Absolute Beginners guide to die-cutting. Machines-Electric/manual, size, what brand, how to choose.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2022
- my blog: www.sharoncdesign.com
I've listed a selection of the most popular die cutting machines below and some different stores to buy from covering US and UK. I have categorised them into size, and whether they are manual or electric. In my video I talked about the fact that only some machines have the wider opening to fit the steel rule blade dies. I have marked with an * all the machines that you CAN use those dies with. Hope that helps, but just leave any questions in the comments and I'll check back and answer them.
MANUAL - standard size 6"/A5
Sizzix Big Shot*
shrsl.com/3bmeq - Simon Says Stamp
shrsl.com/3bldo - Sizzix US
amzn.to/3HjwRci - Amazon
tidd.ly/3pzoC5N - Craftstash UK
shrsl.com/3bmer - Scrapbook.com US
Spellbinders Platinum 6*
shrsl.com/3l4kg - Simon Says Stamp US
tidd.ly/3ykEoFS - Craftstash UK
shrsl.com/3l4km - Scrapbook.com US
Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway*
shrsl.com/3b7mu - Simon Says Stamp US
shrsl.com/3b7mp - Sizzix US
amzn.to/3p9HcRW - Amazon
tidd.ly/fb50acec - Craftstash UK
shrsl.com/2bpqv - Scrapbook.com US
Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway Tim Holtz version*
shrsl.com/3dhyu - Simon Says Stamp US
shrsl.com/3dhyr - Sizzix US
amzn.to/3LgmFEg - Amazon
tidd.ly/3B4EOjA - Craftstash UK
shrsl.com/3dhyv - Scrapbook.com US
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MANUAL larger size 9"/A4
Sizzix Big Shot Plus*
bit.ly/2PwfCtf - Simon Says Stamp US
shrsl.com/3l4l9 - Sizzix US
amzn.to/3it6svY - Amazon
tidd.ly/d7eb9f46 - Craftstash UK
bit.ly/2Na18lq - Scrapbook.com US
Spellbinders Platinum*
shrsl.com/3l4la - Simon Says Stamp US
tidd.ly/39RfYKO - Craftstash UK
shrsl.com/3l4ld - Scrapbook.com US
Tonic Tangerine
tidd.ly/39RfYKO - Craftstash UK
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ELECTRIC standard size 6"/A5
Sizzix Big Shot Express*
shrsl.com/2n6je - Simon Says Stamp US
shrsl.com/3l4lw - Sizzix US
amzn.to/2HDtCD8 - Amazon
tidd.ly/36aQ2VQ - Craftstash UK
shrsl.com/2n6jp - Scrapbook.com US
Crafters Companion Gemini Junior
shrsl.com/3l4m0 - Simon Says Stamp US
tidd.ly/3NnCnNm - Craftstash UK
shrsl.com/3l4m2 - Scrapbook.com US
Crafts Too Kaleido*
tidd.ly/39PuZgl - Craftstash UK
Anna Griffin Express
shrsl.com/3l4m4 - Scrapbook.com US
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ELECTRIC larger size 9"/A4
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus (white)*
shrsl.com/3cor9 - Simon Says Stamp US
shrsl.com/3cor7 - Sizzix US
amzn.to/3qM2fdQ - Amazon
tidd.ly/3HhbcBH - Craftstash UK
shrsl.com/3cori - Scrapbook.com
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Tim Holtz version (black)*
shrsl.com/3corq - Simon Says Stamp US
shrsl.com/3corp - Sizzix US
amzn.to/32kPrlj - Amazon
tidd.ly/33DihhC - Craftstash UK
shrsl.com/3cors - Scrapbook.com US
Couture Creations GoPower & Emboss
tidd.ly/3OFdoX5 - Craftstash UK
Crafters Companion Gemini
shrsl.com/3l4mb - Simon Says Stamp US
shrsl.com/3l4mc - Scrapbook.com US
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MINI machines
Sizzix Sidekick
shrsl.com/3corq - Simon Says Stamp US
shrsl.com/3corp - Sizzix US
amzn.to/32kPrlj - Amazon
tidd.ly/33DihhC - Craftstash UK
shrsl.com/3cors - Scrapbook.com US
Crafters Companion Gemini Mini
shrsl.com/3l4mf - Simon Says Stamp US
tidd.ly/3nkwnKM - Craftstash UK
shrsl.com/3l4mj - Scrapbook.com
Altenew Mini Blossom
shrsl.com/3l4mk - Altenew
tidd.ly/39TO012 - Craftstash UK
We R Memory Keepers Revolution
shrsl.com/3l4mo - Scrapbook.com
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I have a discount code for Sizzix UK, www.sizzix.co.uk. Sharon15 will get you a discount (excludes sale items and craft boxes)
Disclosure
I am a freelance designer for Sizzix, so all Sizzix products will have been sent to me free of charge as part of my design work. All other products have been purchased by myself unless stated otherwise. I only use products I genuinely love, and wouldn't recommend anything I don't personally use. My videos are not sponsored or paid for, I share ideas and tutorials because I enjoy doing so.
Affiliate links are used where available (at no cost to you). - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Card making is one of my favorite hobbies. I've never used a die cutter, but your video has convinced me that I can step up my work immensely if I get one. You seemed to answer every question I have about which machine will be the best investment for me. I am excited about the crafting journey ahead and want to thank you for sharing your knowledge. Craft On!!
It sure will! You are going to have a grand time
This was very helpful. Thank you. I will be purchasing a new machine for the first time very soon. You mentioned doing more beginner videos. I'm very interested in dry embossing using stencils. I don't have a lot of money and I'm very interested in ways to get the maximum use out of the products I have. I've been afraid of venturing into die cutting because of the cost of all the dies but the dry embossing is very enticing to me. I hope you will consider a video on embossing with stencils.
This video is great and I sure wish I would have one couple of years ago when I started after retiring from teaching Math.
I ended up with a couple of die cutting machines AND an embossing one….lol
I’m old enough to remember when Elision came out with the “beast” at school.
I’m from a small town so we only had 2 alphabets for many years before adding very simple shapes. Since I was friends with the librarian (where the machine was kept) I knew how expensive the dies and machine were!!
If I am correct she received the Ellison in early 90’s….maybe late 80’s.
We were fascinated with it at first. Remember, we had to trace letters and fussy cut prior to our Ellison…lol
I’m really telling my age!😊
I had NO idea these were the same machines because we referred to it as the Elision and again I rarely used it after the first couple of years.
I’m pretty sure the Elementary teachers were the ones that used it more than Junior and Senior High School teachers.
I was “blown away “ to find out how far the machines and dies evolved because our school still has the original Ellison and dies!!!!
I remember how we were told the cost therefore warned about caring for the machine and dies…lol
I’m just rambling…..
Your information is excellent and I am certain will be very helpful for others before buying!!
I learned a few things from you too!!
Thank you ☺️
I’m brand new to die cutting. Your video and your gift of clear concise explanation provided me with all the info and demos I needed to make an informed choice. You are a treasurer.
Thank you for this video. I have just started card making and have been very confused on what to buy. This has helped me so much, looking forward to watching more of your videos.
Thank you so much! This is exactly what I needed. 😊 Have a wonderful day.
Thank you so much for the overview of the machines! It helped me so much to make my decision on which one to purchase.
Really helpful - thanks 😊
excellent informative video, thank you!
Thank you so much!
This was very helpful to me because I am a beginner and it’s very overwhelming - thank you so much. Mary
Thank you so much for such a great explanation, Sharon!!! Few years ago my brother in law gifted me a Sizzix Big Shot Plus and I have to say it: the best gift I've ever received! So versatile, so useful, so good! (At first I was a bit scared, because of the size, but found it very proper at the second use! :) ) Definitely agree with you and thank you again!!!
Greatly appreciate you for providing this video! It was great and answered so many of my questions; it certainly helped me in making an informed decision about which machine to purchase. Your information was very clear and concise! I retired a year ago and began tapping into my creativity. I am feeling empowered and excited. Thank you so much!
Thank you, this was very helpful. I'm as green as they come, and I've been wanting to start with a manual machine to cut fabric and vinyl. You've provided a terrific primer.
Fantastic information covered everything I needed to know thank you
Thank you! This was incredibly helpful!
Thank you, I have been watching all your die cutting videos! I have purchased a used Big Shot and cant wait to get started!
This was really really helpful thank you so much
Thank you so much for this explanation of the types and choices of die machines on the market! It was clearer than you seem to think it was. Great insights for consideration. I kept taking notes on other video channels, but your summary under the video with the links was so good!!
Thank you! I needed this!
Thank you! I just got a Big Shot and needed this very information to help me launch into some crafting!
This was a very good video thank you I learned so much 😊
Great video! Just what I needed. I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos on my crafting journey with my Big Shot Plus
This is very helpful, thank you. Just subscribed.
Perfect video!! Thanks a lot 🤩
Thank you so much for all this information! it's very helpful, as I am a beginner. Please keep posting:)
Thank you SO much!! This was so helpful and informative!! You helped me make my decision!! This was a great video!
Thank you Sharon, now I know why the CC bronze die wouldn't cut in the Big Shot :)
Thank you so much for this! I'm looking into getting a die cutting machine to add some pizzazz to my illustrations but have absolutely no idea where to start. This definitely helped;
I am so thankful or this fabulous information. I was going into this completely blind and was going g to just but the big 9 inch one. Now I see it's totally not what I am looking for. Thanks again! I will be watching your other videos.
I am just starting Sharon, and I am overwhelmed :) I have sizzix big shot black machine.
Thank you 🙂
Thank you!!!!
Thank you so much
Thank you!
Gracias por tu explicación, casi me aclaras todas mis dudas. Hago tarjetas repujadas y tengo tres maquinas de diferente tamaños de acuerdo a los tamaños de los folders. Mi maquina A4, no es muy fuerte y quisiera comprar una nueva no se por cual decidirme entre manual o eléctrica, que me aconsejarias? Gracias!!!!
Thank you so much for this explanation! Are the embossing folders and the cartridges the same thing ? I definitely wasn’t to get a machine the will do this thickness . Thanks Stacey
no, the folders are for embossing, the Big dies are for cutting a variety of materials (they can cut leather, fabric, mount board, craft metal and several layers of card).
Thank you very very much. Just a quick question as I’m a complete novice doing research: there’s a brand model called ‘Bira’. Have you heard of/ used it? I was particularly interested because it has an adjustable mouth-depth size!! xx
I've seen it online, never used it. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't spend that kind of money on a brand I don't know. Sizzix and Spellbinders have been around a very long time, and are market leaders in what they do. They are trusted brands, with a very good reputation. Other companies have previously come out with this concept of adjustable machines and I didn't find any of them that great. It's very easy to adjust your plates to get the pressure you need.
This was so helpful for me. I've been trying to figure this out on my own so can't thank you enough. I do have a question, is the primary use to make cards more easily? It seems like this would really make it quicker than pulling out a cricut all the time to emboss or cut things out?
I find using dies much more satisfying than using a Cricut (I do own a Cricut but only use it for vinyl). The whole process of using software etc just puts me off using it for card making. I also much prefer the way a die kind of rounds of the edge of card as opposed to the straight cut you get from a blade.
What about the the brother scan and cut?
I’m just starting to make cards. Spend afternoon with friend using her Stampin Up Embosser/Die Cutter, the regular one that came out in 2021. I noticed you didn’t mention that brand or the Cricut. Can you offer any info on either of those? You did mention some dies are larger than 6 inches so what machines would work for that, on card stock?
Hi Connie, I didn’t mention the Cricut because an electric machine that links to computer software is a totally different thing to a machine that uses dies. I do have a Cricut, and use it mainly for making stickers and T-shirts, but I’m very much a beginner with it and don’t use it much. The older Stampin Up machine was a Sizzix Big Shot, but I haven’t seen the new model in real life, or used it so that’s why I didn’t mention it.
For larger dies, over 9 inches, there are a few machines - for manual, the Spellbinders Platinum, the Sizzix Big Shot, for electric the Big Shot Switch, the larger Gemini from Crafters Companion.
The video was very informative. I have 2 “off” brands, 1-6”, 1-9”. They both work ok, but I’ve never used one that is “brand name, sizzix, cricut, or spellbinders. My question is when buying 1 machine, for scrapbooking and eventually card making, which size is the best investment? 6” or 9”? I will be going with the sizzix.
I have another video on this actually, I'd say for cardmaking the 6" in sufficient, but if you are only going to have one machine, then you might want to go for the larger machine then you are covered if you want to use bigger dies or embossing folders.
Hi sharon how can I get the instructions for the big shot on the plates showing how to use my sheet and plates been lost.
Regards.
Glenn.
Well if you’ve lost the plates and platform you can get replacements from Sizzix.
I have a big shot, a big shot fold for travel. A crossover by cheery Lynn, I did have a vagabond but it died, in the beginning I had a wizard , big kick. Basically I've stuck with Sizzix, now, I have a 6" thin die adapter plate that is defective. It keeps getting chewed up on the sides. I cannot get a replacement only extended adapters. I've tried sanding the adapter I have but it still gets chewed up. I've been crafting 30+ years so, I'm not happy Sizzix tells me they don't have a replacement. I live in Canada. Call me frustrated
Watch Jenny mguire how to save your plates absolutely brilliant!!
Do the thinlet dies cut leather with the big shot?
no, you need Bigz dies to cut something thick like leather.
Can you cut 300gsm watercolor paper with the Big Shot the A5 size?
Yes you can 👍
@@sharoncurtis oh perfect! Thank you very much for taking the time to answer.
LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER AS TO WHAT THE METAL TRANSFER SHEET IS FOR AND WHAT IT DOES AND HOW TO USE IT
I'm not entirely sure what you mean?
I'm trying to use my machine for the first time and I'm using a 3 d texture, and it won't go through, I feel if I continue it will Crack or break, not sure what to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Susan, first of all, make sure the sandwich is correct (for Sizzix 3D folders it's base platform, then the folder, then just one cutting pad on top). Next thing, try and place the folder half way down the platform, not too close to the front as you feed it through, then last thing, try and angle it just slightly so it feeds through the folders at a slight angle. You can also try feeding it bottom first (ie. so the hinge goes through last). It should work hinge first, but if you're struggling that may help. If it's not a Sizzix folder, then you'll need to play around with plate combinations because I do find different brands vary.
I think what I really want is a neighbour with a crikut😂
I guess it depends on what type of crafting you do. I have a Cricut but don't use it at all for paper crafting, just for vinyl. I much prefer the nice rounded edges you get with dies for my cardmaking, I feel it looks more professional. I also feel I spend enough time on the computer generally, so don't want to use a computer when I'm crafting, but everyone is different.
I subscribed! You didn’t talk too much….lol
haha thank you, that other comment made me laugh so much I decided not to delete it ;)
Thank you. Very helpful. I appreciate the time you took to prepare and present this video and also that you included mention and comparisons of other brands besides Sizzix.
Thank you!