Paper Cutting Tools
Here are the basic paper cutting tools you’ll need to get started.
Cutting paper is just about the most essential things in paper crafting. Any easily transportable paper more trim similar to the you from the pic previously can be an crucial instrument. This edge effortlessly trims because of paper plus greeting card commodity. The actual clipper can be overpowered intended for straightforward and even appropriate weighing.
For intricate details of paper crafting, and cutting out special shapes or inside cut outs, use a craft knife and some sharp blades (photo left). A craft knife is also great for cutting out shapes — trace shapes from patterns or templates and use the craft knife to cut them out.
Another great way to cut shapes is to use a cutting tool like the Fiskar’s Shape Cutter or a Personal Die Cut Machine.
Paper Cutting Tools – Fiskar’s Shape Cutter
This starter kit includes everything you need to being cutting a wide array of groovy shapes and designs. It includes the ShapeXpress cutting tool, a Cutting Mat, and four templates (Circles, Squares, Starts, and Hearts). With its ergonomic shape, the Fiskars Ultra ShapeXpress is easier to hold, and SoftGrip technology adds comfort. The freehand spacer allows for a quick switch between template and freehand cutting. The fine tuning dial adjusts blade depth for different paper thickness and Portable preference. The new drop in blade replacement with arm lock allows blade changes without affecting depth.
This product will save you an incredible amount of time. Easly trim photos into interesting shapes and create matching mats to place them on. The kit contains the Fiskars Shape Cutter plus a cutting mat (use the self-healing side) and four shape templates. You save quite a bit of money purchasing them in the kit rather than seperate. One bit of warning: the shape cutter takes a little getting used to. Practice on scrap paper the first few times and if you’re still having problems go to a local craft store and ask them to demo it for you. I promise once you get the hang of it you’ll love it, but it took me a few tries to get it right. The ShapeExpress works really well. These are just the beginning of my scrapbooking collection of fun tools.
This is so easy to use and has great results. I saves so much time and can cut out all sorts of interesting shapes. The trick is to make sure that the templates are facing the correct direction (the correct way almost seems upside down to me). 12 year old kid can even use it. Make sure to read the instructions first and practice once or twice on paper before cutting through photos.
Paper Cutting Tools – Die Cut Machine
A lot of folks have been asking me about which personal die cutting machine to get. I ordered my Big Shot through Costco.com and the Cuttlebug through Joann.com
The Cricut cannot use steel rule dies, of course, nor die cartridges made for other brand electronic die cutting systems. MSRP* on the machine is $299.
The Big Shot by Ellison is manual, operating on a roller pressure system. It has its own series of Thick Cuts dies (steel rule) (similar to Sizzix Originals), and Thin Cuts (similar to Sizzlits) Cuttlebug and Sizzix steel rule dies are compatible with the Big Shot, as are Sizzlit and QuicKutz Wafer style dies, although you may need an adapter or shim to get the best cut on these. MSRP for the Big Shot Basic Starter Kit is $119, and the system features pressure/dry embossing folders based on brass templates.
Cuttlebug machine has its own line of dies and is also compatible with Big Shot Thick Cuts, Thin Cuts, Sizzix Originals, Sizzlits, and QuicKutz dies (with the appropriate adapter plate), and has its own line of embossing folders that are made completely of plastic (no brass).
Thick Cuts, Sizzix Originals, and supposedly Cuttlebug (?), will cut through all the following, when used with either the Big Shot or the Cuttlebug: text weight paper, card stock, fabric, lightweight chipboard, coaster chipboard, felt, fun foam, leather, thin sheet metal, polyshrink, acetate, and plastic stencil material, etc. Although Cuttlebug dies are classified as “wafer” dies, the manufacturer states they will cut through the aforementioned.
WHICH MACHINE DID I KEEP???
I decided to keep the Big Shot and sell the Cuttlebug to a friend who will give it a good and loving home. My reason for keeping the Big Shot over the very obviously cute, celery, and more compact Cuttlebug? The handle grip on the crank of the Big Shot simply feels more comfortable in that bum hand.
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