Hiya, Cath here!
I’m pretty sure that every single crafter has some sort of cutting machine.
When I first started scrapping I had no idea what these were and so had to scour the internet to find out which was the best and I also asked friends and tried a few out before I actually bought one. My first die cutter was a Quickutz and although I no longer have it I do think they are pretty fabulous, very versatile and extremely portable. To be honest, although I don’t do it very often, I do find that printing and cutting out with my trusty craft scissors is fun and very therapeutic. Personally I now have a Cricut (I should use this more!) which is pretty amazing and I love it. I have also just invested in a Cuttlebug and must admit to being totally obsessed with the little embossing folders they produce.
Anyway, with so many on the market I thought I would do a small piece on all the different ones available. I’m sure I have missed a few out with there being so many out there! Let us know what you use and what you love about it!
Craft Robo
The Craft Robo is a personal die cutting machine and also a plotter. It looks much like a very small inkjet printer and connects to a computer via a USB cable. The cutter is controlled by a driver and drawing software (ROBO Master) provided with the machine. ROBO Master is a vector drawing/editing program which enables you to create vector shapes and text for output to the cutter. Vector objects can also be imported from other sources (eg. the internet!). You do need a PC to operate this machine.
Cricut
The Cricut personal electronic cutter is the future of home crafting. Simply by touching a button. Cricut can cut beautiful designs and alphabets for card making, scrapbooking, and paper crafting. No computer is required, just plug it in.
With the original Cricut place your favorite cartridge in your Cricut and choose from over 250 designs in 12 different sizes; ranging from 1" to 5-1/2"!
Also introducing the Cricut Expression, an exciting new way to cut letters, shapes, and phrases in impressive sizes using the 12" x 24" mat or the 12" x 12" mat.
The good thing is that BOTH models use the same cartridge and the same blade housing and blade.
Slice
The slice is a new portable die cutting machine from Making Memories. Go check out the cool vids here –
http://www.youtube.com/profile_video_blog?user=makingmemories123
It’s due to be released in July 2008.
Sizzix and Sidekick
The Sizzix Personal Die-Cutter is ideal for all crafters and provides a convenient, at-home solution for small die-cutting and embellishing. The easy-to-use machine is great for teens and adults and will cut through a wide variety of materials including paper, fabric and rubber. Discover the creative potential of Sizzix. The Sizzix Personal Die-Cutter is designed for use with Sizzix Dies. All three sizes of Sizzix Dies work in this machine--Small, Medium and Large. However you can buy a converter for it and use other dies in this machine.
The sidekick - Weighs only two pound, but die-cuts all Sizzlits. Also embosses instant, elegant images with specially formatted Sidekick Folders. Die-cuts single sheets of lightweight paper to cardstock. Also embosses paper, cardstock and thin metallic foil.
Sizzix Bigkick
The Sizzix Bigkick Diecut Machine is Sizzix's largest personal diecut machine to hit the market. This easy to use machine is a great stepping stone from the original Sizzix Machine and only lacks features of the Electronic Cutters. As far as price vs. functionality, it is a winner but in a market with hard to compete with products like the Cricut Electronic Cutter and Expression Machine.
Compared to all other non-electric cutters, the Sizzix BigKick is a definite must have. Its larger rollers and base make it a little less portable than the smaller machines but once you have it to your destination, you are going to love the extra size.
In this crafter's opinion, if you have the money, this machine will be well worth it and you will love the results you get from purchasing it... take a chance, you may just find your new best friend.
Quickutz Squeeze
The QuicKutz Squeeze hand tool takes the muscle work out of portable die cutting. With its long, sleek handles, it does most of the work for you—all you have to do is squeeze. Squeeze is the most portable die-cutting machine on the market, weighing in at under 3 lbs., so you can take it everywhere you go.
Squeeze is by far the sassiest, most stylish personal die-cutting tool on the market. Its brushed metal finish and slender, sleek design give it a unique look you can be proud to carry with you to scrapbooking events! But don't let its fashionable look deceive you! Squeeze is also built-to-last! With no cheap, plastic parts and a lifetime service commitment, you have a friend for life!
Quickutz revolution
The sleek new Revolution tool creates cutting edge QuicKutz designs in a snap! Larger 4-inch dies snap into place on a magnetic platform and spin through the Revolution to create BIG die cut letters, shapes and new ShortKutz™... See more » The sleek new Revolution tool creates cutting edge QuicKutz designs in a snap! Larger 4-inch dies snap into place on a magnetic platform and spin through the Revolution to create BIG die cut letters, shapes and new ShortKutz™ phrases! Revolution dies are durable, lightweight and thinner than a credit card. The Revolution tool is also durable and compact with a footprint of only 5x7 inches! The Revolution Tool is compatible with all other QuicKutz dies.
Big shot
Big dies. Big technology. Big-time compatibility. That's the Big Shot. It works 100% with your current Sizzix product library, and is 40% lighter and 20% wider than the original Sizzix Machine. Now that's a big deal, even for a Big Shot.
Silhouette
The Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter gives you instant access to your entire digital design collection, the power to transform designs anywhere from 1/4 inch to 8 inches tall and will allow you to cut any TrueType font on your computer all without any cartridges or CDs to lose, damage or store!
Cuttlebug
Provo Craft is one of the leaders in the paper crafting industry and is hands down the most innovative when it comes to new variety diecut systems. The Provo Craft Cuttlebug has hit a home run with the coupling of portability and durability with creativity and ingenuity. The Cuttlebug diecut machine is one of the machines that is worth the expense and will keep being one of the more used machines... no buyer's remorse here! The embossing folders are untouched by competitors and the price of expanding your collection is far from intimidating. All in all, a good buy, a great product and an excellent selection of dies and folders.
Wizard
This newly redesigned machine allows crafters to cut with a variety of dies from other manufacturers, as well as cut and emboss with Spellbinders Embossing and Cutting Dies. The machine is also capable of embossing any brass stencil as well as a variety of charms and other findings. The Wizard Embossing and Die Cutting System includes two White Master Mats, a White Spacer Plate, a Tan Emboss Pad, and a Universal Cut Mat.
Xyron
Resize any shape three times to compliment layout or craft - 6lb weight, no PC required, shape books have virtually no weight or mass - All actions activated by touch buttons - Select multiple shapes at once, cut together - Most shapes can be layered or combined with other shapes for ultimate creativity - Built in breakaway features allow rough handling; trays store tightly and securely - Safety measures never allow the blade to come in contact with hands - children or adults Affordable. Basic set includes the cutting unit, non-transferring adhesive cutting mat, two design books, one complete alphabet set (upper, lower, numbers, and punctuation) and one book of standard shapes.
Reviews –
http://www.scrapjazz.com/topics/Techniques/Die_Cuts/
Thankyou for reading my LONG post
Cath xx
Very informative ...
I started with a Quickutz Squeeze, graduated to the Revolution and have a PhD in the new Black and Pink Bigshot!!! LOL Personally I love the quickutz dies and think the Cuttlebug folders are out of this world! :D
Although I see the fascination in the Cricut I like something that is not electronically based ... something that can be done out on the balcony during the summer! :D
Posted by: Eleni Gratsia | March 28, 2008 at 06:59 AM
Well what a wonderful post - so interesting and so well put together. I particularly like the Slice - want - want - want!!!
Thank you Cath x
Posted by: Marie | March 28, 2008 at 05:04 PM