Cricut explore 2

The difference is only worth it if you are going to do plenty of the others kinds of crafts. Yes, they can both print and cut. For svg files, you import them into the Design Space software and then use them. You can save your designs but you cannot export SVGs. The Design Space software is free to download and use, so head over to design.cricut.com if you are on a desktop or find the app in the Apple store or Play store on Android and play with it - import an svg and see if you like the process.

The Lemon and "hello" on this card is a print and cut on white cardstock.

Based on your need, you will want to go with the Cameo because Cricut's print and cut cutting size maximum is 9.25" x 6.75".

The maximum size for Print and Cut with the basic Cameo 4 is 12x12. Of course, you also need a printer that prints that size as well. 

I believe the Cameo 4 was designed to compete with the Cricut Maker, so the cutting force of the Cameo 4 is stronger than the Explore 2, so you will be able to use more materials with it, though the Explore 2 can cut things most people commonly use (vinyl, paper, chipboard, etc). 

That said though, for the print and cut capability you require, the Cameo 4 is what you need. 

I had a Silhouette for the longest time and the software was super easy, IMO. I got a Cricut and while it's easy to use, it's not as flexible. Perhaps this is my lack of knowledge, because I am not an expert by any means, but with my Silhouette I could pull up an image I created and erase lines. The Air does not allow that unless you are in the first upload phase.

For instance, I was creating a tortilla chip holding a book for my daughter's book club. I wanted to erase some of the cut lines the book and hand combination created. Nope. If I'd had my Silhouette, it would've been easy peasy.

The software for the Explore is simpler than the software for the Cameo, and IMO, probably better for the OP, just based on the comments. The Cricut Maker has a lot more capability, and so does the Cameo 4, which is why they cost more.

The Cricut Expore Air 2 is the machine I would recommend for someone who might be overwhelmed by the design options in Silhouette’s software. The Cricut software is geared more to those who are less tech and/or design oriented.

I haven’t tried it, but according to this article, the Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker machines will actually do print and cut:

Print and Cut with Cricut

The downside is that if the OP really needs to print and cut on 12x12 paper, then the OP might need a printer that can print on 12x12. You can’t print onto 12x12 without a 12x12 printer. 

The cutters themselves do not print. They send the print command to your printer, and assuming they still make wide printers, or the OP already has a wide enough printer, the Silhouette cutting software will add registration marks for the printer to print, along with whatever is being printed for cutting. Those registration marks guide the cutter. If the calibration is off, or there are no registration marks, it probably will not line up accurately.

However, I scrapbook 12x12. You don’t necessarily need to do print and cut on 12x12 paper to create titles and borders to put on a 12x12 scrapbook page. If you need to print and cut wider than 11 inches, you can turn it diagonally, or cut a 12x12 piece of card stock to 8.5x12 and position it vertically. I started with an 8.5x11 inch cutter, and was able to do titles, and other things for my 12x12 pages. It can be done without a 12x12 printer and/or cutter. I usually turned it diagonally and filled in the corner areas on each side with smaller items.

There are exceptions, however. I used to do calendar pages, and I printed them on a wide printer that could print on 13x19 inch paper. It handled 12x12 card stock easily. If the OP is trying to print and cut a fancy decorative paper with a shaped border that is up to 11.5 x 11.5 inches, then a wide printer would definitely be needed, along with a cutter that will cut it out.

Also, the machines don’t cut a full 12x12 inches. The cutting area is actually slightly less than that.

I personally prefer my Cameo 3 (sadly, no longer available to current buyers), and I love the Silhouette software, but I also like to do my own design work, depending on whether I have and want to spend the time to do it. If the OP is familiar with graphics software, then I would say to definitely go with Silhouette. If the OP is not familiar with graphics software, and not as comfortable with computers in general, then you either need to be willing to take the time to learn the Silhouette software, or go with Cricut, which was made for those who want easier and less complicated.

That is really helpful to know. Have you used graphic design software before? If so, then you’ll probably be happier with Silhouette Cameo 4. If not, are you willing to watch tutorials and learn?

Cricut software is much simpler than Silhouette, but Silhouette allows you to do more. It takes a bit more effort to learn than Cricut, but there are online tutorials, many of them free.

Cricut is geared more to those who want simple and easy. Silhouette is better for those who want to do more than just cut designs others have made.

I’m changing my recommendation and agreeing with scrappymeg. Go for the Silhouette Cameo 4.

Short answer: IF ALL you plan to do with it is limited to printing and cutting out 12x12 sheets, then yes, as long as whatever is printed has a solid outline for the scanner eye to see where to cut. (You can pencil in a solid outline, then erase afterward, if needed.)

However, based on my own personal experience, what I thought I needed before I got my first electronic cutter vs. actual needs/wants turned out to be very different, so here is a more detailed/complete answer if you are willing to read it:

If you stamp a lot, and if you want to stop buying matching dies, the Brother Scan-N-Cut is great for that, as well as for cutting out printed images. The stamped or printed images do need a solid outline, which you can pencil in and erase after, if you need. I bought my SNC just to cut out stamped images without having to buy matching dies for my stamps. I also have a lot of older stamps for which there were no dies.

My opinions are based on the fact that I have and use 3 machines: Silhouette Cameo 3, Cricut Explore Air 2, and Brother Scan-N-Cut. Each were bought for different specific needs, at different times, and only after saving up and considering for a long time whether it was a smart purchase. 

The Scan-N-Cut’s main selling point is that it cuts out stamped images without having to use a computer. It’s pretty easy to use. You can do more with it if you connect it to the computer, but I didn’t need or want to do that.

Cricut Explore is relatively simple to use for those who want easy and straight forward, especially of you like the Cricut/Disney designs. It will cut SVG files, so you can import non-Cricut files. I have never used mine to do a print and cut. I bought the machine for cutting soft leather because my son was designing leather projects to sell.

Silhouette software is not quite as easy or basic as the Cricut software, but there are many tutorial videos that make it easy to learn to use. It will let you do SO much more than the Cricut software does IMO. Of the three machines, Silhouette is the one that I use almost exclusively. Their software is superior and is excellent those who want to create their own designs to cut. 

It is easy to do print and cut with the Silhouette, and you can trace free clip art, as well as cut heavier materials. I’ve often used my Silhouette to create my own original custom cutting files using the software’s drawing tools. I also use my scanner to scan in my stamped images, import them into Silhouette’s software, and create a cutting file to use over and over. I just use the “cut first, stamp second method.” (If you want to know more about that, you can do a Google search or let me know, and I can give you a link to my blog post about how to do that). It’s not as fast a process as stamping the image and cutting it out with my Scan-N-Cut, but it’s great if I want to stamp & cut out multiple images of the same stamp, then use a stamp platform to stamp the images. I can also use the Silhouette software to multiply a single image rather than stamping and coloring multiples. (I hate coloring.) They no longer sell the Cameo 3 (the one that I have), but their Silhouette 4 has the same capabilities, and it is very similar to the Cricut Maker in capability.

If I had no electronic cutter, and if I could only buy 1 machine to use for the rest of my crafty life, it would be the Silhouette Cameo 4.

However, I recommend that you download the free software for both Silhouette and Cricut, watch tutorials, and play with both programs  before making any decision. If you can download the software for Brother, that would probably be good to try, too, but if you want to use the SNC without the software, it is very easy to use.