Die Cutting is perhaps my favorite part of card making and paper crafting. I always get such a sense of accomplishment and fun when i see a shape being cut out of paper just by running it through a die cutting machine. And then to embellish it or use it as an element on my project, well its just my idea of fun!
These are the die cutting projects I use the most and recommend. (Some tools may be found in multiple categories)
If the product(s) are available online (usually where I purchased it), I will be list and link for you. I do link to products in my store and I use affiliate links when possible (at no cost to you), but none of the products I’m listed were provided or sponsored by anyone. (I stock my store with my favorite products!) These are simply my personal favorite products that I use when crafting. Full Disclosure Here.
DIE CUTTING MACHINES
Gemini Junior
The Gemini Junior is my all time favorite die cutting machine EVER!
The price point is great at around $150 and it cuts even the most intricate dies like butter. The platform size is 6″ x 9″ and it takes approximately 10 second to run the platform through the machine. There are many features I love about this machine, one of which being that you can pause it at any time and reverse the direction of the plates. I really can’t say enough good things about this product.
This year the manufacturer came out with a new Magnetic Shim. This shim is very handy and I like it a lot. Jennifer McGuire did a video showing how she keeps her plates from warping and also how to tape your plates together so that you don’t have to remember the sandwich every time. I don’t trim my mat the way she does but I did tape them together. However, keep in mind that she probably die cuts a LOT more than I do! Here is Jennifer’s video about this subject:
*** The Gemini Junior’s User Guide can be located online here.
Gemini Jr Storage Bag
I use this to keep track of all my Gemini Jr plates and accessories It’s very handy and keeps me from getting the plates from other die cutting machines confused.
This is listed in the Crafting Tools section as well but it’s die related so I’ll copy it here as well
Die Snips
These will be listed under Die Cutting Products as well but they are a tool so I’m listing them here under Crafting Tools as well. The Kat Scrappiness Die Snips were redesigned this year to make them stronger and a little bit thicker so they won’t break when snipping even at the tip of the snips.
One of the reasons these die snips have been rated and reviewed so highly are because of the design. They are completely flat on one side which allows you to get RIGHT UP to the edge of the and snip off the connector without leaving sharp pointy spikes that poke you when handling your dies. No more filing the pointy parts off either! If you’d like to see what some of the Kat Scrappiness customers are saying about these die snips, click here to read their reviews.
Purple Tape
There are two sizes of purple tape and I use both. I use the smaller 1/2″ purple tape to tape my dies down when I am die cutting and the thicker 1 1/2″ purple tape to tape paper down, etc. This tape is removable and will not tear your paper. They redesigned it recently and made it even less sticky and to add a pattern to it. (Which I dislike) but even if it’s ugly (in my opinion) LOL I still use it because it’s GREAT for using with dies and paper and stencils, etc.
Purple Tape Holder
I also use the Purple Tape Holder to hold my purple tape. I have it in the Kat Scrappiness Exclusive Color called “Dazzling Blue” and it works great and makes it very handy when I want to use the tape. It’s always right where I need it, next to my Gemini Jr.
P.S. I used to use a regular tape holder to hold my small purple tape but i found that it dried out and lost it’s “stick” wherever the air was hitting it. The Purple Tape Holder eliminates that issue because the tape is not pulled open and exposed to the air.
Die Release Tool (Pokey Tool)
The die release tool by Honey Bee is one of my most used tools. It is very handy and I use it for all sorts of things, not just poking the paper out of dies. It has a little scoop end on one end and the pointy end on the other. I call it my “pokey tool” lol. I used to use an identical tool made by Kaisercraft but they discontinued it and to my knowledge the only place you can get this exact tool now is HoneyBee.
We R Memory Keepers 3 in One Weeding Tool
With the WRMK Weeding Tool you can remove, place, and clean intricate die cuts. The brush end is used to release the paper from your die cuts. There are levers that allow you to switch between the piercer (to lift and place small die cut pieces) and the scraper (to flatten bubbles and clean mats). This is a handy little tool to have!
Magnetic Die Tray by Crafters Solution
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been die cutting something only to lose one or more of the dies in the set! This magnetic tray keeps all of the dies close by and safe until you are finished with them. The color shown is “Dazzling Sky” and can only be found at Kat Scrappiness!
Brother ScanNCut
Model shown is ScanNCut DX (Sky Blue)
I happen to have an older version of the ScanNCut which is no longer available, however, the newer models do so much more than mine does. I only use mine to scan in stamped images and cut them out so I don’t need a newer model (yet LOL), but you can cut vinyl and fabric and design your own cutting files and so much more with the newer models. You can compare the different models at the manufacturer’s website here and once you know which model you want, you can shop for them (usually for less with free shipping) on Amazon here.
These are the die cutting tools and accessories I use most often. I have other die cutting machines but these are my favorites. If you have a question about a product not listed here, or if there is a something you’d like for me to try, please contact me here.
Product List
so glad!! I have the Brother scan and cut! Christmas present!
Congrats!