Cricut Expression Review
If you are looking for a machine that will give you the freedom and control to create whatever shape, letter and color you want then the Cricut Expression is prefect for you. The Cricut Expression was created out of a growing demand for more flexibility and options given to those who love to create. The Cricut Expression is great for teachers, home school moms, those who scrap book or anyone who enjoys creating home made crafts and gifts. 
Advanced Scrapbookers’ Dream Machine
The Cricut Expression is a paper cutting machine. It allows the you to cut very small pieces of paper, from .25” to very large sheets of paper up to 12”x24”. It gives you the ability to make various letters, shapes and designs. The Cricut Expression is lightweight and is very easy to use. There are alos cartridges sold separately that can enhance the options in creating and designing. It also has the capability to cut cardstock, vinyl, vellum and regular weight paper. It is a treasured possession for anyone into scrapbooking or creating crafts.
Many people are familiar with the Original Cricut which has now been termed the “little bug.” The largest difference in the two machines is the advanced abilities the Expression has that the Original doesn’t. The Expression is very flexible but still uses the same blades and cartridges as the Original. The Expression has the ability to cut paper double the size of the Original and the Expression has more options and features.
Cricut Advantages
- Various languages
- The ability to create mirrored images.
- Different measurement portions
- The ability to make more than one cut
- The choice between cutting landscape or portrait
- An LCD screen that gives the user a preview of what they’re about to cut
The only downside to the Cricut Expression is that it is much larger than the Original. It requires more room to provide the added benefits and features. If you’re a committed craft person, the size won’t matter a bit considering the flexibility and quality it will provide.
The Cricut Expression Machine comes with the unit, a schoolbook cartridge and a 12×12 mat. Some models come with the accent essential shape cartridge. Make sure you read the details before making your purchase to ensure you know exactly what you’re buying.
There are various bundles available for sale which includes a lot more than the basic Expression package. The most common bundle includes:
- Four additional functions for more options
- Five ink cartridges – blue, green, red, yellow, orange
- Four cartridges – Accent Essentials, Plantin Schoolbook, Paper Pups and Stretch Your imagination.
- Additional handbooks
- The ability to use cartridges from other models
No matter what you’re looking for in a craft-creating machine, the Cricut Expression is sure to meet and exceed all your expectations.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Will you please sent me the brochure of the print and cut machine
Hi ,
My name is Karen O’Donnell and I’m currently creating an ebook about Cricut. I came across your article on a number of different sites and realised that you are an expert in this niche market. I have read your article and realise that you’d be perfect for inclusion in my new ebook.
I am currently putting together an expert compendium on the subject and I’d be delighted if you would be kind enough to let me include your article in my book. Also, if you had any other articles about Cricut please send them over, and if they’re suitable I can include them also.
Of course I would include links back to your website and this would mean free visitors to your website and publicity without you spending a dime. Not only that but as I intend to market this product in a big way your reputation as an expert would be increased even further.
This is a win-win situation for you and all you need to do is email me back with confirmation that it is ok to include you in the experts compendium and I’ll do the rest.
Thank you for your time.
Karen O’Donnell
Please let me know how I can get ahold of your ebook for the cricut machine. I have the cricut expressions machine and am have a hard time of learning how to use it to its full potential.
I would like to buy a Circut Expression. I have used the Circut cutter. However, I was wondering, does the Circut Expression use the same cartriges as the Circut Cutter? I also noticed that Wal-Mart has expression. What should I look for when purchasing this machine. Also, I have heard that expression is not portable, is this true? Does the Expression have a handle to carry with you when traveling from one place to another?
Thank You
Christina
I havw just bought a cricut expression. I’ve tried cutting matterial with it with no luck what so ever. Do you know what kind of matterial and iron on backing to use? Some pointers on what blade speed and preasure to use would be apprecieated??
thankyou Linda
My husband purchased a cricut expression for me Christmas 2007. I loved it. However, I didn’t get to use it often. I have not used it over 10 times. Recently, my machine malfuctioned. Contacted the company to inquire about repairing it. I was offered a walk through of what they call a “hard reset”. I tried to reset the machine, but the reset button was not working—appears to be stuck. At that point, the customer service rep. suggested I purchase a new machine. The warrenty is only for 1 year after that you are up the creek with no paddle. I was livid! It not like this machine cost a few bucks. Oh yeah! I was offered a refurbished one for the low low price of $290—I can buy a new in Wal-mart for the price. It reallys leaves a bad impression to know that Procraft don’t offer replacement parts or repairs on such a costly item especially when the economy is in the state it is today.
I too am experiencing this problem. My warranty has been up for 32 days. Had I turned it on during the holidays, I would have a replacement. Now however, it’s my fault. I went through the tech center for a hard reset that did nothing. They said sorry you could buty a new one. I was angry. I let them know that I felt it was ridiculous that they had no repair center for these expensive tools. The gal I worked with said it’s a common problem with the Expression. That since they had a computer base, they weren’t made to last too long. Interesting that their help center would inform me of this. I wasn’t informed of a refurbished one until later. I wasn’t satisfied with this response so I called Provo Craft headquarters and wsa put in touch with someone who tried to reason with me. I understand their warranty I told him. What I didn’t understand was why was Provo Craft putting out a substandard product? With no repair service? He finally got tired of listening to me and gave me his email address to send in a formal complaint to see what he could do. At that point he told me I could send mine back for $30 in shipping, pay $150 for a refurbished one, and $30 shipping in return. How generous of him. I told him in this economy that was ridiculous. My warranty was barely up. the product should have lasted longer than that! So now I have emails to headquarters and their legal counsel going out as well as a complaing to the Better Buisness Bureau. FYI-The BBB gives the company a rating of a C- due to lack of response to customer complaints, quality with the cricket, and repair of machines. Go figure.
I am also having a problem with my Cricut Expression. I’ve only used it about 10 times but I’ve had it for about 16 months. Out of the blue, the LCD screen stopped working. All the other buttons turn on but the screen stays black. I called the toll-free number and was told the “reset” the machine, which I had already done but tried again anyway. Of course this did nothing. I was than told to down load updated software, did that but it’s obvious that it’s not a software problem…it’s the machine! They told me I could buy a refurbished one for the discount rate of $150 plus shipping which I would never do. They have no repair service yet offer refurbished machines? Sounds like a shaddy business to me….they get you to buy a faulty produt, when it breaks, you have to pay to get it shipped to them (which they keep) and buy a refurbished machine, which will likely break down. Had I known that Provo Craft did not service their machines or had a history of putting out faulty product, I would have saved my money.
Hello Becky. I read your comment and wondered if you had any success with your complaint? My expressions machine had the exact same thing happen to it just yesterday. I will call customer service tonight but after reading a lot of the same comments regarding their unwillingness to help, I don’t expect to have my problem solved. Also I bought my machine off Ebay, so I am probably screwed unless the seller will want to refund it for me. I wish I would have done more research concerning the repair history of this machine because I probably would not have purchased it. Please let me know if you resolved your issue (or if anyone else did). Thanks!
CA
I would have saved my money as well. I’ve used my Expression five times. I’ve had it for about 1-1/2 years, but due to being a teacher and having no life and working every waking hour I never got to use it. I was looking forward to retirement in two years when I could really have fun with it. I don’t have a clue as to where to take it for repair. One blog stated that the part(s) required to fix any one of a number of problems costs soooo much that it is cheaper to purchase a new machine. Along with that fact and shabby workmanship thousands of people like ourselves got scammed. I wish that someone could buy the company and rebuild the Cricut with master workmanship. What a great reputation they could earn for themselves and customers would keep coming back to purhcase whatever they produced and sold.
I am very sad and can hardly do anything else that I need to do. I feel that I’ve lost a friend. I am afraid to even purchase a cheaper Cricut second handed. I wish that I’d never bought it in the first place. Then I wouldn’t have fallen in love with it nor wasted money that my husband and I could not afford to waste. If you know where to take our Cricuts for repair please email me. Thanks!
Sandy
I just received an Expression as a gift, but after reading all the complaints about the machine I am afraid to use it. I have no idea how to use the thing and am afraid it will malfunction like some of the other people have wrote about. I would love to know how to get my moneys worth out of it but I know nothing about it. If anyone has any ideas as to how to use the thing please let me know, Thanks !
I can agree with all of you Provo Craft has absolutely the worst customer service in the world. They do not not even include instructions with their machines and when the machine breaks they will not help you even if you can get a hold of someone. I personally wish I had never purchase the Gypsy at a cost of $349.