Here is a list of the big tools/machines that I use for all of my DIY projects and crafting. I do A LOT of research before purchasing an item so the stuff I have, I really like and works for me and my set up.

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PRINTER: Canon IX6820
I have owned two printers in the Canon IX series and love them. They’re affordable (usually around $200), print up to 13×19, and does what it needs to do quickly. It’s not as “fancy” as the pro photo printers but I print photos on this printer just fine. I also print iron-ons, cards, stickers, and pretty much anything on this printer. I run it probably more than the average person and it’s been going strong since I bought it in 2017. There doesn’t seem to be a newer model out yet, but when there is, I plan on buying it. The downside is the ink cost, as with any printer.

CRAFTING MACHINE: Cricut Explore Air 2
When Cricut released the “air” versions (wireless), it was a game changer to not have to use a cord to connect my laptop. While there’s the new Cricut Maker on the market, I found I haven’t needed it since I don’t thicker materials. On my Cricut Air 2 I’ve made almost every paper project imaginable. It will cut cereal-box-thick cardboard so I’ve made custom boxes, banners, Instax frames, you name it. I’ve had a hard time with it cutting glossy stickers correctly and consistently, so the print-cut feature could be improved on IMO.

WIRE-O BINDING MACHINE: Akiles Wiremac 31
This is by far the best investment in “machinery” that I’ve made. I make and sell calendars and planners as part of my business and this very affordable manual wire-o binding machine that I bought in 2006 is still the one I use today, 14 years later, to bind my calendars and planners. I debated over getting a manual one versus the electric one, but didn’t want to shell out money for the electric one. Turns out manual is the way to go. I’ve only had to replace the sand paper gripping strip on the wire-closer part but other than that, it’s still going strong.

PAPER CUTTER (BASIC): XACTO Guillotine Style Plastic Paper Trimmer
I’ve had this paper cutter for about 10 years and just now is it starting to show signs of not being able to cut as well. I like that it’s light weight and can easily throw it on the top shelf in my office so my kids don’t touch it.

HEAVY DUTY PAPER CUTTER: QMC 1200E Heavy Duty Paper Cutter
Everyone who does paper crafting needs a heavy duty paper cutter. They don’t sell this model anymore, but honestly there’s probably a better one out there anyway. I paid only $200 for it in 2009 so it is worth it if you need cut reams at a time. However it’s not accurately down to the 1/16″ as I’d like it to be, but for rough cuts it has saved me HOURS of cutting. I use it primarily to cut sheets in half when I make my smaller planners.

DRAWING TABLET: WACOM INTUOS PRO
The model that I have isn’t available anymore (the non-wireless version), but the latest drawing tablet from Wacom is the Intuous Pro. My graphic design teacher recommended the Wacom brand back in 2005 and I’ve only used their products ever since and they’ve yet to disappoint. It’s a must for illustrating/drawing vector art (which I do a lot of) and great for certain computer games haha.

LAMINATOR: FELLOWES SATURN
I bought this laminator on Black Friday for a nice discount many years ago and it’s still going strong. The main thing I look for in a laminator is whether it can heat up enough to laminate card stock inside a 5mil pouch without too much of a gap around the edges. This one has done well every time and I use it to laminate covers for my planners. I purchased another brand as a backup in case the Fellowes one ever failed, but it didn’t laminate card stock well at all so I gave it away.

HEAT PRESS: HPN Black Series 9″ x 12″ High Pressure Heat Press Machine
I decided to bypass the Cricut EasyPress and go for a regular swing-away heat press for my HTV and other transfer material. I’m glad I did because I found that the pressure matters a lot when doing HTV and I like the ability to adjust the pressure. I love this HPN heat press. The footprint is small since its only a 9×12 plate. I do sometimes wish I had a larger plate so I wouldn’t have to press larger items twice, but you can’t beat the size.