	Cutting & Measuring Devices

Cricut Expression w/ 2 free cartridges included Lowest Price!

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Cricut Expression w/ 2 free cartridges included Lowest Price!

(18 customer reviews)

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Our Price:	$209.95
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Features

No computer necessary
Cut portrait or landscape
Plantin Schoolbook font cartridge included
Accent Essentials Shape cartridge included
Mat sizes 12" x 12" or 12" x 24"

Description

Now shipping, the Cricut Expression is the newest addition to the Cricut family of products. The new Cricut Expressions is a much larger unit, meant to stay on the table or in a media room. The good thing is that BOTH models use the same cartridge and the same blade housing and blade. Introducing Cricut Expression, an exciting new way to cut letters, shapes, and phrases in impressive sizes using the 12" x 24" mat or the 12" x 12" mat. The possibilities are endless with this larger machine, allowing you to create bigger die cuts for classroom decor, scrapbook layouts, signage, and so much more. Mix and match creative features in the same cut Use the entire library of existing Cricut cartridges Cut portrait or landscape Mat sizes 12" x 12" or 12" x 24" No computer necessary Change settings such as language and units of measure New LCD screen that shows exactly what you're typing for your next cut Includes Plantin Schoolbook font cartridge Accent Essentials Shape cartridge 1 12x12 cutting mat

Product Details

Average Customer Rating:

based on 18 reviews

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review: 4.0

( 18 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 79 found the following review helpful:

Is bigger, better? Sep 29, 2009 By Cannon
*This review assumes that you have at least some basic knowledge of the Cricut line from ProvoCraft. If you do not, I highly recommend that you do two things. 1) Visit the product line website through Provocraft and 2) Visit any number of scrapbooking clubs or just general scrapbooking message boards or websites. You can use your favorite search engine to locate one. The ProvoCraft site will introduce you to the product line, give technical specifications, and show you applications through pictures and graphics. The message boards from scrapbooking fanatics will provide you with real world usage ideas and give you a real feel for how the machine may or may not work for you.*

ProvoCraft introduced the Cricut Expression, meant to be an expansion of their smaller, more mobile Cricut Create product. The idea was to create a product, not meant for transport, that could do what the Cricut does, but on a larger scale. The improvement to the LCD screen is meant to further enhance the product, and now "shows" better than the original screens.

Is bigger better? Well that's only a question you can answer. Is it worth the extra money? (as much as $200 more?) and further, what to do with your existing smaller Cricut?

First, for non-scrapbooking uses, you may find that the larger Cricut Expression has real application in a wide variety of settings - schools, school projects, promotions, etc. The fact remains, being able to cut larger sized letters and artwork has big advantages when you're creating large items for people to view from a distance. But you cannot ignore the added advanatages of a larger machine in the scrapbooking world either. While you might not choose to create huge letters for every project, the ability to do so can really only be viewed as a positive. Additionally, as the Cricut cartridge library expands and becomes more complex, you will find the larger cuts to be somewhat freeing. Cutting a "character" for example, can be a frustrating thing when it comes time to assemble very small parts on a page. Having the larger option allows you to really give some pop to a page.

The good news for all Cricut clients is that ProvoCraft had the good sense to make a product that accepts the same cartridges as older models. Can you imagine the furor if you had to go back to buying the same type of cartridges at upwards of $50 each in order to get the same results on the Expression. Here, ProvoCraft is banking on enough people wanting to make larger items that folks will end up owning both. The secondary market for the smaller Cricuts is now booming. And by the way, replacement blades fit both machines. Another plus.

And yes, selling your other, smaller Cricut is certainly an option. You may create a real opportunity for someone to own a Cricut that otherwise couldn't afford a new one. Donation to a school or church makes sense too. Or, keep it......

See, the original Crucut was made to be portable. And you will find that it's far more portable than the Expression. Not to mention, the Expression takes up considerably more table top space. No, it doesn't look like it will, but wait until you get it out of the box and put it on your craft table, especially if you put it next to your smaller Cricut. And think about this: When you head off to a crop, what is the one thing that's usually somewhat at a premium when you get to your "spot" at the crop........ space.

They do make rolling cases for the Expression, and these are probably a worthwhile investment if you intend to own one Cricut machine and you intend to tote the thing around. The cases offer protection and ample space for cartridges and accessories. The Expression is heavy, so you'll enjoy the wheels. Yes, there are people that tote their Expressions to crops, but you may find that keeping it at home for your projects works best in conjunction with transporting your smaller unit to crops.

Expression cuts on mat sizes 12 X 12 or 12 X 24 (sold separately). Mats come in packs, usually 3 per, and the purpose of the mat is to hold the piece you are cutting, firmly in place. These mats do lose their tackiness over time, and you will need to replace the mats with more frequent use. (Note, tackniess in this sense means stickiness, not fashion faux pas!) With the Cricut Expression, you can cut in Portrait or Landscape mode.

Now about the price. Amazon's price is pretty good (the vendor), and far better than you will find from ProvoCraft itself. Shopping around for this item will be beneficial to you.

Note that the Expression can be utilzed with a computer (as can the older model). The new Gypsy, now out ($299 or a bit less online), promises to revolutionize scrapbooking - and will work with any of the Cricuts. I shudder at the $500 retail pricetag for the Cricut expression. $300 range seems reasonable for all that the machine will do, especially for the avid scrapbooker. Price drops to at least the $299 level are frequent. Coupons generally do not work on ProvoCraft items at places like Michaels. If you want to purchase a new one on EBAY, do your research and select sellers that offer NEW IN BOX (abbreviated NIB) and have nothing less than excellent seller ratings.

Don't overlook the other applications, now that you have a larger size. Science Fair displays, sineage, multitude of craft projects and even pumpkin carving, and yes, that's right, I said Pumpkin Carving. I've seen folks transfer some of these Cricut images onto the face of a pumpkin.

Is bigger better? In this instance, it is - IF you're inclined to create larger fonts and images. But, if after considering your scrapbook needs, you don't think you'll really have the need for larger anything, skip the product, head to a crop, and borrow a little Expression time from someone who toted theirs along. My guess is almost every group will have one.

And there's another idea... if you've got a group, maybe split the cost and rotate it month to month to the host house, letting the host enjoy it for a month and allowing the group to use it communally at each crop.

Pricing Assistance: Do not pay more than $299.00 plus tax for this item. The retailer at Amazon actually has it for less, AND at retail places like Michaels, wait for the sale. Unless you have money to burn, paying $499.00 for the Expression is entirely too much.

40 of 40 found the following review helpful:

Cricut Expression vs. Personal vs. Making Memories Slice Dec 12, 2009 By KYP
Expression vs. Slice
There is no comparison - if you can only get 1 machine get the expression - it's worth the extra money...why?
I have the Slice - that was my first machine (I got it 2 weeks ago) only because it had the designs I wanted (tags) and also had some cool accessories and it's my first die cut machine. You have to hold it down to use it, there aren't that many cartridges and if you wait for sales - they are both about the same $. If you need a machine to cut a couple of things here and there and go for the slice. (Read my Slice review for more details).

Expression vs. Personal
The personal cricut only cuts to 5.5" - and it's pretty much like the Slice - around the same price point as well. It does NOT compare with the capabilities of the Expression. Expression cuts in larger sizes, more feature - the LCD screen is more detailed, it's a far more sophisticated machine (think of composition notebook vs. laptop) - also spoke with a cricut user at a store - she said that the Personal wastes a lot of paper

Expression vs. Sizzix - I didn't even really look at the Sizzix, I get they're cheaper, and they have a lot of cartridges and they're cheaper...there's a reason why the machine and cartridges are cheaper - they're VERY BASIC (it's like comparing 3rd grade education to graduate school), reviews on the Sizzix weren't very "WOW" and if I'm going to invest $$ - I rather get something WOW - the functionality and capabilities of Cricut products (even the personal) is far superior than the Sizzix

Expression Features that makes this machine SUPERIOR:
Cuts 1/4" - 23.5 inches (most machines cut from 1/2" and at 1/2" increments - this is 1/8" increments - and about 7" max)
Cartridges - very intricate shapes - when you find them on sale - it's WORTH IT! Plus they have the licensed shapes (Spongebob, Dora, Hello Kitty, Disney...)
Each cartridge seems to hold ALOT of options and information. There are so many varieties
Layering options available (exp - trees - it will cut the "bark" then i set another option to cut the individual leaves - a little bit of spray adhesive and tweezers, BAM - I have a fully functional colored tree)
Design is clean, tight and slim, it's very light and portable (not that I intend on schlepping it, but if I had to, I will)
you can leave it - program and walk away

What I wish came with the machine:
For the $$ - There should have been extra blades + 12" x 24" mat (it can cut up to that, so why no mat?) + spatula!
It seems really silly to nickel & dime customers for equipment they need to make the machine useful - I have a spatula from my Slice tool kit (slice doesn't include that either)

What I've done/thoughts so far (I've only had it for 2 days):
AWESOME - I can program what I want it to cut and walk away! with the Slice, I have to hold the machine in place.
SPEEDY!! It might be worthwhile to buy an extra mat anyways to load your next set of media while you're removing it off the first mat. (This would be important if you're into efficiency)
MUST read directions of the machine first! Then load the cartridge and read those directions! YOU HAVE TO SET ASIDE A SOLID HOUR OF FOCUS TO USE THIS MACHINE! There are so many functions/features you don't want to miss anything.
Had I read the directions first i'd figure out how to load the paper. It's aligned on the bottom left corner (DUR)
You can use ANY size paper as long as it's 3" x 3" - just set the paper size and it'll know and plan for you to minimize waste
Cardstock set blade at 3 - pressure at medium - speed (doesn't really matter)
Paper - set blade at 1 - pressure low - speed (doesn't really matter)
Foam (set blade at 6 - pressure max - speed SLOW) I feel like I need the deep cut blade (another accessory) - the cuts aren't very clean but it works (I'm using the "Printing 101" Cartridge - making alpha puzzle pieces to teach my kiddo letters)
Speed - the slower the better it seems like but for thinner media it doesn't matter
Make sure to have enough table space - you'll need space behind the machine for the feeder

Projects in the future:
Definitely making cards!
More foam shapes (Spongebob cartridge) - and letters
Cardstock animals to teach my kiddo (same with food / etc). (Animal Kingdom Cartridge)
I want to try to use other medium - fabric, adhesive, magnetic sheets, stamp, embossing
I want to get the design software to make my own "cuts"
Helping my kiddos with their school project - making adhesives to stick on walls
Getting sticky textured cardstock to make our own "stickers"

FINAL THOUGHTS:
If you get Expression - Buy spatula (unless you already have one)
If you plan on doing projects larger than 12" buy the 12" x 24" mat
Buy an extra set of mats anyways - it'll help keep your machine cutting while you're working =)
Get a set of replacement blades if you intend on using this machine ASAP and ALOT (I've cut 9 foam sheets - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and 2 cardstock sheets) and I feel like my blade is getting iffy - or it just might be foam

DO NOT:
...Buy the Cricut bags (except maybe the duffel) most do not fit the expression - duffel will only fit expression if you expand it and it's not really "protective" - and doesn't hold much of anything, but if you're set on getting a bag - that's the only one that will work
...do this if you need silence - the machine is LOUD - think of your microwave running or the exhaust fan
...PAY FULL PRICE FOR CARTRIDGES - I got a ton for 60% off - really reasonable if you're willing to wait
I'm going to be making friends with local people who use Cricut and maybe do a cartridge exchange (borrow) b/c not many of the cartridges are repeat use for me - and the ones that are I've bought - I wonder if this is an item that the public libraries have...
...PAY FULL PRICE PERIOD! Most of the national chain stores WILL NOT take their coupons on the machine, but if you are patient, the machines will go on sale - or scope out online venues. Most national chain stores will let you use their % off coupons on the accessories

24 of 24 found the following review helpful:

Go to Wally World! Nov 07, 2010 By Daisy's Human "Bookaholic"
I started out with the personal cutter; within a year, I'd moved up to the Cricut Expression. I purchased (all in one combo pack through Walmart) the black cricut expression, the tool kit in the green pouch, design studio, cutting mat (12x12), a spatula, and plantin schoolbook cartridge, as well as an instructional dvd for something around $285, which was the absolute best price for all I got! I got it site to store, so there was no shipping and handling, although it took about a week to get it. To save money on cutting mats, I had read that you could scrub them with a baby wipe and reglue them with a sponge tip brush and one part water to one part Aileene's tack again and again; I only had to scrub it with a baby wipe and it's like a new mat. I have done the vinyl wall art, glass etching, card making, mini albums, scrapbooking, posters for school projects, posters for girlscouts, ATCs, and probably a lot more that I can't even think of right now.You can purchase the cartridges very inexpensively ($20-$30 max) at Big Lots and Ebay, as well as at the Big Box stores during their sales (usually someone has them $35 or so around every other week: Michaels, ACMoore, and Joanns). I have around 25 cartridges right now, and reuse probably around 90% of them, as even the small seasonal ones have a ton of great images. I can't say enough good about the expression; just wish I had not spent the money on the baby bug and gone right ahead and gotten the expression first. This machine is amazing. You can make lots of beautiful gifts and save a lot of money this Christmas: etched glass vases and water glasses, decorative wall decals, stationary monograms, all-occasion card sets with envelopes. The best cartridges: Plantin Schoolbook, George is a close second; Wild Card; Tags, Bags Boxes and More; and Joys of the Season.

13 of 13 found the following review helpful:

Beware of Cricut's Shadey Business!!!! Jan 06, 2012 By Jill D
I purchased a brand new Cricut Expressions machine for my son's girlfriend for Christmas and it was a defective one that would not work on Christmas morning. I called Provocraft to ask that they send me another machine and after having to argue with the customer service rep they finally agreed to send me a new machine. Well I just got the machine and looked at the packing slip and saw that the machine is a REFURBISHED MACHINE!!!! How dare they try to sell me a used machine when I paid full price for a new one!!!I plan to call them in the morning and find out what the heck they're trying to pull here and if they will not resolve this properly for me I plan to go to the Better Business Bureau! Beware of the SHADEY business practices of this company! I am very disappointed and have NEVER had this kind of problem before!!!
Jill D

10 of 11 found the following review helpful:

Fantastic and addictive Apr 29, 2009 By Sandra V. Gutierrez
I first saw an ad of the Cricut machine on TV and immediately I wanted it. A few weeks later I got the Cricut Expression. Even though they suggest it is not "too portable" I move mine all the time. I do too many crafts and can't afford to dedicate a whole table to it although I wish I could. I am also a school teacher and my classroom is filled with colorful bulletin boards decorated with figures I have cut using my Cricut machine. I get compliments all the time about the way it looks.I also have a scrapbooking club at my school and have brought the machine to my classroom. I think this was a mistake, the kids just loved it too much and ask for it all the time now. Unfortunately the accessories are very expensive and so is the machine, but it provides lots of fun and entertainment.

See all 18 customer reviews on Amazon.com