Gear guide
Best cutting machines for making T-shirts with iron-on and HTV
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Top picks at a glance
Compare all picks
Closest match for the job
Cricut Explore 5 + EasyPress 9x9: 12 in cutter and press
Cutter and 9x9 press in one box, with the Explore 5's 12 in (30.5 cm) cutting width.
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Most for the money on paper
Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha: 4-point registration for transfers
Materials up to 3 mm thick, including fabric and heat transfer, according to the listing.
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Most complete listing
Cricut Maker 4 T-Shirt Bundle with EasyPress SE
Pairs a Maker 4 with an EasyPress SE, so you can cut and press apparel with no extra equipment, per the listing.
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Making shirts with heat transfer vinyl takes two machines: a cutter for the design and a press to apply it. The cutter has to be wide enough for an adult shirt back, handle iron-on cleanly, and its software has to mirror the design before cutting. Many bundles now pair a cutter with a press, which can save buying them separately but locks you into that press size. This guide compares cutters and cutter-plus-press bundles on what the listings state: cut width, whether a heat press comes in the box, what iron-on material is included and the design software. A 24 inch machine makes sense if you plan to batch several shirts per cut. Where a listing does not state the width, check it before you buy.
Compare the picks
- Cricut Explore 5 + EasyPress 9x9: 12 in cutter and press
- Max cut width
- 12 in (30.5 cm)
- Heat press included
- EasyPress SE 9x9
- Iron-on (HTV) in box
- Smart Iron-On
- Software
- Design Space, Bluetooth
- Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha: 4-point registration for transfers
- Max cut width
- Not stated
- Heat press included
- No
- Iron-on (HTV) in box
- Not stated
- Software
- Silhouette Studio
- Cricut Maker 4 T-Shirt Bundle with EasyPress SE
- Max cut width
- Not stated
- Heat press included
- EasyPress SE
- Iron-on (HTV) in box
- Vinyl and iron-on kit
- Software
- Design Space
Cricut Maker 5 + EasyPress SE 9x9 shirt bundle- Max cut width
- Not stated
- Heat press included
- EasyPress SE 9x9
- Iron-on (HTV) in box
- Smart Vinyl and HTV sheets
- Software
- Design Space
Siser Romeo 24 in with Easyweed and Glitter HTV- Max cut width
- 24 in
- Heat press included
- No
- Iron-on (HTV) in box
- 12 Easyweed and 6 Glitter HTV sheets
- Software
- Leonardo Design Studio (Mac and PC)
Cricut Joy Xtra T-Shirt Bundle with EasyPress Mini- Max cut width
- Not stated
- Heat press included
- EasyPress Mini
- Iron-on (HTV) in box
- Smart Iron-On
- Software
- Design Space
| Pick | Max cut width | Heat press included | Iron-on (HTV) in box | Software | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cricut Explore 5 + EasyPress 9x9: 12 in cutter and press | 12 in (30.5 cm) | EasyPress SE 9x9 | Smart Iron-On | Design Space, Bluetooth | - | Amazon |
| Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha: 4-point registration for transfers | Not stated | No | Not stated | Silhouette Studio | - | Amazon |
| Cricut Maker 4 T-Shirt Bundle with EasyPress SE | Not stated | EasyPress SE | Vinyl and iron-on kit | Design Space | - | Amazon |
| Cricut Maker 5 + EasyPress SE 9x9 shirt bundle | Not stated | EasyPress SE 9x9 | Smart Vinyl and HTV sheets | Design Space | - | Amazon |
| Siser Romeo 24 in with Easyweed and Glitter HTV | 24 in | No | 12 Easyweed and 6 Glitter HTV sheets | Leonardo Design Studio (Mac and PC) | - | Amazon |
| Cricut Joy Xtra T-Shirt Bundle with EasyPress Mini | Not stated | EasyPress Mini | Smart Iron-On | Design Space | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · Cricut
Cricut Explore 5 + EasyPress 9x9: 12 in cutter and press
See price on AmazonThe Explore 5 with an EasyPress 9x9, Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On and card supplies. A complete shirt setup for beginners, with a 12 inch cut width that covers adult prints.
What the listing offers
- Cutter and 9x9 press in one box, with the Explore 5's 12 in (30.5 cm) cutting width.
- Smart Iron-On included, and the listing names T-shirts, sweatshirts, totes and bodysuits as press projects.
- Bluetooth connection to Design Space with guided setup for new users.
Limits to know
- A 9x9 press needs more than one press for a large back print.
- The Explore 5 works with six tools, so no thick-material or engraving options later.
Pick 2 · Silhouette America
Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha: 4-point registration for transfers
See price on AmazonSilhouette's main 12 inch class machine handles vinyl to fabric up to 3 mm thick, with 4-point print and cut registration and speeds up to 400 mm/s. The cheapest way here to leave Design Space behind.
What the listing offers
- Materials up to 3 mm thick, including fabric and heat transfer, according to the listing.
- 4-point registration with vertical and horizontal correction for accurate print and cut stickers.
- Runs on Silhouette Studio software instead of Cricut Design Space.
Limits to know
- The listing does not state cut width or connection type.
- No engraving or debossing tool is mentioned, which the Maker line offers.
Pick 3 · Cricut
Cricut Maker 4 T-Shirt Bundle with EasyPress SE
See price on AmazonMaker 4 plus an EasyPress SE with vinyl and HTV for apparel work. A fit for Etsy sellers and shirt makers who want Maker material range and a press.
What the listing offers
- Pairs a Maker 4 with an EasyPress SE, so you can cut and press apparel with no extra equipment, per the listing.
- The listing states the EasyPress SE has auto-shutoff and a heat base.
- Includes vinyl and HTV materials plus tools for first shirt and tote projects.
Limits to know
- The EasyPress SE plate size is not stated in this listing.
- Material quantities are not stated, so compare against buying the press separately.
Pick 4 · Cricut
Cricut Maker 5 + EasyPress SE 9x9 shirt bundle
See price on AmazonThe newest Maker with a 9x9 EasyPress SE and Smart vinyl and HTV sheets. Costs the most here but pairs the latest machine with a press.
What the listing offers
- Includes the Maker 5 and an EasyPress SE 9x9, per the listing, a full cut and press system.
- EasyPress SE auto-shutoff and heat base are listed safety features.
- Smart vinyl and HTV sheets are included to start apparel projects right away.
Limits to know
- The highest price in this guide, and the materials are listed as sheets rather than rolls.
- The listing does not state cut width or thickness limits for the Maker 5 in this bundle.
Pick 5 · Siser
Siser Romeo 24 in with Easyweed and Glitter HTV
See price on AmazonA 24 inch cutter from an HTV brand, bundled with 18 sheets of Siser HTV, a roll feeder and an integrated camera for print and cut. For sellers batching several shirt designs per cut.
What the listing offers
- 24 inch cutting width fits several shirt designs per pass or very large prints.
- Bundle has 12 Siser Easyweed and 6 Glitter HTV sheets, plus a pressing cover sheet.
- Includes a weeding hook, vinyl applicator and three blades of two angles.
Limits to know
- No heat press in the box, so budget for one separately.
- Leonardo Design Studio is new to many crafters coming from Cricut or Silhouette apps.
Pick 6 · Cricut
Cricut Joy Xtra T-Shirt Bundle with EasyPress Mini
See price on AmazonA compact Joy Xtra with the EasyPress Mini and Smart Iron-On. Suits small designs, baby clothes, hats and curved surfaces rather than full shirt fronts.
What the listing offers
- Includes the EasyPress Mini, which the listing pitches for curved surfaces and hard-to-reach areas.
- The cheapest bundle here that includes a Cricut heat press.
- Smart Iron-On materials and crafting tools are included for first apparel projects.
Limits to know
- A mini press and a compact cutter limit design size on adult shirts.
- The listing does not name the design software or the materials quantity.
Read before you buy
- What is Cricut Infusible Ink?Cricut Infusible Ink explained: how heat turns the ink into a gas that bonds with polyester, which blanks work, how to cut and press it, and how it differs from HTV.
- Vinyl types for cutting machinesPermanent, removable, heat transfer, Smart and printable vinyl explained: what each is for, how it is cut, and which machines can cut each one without a mat.
- Equipment for a vinyl shirt businessThe cutter, heat press, weeding tools and storage for a vinyl shirt business at three output levels, from a home Etsy side hustle to a busy small shop.
- Shirt decal size chart for Cricut projectsCommon iron-on decal widths for infant, toddler, youth and adult shirts, plus pocket, sleeve and back sizes, and how to place a design so it sits right.
- How to apply iron-on vinyl to a shirtCut, weed and press iron-on vinyl on a shirt: mirroring, pre-pressing, time, temperature and peel for Cricut Everyday Iron-On and Siser EasyWeed, plus lifting fixes.
More gear: Cut settings and materials
Blade & Mat chooses every product independently from what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission from the links above. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.