If you are looking for more versatility and the ability to draw or cut your own designs, consider buying a digital die cutting machine. Many of these hook up to a computer, where designs can be custom made using software.
Use this die cutting machine comparison guide to compare the best die cut machines.
Digital Die Cutting Machine Guide
| | |
| The Silhouette Cameo 4 is the strongest machine on this list, being able to cut using 5000 grams of force. It has dual carriage heads that can use the standard blades, rotary blade, Kraft blade, and sketch pens. It has all the features of the previous Cameo machines and more. It cuts up to 3x faster and comes with a built-in feed roller and cross cutter making large projects much easier to make.
Best for: Thicker materials
Drawback: Software has higher learning curve
| |
| The Cricut Maker die cut machine is one of the more specialized machines on the market. In addition to having dual carriage heads, it has the Adaptive Tool System. The Adaptive Tool System automatically adjusts the cutting pressure and rotates the cutting blade for precise cuts. The rotary and knife blade make sewing easier, and you can cut through leather with 10x more force compared to the previous Cricut Explore machines.
Best for: Sewing and precision
Drawback: Requires internet and limited software
| |
| The Cricut Explore Air 2 is a very popular machine that can cut and draw 0.25” to 23.5” wide. It has dual carriage heads so you can cut and draw in one pass. It's one of the easier machines to use, and it's more powerful and precise than the Silhouette Cameo. The Smart Dial automatically adjusts blade speed and pressure based on the selected material. It uses the online Cricut Design Space, so an internet connection is always required to cut. It does support Cartridges, but they must be connected to your online account.
Best for: Beginners
Drawback: Requires internet and limited software
| |
| The Silhouette Cameo 3 is similar to the Cameo 2. The Cameo 3 has all the features of the previous model and more. Some of these improvements include dual carriages, Bluetooth technology, additional storage, and the Autoblade. The Autoblade is a blade that automatically adjusts itself to the material being cut.
Best for: Creating custom designs and cutting length
Drawback: Less power
| |
| The Silhouette Curio is the "swiss army knife" companion tool to the Silhouette Cameo. It can not only cut and draw, but emboss, etch, score, and stipple. It can deep cut, but cutting is limited to 8.5" by 12". It also has 210 grams of force and using the Silhouette Software where users can create custom designs.
Best for: Versatility and powerful software
Drawback: Limited force
| |
| The Silhouette Portrait 2 is very similar to the Silhouette Portrait 1. Some added features include the Autoblade for automatically adjusting blade adjustment and a deepcut blade for cutting materials up to 2mm thick.
Best for: Portability and space savings
Drawback: Small size and less powerful
| |
| The Brother ScanNCut is the first die cut machine with a built-in scanner. Users can scan in hand drawn designs, magazine cutouts, and pictures, and turn them into cutting designs. It does require a computer, and comes with built-in memory. It's full color touch screen allows users to manipulate designs before cutting.
Best for: Scanning and works without a computer
Drawback: Limited software
| |
| The Pazzles Inspiration Vue is less popular than the Silhouette Cameo and Cricut Explore, but it does come with some advantages that makes it worth a look. Most notable, the Pazzles Vue has 1000 grams of cutting force, making it one of the strongest die cut machines. Another mention is the wide variety of tools available for the machine, allowing you to draw, engrave, pierce, emboss, and distress. You can even cut edible materials such as fondant, gumpaste, and cookie dough for custom designed pastries using the Pazzles Pastry Tools.
| |
A manual die cutting and embossing machine can be a great supplement to a digital die cutting machine since not all digital machines emboss. A manual die cut machine can be great for scrapbooking and making homemade cards.
Learn the basics about manual die cutters in my article Getting Started with Manual Die Cutting.
Use this side by side comparison guide to compare the best manual die cutting machines.
Manual Die Cutting Machine Guide
| | |
|
The Sizzix Texture Boutique Embossing Machine is a machine designed only for embossing, so you won't be able to cut with this machine. It embosses just about up to 5 inches wide.
Best for: Beginners and affordability
Drawbacks: Does not cut
| |
| The Cricut Cuttlebug is a popular machine that can cut and emboss up to 6 inches wide. It folds up to save space and the bottom suctions to whatever surface it's on, providing more stability. Different spacer plates make the machine compatible with most leading folders and dies.
Best for: Space savings
Drawbacks: Limited working platform
| |
| The Evolution Advanced die cut machine is one of the cleverest machines on the market. It can cut and emboss up to 6 inches wide and use dies and folders from many different manufacturers. The machine comes with a dial setting to set the pressure of the rollers, eliminating the need for shims and confusing sandwiches. The crank handle can also be removed and swapped out for a motor. The sides have built in storage and fold up when not in use. When the sides are open, the base suctions to the table, providing support when cutting.
Best for: Versatility, space, and motor attachment
Drawbacks: Limited to 6 inch cutting width
| |
| The Sizzix Big Shot is an award winning machine that can cut and emboss up to 6 inches wide. It does not fold up but has an extended multipurpose platform, which allows for more working space. The Big Shot contains solid core steel rollers and gears and has a unibody cast roller housing. Works with dies and folders from other manufacturers.
.
Best for: Versatility and working working space
Drawbacks: Less portable
| |
| The Spellbinders Grand Calibur can cut, emboss, and stencil. It has a large 8.5 x 12 cutting mat, so it can fit full-size pieces of paper. It suctions to its surface for greater stability. It also works with dies and folders from other manufacturers.
Best for: Larger projects and full size paper
Drawbacks: Less well constructed
| |
| The Spellbinders Platinum comes in two sizes. The larger machine that can cut up to 8.5 inches wide, and the smaller machine cuts up to 6 inches wide. The machines have a solid steel core making them very durable. The machines are able to cut up to 8 layers using the steel rule dies. Although the Platinum machines are big and heavy, the sides fold up saving some space.
Best for: Durability. The larger machine works with full size paper.
Drawbacks: Big and heavy
| |
| The Fiskars Fuse Creativity system is discontinued but is still a fairly popular model that is worth a mention. It has a large 12" wide opening, and can not only cut and emboss but also letterpress, which is a process of making inked impressions.
Best for: Larger projects and letterpressing
Drawbacks: Accessories may be expensive
| |
| The Vagabond machine is a neat machine that folds up into the shape of a suitcase, making it more portable. It can cut and emboss up to 6 inches wide, and it is motorized. Because it has a strong motor, one must be careful not to get the machine jammed by inserting sandwiches that are too thick.
Best for: Motorized
Drawbacks: Have to be careful not to jam plates.
| |
| The Big Shot Pro is a rugged machine that has a 13-inch wide opening. It works with every Sizzix and Ellison design ever made and almost every die on the market. The extended platforms make it great for cutting large pieces of fabric. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Best for: Large projects and fabric
Drawbacks: Heavy and more expensive
| |
