Die cuts are simply a shape cut out of paper. These machines are useful to so many people; scrapbookers, card makers, crafters, teachers, parents, stampers, paper crafters, artists, Scout leaders and more! Creative possibilities with die cuts have come a long way in the last few years, and so have the machines we use to cut them. Used to be if you wanted a die cut, you either cut it out with scissors yourself or were limited to buying them already designed & cut. We now have many more choices.
Should you buy a die cut machine? That is personal decision that should be based on how you would use it, as is which machine you should choose. You basically can choose between the manual machines and the electric machines.
Manual machines include names such as Sizzix Sidekick or Big Shot, Quickut Squeeze - Revolution or Evolution 6, Spellbinders Wizard, Provo Craft Cuttlebug, Zip-e-mate, Bosskut. You need to purchase dies for these machines, one for each shape you want to cut out. To get your die cuts using these machines you either have to push, press, punch, ratchet, or crank the paper in or through and they are not electric. The manual machines are less expensive then the electronic, though having to buy individual dies for them can really even out the playing field. Most of these allow embossing, and the ability to cut multiple papers or heavier materials. Another consideration is storage, the dies can take up a lot of room. My old Sizzix dies take a whole, large sized shelf in my craft closet. Manual machines are more portable than the electric as well, which means if you crop with friends, or need to take it to school these will be easier to do that with. With Manual machines, you provide the energy for the cutting so those with arthritis or wanting to conserve precious scrapping time will be at a disadvantage.
On the other hand you have your larger electric machines such as Klik-n-Kut, Quickutz Silhouette, Xyron Wishblade, Craft Robo, Cricut, Pazzles. Some stand alone and some need to be connected to a computer using the companies software to work. The learning curve while varying from machine to machine is higher than on the manual machines. Though you can find a lot of online support groups, where other experienced users gather & help each other. With many of these machines you can create your own designs & share them with your friends via email. You store the designs on your computer as the “dies“ are actually digital computer files. These are initially quite a bit more expensive than the manual machines, but keep in mind you have no dies to purchase. The electric machines are extremely versatile in what you can create yourself & cut, plus there are thousands of free or for purchase digital files to use with them available for download from many online sources. So that initial cost difference quickly evens out.
The Cricut is the exception, in that you do need to buy cartridges with the die cut images on them that are quite expensive (though there is a nifty software program out there called Sure Cuts A Lot that isn’t affiliated with Cricut that allows you to design & cut most any design or font without having to buy the cartridges). You can resize your die cuts and cut them in much larger sizes and widths than manual machines, how wide depends upon the machines width capacity. Electric machines can cut while you work on other things (or watch in awe as they cut, like I tend to do), which is great for saving time and for those with arthritic issues. Some of these machines allow embossing, engraving & punching. These all require cutting mats, blades & adhesive purchases from time to time (depending how often you cut).
Before you buy, consider what your specific needs are. How much money do you have to spend? Do you have time to learn the machine and to use the machine? Can you take the time required to learn to use the software programs to their full advantage? Or, are you better off borrowing a machine from a scrapbooking store, a school or library?
