Cricut Expression 2: All You Need To Know About This Machine

Cricut Expression 2 is a flawless traditional cutting machine that is going to support all your art and crafts endeavors. Cricut launched this cutting machine quite some time ago, and hence it has a little approach to the modern cutting machines that have been introduced by Cricut lately. Still, you can trust its simplicity and reliability when it comes to designing and cutting your craft projects.

Cricut Expression 2 was made keeping in mind all the important features keeping in mind that its portability is not affected a bit. Basically, this cutting machine is compact with many handy features at its disposal. This blog will help you understand this traditional cutting machine and its features, along with a small setup guide for first-time users.

Features Of Cricut Expression 2

Cricut Expression 2 is an electronic cutting machine that enables you to create designs and crafts. Some of the craft goods that you can make with it are customized banners and signs for any occasion, crafted decors, greeting and invitation cards., scrapbooks, etc. In fact, the designing and crafting possibilities are unlimited; you can use the Cricut image library. This image library has many digital images pre-made for the users at affordable prices, which you can also use in the Cricut Craft Room design software.

With Cricut Expression 2, you can purchase physical cartridges to work with the machine on the various materials directly. These Cricut cartridges contain hundreds of professionally drawn images, designs, and graphics, and some of them also contain calligraphic fonts. There are over 300 different Cricut cartridges available that have designs in them according to various themes like weddings, baby showers, birthdays, holidays, sports, etc. All you have to do is insert the Cricut cartridges in your Cricut Expression 2, choose which design you want from the available images, select the size, and press Cut.

The Cricut Expression 2 has an LCD touch screen on its body which allows you to create designs and projects without being connected to the computer. The mat preview option on the screen enables you to see where the images are placed on the mat prior to cutting the design, and you can also see the detailed view of each image. The LCB touchscreen is full-color with an LCD screen protector and a stylus pen that you can use to view and zoom in to your designs.

You can zoom in or maximize your image by the “Fit to Page” option. The Guiding Brackets will allow you to align all of your images on the mat perfectly before cutting. However, if you prefer to design your crafts and images on the computer, the Cricut Expression 2 allows you to access the free online Cricut Craft Room Design Software. With this software, you can design and cut all the Cricut images on your own. After designing the software, connect your Cricut Expression 2 to your computer using a USB cable, and you cut the images that you have designed.

The Cricut Expression 2 cuts many materials very well. You can cut a whole lot of varied sizes on a wide variety of materials. You can cut cardstock, vinyl, vellum, fabric, chipboard, and foil in sizes as small as 0.24 inches and as large as 23.5 inches. Not only cutting but drawing is also possible with this machine; all you will have to do is replace the blades with appropriate pens. The designs that are cut from this machine have intricacy and precision on the edges.

The design of the body of Cricut Expression 2 is smaller and portable and weighs around 16 pounds only. Even people that have no experience in using a cutting machine can easily operate and work with this compact model.

How To Connect Cricut Expression 2 With Computer?

With the help of third-party software, you can easily connect your Cricut Expression 2 with your computer system, for example, Make The Cut (MTC) and Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL). Make The Cut software can be used with your Expression cutting machine. Whereas Sure Cuts A Lot was not specifically made for a Cricut cutting machine, it can still work with your Cricut Expression 2.

To connect your Cricut Expression 2 to a computer system, simply follow the steps given below:

●     First, on your computer system, install version 1.0.11106.0 of Cricut Design Studio.

●     Now using a USB Cable, plug in your Cricut Expression 2 with your computer.

●     Then hold down the “STOP” button and gradually turn on your Cricut Expression 2 machine using the power button.

●     As soon as your machine turns on, continue holding the stop button, after which the light will turn on.

●     Now open the Cricut Design Studio and click on “Continue in Trial Mode.” Meanwhile, your firmware will still get updated in the Trail Mode.

●     Then go to Help and select update firmware. After it opens, select “Cricut Expression 2”, and lastly, click on “Update Firmware Now.”

●     After the update is complete, your machine will move all of its cutting tools and then reboot. And voila, you have successfully connected your Cricut Expression 2 machine to your computer system.