Craft Cutters and Embossers: Buyer’s Guide and Affordable Machines to Buy

Crafting can be very soothing and enjoyable, whether you do it as a hobby or as a business.

When you go searching for craft cutters and embossers, you will find that there’s a large variety of options for you to choose from. Instead of having to browse through all the cutters and embossers without clear direction, lets narrow down the criteria.

Knowing what you’re searching for will allow you to easily find craft cutters and embossers that will keep you satisfied. Take a look at the following factors.

Cost

Price is potentially the main thing that you want to think about when you look at craft cutters and embossers. If a machine is in your budget, you shouldn’t cut costs. If you cut costs when purchasing craft cutters or embossers, you could wind up spending more money in the end because craft cutters and embossers that are cheap tend to be of poorer quality. With poor quality comes the need to purchase another machine in a shorter amount of time.

It would be best if you thought of craft cutters and embossers as an investment. If you’re planning on utilizing your craft cutter and embosser repeatedly or frequently, you might want to consider spending a little more money for a device that will work for a long time.

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The Size of the Machine

Before you buy one of these, you should have a good idea of what kind of projects you want to create. The size of the projects you want to do will influence the size of your craft cutter and embosser. You’ll find that larger machines are more versatile when it comes to different types of projects they can handle, whereas smaller cutters tend to be more limited in what they able to do.

Machine Type

There are several craft cutters and embossers on the market that are technologically advanced and are more computerized. Others utilize the older, tried and true manual techniques. The type of machine you go with is all up to personal preference, if you have more experience with manual machines, then you should go with one of those. However, if you want to do more intricate designs for your projects, you want to go with a computerized machine.

How You Use the Machine

You should think about what kind of materials you’re planning on using and thinking about if the machine you’re looking at will work best with those materials. For instance, quality crafter cutters and embossers will be able to cut through more than paper. Quality machines can cut through specialty materials, such as:

  • Foil
  • Foam
  • Craft metal
  • Felt
  • Fabric
  • Leather

Imagine having the ability to work with a variety of different materials for your projects. The design options would be endless.

Investing in an adaptable machine that works with different die brands is worth your money and time. This is because you would have access to a broader spectrum of color, which makes it, so your projects are as you imagined them. The last thing that you should do when thinking about purchasing craft cutters and embossers are to think about how much you’re going to be making of your craft projects.

Best Craft Cutters and Embossers

Sizziz Big Shot Cutting/Embossing Machine

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This machine is manual, so it operates with a handle. It stands apart from other machines because of its multipurpose platform, which crafters can use with additional dies and embossing folders. This device is incredibly portable, as well. It can cut through a wide range of materials, including flexible magnet and craft metal.

The Sizziz Big Shot weighs less than 11.5 pounds and comes with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty. Another great thing about this machine is that you can use anyone’s dies without any problems, and it’s easy to keep your craft materials in place when using the machine.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Portable
  • Cuts through a wide range of materials

Cons:

  • Can easily break

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Cricut Cuttlebug Die Cutting & Embossing Machine

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This is one of the most popular Cricut models for craft cutting and embossing. When you order this machine, you’ll also get:

  • Two metal dies
  • A 6×8 A plate
  • A 6×8 embossing mat
  • Two 6×8 B plates
  • An Ax embossing folder

This machine weighs less than 10.5 pounds and is incredibly versatile because it can cut through materials as thick as leather and as thin as tissue paper. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to use and can be used as soon as it arrives.

Pros:

  • Comes in a kit
  • Easy to use
  • Portable

Cons:

  • Suction isn’t the best

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Gemini By Crafter’s Companion

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This machine is the only automated one on this list and features a modern, sleek design. It works quickly and is quiet. In addition to it being automated, another primary benefit of this machine is the platform size. The platform is 9”x12.5”, which makes it possible for you to cut multiple dies at one time. Plus, most embossing folders and dies are compatible with this machine.

The Gemini weighs about 20 pounds, which is more substantial than the other models on this list.

Pros:

  • Automated
  • Makes projects go faster
  • Most embossing folders and dies are compatible

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Not easily portable

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Spellbinders PL-001 Platinum Cut & Embossing Machine

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This machine features a durable solid-steel core construction, which means that it can cut through nearly every material – it can even cut through up to eight sheets of paper in a single pass. This is one of the heavier models on this list, weighing in at more than 20 pounds.

It comes with a one-year warranty, and it runs smoothly and is easy to use.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Can cut through just about every material
  • Runs smoothly

Cons:

  • It’s recommended that you use only Spellbinders dies and embossing folders

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