Other Die Cutting Machines, And My Opinion On Them

 Hey Y'all!

It should come as no big surprise that Cricut is my favorite, go to machine when it comes to vinyl, leather, paper, etc cutting. 

But I have owned a few, and know enough now about the ones I don't to give my opinion on them (and why I don't have one).

 

First I thought I'd share my opinions on the 3 die cut machines I own. A Cricut (Explore One, and Explore Air 2, and a Joy, but for this blog we'll be comparing the Air 2). A Silhouette Cameo, and a Sizzix Big Kick. 

Cricut is my favorite, so I'll start there.

Cricut Explore Air 2~

This one is identical to mine, which came with a sampler pack (20 sheets) of 12x12 Removable Vinyl, fine point blade, all the instruction manuals, a month of Cricut Access, a black pen (for the draw feature), and one light grip mat.

Pros:

Design Space is FREE. There are a ton of images available to use in this free version, and even more in access.

Easy to find/use/buy and upload other images to use.

Very small learning curve/Easy to use, with a ton of customer support.

Easy to create within DS*.

Can cut a multitude of materials. (Paper, Vinyl, Leather, Fabric, Felt, Cardstock, etc.)

Writing, Drawing, and Foil capabilities.

(* DS= Design Space from here forward.)

Neutrals:

11.5in x 23.5in cutting area. They do now have a larger machine, but it's not very popular, and it's expensive for it's capabilities, compared to pro level vinyl plotters.

Cons:

Anything designed in DS stays there. No real way to export you're files.

DS is very limited in the actual Design aspect. There are slice, and weld type functions, a curve tool and basic shapes to manipulate, but if you want to really design you'll have to use an outside program. (I like Inkscape.)

Must have internet access to use (unless you are using desktop or iOS, and have presaved it for offline use).

Not compatible with Chromebook, minimal functionality with android. (https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009556033-System-Requirements-Design-Space).

Next up is the Silhouette Cameo~

I got mine on Facebook Marketplace, it came with the cords, mat, a ton of vinyl, & an extra blade!

Pros:

Many more "settings" giving the user control over everything from blade depth to position and everything in-between.

More freedom in their Silhouette Studio to design your own projects.

12 x 12 Print then cut.

Work offline with ease.

Can cut several different materials.

Matless cutting up to 12in x 16 Feet! (The Maker series for Cricut allows this feature, but only with their vinyl.)

Neutrals:

Software Upgrades are a one time fee. Once you've paid, that version is yours.

No "pre-loaded" designs.

Cons:

Huge learning curve if you're not using design programs previously.

EXTREMLY LOUD, like really, really, really, loud.

Less customer service options.

Finding the right cut setting for each material can be difficult.

Up next, is the Sizzix Big Shot/ Big Kick~

The difference between these two was color, and where they were sold. To my knowledge Big Kick is discontinued, but they're the same machine.

I got mine years ago, at Tuesday Morning (my second die cut machine). 

Pros:

No computer, design software, or electricity needed.

Extremely easy to use. Pick a material, choose a die, load it up and turn the crank. That's it.

Great for card making, especially the embossing folders.

Neutrals:

Virtually no customer service. (It's a neutral, because there's less things to be a potential problem, i.e. no electronic parts).

Cons:

The dies & embossing folders take up a lot of storage space, some dies especially are very large.

It's Heavy. I'm not a social crafter, but this thing was advertised as portable. It's awkward shaped and over 7lbs alone, so I'll let you judge the portability of this machine. 

No design customization possible.

Lastly, for fun, a now defunct, discontinued electronic die cutter, the Slice, by Making Memories. This was the first cutting machine I ever owned, and I truly enjoyed making little projects with it. If you want to know even more about this little machine, here's a great blog I found that goes over all the details:

http://www.crafttestdummies.com/craft-product-review-slice-elite-by-making-memories/

Pros:

Glass Cutting Mat. Just clean off and re-stick with adhesive, virtually forever.

Rechargeable Battery. You could travel with the Slice easily, and move around freely. The battery lasted for quite awhile before needed to be plugged in, and you could still create while charging.

Cut well for it's size.

Fabric cutting!

Design cards were the size of an SD card, so easily stored anywhere.

Much less expensive than competitors at the time.

Cons:

The 4in limit. It was a great machine for cards, scrapbooking, & quilt making, but not much else.

2 layers max, all from design cards like this, & this.

Even in it's popularity parts & tools, like new blades, the "draw" markers, even additional design cards, were hard to find.

As I mentioned above the Cricut is my favorite. I think this is mainly because of the enormous versatility, especially with the Explore One being my third machine. It was a huge leap forward (up) from the Slice, or the Sizzix. I was using it for years and really got to know the in's & outs of the machine & software long before getting the Silhouette. I personally found the Silhouette a bit hard to learn, and distracting loud, so I rarely use it. 

I hope you enjoyed my pro/con list! Which machine(s) do you use? Let me know in the comments below!

Machines I don't/haven't owned, and my opinions on them:

Siser Romeo & Juliet~

In my opinion they we just late too the game. Both the 12in and 24in machines seem to stack up in comparing them to others on the marker, but they're fairly new. The others have been around for decades. Leonardo, their version of Design Space:

It has all the features you'd need, plus some. I could see it being a great machine for those with a small business. Maybe a bit overwhelming for the beginner hobby crafter. Overall it seems like a stand up machine. I don't love the look of it, but that's just being nitpicky. Why don't I have one? It doesn't fill a need for me, and currently I only have the Joy with me since we're FT van living now. (How many die cutting machines does one person really need?)

Starcraft Solo~

This one, I don't know much about. A few craft influencers on YouTube talked about how great it was, and they all did a few videos with it, and never mentioned it again. It remains "sold out" at most online retailers (the only place it's available). I, when it was being presented abundantly on YouTube, thought the whole thing looked confusing, was too big, and was too new for me to want one. It just wasn't for me.

Brothers Scan & Cut~

Admittedly, for me this machine just looks old. Similar to a Cricut Expression, mixed with a sewing machine. I do know that those who have this machine, and it's seemingly not hugely popular, absolutely love it. The whole scan aspect does intrigue me, and I'd like to see one of these in action. (Not enough to buy one, though they are cheaper than any competitor.)

Was there any machines I missed (other than pro level)? Let me know!

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife