When it comes to lifespan, manual machines tend to win this race. On a well-built model, the lever and rollers are unlikely to stop working. Otherwise, the only components to worry about breaking are the dies, and those are replaceable.

Always use the correct sandwich or plate configuration that is recommended by the machine manufacturer, otherwise you could cause damage to your machine. Make the Cut (MTC) is a piece of die cutting software that has been around for a very long time. It was first designed to work with Cricut machines, but has due to legal issues, it is no longer available for the Cricut. With their feature called PixScan, the Silhouette Cameomachine can cut out anything (including stamped designs) that you can take a picture of with your smart phone’s PixScan app. The machine runs from Silhouette’s Studio software, with access to its massive online store of cutting files. Then place the sandwich on the machine’s “cutting path” and either turn the crank or turn on the motor to move the sandwich through the machine. When it comes out the other side, disassemble the sandwich and remove your completed beautiful cut! Top Digital Die Cutting Machines Rubber embossing mats – this nifty mat allows you to use dies as embossing tools as it creates a softer impact. Instead of applying enough pressure for the die to cut through the card or paper, it reduces the pressure to result in an embossed image or pattern.

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If you want a machine that is easily portable, you'll likely want a manual cutter. Try the Sizzix Big Shot, Spellbinders Platinum 6 or the We R Memory Keepers Evolution. These manual machines weigh between 6 and 7 pounds and fold for easy portability. Digital die cutters are not very portable and some of them need to be connected to a computer. Size of Output

Drawing, piercing, engraving, embossing, and cut-by-color are all extra features that some machines offer. If you know that all you need is a machine that cuts where you tell it to, a straightforward machine without extra features may be the most cost-effective option for you. An embossing mat provides much less pressure on the die and material, and gives it a softer base the press against, preventing the die from cutting through. What to do if you can’t remove the die-cuts While we've done a couple of more focused beginner's guides, like the beginner's guide to Edge'able dies and the beginner's guide to multi media die-cutting for our needlecraft friends, so we thought it would be great to do a more papercraft-focused die-cutting guide. Even if you're a bit of a pro in die-cutting, it's definitely worth looking through this post to see if you can learn anything new! What is die-cutting?

Digital die cutting machines tend to have a smaller footprint on the table, since their designs tend to be thin and long, as opposed to the square style of traditional die cutting machines. You may already know whether you want a digital or traditional die cutting machine, but if size is a major factor, you should consider a slim, digital model.

Fast heat-up system - This machine is great for all your intricate vinyl and sublimation projects and can reach an impressive maximum heat of 200°C in a matter of seconds. 5 heat settings. The Extra insulation gives your worktop and your hands maximum protection while working. For digital die cut machines, the “dies” are digital files that serve as patterns to tell the machine what to cut. Different machine manufacturers use proprietary file formats for their machines, but many machines can also use widely available SVG files or even import files such as .jpeg files for conversion to use in their software. Manual Die Cut Machines vs. Digital Die Cut Machines Nothing can beat the ease of use of a simple manual roller die cut machine, which is simple enough that a child can use it with supervision. You can take most manual cutters out of the box and be creating within a few minutes with almost no reading or training. But recent advancements in the design of digital die cutting machines and software – including the introduction of iOS apps for the Silhouette Cameo and Cricut Explore Air - have greatly enhanced the ease of using those machines. If you are even a little technically inclined, you don't need to feel intimidated by the “computer” aspect of digital die cutting – for a small learning curve, the return in design possibilities can be absolutely worth it. Durability

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Whichever machine you select, the basic procedure for making a standard cut with a die is fairly similar. Follow the machine’s instructions for creating a cutting “sandwich” of cutting pads, material, and your die for whatever die type you are cutting with. It's conveniently called a sandwich becauseit has layers. The outside plastic cutting plates are the bread, the die is the deli meat, the cutting material is the cheese, and any shims are the condiments or fixins. Plastic shims – this is a durable plate that adds an extra layer to your die-cutting sandwich, creating a better fit in the machine and a level surface. The two primary types of die cutting machines are manual/electronic and digital. While digital machines are generally smaller and more versatile, they are also more expensive, and they may be more difficult to use out of the box. Manual/Electronic

With steel rollers, no wiring, electronics, and few moving parts, manual die cut machines like the Sizzix Big Shot or the Spellbinders Platinum easily win in the durability department. However, don’t dismiss electronic machines like the Cricut Explore Air and others, as they can be surprisingly sturdy, even for portable use. Cutting Large Volumes Clear cutting plates – essentially, these are the slices of bread for your sandwich. You need two clear cutting plates, one for the top and one for the bottom, and these protect the contents of your sandwich and provide a surface for the die-cutting machine to press together. If you’re running a cutting plate through your machine more than once, you’ll need to flip the plate each time to prevent bowing. A lot of factors go into considering whether a manual die cutter or digital die cutter (or a combination of both) is best for a scrapbooker. To get the best of both worlds, some crafters choose to invest in both types of die cut machine.However, if you would like the option to do more than cut materials, consider a machine with additional features and capabilities. Price Yes, this is completely normal! It might sound like your die-cutting plates are snapping or the machine is breaking, but we promise, everything will be perfectly fine. You definitely haven't done anything wrong if this happens! How to care for your die-cutting machine Most machines work with material in the range of 12 to 15 inches, though some may have smaller or larger ranges. Make sure your machine is the right size for the projects you intend to work on.