Everything You Need To Know About Cricut’s EasyPress 2

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Are you looking into buying an EasyPress 2 to use with your Cricut Crafting?

 

 

If you love to work with Iron-on or want to start, then I highly recommend getting an EasyPress 2 if not all three of them. They are freaking amazing! I use mine all the time. (probably because I am obsessed with using Iron-on in my projects.) Honestly, if I have to choose between using Vinyl, Adhesive Foil or Iron-on for a project and it is safe to heat the base material I will almost always choose to use Iron-on. It is soo easy to work with and the finished results are always stunning. And the EasyPress 2 makes working with Iron-on 100x easier! 

 

When I first started using Iron-on the Easypress hadn’t come out yet so I used my home Iron. It worked and got the job done but was often frustrating. I had to use a lot of pressure to make up for the uneven heating and it took a long time pressing to get the firm adherence.  I was given the opportunity to use a heat press once for a baby onesie and I love how quick and easy it was to use and the end results, but since I don’t have a designated crafting space to store one of those large & heavy heat presses I couldn’t justify buying one.

 

 

Then the original Easypress came out and boy was it a game changer. It was small, and lightweight, and best of all quick and easy to use. thanks to how easy the new Easypress made working with Iron-on, I found myself branching out from just making custom clothes to using Iron-on on new materials. I have specifically fallen in love with using Iron-on with paper materials (paper, cardstock, napkins….) While I loved my Easypress I wished on more than one occasion that it could be available in different sizes to make using it for different projects easier.

 

Imagine my surprise and excitement when at the last Cricut Mountain Make-a-thon, the new EasyPress 2 was announced. Not only was the Easypress 2 improved for quality over the original Easypress (ie, updated heating plate offering even more even heating, the ability to heat up to 400,  a USB port allowing you to plug the easypress in to your computer for updates, the ability to remember your latest heat settings, & a automatic shut off for safety) but the Easypress 2 was coming out in 3 sizes!!!

 

 

Yes, in addition to the standard 9x9inch (that the original Easypress came out in) the Easypress 2 also came out with a mini 6×7 inch version and a large 10×12 inch version! When they first came out I got the 9×9 inch one since I was already used to work with that size and just wanted to compare the Easy Press vs. EasyPress 2s. I loved my Easypress 2 soo much that I soon after got both the smaller and larger sizes.  I use them all the time (especially the smallest one).

 

So for those of you who are looking into getting an Easypress 2 for your crafting needs, I thought I would answer the top Questions asked about the Easypress 2 to help with your decision.

 

-What is the difference between EasyPress vs. heat press and standard irons?

Regular Irons

Pros:

• They are common. Almost every household has one. If you don’t they are really cheap to buy.
• Iron’s are lightweight and so easy to use.

Cons:

• Regular house Irons are inconsistent with heat, varying depending on where on the heat plate you check.
• Regular irons can’t be heated to specific temperatures or higher temperatures needed for the best results in adhering certain types of Iron-on.
• Irons have little holes in their plate due to their steam setting which can also interfere with getting that good adherence with your iron-on.
• Due to size and shape, you have to move the Iron multiple times for most projects.
• Irons don’t have a safety base to rest on when not in use. Because of this, you rest your hot iron on its side making it easier to fall and burn you if you accidentally bump the ironing table (this happened to my sister in law when she was a child. )

 

Heat Presses

Pros: 

• They have an edge to edge consistent heat on their heat plates.
• The ability to heat to exact temperatures at higher degrees (400).
• They have exact temperature controls and timers, so you know how long to press

Cons: 

• They are large and heavy making it inconvenient unless you use them professionally and have a designated spot to use them. You also need a large sturdy work table to put your heat press on. Once you set them up they really aren’t convenient to ever move them.
• Due to the clamp design for most heat presses, you are restricted to flat materials to press unless you buy an add on for 3-dimensional objects.
• They are not as good for small delicate projects like when using iron-on for paper crafting.
• It takes longer for a heat press to heat to the higher temperatures (however to be honest once fully heated it is quicker to make more projects back to back. something to keep in mind if using it professionally.)

 

EasyPress 2

Pros: 

• They have an edge to edge consistent heat on their heat plates.
• The ability to heat to exact temperatures at higher degrees (400).
• They have exact temperature controls and timers, so you know how long to press
• They are Light Weight making them more portable and easy to use and store.
• The Easypress 2 comes in 3 sizes to make it even easier to use with various sized materials
• They come with a safety base to rest in between presses making them safer to use around kids and pets.

Cons:

• There isn’t a clamp for pressure so you need to press down firmly yourself when using.
• They are square making it hard for certain 3d rounded projects until you get used to it.

 

 

-Which size of EasyPress 2 is right for me?

Ideally, for the most convenience, you would want all 3 sizes. However, if you are looking to get just 1 the answer to this would depend on what kind of project you most want to use your Easypress 2 for. If you are looking to mostly use it to make large projects like wood signs, adult shirts, and large bags I would say go for the large 10×12 Easypress 2. If you are looking at using it mostly for small projects like baby onesies, hats, and paper projects then I say go for the small 6×7 Easypress 2. If you are doing medium-sized projects like kids shirts, smaller bags etc or various sized projects I would say go for the middle 9×9 sized Easypress 2.

 

I did an IGTV Video comparing the different EasyPress 2 sizes and which size is best for which type of project. You can watch it –>HERE<–

 

-Is there an iron-on material for sportswear?

Yes. It is called Sportflex Iron-on. It is made specifically for sportswear is it thinner and has a stretch to it. (If you want to learn more about it check out my post where I used it to make my own DIY workout top –>HERE<–)

 

 

-How much pressure should I use with the EP2?

You just use firm pressure. You don’t need to put all your weight into it or strain yourself. Just press firmly. More pressure is only needed when you are trying to compensate for irregular heat on an iron. It is not needed with the Easypress 2. 

 

-What is the iron-on protective sheet for?

The Protective sheet is the clear shiny backing on the Iron-on. It serves two purposes. 1 it has an adhesive on it which helps you place your cut Iron-on design onto your material and hold it in place while you heat it with your EasyPress. 2 it protects your Iron-on from your Easypress while heating it so the Iron-on doesn’t melt into your Easypress plate.  (make sure when working with Iron-on to always mirror the image and to place the Iron-on shiny side toward the mat to cut on the proper side.)

 

 

-Can I use an ironing board with my EP 2?

I guess you can. I have in the past, but really it is not recommended. You really want to use a hard stable surface when pressing Iron-on. Like I said I like to use my kitchen table with the Easypress mat. 

 

-What is the EasyPress mat for? Is it sold with the EasyPress 2?

The EasyPress mat allows you to press on any hard surface while protecting that surface from the heat of your Easypress (I like to use my kitchen table). Additionally, it is made with special materials which reflect the heat back toward your Easypress causing you to heat your material from both sides giving you better end results with your Iron-on. 

 

The mats are sold separately but they are sooo worth the price. It is good to have the various sizes of mat even if you don’t have all the sizes of Easypress 2. 

 

 

-Which Cricut machines can cut iron-on?

All of them! I have cut Iron-on just fine with my Explore Air, and then later my Air 2 and Maker.  Iron-on is easy to cut. Just remember to always mirror your image before cutting so the design doesn’t end up backward. 

 

-How long does iron-on last? 

When applied right it should last a long time. Some of my shirts I made with Iron-on using my household iron started lifting after a few washes  (if that happens, use a sheet of parchment paper and repress it down to fix). This was due to the inconsistent heat problem with my Iron.  

 

 

Every project I have made with my Easypress and now Easy Press 2 has never had issues lifting. One shirt, in particular, (my #momtired DIY shirt) that I made months ago and have washed several times (more than a dozen) is still good. 

 

If you use one of Cricut’s Iron-on’s that use Strongbond its good to know that Cricut has a StrongBond Guarantee. This means that when you use a Strongbond iron-on material as directed, then you will be satisfied with the results. If no Cricut will replace it for free. 

 

-How do I know what temperature to use for different materials/projects?

The easiest way is to use Cricut’s online interactive Quick Reference Guide for their Easypress 2 –>HERE<–

 

 

-On to what materials can I apply iron-on?

You can apply Iron-on on soo many different surfaces. (as long as it can handle heat). The most popular Cricut materials to use Iron-on with are Fabrics, Faux Leather, Paper, Heavy Chipboard, and Cardstock. You can also use it with Wood, Paper Napkins, and Glass.

 

Hopefully, this article help answer any and all questions you might have in regards to Cricut’s EasyPress 2. Really they are game changers in working with Iron-on. They are easy to use and very portable making them the best choice for crafters of all kinds. I really do love mine and use them all the time and so will you.

 

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