This 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, scrapbooking and crafting in general. I hope that you will find something here that will make your die cutting easier!
Extra Small Side Cutting Die Snips
I use these side cutting die snips to cut apart my wafer thin dies. Because they are “side cutting”, you can get into the smallest areas and cut dies apart with ease.
Kaisercraft Die Release Tool
This little tool that I refer to as a “pokey tool” has a pick on one end and a spatula on the other. With the pick (pokey) end, you can easily release your die cut paper from the die without tearing your die cuts. You use the flat spatula end to edge around the die cut paper between the metal die and the paper. This is a handy little tool that I find myself using often in my craft room and it’s only $2.99!
Spellbinders Tool n’ One + Tool n’ One Foam
Tool n’ One – You use the roller end to roll over intricate die cuts and it pokes the little pieces out as you roll. Great time and frustration saver! The other end is a pokey tool (but I don’t usually use it, I prefer my Kaisercraft Die Release Tool.
Tool n’ One Foam– Use the foam underneath the Tool n’ One to remove all of the leftover pieces of paper from your dies. It helps keep your desk clean by catching all of the little pieces.
Post It Tape
I love using Post It Tape to hold my dies in place while I die cut. It is sticky enough to keep things from moving but NEVER sticks to the paper enough to tear it when you release it. Post It Tape = Damage Free Die Cutting 
Sizzix Vagabond Electronic Die Cutting Machine
This is the die cutting machine I use 90% of the time. I absolutely love it! With the push of a button it moves the cutting platform through the machine and cuts your projects. You can usually find it on sale for around $149.00 at Amazon.
Sizzix Big Shot Manual Die Cutting Machine
This is the manual die cutting machine I prefer. This machine is a work horse and will last forever!
Sizzix Magnetic Platform
You use the magnetic platform to create a sandwich in your die cutting machine to cut wafer thin dies. The magnetic surface helps keep your dies from moving when die cutting. *When using multiple dies you will still want to use Post It Tape because the dies tend to “jump” around when there are more than one on the platform.
Sizzix Precision Base Plate
You use the Precision Base Plate IN PLACE of one of your cutting pads. With cut side down against the metallic side of the plate, it helps “intricate” dies to cut all the way through and cleanly. ***You do not use this with regular wafer thin dies, only intricate ones. ***
For more info, check out the following video.
Sizzix Cutting Pads – Mint
Sizzix Cutting Pads now come in multiple colors and I like to use the Clear Cutting Pads as my base plate and a Mint Cutting Pad as my top plate. That way I don’t get the bottom and top pads mixed up and only get cuts and impressions on one plate. This means less replacement pads! Other available colors include “Watermelon, Grape, Blueberry, Cherry, Apple and a dark grey I believe is called “Java”.
Sizzix Cutting Pad – Standard (Clear)
As I mentioned above, I use the Clear Cutting Pad as my base plate in my die cutting sandwich. (This is the pad/plate that takes the hits when cutting meaning it gets cut up and “scratched” looking. The clear are the least expensive and since they have to be replaced more often, I choose to use the clear as my base pad/plate.
Metal Shim
A lot of people still use metal shims, and I did too, until I purchased the Precision Base Plate. Now I find I don’t need one anymore. But here is a link to the one I used to use in case you are interested.
For information on how I store my dies and links to the products I use, visit this page.
Product List
Thanks for your tips! I watched the video about the cutting plates (although he kept calling them ‘pads’). I have not done the rotating and flipping with purpose but now I will. Really helped. Sorry you couldn’t sleep. Thanks again. Hope tonight is better. I have those sleepless nights as well when my brain won’t turn off.
Glad you were able to find them helpful. Thanks so much!