Cricut StickerPix Prints and Cuts—With a Catch

Cricut’s new StickerPix line removes several annoying steps from making photo stickers at home. You no longer need to print on a separate inkjet, apply a laminate sheet by hand, then move the page into a cutting machine. Both StickerPix models print and laminate; the pricier one also cuts around a custom design.

That convenience is real. So is the lock-in.

Two machines with one important difference

Cricut lists the StickerPix Print Essential Bundle at $169. It is the smaller unit at 7.8 by 5 by 3.5 inches and handles 4-by-6-inch photo paper or Cricut’s pre-cut sticker sheets. Those sheets come with fixed circles, squares, or rectangles, so the machine prints inside shapes that are already there.

The StickerPix Print + Cut Essential Bundle costs $299. Its 8-by-11.3-by-4.1-inch body takes 4-by-7-inch sticker sheets as well as 4-by-6-inch photo paper. The included blade follows the outline of the artwork, which is the reason to pay the extra $130. A dog photo can become a dog-shaped sticker instead of sitting inside a square.

Both models use 300-DPI dye-sublimation printing. The machine heats dye from a ribbon into the coated surface, then adds a clear laminate layer. Cricut describes the finished prints as water-, scratch-, and fade-resistant. “Resistant” matters here; the company does not call them waterproof.

The cutter does not make loose stickers

The Print + Cut model performs a kiss cut. It cuts through the sticker layer while leaving the backing sheet intact, making each design easy to peel. It does not perform a die cut through both layers.

That distinction is easy to miss. Kiss-cut sheets are handy for planners, party favors, school labels, or a small batch of laptop stickers. If you want individual loose stickers with their own backing—common when packaging items for sale—you will still need another cutting step or a different machine.

The proprietary supplies are the bigger limitation

Cricut’s specifications say each model requires its own StickerPix ink cartridge and media. Supplies for the two machines are not cross-compatible, and generic photo paper or sticker stock is not supported. That makes the purchase price only part of the cost; replacement ribbons and sheets will determine whether the setup stays affordable.

You also need Cricut Design Space on a phone, tablet, or computer, plus Bluetooth and a high-speed internet connection. Basic designing is available without a subscription, but Cricut says some software features and the full content library require paid Cricut Access.

Who these machines make sense for

I can see the appeal for someone making small, frequent batches who values a tidy desk and predictable results. The built-in lamination is especially useful because it removes the fussiest manual step.

I would hesitate if I already owned a decent photo printer and Cricut cutter, or if I wanted to test third-party media and shop for cheaper consumables. The $169 model works if pre-cut shapes are enough. The $299 version is the more capable machine, but its custom outlines still stop at kiss-cut sheets. Know that boundary before paying for the blade.

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