The Best Print And Cut Machine For Contour Cutting

What is the best print and cut machine?

 

For the best results when working with transfer paper and printable vinyls, you really need a contour cutting machine. These machines are able to cut out printed images perfectly, allowing you to apply colorful transfers to your shirts.

 

In this post we’re taking a look at the different cutting machines that have the contour cut feature, allowing you to print and cut heat transfers all day long!

 

Print And Cut Machines

 

print and cut vinyl machine

 

A good print and cut machine is capable of cutting out the most intricately printed designs, whether printed on vinyl or any other substrate.

 

The way most people complete print and cut jobs at home and for business, is to have a vinyl printer for printing out the design onto printable vinyl, and then to have a cutting machine with the ability to print and cut.

 

There are machines that both print and cut, and these are best for sign writing business, and more advanced t shirt and craft businesses.

 

Not all vinyl cutting machines come with the contour cut feature, so if you want to do it, make sure you get one of these machines (or double check the machine you’re looking at can do it)!

 

Contour Cut Machines

 

Contour cut and print & cut mean essentially the same thing… it’s a cutting machine that can read printed registrations marks and cut out printed images and font.

 

Here are a range of the most popular print and cut machines.

 

Cricut Explore Air 2

  • Contour cut feature
  • Bluetooth and fast cut mode
  • 12 inches wide
View on CricutView on Amazon

Cricut Maker

  • Able to print and cut
  • Rotary & Knife blade for more projects
  • 12 inches wide
View on CricutView on Amazon

Silhouette CAMEO 3

  • Perfectly reads registration marks for cutting printed sheets
  • Dual carriage for multiple tools
  • 12 inches wide
View on Heat Press NationView on Amazon

White Cameo 4

  • Contour cutting
  • Cameo 4 released September 2019
  • 12 inches wide, to be released in larger sizes early 2020
View on Heat Press NationView on Amazon

Brother Scan N Cut 2

  • Cuts fabric, vinyl, paper
  • Built in scanner
  • 12 inches wide
View on Swing DesignView on Amazon

Vinyl Systems Cutters

  • Well priced entry level & professional cutting machines
  • Wider than the craft cutting machines
  • 14, 28, 34, 52 inch wide models
View on Heat Press Nation

GCC Cutters

  • Expert & Pro level cutting machines
  • Some options without contour cutting
  • 24, 52 inch vinyl plotters
View on Heat Press NationView on Amazon

Graphtec Plotters

  • Top of the line pro cutters
  • NEW Graphtec ARMS 7.0
  • 15, 20, 24, 48, 62" models & more
View on Heat Press NationView On Amazon

Cricut Print And Cut

 

We have used Cricut for print and cut projects for many years now, and can recommend it for home use or small craft business. When working with printable vinyl, sticker paper, or HTV, it’s great!

 

In this Cricut Stickers tutorial we made stickers using printable vinyl and the Cricut Maker.

 

best vinyl print and cut machine

 

In this tutorial on how to use shirt clipart, we make transfers with the Air 2 and iron on transfer paper.

 

print and cut iron on vinyl

 

And in this post we use Cricut Printable Vinyl to make stickers and decorate the Air 2!

 

vinyl print and cut machine

 

And finally, in this Cricut Print and Cut Tutorial, our guest poster Heather is decorating baby onesies with transfer paper.

 

cheapest print and cut machine

 

Print And Cut Machine Tutorials

 

As we all know, YouTube is a hive of resources for anything and everything. Print and cut machines are no exception! Here is a taste of what you can find, you just need to search for your particular vinyl cutter!

 

In this video we see how to contour cut with the Vinyl Systems Edge Plotter.

 

 

Contour Cutting with Silhouette Studio (part 2 here).

 

 

Silhouette print and cut with Siser EasySubli Transfers.

 

 

Print And Cut Vinyl Machine

 

The cheapest print and cut machine is either the Cricut Explore Air 2 or the Silhouette Cameo 3. Either of these machines are excellent for home, craft, and beginner small business.

 

The Maker and Cameo 4 are again good for home and small business, but overall have a better range of features and abilities.

 

The larger machines, such as Graphtec Plotters, vinyl systems, or GCC are for those who are at the next level.

 

 

(Please note: This post contains affiliate links. Read our full disclosure policy here.)

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