Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've had the original Cricut Easy Press for about six months, and love it. This one is so much more heat stable and just super easy to use. It comes in a lightweight canvas bag that's perfect for doing a test on right out of the box! I like that since with the prior model, I had to find a scrap to use the test piece on. I'm also so happy with the gorgeous Cricut glitter vinyl the sample is made from (in a cute Cricut logo for the drawstring bag), so will be giving that a second chance, since I didn't have a lot of success using Cricut HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl) in the past. Note: If you don't already have a Cricut EasyPress Mat, go out and get one right now! I can literally use the EasyPress right on my craft table (an IKEA desktop) with this. Any sturdy surface will do, and because the Easypress sits on a heatproof base and the Easypress Mat keeps your surface from getting hot, your desk is safe. If you love working with HTV and do not have room for a heat press, this is your answer. Actually, even if you DO have room, this little machine is such a breeze to use, even someone with arthritis can use it. Lift, set it on the materials, press a little, boom, done! Ok, so my first run with the test. There's the regular manual, which is super easy to follow, and there's an even easier Quick Start guide. If you're not already familiar with the EasyPress, maybe read over the manual first, but this Quickstart guide will really step you through it. It's not fully clear in a couple places, so I'll add the missing info. Ok, so set the Press into the base, plug in and turn on. Set the heat as stated, set the timer as stated. But then in the quick start guide, they don't explain how the timer works. It says to set the timer to 30 seconds, then has you press the canvas bag for 5 seconds to preheat the drawstring bag before placing the HTV. Since you already set the timer for 30 seconds, at this point you might be thinking, "Now what?!" You normally press the button with the Cricut logo to start the timer going, so I just skipped that and counted to 5 in my head to preheat the canvas. So in step 4, you place the HTV, and when you set the press on the HTV, hit the cricut logo button and it starts the 30 second countdown. Set the EasyPress back in the base, flip the drawstring bag over as Step 5 shows, then reset your timer to 15 seconds, and repeat the steps. The rest of the instructions are fine - they just left out how to start the timer, and setting the 30 seconds before the 5 second pre-heat. Ok, so I also have to point out how beautiful the bright pink is! I loved the teal one, but this is super pretty! I love the design of the machine. It's easy to hold, doesn't take a lot of pressure to use, and makes HTV work so incredibly easy! If you're hesitant to do HTV work, seriously, so was I, until the original EasyPress. Since Cricut introduced this, I've not stopped Vinyling ALL the things! You will not regret this! I also fully recommend the 9x9 for 90% of your projects. if you do a lot of baby Tshirts and bibs, the smaller one is a good idea, and if you do a lot of XXL shirts, go for the bigger one. I don't do either, so just the mid-sized one is fine for me.