Papercraft Crystal

Manual die cut machines are human-powered and offer a platform with rollers.  You crank a “sandwich” of cutting plate, die, and paper (or other material to be cut) through the rollers with a handle.

Basic pieces

• machine
• two cutting plates
• multipurpose platform or adapter
• die (shape cutter)

The standard cutting plates are a hard polycarbonate plastic.  They are consumable, so they will need to be replaced periodically.  Turn the plates over top to bottom, left to right, with every cut to reduce warping.  

The multipurpose platform or adapter raises the cutting plates so you can use thin dies instead of steel rule dies.  

You can successfully die cut with the basic pieces.  

Optional extras

• self-healing cutting plate
• extended cutting plates
• chrome precision base plate
• metal shim
• magnetic plate
• silicone pad / impression pad pair
• die brush 

The standard cutting plates can be swapped for a self-healing plate on the cutting surface.  These are available from scrapbook.com or iCrafter or you can cut your own from any self-healing mat.  

Extended cutting plates are needed IF you have an extra-long die.

The chrome precision plate and metal shim may be useful for cutting detailed thin dies.  You can also add paper or cardstock shims to your sandwich.

A magnetic plate will gently hold thin steel dies in place.  You can also use low-tack tape.

The floppy silicone pad and softer (than polycarbonate) impression pad are used together to emboss (rather than cut) from a thin steel die.

A die brush or die pick can be used to eject small pieces of paper from cutting dies.

Dies and Embossing Folders

• steel rule dies
• thin steel dies
• embossing folders

Steel rule dies are thick and heavy, 4 ounces or more, and cat cut chipboard, cardboard, or multiple layers of cardstock.  New dies are quite expensive, generally $40 and up, and the only company still making these is Sizzix.  

Thin steel dies are very thin, comparable to a few sheets of cardstock.  Generally these should be used to cut a single layer of cardstock. These are widely available from many manufacturers and designers at a wide range of prices.  Some thin dies are words or basic shapes, while others are made to cut out a co-ordinating stamped image.

Embossing folders are two pieces of plastic, hinged, that have a positive raised image on one side and a negative debossed image on the other.  You put a piece of paper between the two and run it through the die cut machine to emboss the image onto the paper.  These are also widely available and inexpensive.

Manual machines use human power to put cutting plates or platform through rollers to apply steel dies to material such as paper, fabric, plastic, thin cork or leather.  Dies cost extra, but are widely available from a range of manufacturers.  

The originals, Sizzix and Spellbinders, can handle old-school steel rule dies that are about an inch thick, although only Sizzix continues to manufacture these at all.  The Sizzix Pro can handle Ellison dies commonly found in schools.  All of the machines in this category can handle thin steel dies.  Spellbinders also offers a compatible foil machine.  

The 6” opening will handle most dies.  

The best machine is the one you already own or can find used for cheap, but if I were buying new I’d pick Spellbinders (either version) and haunt their website (spellbinderspaperarts.com) and scrapbook.com watching for sales.  Sizzix is the one you are most likely to find used.

For a Sizzix Big Shot or Big Kick, if the handle turns then it works. In addition to the machine itself, you will need a pair of cutting plates (for thick steel rule dies) or a pair of cutting plates and a multipurpose platform (for thin steel dies) and a die. This is the Sizzix machine with a platform and one cutting plate. While the plate in the photo happens to be blue they most commonly come in clear:

The multipurpose platform should last the life of the machine, but the cutting plates do need to be replaced periodically.

Various colors and accessory packages are available, but these are the basic choices:

• Sizzix
  • Big Shot – 6” opening, retail $139
  • Big Shot Foldaway – 6” opening, retail $229
  • Sidekick – 2.5” opening, retail $65
  • Big Shot Pro – 12” opening, retail $400
  • Spellbinder’s
    • Platinum 6 – 6” opening, retail original version $120 or improved version $200
    • Spellbinder’s foil machine available
  • We R Makers
    • Revolution – 6” opening, retail $150
    • Evolution Mini – 3” opening, retail $66
  • Heffy Doodle
    • Mini – 3” opening, retail $49
  • Momenta
    • Freestyle – 6” opening, retail $100
  • Crafter’s Companion
    • Mini Manual – 3” opening, retail $50  (formerly Diamond Press)
  • Hero Arts
    • Compact Cutter – 3” opening, retail $50
  • Anna Griffin
    • Mini Manual – 3” opening, retail $60

Electric machines handle thin steel dies (all brands) or steel rule dies (Sizzix) and use electricity to move the plates through the rollers rather than human power.  Gemini is the original here, but Anna Griffin certainly has some fans.

• Sizzix
  • Big Shot Switch – 6” opening, retail $329
  • Big Shot Switch Plus – 9” opening, retail $400
• Crafter’s Companion
  • Gemini Jr – 6” opening, retail $230
  • Gemini – 9” opening, retail $300
  • Gemini Go – 3” opening, retail $160
  • Gemini foil machine available
• Anna Griffin
  • Empress – 6” opening, retail $270
  • Empress Mini – 4” opening, retail $180

Electronic machines use digital files and software to cut shapes.  Some machines can draw.  The Brother Scan and Cut can scan a stamped or printed image and cut it out, much like a matching steel die would.  

Cricut Maker 12”, $249

Cricut Explore (next gen) 12”, $319

Cricut Joy 4.5” $179

Brother Scan and Cut not quite 12” $399

Silhouette Cameo (next gen) 12”  $339

Silhouette Curio 12” $249

I understand Circut now requires an always-on wifi connection and monthly subscription; as always, carefully research before shopping.

For thrift store and garage sale shopping I would look for

• Sizzix manual for under $50, including multipurpose platform

• Steel rule dies – crafters abandon these because they are heavy and large, but new dies are $40 and up and used ones are treasure! Steel rule dies will cut chipboard, cardboard, or multiple layers of cardstock.