New machines are out and they are called Explore 3 and Maker 3 after their predecessors, the Cricut Explore Air 2 and Maker.
I got the Explore 3 Machine early so let's demystify what is different about these new machines...
They cut smart materials
Forever and a day now, makers have wanted the offering of a larger vinyl roll and the ability to cut longer longer amounts of material in one go in a machine larger than the Cricut Joy. With the Explore 3 and Maker 3 this is now possible! Cutting up to 12 feet long in one go and offering vinyl rolls up to 75 feet long! Smart materials are currently vinyl, iron-on (HTV) and adhesive cardstock.
No need to use a cutting mat, you just load and go.
That's right. No cutting mat required for Smart Materials! An amazing step forward that we now can go beyond the boundaries of what the mats dictate.
For non Smart Materials you still need to use a mat and you cannot load smart materials without a mat in the other machines (bar the Cricut Joy ofcourse!) You can use smart materials on them but would need a cutting mat as they do not have the technology for cutting the long legnths of vinyl that the new Maker 3 and Explore 3 have.
Quicker Cutting Times
The new machines can cut 8 inches per second on an axis making them 2x quicker than their predecessors. I put this to the test in my latest IGTV video (Click here to see) and the Explore 3 finished cutting way before my Maker! It's a seriously fast machine so if you were creating lots of vinyl cuts or an intricate design, the machines with smart material will be saving you a lot of time!
Tools and cutting mats of it's old version are still compatible.
That's right! Tools, blades and cutting mats are still compatible (for the Explore ranges being able to cut 100 materials and use 5 tools, Maker rangers being able to cut 300+ materials and use 12 + tools). What this tells us is that both versions of the machine are still relevant, still incredible machines and will still be supported by Cricut. The new machines are the same but have these additional features which will be attractive to many makers such as small business owners and makers with big project ambitions!
So if you have just purchased an Explore Air 2 and Maker and are thinking damn it! I now have an old machine, you don't!
The new machines are available from June 10th. SO if you are ready to get making with no mats and super legnth designs, get ready because this is a global launch!
To see my first look at the new Explore 3 machine, watch here.
Thanks for reading,
Rebecca