Die Cutting: I have three die cutting machines that I use regularly.
Digital Die Cutter – Silhouette Cameo
I have an electronic digital cutting machine called the Silhouette Cameo and I love it! I used to have a Cricut years ago but sold it to get the Cameo and never looked back.
Electric Die Cutter – Sizzix Vagabond – The reason I have two manual die cutters (one electric and one manual) is because I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and I used to have a die cutting business which meant I spent several hours a day die cutting.
I don’t spend hours per day die cutting anymore but I still die cut almost daily so when my rheumatoid arthritis is acting up, or if I need to do a a lot of die cutting, I use my Vagabond.
Manual Die Cutter – Sizzix BigKick – This is the die cutting machine I use on a regular, day to day basis because it’s more portable and I can move it around easier.
If I had to choose which machine I’d buy if I were a regular crafter (and not in business cutting die cuts) I’d stick with the BigKick because the Vagabond costs quite a bit more and won’t last as long as the BigKick which is built like a tank!
Die Cutting Tools & Accessories
Magnetic Platform – Whether I’m using my Vagabond or my Big Kick, I always use my Sizzix Magnetic Platform for wafer thin dies. I love that thing! Because it is magnetic, the dies stick where you put them and don’t move around so you don’t have to tape down everything anymore.
Metal Shim – Anytime I am cutting an intricate die or felt, I use a metal shim that I purchased from Taylored Expressions. The shim provides even pressure for a crisp cut, even when using felt.
Dies- I use both steel rule dies (such as Sizzix) as well as wafer thin dies. I really have no preference because I like them both equally. Steel rule dies can cut more materials than wafer thin dies so in that regard, I guess they are more handy. With a sizzix steel rule die, you can cut chipboard, felt, fabric, thin metal, and much more. Wafer thin dies are only meant to cut paper (and high quality wool felt).
The blue, green, yellow and red are older style steel rule Sizzix dies (they are being held in a die storage tower in this photo).
Today, steel rule dies are generally black (or if a Tim Holtz brand, they are tan) and look like this:
Wafer Thin Dies – This is an example of a set of “open” wafer thin dies (nesting circles):
This is an example of a “closed” wafer thin die set (hearts):
As far as wafer thin dies go, I use many different brands, however, some of my favorites include:
- Avery Elle
- My Favorite Things
- Memory Box
- Little B
- Paper Smooches
- Lawn Fawn
These are my favorite and most used die cutting machines, tools and dies. I hope you have found something new here to add to your arsenal of crafting supplies! Die Cutting is one of my favorite parts of crafting!
[…] is an update to my original post from 2014, “Kat’s Favorite Die Cutting Products“. These are the products I use and have found useful when die cutting for card making, […]