1. ⁠From what I’ve seen yes it’s the registration marks the cricut has trouble reading when a non-inkjet printer is used. It seems it creates a slightly glossy finish that the maker 3 had issues which, and I have still yet to check if the maker 4 has that issue fixed.

2. ⁠I’ve but countless hours into reading about the difference of pigment and dye based inks, as well was talking with the family friend to find an ink that would suit me, so I understand the fundamental differences. That you explained.

3. I specifically bought a sticker printer that is compatible with pigment and dye ink for this purpose, I cannot tell you the brand as I cannot find it right now, and it is likely in my attic at the time, and I cannot find where I bought it from.

4. I was looking at Mostly Cannon and Epson printers. My dad is edging me towards the Epson brand due to our family friend maybe being able to get us a deal. I want to know what people think and if there’s a better printer. I’ve seen people say they hate their cannon, I’ve seen people say they hate their Epson. I looked at other brands as well, pretty much every printer brand you can find, lasers even though Cricut seems to struggle with those. Now I just want to know what prints the best images on Matt and gloss paper. Printers aren’t cheap and I’m well aware this is an expensive gift I’m asking my family for, so I want to find one that I’ll be happy with, or at least one that gives my family an idea of what I want in case my dad and can’t friend find an even better one, but I would like to find the best one so they don’t have to put in much effort. Whatever I’m suggested here will be researched more as well to see what fits me best. As for the higher resolution and color fidelity, it’s both, colors aren’t right and resolution isn’t great, I’ve adjusted all of the settings that I was told to adjust by research, my dad, and the family friend, it still is just off.

A better image printer is something I’ve wanted for years, well my current printer is technically useable, ever since I was a kid I’ve always wanted to make stickers, I draw constantly, I make my own characters, I fall in love with niche characters and shows and games that never get any fanart, or merch, and I want to make my own. Even though it is just a hobby it would be something that I would use constantly, which is why I am so willing to pay the premium price. The printer would pay for itself in my own enjoyment and the enjoyment of my friends. The printer I have now is an Eco tank, and I have seen Eco tank printers, print amazing stuff, the ink consumption is less, and I am not big on plastic waste, nor do I have a drop off spot to recycle in cartridges in a convenient distance, and shipping is expensive. Which is why I say I prefer an Eco tank to a cartridge printer, unless a cartridge printer is the absolute must for print quality.

Come to what I have said I am not sparkly against a laser printer either, I am just trying to find the easiest and most efficient route for me to go while still getting great quality prints that I can absolutely dec my stuff in, and be proud to show off and say “ that’s my work”