All I Wanted Was to Make Customized T-Shirts For a Family Cruise
I’ve wanted a Cricut® for more than 15 years, but I couldn’t justify the very high cost … until recently.
You see, a few months ago, I was planning to order customized t-shirts for a family cruise from an online vendor, and when I did the cost estimate, the order would have been so expensive with the added shipping and handling, that it immediately provided me with the justification to purchase my very own Cricut.
This was the perfect plan. I could design my own T-shirts. I could make them from home. And, best yet, I’d have a Cricut machine to use for years to come.
I’ll be transparent about the price up front. I purchased the Cricut Explore® 4 machine (at www.cricut.com) with the “everything bundle” for the sale price of $339 with free shipping. The sale price was reduced from the regular price of $459.42. I’ll do the math for you. I saved a whopping $120.42!
If you’re wondering, the Cricut Explore 4 was released in February 2025 so it’s the latest and greatest model boasting updated cutting speed. Apparently, this new model is now one of the most affordable on the market.
New to Cricut®? Allow Me to Explain
Let’s start from the beginning.
Cricut® is a popular brand that makes “smart” cutting machines that when paired with the easy-to-learn Design Space Cricut® app, lets you create personalized items at home for any occasion. Cricut is an expensive crafting tool, but the uses are endless.
The Features of the Cricut Explore® 4 That I Like Best
Cricut is a must-have for any crafter looking to create customized products. This machine delivers speed, precision, and accuracy, cutting up to 2X faster than the previous model. Rest assured if you’re a beginner like I was, there are easy-to-follow instructions to help get you cutting. No design experience is required because it works with the free easy-to-learn Design Space® app. It is compatible with my home inkjet printer to print and then cut my designs in full color. It works with 100+ materials, including paper, vinyl, cardstock, and my favorite medium to make crafts, iron-on heat transfers.
Additional features:
:: Writes, draws, foils, scores, and much more
:: Uses Bluetooth® wireless technology
:: Upload and cut self-made designs or choose from Cricut Design Space library
:: Free video tutorials and beginner cheat sheets
:: World-class customer support available, phone or chat
:: Cricut Manufacturer Warranty
Why Did I Purchase the “Bundle” With My Cricut Machine?
Adding the bundle to purchasing the Cricut Machine was a smart investment for me because it included many craft mediums and tools so I could get started creating right away. In fact, anyone can create up to 400 projects with the bundled materials and supplies.
Product comes with:
:: Cricut Explore 4 smart cutting machine
:: Premium fine-point blade and housing
:: Light grip machine mat, 12″ x 12″
:: Fine point pen (0.4 mm)
:: Mini weeder
:: Materials for practice cuts
Bundled contents:
:: Smart Vinyl™ Shimmer – Permanent (12 ft), silver
:: Smart Iron-On (9 ft), pink
:: Smart Vinyl™ – Removable (3 ft), aqua
:: TrueControl Kit, mint
:: 10 count Printable Vinyl – US Letter, gold
:: 2 count StandardGrip Machine Mat, 12″ x 12″
:: 35 count Insert Cards, Sensei Sampler – S40, 4.75″ x 4.75″
:: Foil Transfer Insert Cards, Sensei Sampler, 4.5″ x 6.25″
:: 6 sheets Smart Vinyl – Permanent, 13″ x 12″, 1 each in black, white, ocean blue, grass green, red, maize yellow
:: 6 count Cardstock Sampler, Mermaid Melody – 12″ x 12″
:: Transfer Tape, 5 sheets 12″ x 12″
:: Fine Point Pen (0.4 mm) in magenta
:: Scraper in lilac
:: Spatula in lint
:: Scoring Stylus in lilac
:: Mini weeder
:: Smart Iron-On™, 6 sheets 13 in x 12 in , 1 black, white, ocean blue, grass green, red, maize yellow
Technical specifications:
:: Dimensions: 22.2″ x 7″ x 5.9″
:: Weight: 11.1 lbs.
What You’ll Need to Use a Cricut Explore 4
You’ll need a compatible device and high-speed internet connection. You’ll also need to use Design Space, the free, easy-to-learn Cricut app that powers every Cricut cutting machine. The app is conveniently available on Windows or Mac computer desktop and for iOS or Android mobile devices.
No subscription is required to use the Design Space app. However, if you desire to access an expansive level of the design software, Cricut offers a fee-based Cricut Access subscription that provides extra design features, additional fonts and images, plus 1,000+ project templates along with priority member benefits.
The free selection of Cricut images and fonts is fun to use. But, if you prefer, you can upload your own designs and images. In addition, the Cricut library contains more than one million images along with thousands of project starters and fonts that you can purchase individually to use in your designs.
I’m Impressed With the Cricut Explore 4 But More Impressed By My Creations
By now you can probably tell that I love my Cricut Explore 4. From my initial project making personalized cruise t-shirts, I have since moved on to create many custom greeting cards, and dozens of stickers and vinyl decals. My craft ideas are non-stop. Creating iron-on heat transfers for t-shirts to present as gifts for every occasion are my favorite projects.
If you’re thinking that it’s easier and less expensive to simply grab a pair of scissors to cut a craft design, prepare to be blown away by the exact precision and speed at which the Cricut Explore 4 cuts. Whatever material I use from paper and cardstock to vinyl and fabric, I continually yield perfect cuts.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting with different stocks and types of paper, vinyl, sticker paper, cardstock and other materials. The extensive library of fonts and designs available allows me to create dazzling, sometimes glittery, craft projects using the Design Space app, which is appreciatively user-friendly.
Final Advice For Cricut Explore 4 Beginners
Cricut cutting machines are ideal to be used by Cricut beginners or crafting experts. You can continually gain inspiration, as there are many in-depth tutorials to watch and learn new skills and features.
If you’re new to using a Cricut, I recommend selecting a simple project with step by step instructions. Once you get the hang of what the Cricut Explore 4 offers, this machine will turn out to be the most fun crafting tool that you own. My advice is not to rush into complicated projects, but to instead build your Cricut skills gradually. Rest assured, with help from the design app, even beginners can create designs with no prior Cricut experience.
In addition to being easy to set up, the bundle that I purchased as part of my Cricut Explore 4 offer gave me such a great head start. The number of helpful items that come with the bundle was overwhelming at first. But after I watched a few tutorials, I learned what to do with all the Cricut tools.
The Cricut Explore 4 Starter Bundle is a valuable, cost-justified purchase and I know I’ll be obsessed with my Cricut for many years to come.
