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Having a die cut machine that can be used for a variety of applications is the best thing that you can buy if you want to use your creativity for practical purposes. You can use this to design accessories for parties , style wedding favors and create decorations with your own materials. This may also be used to render photo albums in a more stylistic way. Such a machine can be also used for DIY project creation, posters, stickers, reports and what not. This device will be needed if your business’ activity implies making decorations from paper, carton, card and other materials. More importantly, it makes your work easier, more efficient and it helps you work faster. This device facilitates the entire process, whether you’re into the die cutting for fun or for profit. You no longer have to work hard to cut all kinds of fabrics and materials. You’re also not going to be limited to a particular shape anymore.
Here are a few of the reasons why a die cutting machine can help you be more creative and work more efficiently:
- It can cut materials that you might need for scrapbooks and artwork
- It is great for making business cards
- It is ideal fr both small and large projects
- It can be used by both professional and beginner users
- It can usually cut through hard materials
Have you ever felt frustrated by complicated, complex forms of blades and knives? You never get the way you want, right? You don’t have to take the time and energy to do this without the proper tools. Is purchasing a die cutting machine more expensive than using traditional cutting tools? Actually, not really. Your cash is well invested as efficiency is improved. Through time, what you can do will mark the difference.
If you are looking for such equipment for your daily work or for your hobby, but you don’t really know what are the features that would be more suitable for your needs, you need to see the below products. We have selected some of the best-selling products on the market, highlighted their pros and cons and looked at the main elements that make a difference. Check them out below.
#1: Cricut 2000293 Cuttlebug Machine
Cricut Cuttlebug is also known to be the strongest slicing tool for beginners. It is a cracking machine. In reality, it contains a strong system that enables you to cut and print forms like a pro. On the other side, though, it uses a manual rolling process, so you must be ready to use some power to slice the pieces.
Luckily, the versatility of this miniature device is great. Yes, it accommodates a broad range of dies and can work on different art materials. Are you a frequent traveler? do you like to take your cutting machine with you occasionally? Thanks to its lightweight profile (fold-n-store), this device can be the best company. In addition, it has a pop-up handle that enables you to easily carry it anywhere. It is easy to understand why for several years Cuttlebugger has controlled the area of inexpensive machines. Once you put your hands on it, you will understand the variety of benefits that it brings.
The best way of using this die cutter is to make a kind of sandwich with a die or file in the spacer and cutting pads. The concept is therefore, that this “sandwich” rolls through the device and you need to grab its handle. Fortunately, Provo Craft turned it into a well-crafted handle, which is also very robust, apart from being smooth and easy to use. Additionally, you can always use the tool from either side, so that the handle suits perfectly, whether you’re left or right-handed. Therefore, anyone could use this tool to enjoy cutting and embossing. Yeah, even the little ones will be safe when using it. You only have to note that the materials that can be used with this device has a 6-inch limit. And the thickness limit is also 1/8 inch.
Pros
- It is small sized and practical
- It has a portable design
- It has a gorgeous shape
- It can be used with most dies
- It is easy to use
- It is capable to emboss leather, paper, foils etc.
- It has a pop-up handle
- It is inexpensive
- It includes cutting pads
Cons
- It doesn’t work for intricate dies
- THIS IS THE BRAND NEW IMPROVED VERSION of addi King Size Extended Edition with new improved mechanical row counter.
- This awesome starter kit contains enough yarn for your first project - a trendy Summer Loop Scarf. The detailed instruction can be found in...
- The Set Contains: Knitting Machine including 5 replacement needles, 1 threading tool, 2 stoppers, 4 feet, 2 clampers, yarn
#2: Sizzix 660425 Big Shot Machine
This is a little die cutter, built to kick above his weight, as his name implies: “Big Shot.” The manual cutter features a6-inch opening which is just enough to execute some basic tasks, albeit not the biggest we’ve ever seen. Maybe the user friendly nature of the Sizzix is one thing that makes this very famous. It can be used by anyone! You only have a few simple steps to follow to place the material you want to cut between its sheets and choose the right thickness. Then you just put the product through the machine and it does everything need in order to start cutting.
The easy-to-turn handle is another feather on the top of this mechanical die cutter. The handle is ergonomic and its covers can easily be converted when operating on lightweight materials. But, when presented with rugged fabrics like leather and artisan iron, it is a little hard to turn. The Big Shot is known for its sleek compactness and the ability to handle a large range of materials. So you can be confident you get the job done, whether you focus on home accessories, scrapbook pages, altered paintings, quilting, clothing or single-style cards. A pair of cutting pads and an extended table are next to the unit itself. Due to this advanced model, the device is smaller than normal, a big advantage when you plan to bring it to your next crafts event.
Another attractive feature of this machine is that it can accommodate various types of dies. It even helps you to use Acquiquilt, QuicKut, or even Spellbinders. But you should remember that the6-inch aperture on this device is only suitable for small dies. You can consider upgrading your bigger brother, the Big Shot Pro, if you want bigger dies.
Pros
- It is beautifully designed
- It has a practical shape
- It is easy to use
- It has a reasonable price
- It includes a wide product library
- It is great at paper and fabric cutting
- It can use all kinds of dies
- It is portable
Cons
- Its crank handle has a rather weak screw
- This die-cutting and embossing machine is the perfect tool for a range of creative pursuits for everyone from the beginner to expert!...
- Die-cuts and embosses many different materials up to 6" (15.24 cm) wide. Compatible with the entire Sizzix product library including Bigz,...
- The Big Shot Machine measures approximately 40 x 29 x 24 cm (14 1/4" x 12 3/8" x 6 5/8") and weighs 4.52 Kg (7.50 lb).
#3: Spellbinders PL-001 Platinum Cut & Emboss Machine
The only words to describe perfectly what this handbook die cutter are all about is strength and beauty. The PL-001 is capable of accommodating a wide range of die-cells, from dies in steel to dies in water. It is designed so that a wide range of dies including those made by competitor Sizzix can be accommodated.
The exterior of the unit is typically made of plastic and of solid steel on the inside. And while it’s superior and solid, it’s a bit heavy as well. It is less compact because of this added weight and therefore less desirable than other smaller ones. Nevertheless, the extra weight comes with an added slicing force. It should also be remembered that this characteristic can be quite practical in some circumstances. Therefore this tool definitely offers a good substitute if you are worried that a manual die cutter can not make deep and accurate cuts.
This is in fact one of the few devices that can easily cross tens of materials as efficiently as a strong knife. It can actually cut up to 8 layers in a single cut in some situations, particularly if you use steel rules.
Pros
- It is durable
- It has a strong and sturdy construction
- It can cut through leather
- It can be used with a wide variety of materials
- It has a nice design
- It makes deep and precise cuts
- It can cut up to 8 layers of fabric
Cons
- It is not a good fit for 6-inch plates
- Created with a Solid steel core construction, it effortlessly cuts up to eight layers in a single pass
- Machine can cut over 40 different materials including wool, Balsa wood, chipboard, craft metal, leather and so much more some heavier...
- Machine can be used with most standard Wafer thin/etched dies, embossing folders, texture plates, and Contour steel rule dies
#4: Silhouette Portrait 2
The Silhouette Portrait 2, released in May 2017, is characterized by its competitive price. This is surely one of the best options for die-cutting devices with a budget of well under 200 dollars. The electronic device has Studio Designer technology that enables you to quickly and efficiently build and change your designs. With this machine, the only flaw we could pick was its reduction in cuts of below 210 grams. Therefore, you want to stop using it to remove heavy items such as leather or balsa wood. On the other side, plastic, tissue paper, craftsmanship foam and lightweight material are pretty good for handling. What if you don’t plan to cut some heavy-duty components for expensive equipment? The Portrait 2 is certainly a great deal for you if you are a beginner who is looking to make a few amazing craft from the comfort of your home.
In order to supplement everything, this die cutter features the PXScan technology that enables you to print photos with your smartphone. This is, of course, a useful feature for newbies and anyone who does not have to spend all day making art crafts.
Pros
- It is nicely designed
- It is practical
- It is inexpensive
- It can cut light materials with ease
- It is great at cutting 10 feet of lined fabric
- It has 24 colored pens
- It has free software
- It works in offline mode
- It has bluetooth compatibility
- It offers great value for money
- It is an electronic die cutting machine
Cons
- It doesn’t feature dual carriage
- Silhouette Portrait 3 with Bluetooth and autoblade
- Cuts a variety of materials including: cardstock, fabric, heat transfer material, transparencies, paper, vellum, adhesive vinyland magnet...
- Mac and PC compatible software included
Questions
What are the main things to consider when buying a die cut machine?
There are several things that one should consider when looking to buy a die cut machine. Durability is one of them. If there is one quality that matches the best die cutting machine goods, it is durability. It has to be designed for long term use if you want to use the device extensively. Nevertheless, even the longest lasting die cutters will not last unless they are used correctly. Also, a good die cut machine has to be simple to use. Even the most powerful die cutter is useless if it is not accessible to you. It is not about skills just a good die cutter. It also has to be easy to use. The faster the die cutter is, the more effective it will be.
Such a machine’s capacity is equally important. Even the most basic die cutter can be used for various art creation. If you are a novice, you should first go with a basic die cutter. An automated die cutter would be ideal if you are experienced or want more features, or need to use them for business purposes. Keep in mind that you should choose a machine that has powerful software if you want great results. Good technology simplifies the development of different forms and models. You should also note the different capabilities and functionality of the software installed on these machines.
Last, but not least, think of portability and size. The bigger the die cutter, the greater the designs that you can work on. Its weight won’t be a problem if you won’t move the unit. Yet search for a more compact die cutters if you plan to carry it around. Nevertheless, the smaller units are not as distinctive.
What are the main types of die cut machines?
When buying a die cut machine you can choose between 3 models and technologies: manual, digital or electronic. The most reliable units are mechanical die cutters. But more work is required, more energy and effort from your side. You must be completely present when working with one of these. Usually the die sandwich is put in the unit. Flip the lever and hold it and turn until the die has been set.
The digital die cutter is more costly than the manual die cutter but there is less stress for you. You place the die sandwich in the machine as if with a manual die cutter. The device does the job instead of spinning and grinding. The most costly are electronic or computerized die cutters. These typically have a software and graphics installed in. You are capable of producing different models. Also, they are capable to operate at different speeds. You need very little physical effort for electronic die cutters. It is also accurate, flexible and simple to use.
What are the advantages of die cut machines?
De cut machines, by comparison to traditional cutting mechanisms or tools, are much more efficient, safe and easy to use. They have plenty of advantages besides the obvious. For instance, they are capable of cutting in different sizes and models. They work with paper, card stick and all kinds of thicker materials. What is even more impressive about these machines is that they don’t only cut, but also emboss. Giving the fact that most die cut machines emboss and cut, you will not need a second device for that. If you are a DIY enthusiast and you like to make your own scrapbooks, quilts, cards, stamps and what not, then it is time to buy yourself one of these devices.
Conclusions
Sure, every die cutter has its own advantages and disadvantages on the market. If you look carefully, though, many devices are producing a bit higher performance than anticipated. These are the types of devices that we have included in our list of top machine evaluations. Therefore, we hope you will find here a system that will fulfill your exact requirements whatever your taste and desires.
The manual die cutting machines work as a cookie cutter since the cutting process that is used to slice the specified material needs to be purchased separately in the unit. It is available in all types, sizes and styles. This kind of device operates with a pre loaded cartridge of designs or with a program that helps you to import designs from using special software.
But for any DIY or small business, both are simple and incredibly useful. You can now make your own creations by using these flexible devices instead of charging a lot for particular artists or manufacturers. In reality, most artists, craftsmen and designers use die cuts to do some perfect and amazing work.