Today, we‘re discussing a hobby item that’s one of the most sought-after at the moment: the best die-cutting machine for domestic use.
Do you know what it is? If you do not know them yet, we are talking about the hobbies of ” card-making, ” ” paper-craft,” and ” scrap-booking. ” They are methods to create small cards, cards, and small works of art with paper, with the help of scissors, glue, and some special tools that we will explain below. These are hobbies that, from the USA, are rapidly expanding here in Europe because they are both creative and fun, and also because a vibrant online community supports them.
Now let’s take a small introduction to the ” paper hobbies,” and then let’s go and talk about the various models of Sizzix Big Shot, the reference punching machine of the sector, which is the basis of all the creations!
The hobby of paper: Sizzix Big Shot, Die-cutter, and dies.
We often refer to “paper,” but we want to clarify that this type of processing has quickly spread to other materials, starting with cloth and felt, for the creation of items such as handbags and wallets, all of which are entirely handmade.
A bit of history
The paper has ancient origins, dating back to two centuries before the birth of Christ, and it took almost a thousand years for the processing technique to be known in Europe. With the arrival of the press, the paper has become a daily use, not only for the dissemination of books but also for maps, cardboard for packaging, colored cards, and following the footsteps of the ancient technique of origami. It was transformed … into a pastime.
Let’s be clear!
The hobby of paper processing is designed for individuals who enjoy using this material to decorate and create a wide range of items. There are numerous opportunities to create something new, but often it is done for pleasure and personal whim.
For example, you can create a photo album for a friend who has just given birth, entirely decorated by hand using paper cutouts, shapes, stamps, and dedications. You can then create decorations around the photographs to display them at home.
Also popular are greeting cards for all occasions, close-package cards (called “Tags”), boxes for favors, invitations for parties, perhaps with raised phrases, and original diaries and notebooks… in short, wide to the imagination!
We have talked about three different ” approaches “, let’s see them :
- Scrapbooking: Among the three, it is arguably the oldest art form and is widely practiced in many parts of the world. It is about the conservation and organization of one’s own story within an album through the use of photographs, clippings, notes, stamps, writings, and dedications. It is a great personal diary, completely decorated and handmade. You will certainly be able to practice it through the numerous photo apps on your phone: when you take a picture and decorate it, you have used the scrapbooking technique!
- Cardmaking: Until a few years ago, sending your good wishes via electronic cards meant being in step with the times, but now everything has changed. Many people, some of whom already practiced the hobby of scrapbooking, decided to devote themselves to creating greeting cards, starting with the simple card and progressing to the decorations, coloring, and the dedication of a wish. For some, crafting handmade cards has become a rewarding hobby, allowing them to take advantage of various occasions, such as birthdays, holidays, weddings, fairs, and more. In essence, we start with the card, and you receive up to three-dimensional articles, carefully and professionally decorated.
- Papercraft: These are specifically three-dimensional articles created through the use of scissors, glue, and, above all, pre-cut models that can be obtained with punches. It begins with a simple card, often repeated, to recreate the original shapes: from the basic box to much more elaborate forms. The part of the border serves as a starting point for gluing all the other parts and achieving the desired shape. The punches will allow you to cut out all the necessary pieces, and you will have to assemble them (with the help of the glue) in a creative way and decorate them as you like.
The necessary tools
The Die Cutter
There are no sudden “paper artists” without the necessary tools that are the basis of their work. Everyone at home has scissors and glue, but these alone are not enough.
The real beating heart of this art is the die cutter, a machine that allows you to cut the desired shapes or add effects and textures (such as embossing techniques) to the processed materials. The die cutter uses ” punches ” (see later) to create precise shapes of every type. As we said, Queen is the Sizzix Big Shot, which we analyze in the second part of this article.
The Punch
The die-cutter must be accompanied by punches, which are simple metal cutting shapes available in various shapes, designs, and formats, ranging from the simplest to the most detailed and intricate decorations, such as letters of the alphabet or boxes for wedding favors (with dies that create specific shapes). The punches have sharp edges and are inserted into the die-cutter together with the support to be cut. The machine exerts pressure and … zac! The cut is done, and you have your shape ready to use!
The Stamp
The timbres are the other great protagonist of this hobby: they allow you to create shapes and decorations that can be colored with specific markers and inks. There are hundreds of them, with seasonal releases for various festivities, and always new forms. The possibilities increase with the matching punch-stamp matching: in practice, you print a shape, and the coordinated punch cuts it perfectly, cutting it out. It is not the same thing that you can cut out by hand with scissors, we assure you!
Die-cutter models on the market
The die-cutting machines have an effortless and intuitive operation. In essence, they are two rollers that compress the punch (the chosen shape), which, thanks to the pressure exerted by the two rollers, can cut the desired material. The hobby of paper is so diverse that on the market, there are many models of die-cutting machines, which differ according to their processing methods. To better understand their use, let’s see what they are and how they are made.
Press punching machine – ” Punch “
Recommended for children, it is one of the leading die-cutting machines on the market. Who does not remember the tool used to create symmetrical holes on the sheets, allowing them to be inserted into ring notebooks?
The operation is the same: you put the sheet inside the external levers and press; the sheet will be cut according to the desired shape. The only drawback is that, typically, only one die is matched to each die cutter, and it is not possible to change them because they are fixed in place. In this case, you will always get the same shapes, without being able to wander with the imagination, unless you have many die-cutting machines.
Electric die cutter – ” Cutting Plotter “
The latest born and even the most expensive. At first glance, they appear to be simple printers equipped with a cable connected to a computer. Once the selected shape is displayed on your desktop, it is sent to the die cutter, which will automatically cut the sheet using a small cutter inserted vertically in the central part of the machine. This is a fundamental difference compared to manual punching machines, which use punches to cut the shapes.
Another difference is that the electric die-cutter is equipped with a multi-purpose single-layer platform to support the sheet as it passes under the cutter’s action. Some of these latest-generation machines do not allow the processing of sheets with a texture effect, obtained through the use of embossing dies. Electric die-cutting machines cut not only paper but also vinyl, cardboard, felt, and fabric.
Manual punching machine – ” Sizzix “
We are referring to the most popular models on the market, which are highly sought after. The crank presses have a slot where the material to be processed can be inserted, which will then pass through two rollers. With the action of compression from the punches, the material is cut or imprinted.
Let’s examine the details of how they work: inside the package, there is a multipurpose platform to serve as a basis for processing, as well as two cutting plates. The platform is equipped with three different levels, one dedicated to the processing of the texture through embossing dies; the second floor designed for thin metal dies (by now the most widespread on the market), and the third dedicated to all non-latest generations dies that have a higher thickness and require more space to pass through the rollers.
To achieve the desired processing, the paper must be brought into contact with the die. Both are inserted into the two cutting plates, which serve to maintain them in the desired position for cutting. Then, the two cutting plates are placed on top of the multi-use platform, and all the material is passed through the two rollers of the die cutter. To slide the platform, turn the side crank in the die-cutter. This manual model can work not only with paper and cardboard but also with felt, fabric, sheets of rubber, leather, and other materials.
The Sizzix Big Shot die cutter
Why do we talk about Sizzix Big Shot among all the manual punching machines on the market? Simple. Because it represents the most common cutting machine on the market, and rightly so, it is reliable, effective, and compatible with all dies, including both the older generation ones with greater thickness than those of the latest generation, as well as those of metal, and those with a slight thickness. It is also capable of working with a wide range of materials, from paper to leather, without requiring additional effort.
Inside the package are the two cutting plates, the multipurpose platform, and the instruction manual. On the market, there are two models of Sizzix Big Shot: one with and one without the Starter Kit. The latter is recommended for immediate use to create.
Sizzix Big Shot ” base “
The firstborn of Sizzix is still the most requested die-cutter on the market today, and also the smallest of the two. The operation is exactly as described above. Below, we list the main features: the helpful opening to insert the material to be processed measures 16 cm, and its total size is 15.8 x 11.4 x 9.4 inches. The package consists of the machine, the multipurpose platform, and the two cutting planes.
We recommend it if you already have some punches. Once purchased, you can start your work. Otherwise, we suggest the following model (read on, and you will understand why).
Sizzix Big Shot – Starter Kit
For those who have not yet started the hobby of do-it-yourself cards, this is the recommended model. In addition to the die cutter, multi-use platform, and cutting plates, you will find a series of cutting and embossing dies.
Specifically, we start by telling you that you will find a Bigz punch, ideal for creating large objects, such as boxes and small envelopes, suitable for cutting from simple paperboard to felt, fabric, aluminum, and even magnets and foam. Additionally, regarding the dies, there will be two Sizzlits models, designed for perfect objects and small items, and ideal for cutting paper and cardboard.
Let’s move on to the third line of dies, the Framelits, which are ideal for creating precise cut-outs or prints, as well as up to 3D layering. There are also two A2 embossing sheets available for creating textures. You will also find colored cards to get started immediately.
Sizzix Big Shot ” Plus “
It is larger than the previous one, as the practical opening measures up to 22.7 cm. Of course, even its dimensions are slightly larger than those of the other model: we speak of 15.8 x 11.8 x 7.5 inches. Recommended for those who already know the hobby of paper and want to leap in quality: with this die cutter you can cut everything you want, from the mold to aluminum, but above all, you will have all the necessary space to go into the punching machine even more materials long and bulky, with a maximum size of A4.
Sizzix Big Shot ” Plus ” – Starter Kit
For those who have not yet started with this type of hobby and want a car with accessories ready to use, you can opt for the Big Shot Plus with the Starter Kit.
Let’s see what they are and what you can do with them. First, you will find two adapters (AB) to use with all the other dies that are initially not compatible with this model. As for the dies, you will find a Bigz die for significant works, one of the Framelits models for cutting out basic shapes, and 12 Thinlits punches for complex and detailed projects, ideal for cutting paper, cardboard, fabric, or parchment. Then, there is the basic material for the creations: inside the package, you will find one piece of cotton cloth, four colored A4 cards, and other colored double-sided cards measuring 15 x 14 cm.
Conclusions
Confused? But no, it’s easier than it looks! To start this hobby, you will need a die cutter. If you are entirely new, we recommend a starter kit that allows you to get started and see where your creativity takes you. The Sizzix Big Shot “base” model is fine to begin with, but if you already have clear ideas and know that this will be your hobby, then opt for the largest model right away, and you won’t have to think about it again!
