[Event Report] New Product Launch Commemorative Workshop Held in Osaka!

Cricut, a cutting machine brand with over 10 million users worldwide (Japan Marketing General Manager: Ryuji Shimo Mori), held an official workshop in Osaka on June 21, 2026 (Sun) to commemorate the launch of its new products, "Cricut JoyTM 2" and "Cricut ExploreTM 5".

A workshop by ambassadors held in a vibrant venue.

Penetrating the market in 3 months since launch. Why is Cricut being chosen now?

Three months since their release in March 2026, the two next-generation models have received an unexpectedly strong response in the Japanese handmade market, with sales both online and in stores performing exceptionally well. This Osaka workshop was held to meet the enthusiastic demand from those who were "curious but wanted to see the machines in action."

Diverse needs and expectations for the machines revealed through a pre-event survey.

The pre-event survey for this Osaka workshop showed that while the most common purpose for participation (31%) was the traditional need for "enjoying DIY and crafts" and "creating original works not available commercially," lifestyle-related needs such as "handmade sales/side jobs" and "fan merchandise/decorations" were also high at 63%. This highlighted that Cricut is expected for a very wide range of purposes, from personal hobbies to business applications.

Pre-event survey results. "Purpose of participation" in the workshop.

Seeking "the right machine for me." Users' increasing seriousness.

Many participants attended with the specific goal of making concrete confirmations before purchase, such as "wanting to determine which model is right for me," "wanting to experience the speed and noise during operation," and "wanting to know what kinds of things can be cut." The venue was filled with serious expectations beyond mere interest, with attendees eager to concretely advance their creative activities.

[Event Experience] Easy with a smartphone, professional finish. Providing inspiration through demonstrations and workshops.

At the event, ambassadors demonstrated how to bring designs to life using the dedicated smartphone app "Design Space."

Cricut Joy 2

Attention focused on its compactness and the great value offered by its abundant accessories. High interest was expressed, with comments like, "This way, I can enjoy it at home without taking up much space."

Cricut Explore 5

The dramatically improved cutting speed was demonstrated. Even professional creators exclaimed in admiration at its precision and speed, saying, "Production efficiency will dramatically increase."

"Just stick it on" excitement. Achieving success with original keychain creation.

After the demonstration, participants experienced the finishing touches of "creating original keychains." After closely observing the precise cutting process as ambassadors sent data from the app to the machine, they enjoyed the process of applying the cut colorful vinyl materials to the base with their own hands. Many comments were heard, such as, "The excitement of seeing what was on the app screen instantly take shape is amazing," providing an opportunity to experience the appeal of Cricut, which allows even beginners to achieve professional-looking results without failure.

Demonstration in progress. Participants earnestly working on their creations. Original keychains made with favorite numbers.

[On-site Enthusiasm] Bonds formed through interaction with ambassadors and a solid grasp of the Japanese market.

Osaka venue's energy. Experience boosts purchase decisions.

The Osaka venue was filled with a lively atmosphere, with enthusiastic questions flying throughout. Ambassadors noted, "Customers in the Kansai region have a strong passion for talking and asking questions," leading to highly engaging interactions. Many comments were heard, such as, "I was agonizing over it for three days, but seeing it today made me decide to buy it," and "I'm going to see it at the store right after this." The hands-on experience significantly encouraged those considering a purchase.

Cricut's ecosystem and peace of mind supporting everyone from beginners to professionals.

Many attendees expressed relief, saying, "I was worried about whether I could use it after purchase, but I was reassured to learn about the workshops and the LINE consultation service." Touching upon the diverse possibilities offered by all models, including the Cricut Maker 3, such as engraving on metal plates and cutting leather and wood, participants' imaginations soared with ideas like, "This is how I would use it."

Ryuji Shimo Mori, Japan Marketing General Manager, reflects on the changing consciousness of Japanese users choosing Cricut.

At this new product launch commemorative workshop, we provided opportunities to see, touch, and experience the Cricut Joy 2, Cricut Joy Xtra, and Cricut Explore 5. The pre-event survey revealed many voices such as, "I'm considering purchasing but don't know which model is right for me," "I want to decide after actually using it," and "I want to know what kinds of things I can make." This indicated that interest in Cricut has moved beyond the "knowing about it" stage to the "wanting to choose the right machine for me" stage.

This increased interest is also reflected in sales performance. For the Cricut Joy 2 and Cricut Explore 5, sales volume in the first 90 days after launch was over 500% compared to the same period for previous models. We interpret this as a result showing that Cricut is beginning to be supported in the Japanese market as "an option that meets more specific production needs."

Furthermore, the pre-event survey results revealed, once again, consumer needs unique to Japan, such as family events, cute accessories, fan merchandise, and home decorations. At the venue, many opinions were heard about adding individuality to daily life, such as children's items, keychains, stickers, labels, and home organization accessories. On the other hand, there were also strong voices expressing a desire to "use it for handmade sales and side jobs" and "use it for creating the world view of shops and brands." "Handmade sales" was also the most frequent answer overall when asked about the content they usually view. This indicates the potential for Cricut to be used not only for hobby crafts but also for selling creations, small businesses, running classes, and brand building.

In that sense, the Joy 2 serves as an easy-to-start entry model, the Joy Xtra as a machine that expands expression for stickers, fan merchandise, and cute decorations, and the Explore 5 as a versatile and central model that widely supports home decorations and events. The Maker 3 is positioned as the flagship model that maximizes Cricut's potential for those looking to engage in sales and business applications, supporting serious production with materials like fabric, leather, and thick materials.

Through this workshop, we realized that Japanese users are not simply looking for "convenient machines," but are showing interest in Cricut with specific goals in mind: to make family and life more special, to give shape to their favorite worlds, and to expand their creation from hobby to work.

Going forward, Cricut will continue to broaden Japan's handmade and DIY culture by supporting everyone's "desire to create," from providing opportunities for beginners to start with peace of mind to supporting advanced production and sales applications.

Product Information

Cricut Joy 2

The most compact entry model. Easy to customize, ideal for practical projects for daily use. Also convenient for portability!

Cricut Joy Xtra

A full-scale craft machine compatible with A4 size. Maintains the ease of use of the Joy 2 while expanding its capabilities.

Cricut Explore 5

A powerful mid-range model capable of cutting over 100 types of materials. Cutting is surprisingly speedy! Recommended for those who want to try popular DIY projects!

Cricut Maker 3

The top-of-the-line model capable of professional-level finishes. Powerful performance capable of cutting over 300 types of materials! Also supports cutting fabric, engraving on metal, debossing leather, and more!

Retailer Information

Cricut Official Store Rakuten: https://www.rakuten.co.jp/cricut/

Cricut Official Store Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/stores/Cricut/page/211C1507-57DB-42E9-8B5A-DFB13946FEC3

Cricut Official Store Yahoo! Shopping: https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/cricutjapan/

Edion Corporation

Bic Camera Inc.

Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.

Yodobashi Camera Co., Ltd.

*Includes physical stores and the internet mail order sites listed above.

About Cricut, Inc.

Cricut is a creative platform company aiming for a world where "everyone can easily bring their ideas to life."

Centered around its flagship smart cutting machine series, "Cricut Maker," "Cricut Explore," and "Cricut Joy," it offers an "ecosystem" that combines dedicated apps, heat transfer presses, and a wide variety of materials. It precisely cuts a wide range of materials, from paper and stickers to leather and wood, allowing users to personalize everyday items with professional-quality results.

Beyond being just a machine manufacturer, Cricut supports the process of transforming individual inspiration into physical form alongside a global community of millions.

Press Releases from Cricut, Inc.

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/searchrlp/company_id/175814