Pre cuts are more expensive but give you such a wide variety of prints. I like them for totes and placemats...small items.I find the best buy is layer cake. You can make 4 jelly roll cuts 2 1/2 x 10, and 4 charm squares 5 x 5 and if you prefer you have a great big block of 10" for many projects. They are pretty accurately cut and this is a big plus for a beginning quilter. Good luck and welcome to the QB