Best Electronic Die Cutting Machines on the Market
Die-cut machines are wonderful additions to any craft room. Making your own die-cuts saves crafters hundreds of dollars each year by being able to design their own embellishments to their handmade cards and scrapbooks. Just a few years ago, buying a die-cut machine was a piece of cake. You could either go with the manual machines, such as the Cuttlebug, Sizzix or Spellbinder, or you could go with the electronic Cricut by ProvoCraft. Now, everything is changed. Electronic die-cut machines are quickly popping up on the market and the prices, abilities and functions are all different. No matter which brand you choose, the benefits are endless.
Below is a list of some of the top-selling electronic die-cut machines on the market along with their pros and cons. They are in no particular order.
Cricut Create
Price: $169.99-199.99
Company: Provo Craft
Includes: Instructions, cutting mat, basic fonts and shapes cartridge, and cutting mat
Programs Needed: None, however, Cricut DesignStudio software is available for the PC
Cartridge Cost: $19.99-89.99
Ablilities: Cuts cardstock, vinyl, vellum, and designer paper
Cutting Range: ¼” to 11 ½”
Pros: Portable and lightweight. Completely visible cutting mat helps users not waste paper.
Cons: Expensive cartridges and limited size (will not cut wider than 6x12”).
Cricut Expression
Price: $299.99-349.99
Company: Provo Craft
Includes: Instructions, 12x12 cutting mat, cartridge
Programs needed: None, however, Cricut DesignStudio software is available for the PC
Cartridge Cost: $19.99-89.99
Ablilities: Cuts cardstock, vinyl, vellum, designer paper, photos, fabric and metal
Cutting Range: ¼” – 23 ½”
Pros: Easy to use, completely visible cutting mat helps users not waste paper, ability to draw
Cons: Expensive cartridges
Cricut Imagine
Price: $449.99-499.99
Company: Provo Craft
Includes: Instructions, cutting mat, cartridge, black ink and multi-color ink
Programs needed: None, however, Cricut DesignStudio software is available for the PC
Cartridge Cost: $19.99-89.99
Ablilities: Cuts cardstock, vinyl, vellum, designer paper.
Cutting Range: ¼” – 23 ½”
Pros: Combines printing and cutting (users can print an image prior to die-cutting)
Cons: Costly. Besides the upfront cost, users will have to replace the toner cartridges (roughly $30-40)
Slice Elite
Price: $149.99
Company: Making Memories
Includes: Instructions, 6x6” cutting mat, design card, 5 blades, blade replacement, adjustment wrench, adaptor, and adhesive
Programs needed: None
Cartridge Cost: $39.99-49.99
Ablilities: Cuts cardstock, vinyl, vellum, designer paper, photos, fabric and metal.
Cutting Range: 1 – 4”
Pros: Completely portable and wireless
Cons: Size. The Slice Elite measures 5x5 and therefore limits the size of your diecuts to a maximum of 4”.
Silhouette SD
Price: $299.99
Company: Silhouette America
Includes: Instructions, cutting mats and software
Programs needed: Silhouette Studio (allows you to download die-cut images)
Cartridge Cost: $49.99-59.99
Ablilities: Cuts cardstock, vinyl, vellum, designer paper and transfer paper
Cutting Range: ¼ - 39”
Pros: Users are not required to buy expensive CDs in order to use this machine, rather they can download diecut images from the provided software for just 99 cents.
Cons: Software may be a little challenging at first
eClips
Price: $499.99
Company: Sizzix
Includes: Instructions, cartridge, cutting mat, remote control
Programs needed: None
Cartridge Cost: $29.99-79.99
Ablilities: Cuts cardstock, vinyl, vellum, designer paper, and thin chipboard
Cutting Range: 1/10” – 24”
Pros: Preview option lets you see exactly where cuts are being made. Remote Control can be used to manage the design. Has the option of drawing with a pen rather than using cutting blades.
Cons: None
eCraft
Price: $349.99
Company: Craftwell
Includes: Instructions, paper tray, roller, USB cord, five blades, 2 pens, software
Programs needed: eCraftshop Pro which lets you create your own images
Cartridge Cost: $49.99
Ablilities: Cuts cardstock, vinyl, vellum, designer paper, felt, organza, magnetic sheets.
Cutting Range: ¼” – 11 ½”
Pros: Completely portable and wireless (can be run by battery) can download images from ecraftcentral.com for 99 cents.
Cons: Can be hard to use
