Die Cutting Machines
The popularity of die cutting machines
continues to grow. You have a choice of manual or electronic machines that can range in price from less than hundred to several hundred dollars depending on the features offered.
The manual die cutting machines have a crank on the side that you must turn in order to cut. It may take a little longer producing the cut or embossed image but the cut or created design is just as lovely as what you would get from an electronic machine.
There are two types of electronic die cutting machines. One type uses cartridges made specifically for the machine to make the precise cuts or embossed design. The cartridges are designed around themes that you can purchase separately. The cartridge is then inserted into the electronic machine, you select the image and the machine makes the cut in a matter of seconds.
The more advanced electronic die cutting machines connect to your computer to cut fonts and other images from your computer. You can also purchase more designs from the manufacturers online library. This will save you money compared to buying cartridges.
Whether you choose a manual or electronic die cutting machine, they make cutting shapes and embossing for your cardmaking, scrapbooking, home, school or office projects so much easier, faster and fun. The die cuts come out perfect everytime and it is easy to make multiple intricate die cuts for any project.
Greeting Cards Made Using Die Cutting Machines
To give you an idea of what you can do with the die cutting machines, be sure to see My Greeting Card Projects and My Greeting Card Gallery at the bottom of the page. Under the projects you will see a listing of supplies used for each of the handcrafted cards. More cards will be added to both sections as I finish and upload Christmas and other occasion cards.
continues to grow. You have a choice of manual or electronic machines that can range in price from less than hundred to several hundred dollars depending on the features offered.The manual die cutting machines have a crank on the side that you must turn in order to cut. It may take a little longer producing the cut or embossed image but the cut or created design is just as lovely as what you would get from an electronic machine.
There are two types of electronic die cutting machines
. One type uses cartridges made specifically for the machine to make the precise cuts or embossed design. The cartridges are designed around themes that you can purchase separately. The cartridge is then inserted into the electronic machine, you select the image and the machine makes the cut in a matter of seconds.The more advanced electronic die cutting machines connect to your computer to cut fonts and other images from your computer. You can also purchase more designs from the manufacturers online library. This will save you money compared to buying cartridges.
Whether you choose a manual or electronic die cutting machine, they make cutting shapes and embossing for your cardmaking, scrapbooking, home, school or office projects so much easier, faster and fun. The die cuts come out perfect everytime and it is easy to make multiple intricate die cuts for any project.
Greeting Cards Made Using Die Cutting Machines
To give you an idea of what you can do with the die cutting machines, be sure to see My Greeting Card Projects and My Greeting Card Gallery at the bottom of the page. Under the projects you will see a listing of supplies used for each of the handcrafted cards. More cards will be added to both sections as I finish and upload Christmas and other occasion cards.
Cricut Machines
Cricut Expression
The Cricut Expression was considered the largest machine available by Provo Craft until they introduced the Cricut Imagine in August 2010. One of the key features of the Cricut Expression is that it is portable and cuts quickly and easily.
The Expression features include an easy-to-read LCD screen, 6 modes and 4 functions for easy customization of cuts and with portrait or landscape orientation. It comes with 2 cartridges- Plantin SchoolBook font and shape cartridge, and Accent Essentials mini shape cartridge. The machine is capable of cutting images from 1/4 inch to 23-1/2 inches. The package also includes an instructional DVD and 12"x12" cutting mat.
The size of the cartridges is small compared to dies for other die cutting machines. Their size takes up less storage space and they can be easily transported. A single cartridge is the equivalent of hundreds of dies from a traditional die-cutting system.
The Cricut Expression was considered the largest machine available by Provo Craft until they introduced the Cricut Imagine in August 2010. One of the key features of the Cricut Expression is that it is portable and cuts quickly and easily.
The Expression features include an easy-to-read LCD screen, 6 modes and 4 functions for easy customization of cuts and with portrait or landscape orientation. It comes with 2 cartridges- Plantin SchoolBook font and shape cartridge, and Accent Essentials mini shape cartridge. The machine is capable of cutting images from 1/4 inch to 23-1/2 inches. The package also includes an instructional DVD and 12"x12" cutting mat.
The size of the cartridges is small compared to dies for other die cutting machines. Their size takes up less storage space and they can be easily transported. A single cartridge is the equivalent of hundreds of dies from a traditional die-cutting system.
Cricut Expression 290300 Personal Electronic Cutter
Amazon Price: $180.92 (as of 05/31/2012)
Personal Electronic Cutter
The Personal Electronic Cutter from Provo Craft when folded up is very portable with its generous sized handle and weighs in at just 7 pounds. This makes it easy to take along to scrapbook classes, parties or to a friend's house. You can also purchase a stylish tote to also carry around the machine.
The machine uses cartridges for cutting thousands of letters, shapes or phrases in a variety of sizes and styles with the touch of a button. No computer is needed. Once the paper or material is attached to the self adhesive cutting mat, load it into the machine, insert a cartridge and make your selection. The machine will quickly and electronically cut out the desired letter, shape, word or phrase in seconds from 1" to 5 1/2" tall to 11 1/2" wide. Cardstock, designer scrapbook paper, vellum and vinyl can all be used. Included with the Personal Electronic Cutter is a Quick Start guide, user manual, blade assembly, 6-by-12-inch cutting mat, power adapter and a George and Basic Shapes cartridge binder which contains a cartridge, keypad overlay and handbook.
The Personal Electronic Cutter from Provo Craft when folded up is very portable with its generous sized handle and weighs in at just 7 pounds. This makes it easy to take along to scrapbook classes, parties or to a friend's house. You can also purchase a stylish tote to also carry around the machine.
The machine uses cartridges for cutting thousands of letters, shapes or phrases in a variety of sizes and styles with the touch of a button. No computer is needed. Once the paper or material is attached to the self adhesive cutting mat, load it into the machine, insert a cartridge and make your selection. The machine will quickly and electronically cut out the desired letter, shape, word or phrase in seconds from 1" to 5 1/2" tall to 11 1/2" wide. Cardstock, designer scrapbook paper, vellum and vinyl can all be used. Included with the Personal Electronic Cutter is a Quick Start guide, user manual, blade assembly, 6-by-12-inch cutting mat, power adapter and a George and Basic Shapes cartridge binder which contains a cartridge, keypad overlay and handbook.
Cricut 29-0001 Personal Electronic Cutting Machine
Amazon Price: $149.95 (as of 05/31/2012)
Cricut Imagine
Provo Craft's new electronic cutting machine, The Imagine was introduced in August 2010 at the CHA show. The machine lets you design, print and cut all at the same time.
Provo Craft teamed up with HP so that you can take your creative projects to the next level. The Cricut Imagine lets you add full color, textures and patterns for a one-of-a-kind project. Show off your creativity and design a special birthday, thank you or holiday card. Make your scrapbook pages really pop with a special pattern or design.
Provo Craft's new electronic cutting machine, The Imagine was introduced in August 2010 at the CHA show. The machine lets you design, print and cut all at the same time.
Provo Craft teamed up with HP so that you can take your creative projects to the next level. The Cricut Imagine lets you add full color, textures and patterns for a one-of-a-kind project. Show off your creativity and design a special birthday, thank you or holiday card. Make your scrapbook pages really pop with a special pattern or design.
Cricut Imagine Machine
Amazon Price: $173.99 (as of 05/31/2012)
Cuttlebug
The Cuttlebug from Provo Craft is compact and a great starter die cutting machine that is very versatile. The compact size makes it very easy to setup in a small workspace and can be carried to scrapbooking parties and classes with the pop up handle. It cuts shapes and embosses designs on paper, vinyl, chipboard, thin sheet metal, and fabric up to 1/8 inch thick.
The Cuttlebug was the first die cutting machine that I purchased and I still love it. It can be used with other manufacturer cutting dies, embossing folders and even brass dies. I use it mainly with the cutting dies and embossing folders from Cuttlebug and Sizzix. It also works great with the brass cutting dies from Spellbinders.
The Cuttlebug was the first die cutting machine that I purchased and I still love it. It can be used with other manufacturer cutting dies, embossing folders and even brass dies. I use it mainly with the cutting dies and embossing folders from Cuttlebug and Sizzix. It also works great with the brass cutting dies from Spellbinders.
Cuttlebug Embosser and Die Cutter
Amazon Price: $79.99 (as of 05/31/2012)
Sizzix Machines
Big Shot
The Big Shot is a user-friendly manual die cutting machine that embosses and cuts out shapes. The unit can be used with a wide range of crafting materials, cutting everything from card stock to fabric. The Big Shot can basically cut anything that a pair of scissors could cut. The roller-style machine works with big and small dies as well as other die-cutting and embossing products. Use for paper crafting, school, or scrapbooking projects. Easily cut shapes, emboss shapes or cut then emboss. The Big Shot can easliy be carried to crafting classes and parties.
The Big Shot is a user-friendly manual die cutting machine that embosses and cuts out shapes. The unit can be used with a wide range of crafting materials, cutting everything from card stock to fabric. The Big Shot can basically cut anything that a pair of scissors could cut. The roller-style machine works with big and small dies as well as other die-cutting and embossing products. Use for paper crafting, school, or scrapbooking projects. Easily cut shapes, emboss shapes or cut then emboss. The Big Shot can easliy be carried to crafting classes and parties.
Sizzix 655268 Big Shot Cutting-and-Embossing Roller-Style Machine
Amazon Price: $59.99 (as of 05/31/2012)
Texture Boutique
The Sizzix Texture Boutique's only function is to emboss. Transform ordinary cardstock into beautiful embossed pieces of art with the different Textured Impressions Embossing folders. The machine resembles an ornate purse with a beaded handle for easy carrying. Use the embossed pieces of paper on your card or scrapbooking projects.
The Sizzix Texture Boutique's only function is to emboss. Transform ordinary cardstock into beautiful embossed pieces of art with the different Textured Impressions Embossing folders. The machine resembles an ornate purse with a beaded handle for easy carrying. Use the embossed pieces of paper on your card or scrapbooking projects.
Sizzix Texture Boutique Embossing Machine Beginner's Kit
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 05/31/2012)
Spellbinders
The Wizard Embossing and Die Cutting Machine
The Spellbinder Wizard is a user-friendly versatile machine that cuts and then embosses all types of shapes with the spellbinders die templates. The Wizard can cut quickly through paper, cardstock, craft foil, felt, balsa wood, styrofoam and unbaked clay. Use to create beautiful handcrafted greeting cards and wedding invitations. Easily embellished scrapbook pages and may other papercraft projects.
The Spellbinder Wizard is a user-friendly versatile machine that cuts and then embosses all types of shapes with the spellbinders die templates. The Wizard can cut quickly through paper, cardstock, craft foil, felt, balsa wood, styrofoam and unbaked clay. Use to create beautiful handcrafted greeting cards and wedding invitations. Easily embellished scrapbook pages and may other papercraft projects.
Spellbinders W-001 The Wizard Embossing and Die-Cutting System
Amazon Price: (as of 05/31/2012)
QuicKutz
The Epic is a manual die cutting machine that cuts and embosses all QuicKutz products as well as all other leading brand dies and embossing folders making it a very versatile and efficient machine. It is also lightweight so I can easily be taken to crafting parties and classes.
Epic
Epic
QuicKutz Epic 6 Cutting and Embossing Tool
Amazon Price: $78.75 (as of 05/31/2012)
Silhouette SD
The Silhouette SD is an electronic cutting tool that connects to your computer allowing you to cut fonts and images in cardstock, vinyl, heat transfer material. It connects to your PC just like a printer but instead of printing designs it cuts them with a small blade. With the Silhouette connected to your computer, you'll get access to all of the fonts on your PC plus the thousands of cuttable designs found at the online Silhouette store. Use the Silhouette to create scrapbook page designs and greeting cards. Also use with home decor, custom apparel, school projects, glass etched projects and make stencils.
The Silhouette SD is an electronic cutting tool that connects to your computer allowing you to cut fonts and images in cardstock, vinyl, heat transfer material. It connects to your PC just like a printer but instead of printing designs it cuts them with a small blade. With the Silhouette connected to your computer, you'll get access to all of the fonts on your PC plus the thousands of cuttable designs found at the online Silhouette store. Use the Silhouette to create scrapbook page designs and greeting cards. Also use with home decor, custom apparel, school projects, glass etched projects and make stencils.
Silhouette SD Digital Craft Cutting Tool (QuicKutz)
Amazon Price: (as of 05/31/2012)
Pazzles
The Pazzles Inspiration Electronic Cutter is programmed to work with software on your computer. Just plug it into the USB port on your PC and a whole new world opens up. No need to buy expensive cartridges. You can cut fonts that are already on your computer. When using the Pazzles machine and software, you can create your own boxes, tags and so much more. The Pazzles has a 12" cutting width and can cut through vellum, vinyl, cardstock, poster board and more.
Pazzles Creative Cutter Inspiration Cc04 12-Inch Computerized Die Cut Machine
Amazon Price: $401.80 (as of 05/31/2012)
I love shopping at Joann Fabrics. They carry a wide range of scrapbook and card making papers, punches, stickers, embellishments, manual and electronic die cutting machines and supplies and so much more. Check out their online site at Joann.com
My Greeting Card Projects
I love making handcrafted greeting cards. All cards measure 6 1/2" x 5" and are made using quality cardstock and designer printed scrapbook papers. All of the die cut shapes and embossing was done using the Cuttlebug. I used the Sizzix Big Shot with their textures plates to further embellish the cards.
Forever and Always Wedding Card
Supplies and Materials Used- Solid cardstock papers in white, pink and black. The white cardstock was embossed using the Sizzix machine and a Sizzix texture plate. The pink cardstock was first embossed using the Cuttlebug machine and Sizzix "Forever and Always" folder and then the paper was cut down to size using a paper cutter. The flower was made using designer paper and cut with a Sizzix die on the Cuttlebug. Flower was embellished with a light pink rhinestone. The green leaves were also cut with a Sizzix die using scrapbook paper.
Together Forever Wedding Card
Supplies and Materials Used- Cardstock in white and dark purple and designer patterned paper. The larger white cardstock paper was embossed using the Cuttlebug machine and embossing folder. The scalloped and round circles dies are from the Spellbinders Nestabilities group. The Sizzix emboss "Together and Forever" folder was used. I first embossed and then cut with Spellbinders. The butterflies were hand punched out with one of my Martha Stewart punches and then embellished with rhinestones.
Forever and Always Wedding Card
Supplies and Materials Used- Solid cardstock papers in white, pink and black. The white cardstock was embossed using the Sizzix machine and a Sizzix texture plate. The pink cardstock was first embossed using the Cuttlebug machine and Sizzix "Forever and Always" folder and then the paper was cut down to size using a paper cutter. The flower was made using designer paper and cut with a Sizzix die on the Cuttlebug. Flower was embellished with a light pink rhinestone. The green leaves were also cut with a Sizzix die using scrapbook paper.
Together Forever Wedding Card
Supplies and Materials Used- Cardstock in white and dark purple and designer patterned paper. The larger white cardstock paper was embossed using the Cuttlebug machine and embossing folder. The scalloped and round circles dies are from the Spellbinders Nestabilities group. The Sizzix emboss "Together and Forever" folder was used. I first embossed and then cut with Spellbinders. The butterflies were hand punched out with one of my Martha Stewart punches and then embellished with rhinestones.
Learn More About the New Cricut Imagine
- Cricut Imagine
- Check out the new Cricut Imagine and all that it can do to make your paper crafting projects pop!
My Greeting Card Gallery
The following was used to make the cards in the Gallery:
Cuttlebug and Sizzix machines
Cuttlebug embossing folders
Sizzix texture plates
Martha Stewart, Fiskars and border punches
Sizzix and Cuttlebug dies
Verve Stamps
Spellbinders Nestabilities dies
Solid cardstock and designer scrapbook papers
Cuttlebug and Sizzix machines
Cuttlebug embossing folders
Sizzix texture plates
Martha Stewart, Fiskars and border punches
Sizzix and Cuttlebug dies
Verve Stamps
Spellbinders Nestabilities dies
Solid cardstock and designer scrapbook papers
Valentine's Day Cards
Mother's Day Cards
Wedding Cards
Christmas Cards
by 21SouthBay
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
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