The Cricut Expression 2 is one of the older machines from the Cricut. Cricut no longer sells it directly, but it’s still a popular die-cutting machine that many crafters prefer. The Expression 2 is one of Cricut’s legacy machines discontinued and no longer available in the Cricut store. Very limited stocks are available on some shopping sites.
However, it can’t compete with Cricut’s latest line of Explore and Maker models. Besides its drawback, it got some great selling points. This blog will discuss what makes this machine so popular and how to operate it.
Overview: What Does Expression 2 Machine Do?
The Expression 2 is an amusing machine that doesn’t need to be connected to a computer or laptop. So you can move it from one room to another or travel with it without carrying your laptop. The machine is decently powerful and allows you to cut materials from 0.25 to an impressive 23.5 inches.
The machine has six modes and four functions, offering greater cutting customization options. Its new settings and menus add functionality to the machine. You can also use it for drawing; you just need to replace it with appropriate pens. The machine is much more suited for hobbyist crafters than professionals. Most crafters find its cutting specs more than adequate.
How Would You Describe Its Design & Features?
The Expression 2 machine was launched as a successor to the Cricut Expression Personal Electronic Cutter. On the outside, the machine boasts a full-color touch screen to move and edit images. A stylus accompanies the LCD touchscreen. The large screen is a huge improvement on the tiny screen and confusing keyboard overlays used with its predecessor. The LCD screen appears much neater to access design menus and is quick to master. It allows you to quickly and easily size, rotate and flip your images without opening the Craft Room software.
Through the screen, you can select pressure and speed settings from the most commonly used materials automatically. You can also customize settings for more unconventional materials. The machine also boasts a ‘mat preview’ feature that lets you arrange your images on the mat before the machine starts cutting. It helps you to avoid material wastage, and you can check everything beforehand. The Guiding Brackets allow you to align your images on the mat perfectly. The machine has two digitally pre-loaded cartridges, the Cricut Alphabet and the Cricut Essentials. They include 3 fonts, 40 phrases, and 110 layered images. Its Auto Fill feature works great for batch cut jobs of the sample image. Plus, it has a light within the blade housing, which lets you see where you are cutting on the mat.
Does this Machine Uses Cartridges?
The Expression 2 is a cartridge-based system which means without the cartridge, you cannot create custom shapes with the machine. These cartridges are normally ‘’theme’’ based and come with about 50 different shapes. Cricut also has shapes Licensed by Disney for the kids. The Expression 2 is also compatible with Cricut’s Imagine cartridges.
These cartridges range from $15 to $100. Even if you want to use a single image from a cartridge, you must purchase the whole thing. But you get some perks of using cartridges, like you don’t need a computer to move and edit images. The Expression 2 comes pre-installed with two built-in cartridges, including fonts and images. With it, you can merge or weld multiple shapes to form a single shape.
How to Use Cricut Craft Room Software?
You don’t need to connect the device to a computer to use it but to use the Cricut Craft Room Software. You need to connect the machine to the computer. The Craft Room software is more convenient to use, as you can easily set it up and choose the designs on the computer. You will need an internet connection and an online account to use the software. Once you have created and logged in to your online Craft Room account, you can link your physical cartridges to your online account.
In the Craft Room, you can purchase digital cartridges, which are cheaper than physical ones and will help you save money. A subscription plan is also available at $9.99 a month and $99.99 a year. You will get access to over 25,000 shapes. Once you’ve linked a physical cartridge to your online Craft Room or Gypsy account, the cartridge can’t be linked to any other online Craft Room or Gypsy account.
How to Use the Cricut Expression 2?
Before you turn on the machine, you must insert the blade assembly and palace it at least 12 inches from the edge of your table to prevent it from tipping and causing possible damage. Allow 24 inches in the back of the machine for mat movement.
Plug the power cord, turn the machine on, and calibrate the machine’s screen. After calibrating the screen, follow the steps mentioned below to create your first project:
- On the home screen, hit the image button.
- Choose one of the images by hitting the corresponding button.
- The selected image will be added to the Image Queue
- Hit the Home button.
- Next, hit the Cut button.
- Unload the clear plastic protective sheet from the cutting mat and load a 12x12-inch piece of paper on the mat.
- From the drop-down menu, choose the material that most closely matches the paper you will use.
- Ensure that the appropriate cutting tool has been inserted into the machine and the proper depth has been set.
- Hit the Cut button.
- Hold the mat up to the rollers and hit the Load button.
- Hit the Cut button.
- When the cutting operation is finished, hit the Unload Mat button to eject the mat from the machine.
- Lastly, peel the image from the mat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What comes with the Cricut Expression 2 machine?
In the box, you will find the following items:
- Two pre-loaded cartridges: Cricut Alphabet and Cricut Essentials
- 12 by 12-inch cutting mat
- 3x port covers
- Stylus
- LCD screen protector
- USB cable
- Power adapter
- Quick Start Guide
- User Manual
What materials can the Cricut Expression 2 work with?
Expression 2 can work with various materials, and to cut thicker materials, you’ll need to use the deep-cutting blade. Here are those:
- Vinyl
- Cardstock
- Chipboard
- Balsawood
- Fabric
- Foam
- Vellum
Is Expression 2 worth buying in 2023?
The Expression 2 is undoubtedly a good crat-cutting machine that was way ahead of its release but isn’t for everyone. It is perfect for people not particularly interested in creating their designs. If you want to create your custom design, then Expression 2 is not the right fit. You must also consider the cost of added cartridges and the Craft Room Software subscription fee.
