Are you interested in scrapbooking and paper craft? Then I believe that you have heard of the cricut expression. Here we will take a look at what differentiates the Cricut expression from the standard Cricut machine, and if the Expression is worth the extra money. For those of you that have not heard or seen a Cricut machine, here is a quick overview. Right now, there are three different Cricut Machines for sale, and all are made by Provo Craft. The three models are the original Cricut machine, the Cricut Create and the Cricut Expression which is the newest and arguably the most popular of the three.
All these machines are used to make shapes, letters and other designs for scrapbooks, home decorations and other uses, like making christmas cards. The machines use advanced cutting technology and are very precise. The Cricut Expression Machine can cut not only paper but a load of other materials like vinyl, soft plastics or fabric. It is a larger and heavier machine than the previous Cricut machines so you can use mat sizes of 12" x 12" or 12" x 24". Another benefit of the larger size is the inclusion of a LCD screen in this model, which allows you to see what you are typing before you cut. This of course will save you time and paper, and avoid frustrating mistakes.
Thanks to the built in keyboard you do not need to use a computer to set up your projects. Every Cartridge comes with a keyboard overlay that shows exactly which buttons you need to press for the corresponding shape or letter. A great thing about the Cricut Expression is that it uses the same Cricut cartridges as the original Cricut machine, so if you are thinking about upgrading to the newer machine you can keep using all of your current cartridges. There are lots and lots of different cartridges you can choose from with different themes and fonts, so there will always be something fitting your every project.
In conclusion I would say that the Cricut expression is a great buy if you don't yet own a Cricut machine but do a lot of papercraft designs. If you already own a Cricut machine I would only upgrade if you feel that you need the larger sized mats or if you feel that an LCD screen would be of great value to you. If you own a Cricut machine and are happy with it on the other hand, I do not see the need to upgrade.
