Update: Sadly the Cricut Cuttlebug is no longer made by Cricut. A great alternative is the Sizzix Big Shot, read my full review and also check out my comparison of the Big Shot vs Cuttlebug.
Below is a Cuttlebug sandwich guide for die cutting and embossing, telling you which plates you need. Ever wonder how to use Sizzix dies in the Cuttlebug? This chart will help you!
Download the Cuttlebug Sandwich Chart!
Die Cut | Sandwich | Chipboard |
Accu-cut: ZAZ Cut & Emboss folders | Pad 'C' Cardstock Die Pad 'B' Pad 'A' | |
Boss Kuts dies | Pad 'C' Die Cardstock Pad 'B' Pad 'C' |   |
Brass Embossing Stencils | Pad 'B' Embossing Mat or Plumber’s Gasket Cardstock Brass Stencil Pad 'B' Pad 'A' | |
Cuttlebug dies | Pad 'B' Media Die (blade up) Pad 'B' Pad 'A' | Pad 'B' Media Die (blade up) Pad 'B' Pad 'A' |
Jcut | Pad 'C' Cardstock Die Pad 'B' Pad 'A' | |
Nestabilities (You will need an embossing mat to emboss, or a lumbers gasket cut to size.) | Pad 'B' Cardstock Spellbinders Die pad 'C' Pad 'A' |  |
Quickutz Revolution dies, Quickutz nesting dies | Pad 'C' Cardstock Die Pad 'B' Pad 'A' |  |
Sizzix 12 inch dies (option 1) You’ll need 2 ‘A’ Mats & 4 ‘B’ mats. This will make a ‘Double stack’ – Notice the mats are staggered or overlapping – When it is part-way, add the second ‘A’ mat and ‘B’ mats (respectively) behind the first stack to finish the cut. | Pad 'B' - Pad 'B' Cardstock 12 inch die Pad 'B' - Pad 'B' Pad 'A' - Pad 'A' | |
Sizzix 12 inch dies (option 2) Sizzix long mat option) 2 ‘A’ mats and 2 Sizzix long mats: Part way through, place the second ‘A’ mat behind to complete the cut. | Sizzix long mat Cardstock 12 inch die Sizzix long mat Pad 'A' - Pad 'A' | |
Sizzix Cut N Fold dies | Chipboard Shim Pad 'B' Cardstock Die Pad 'A' OR TRY Chipboard Shim Die Cardstock Pad 'B' | |
Sizzix Ellison Bigz, Ellison AllStar: Large, Sizzix BigShot/Bigkick dies, Sizzix Steel Rule dies | Pad 'B' Media Die (blade up) Pad 'B' |  |
Sizzix Ellison Thin Cuts | Pad 'B' Media Die (blade up) Pad 'B' Pad 'A' | |
Sizzix Sizzlit | Pad 'B' Media Die (blade up) Pad 'B' Pad 'A' |  |
Spellbinders Cut & Emboss dies | Pad 'C' Cardstock Die Pad 'B' Pad 'A' |  |
Emboss | Sandwich | Video |
Cuttlebug Embossing Folders | Pad 'B' Folder (Media inside) Pad 'B' Pad 'A' |  |
Brass Embossing Stencils | Pad 'B' Embossing Mat or Plumber’s Gasket Cardstock Brass Stencil Pad 'B' Pad 'A' |  |
Sizzix Big Shot, Ellison Big Shot Embossing Folder | Possible shim Pad 'B' Folder (Media inside) Pad 'B' Pad 'A' | *Skip to 2:29 |
Embossing Templates (Sizzix) | Pad 'C' Cardstock Brass Template Pad 'B' Pad 'A' | |
Embossing Templates - thin | Pad 'B' Vulcanized Rubber Media/ Brass Template Pad 'B' Pad 'A' | |
Nestabilities (You will need an embossing mat to emboss, or a lumbers gasket cut to size.) | Pad 'B' Pad 'B' (try 2 first) 2-3 Cardstock Shims Embossing Mat Die with Die cut still in Die Pad 'A' | *Skip to 3:09 |
Quickutz Embossing Dies | Pad 'C' Cardstock Die Pad 'B' Pad 'A' | |
Simple Impressions | Pad 'B' Folder (cardstock inside) Pad 'B' Pad 'A' OR TRY Pad 'B' Folder (cardstock inside) Chipboard Shims Pad 'A' | |
Sizzix Cut N Fold Dies | Chipboard Shim Pad 'B' Cardstock Die Pad 'A' OR TRY Chipboard Shim Die Cardstock Pad 'B' | |
Sizzix 'Embosslits' | Pad 'B' Folder (Media inside) Pad 'B' Pad 'A' | |
Textured Plates (like Fiskars) | Pad 'B' Possible Shim Impressions Pad (sold in Sizzix Texturz Starter Kit) Embossing Mat Cardstock Texture Plate Pad 'A' | 
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Best help I found anywhere on how to make the best cuts and embossing with Cuttlebug.
Very helpful chart. I see very few scenarios where plate C is required it appears. On line elsewhere, people say we need plate C for cutting with any non Cuttlebug dies. Still a bit confusing. And then, Plate C comes in 5.5×7.5 as well as 6×13 sizes….which one…I guess it depends on card stock size?
Help. Using Darice embossing folder. Center not embossing.
Any help??
Using Kaiser brand dies on cuttlebug ,but not cutting cleanly .Hope you can help me.
Using Kaiser brand dies on my cuttlebug machine ,but dies not cutting cleaning , would love your advice
Thank you this is so very helpful!
What on Earth is a plumber,s gasket
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.gasket-material.1000515835.html
Stamp in up dies?
Stampin up uses the Bigshot
How do you use thepresion plate
how do i keep cardstock from stretching when I use cuttlebug?
How to I cut my new Kensington Border die with my cuttlebug? It never cuts completely out.
If you will always put the large white A plate on top, you will never bend the clear plates again. I put the C plate on the bottom then the cardstock and cutting die, The B plate in the middle.
Can you use Darice embossing folders with a Cuttlebug? If so, how would you load the plates?
Also, can you use Park Lane embossing folders?
I bought a use cuddlebug with no plates. Will Spellbinder plates work? Where to get new plates?