating printers, scanners, and printing accessories from Canon, Epson, HP, Brother, Dymo, and Zebra before approving them for store inventory. Her buying process involved hands-on testing against competing models, reviewing long-term reliability data from vendor reports, and vetting price-to-performance claims that manufacturers routinely overstated. That structured evaluation experience translates directly into the kind of buying guidance that cuts through marketing language and focuses on what actually matters for a specific use case. At PrintablePress, she covers printer and printing equipment reviews, buying guides, and head-to-head product comparisons.
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