Today we are talking about a hobby item, one of the most desired of 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 creative and fun, and also because they are supported by a really lively online community!
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 talk about ” paper, “but we want to clarify that this type of processing has quickly spread to other materials, starting from cloth and felt for the creation, for example, of handbags and wallets: all completely 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 before the processing technique was 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 aimed at all those people who like to use this material to decorate and create everything that comes to mind. There are so many opportunities to always create something new, but often it is done for pleasure and personal whim.
For example, you can make a photo album of birth to a friend who has just given birth, completely decorated by hand using paper cutouts, shapes, stamps, dedications: you can create decorations around the photographs to display them at home.
Also popular are the greeting cards for all occasions, the close-package cards (called ” Tags ” ), the boxes for the favors, the invitations for parties, perhaps with raised phrases, up to original diaries and notebooks … in short, wide to the imagination!
We have talked to about 3 different ” approaches “, let’s see them :
- Scrapbooking: among the three, it is absolutely the oldest art and is widespread 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, dedications. As 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: if until a few years ago, sending your good wishes via electronic tickets meant being in step with the times, now everything has changed. Many people, some of whom already practiced the hobby of scrapbooking, decided to devote themselves to the creation of greeting cards starting from the simple card up to the decorations, the coloring, and the dedication of wish. For some, the creation of handmade cards has become even a job, taking advantage of the most diverse occasions such as birthday greetings, holidays, weddings, fairs, and much more. In essence, we start from the card, and you get up to articles three-dimensional, decorated with care and professionalism.
- Papercraft: they are specifically three-dimensional articles created through the use of scissors, glue, but above all, the pre-cut models that can be obtained with the punches. It starts from a simple card more or less often to get the original shapes: from the simple box, up to much more elaborate forms. The part of the border is used as a starting point for gluing all the other parts and obtaining 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 its 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 to give effects and textures (embossing technique) 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 the punches, simple metal cutting-shapes, available in any shape, design or format, from the simplest to detailed and particular decorations, such as the letters of the alphabet or the boxes for wedding favors (with the dies ” creates 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 the various festivities, and always new forms. The possibilities increase with the matching punch-stamp matching: in practice, you print shape, and the coordinated punch cut it perfectly, cutting it out. It is not the same thing that you can be cut out by hand with scissors, we assure you!
Die-cutter models on the market
The die-cutting machines have a very simple 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 wide that on the market, there are many models of die-cutting machines, which differ according to the processing method. 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 born on the market. Who does not remember the tool that was used to make the symmetrical holes on the sheets to be able to insert them in the 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 usually, only one die is matched to each die cutter, and it is not possible to change them because they are fixed. 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 are simple printers equipped with a cable connected to the computer. Once the selected shape is displayed on your desktop, it is sent to the die cutter that 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 the manual punching machines that use the punches to cut the shapes volute.
Another difference is that the electric die-cutter is equipped with a multi-purpose single-layer platform to support the sheet to pass it under the action of the cutter. Some of these latest-generation machines, do not allow the processing of the sheets with the texture effect, obtained thanks to embossing dies. Electric die-cutting machines cut not only paper but also vinyl, cardboard, felt, and fabric.
Manual punching machine – ” Sizzix “
We are talking about the most popular models on the market, which are cranked. The crank presses have a slot where to insert the material to be processed that will pass through two rollers, which with the action of compression with the punches, will cut or imprint the material.
Let’s see in detail how they work: inside the package, there is a multipurpose platform to use 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 obtain the desired processing, the paper must be put in contact with the die: both are inserted inside the two cutting plates, which have the function of keeping them still 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, just turn the side crank in the die-cutter. This manual model can work not only paper and cardboard but also felt, fabric, sheets of rubber, leather, and leather.
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 because it is reliable, effective, and compatible with all dies, both the old generation ones with a greater thickness than those of the latest generation, of metal and with little thickness. It is also able to work any type of material, from paper to leather, without any 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 with or without the Starter Kit; the latter recommended to start immediately to create!
Sizzix Big Shot ” base “
The firstborn of Sizzix is still today the most requested die-cutter on the market, but also the smallest of the two. The operation is exactly what we have described above, so below, we list the main features: the opening useful to insert the material to be processed is 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, and once purchased, you can already start your work, otherwise, we suggest the following model (reading later you will understand why).
- This die-cutting and embossing machine is the perfect tool for a range of creative...
- Die-cuts and embosses many different materials up to 6" (15.24 cm) wide. Compatible...
- The Big Shot Machine measures approximately 40 x 29 x 24 cm (14 1/4" x 12 3/8" x 6...
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 be felt, fabric, aluminum, and even the magnet and foam. Also, with regard to the dies, there will be two of the Sizzlits model, designed for perfect objects and small and ideal for cutting paper and cardboard.
Let’s move on to the third line of dies, the Framelits, ideal for creating precise cut-outs or prints, up to 3D layering. There are also two A2 embossing sheets for the creation of textures. Obviously, you will also find colored cards to start work immediately.
- MACHINE COMES WITH – A complete starter kit! See the product description below for...
- DIE CUTTING AND EMBOSSING - This Big Shot is the ideal tool for a range of creative...
- THE A5 SIZED OPENING - Allows you to create an ever-growing collection of designs,...
Sizzix Big Shot ” Plus “
It is bigger than the previous one, given that the useful opening reaches up to 22.7 cm. Of course, even its dimensions are slightly higher than the other model: we speak of 15.8 x 11.8 x 7.5 inches. Absolutely recommended for those who already know the hobby of paper and want to make a 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.
- MACHINE COMES WITH – 1 pair of Big Shot Plus Cutting Pads, 1 Platform, 1 Adapter A,...
- DIE CUTTING AND EMBOSSING - It's everything you love about the Big Shot and more with...
- THE A4 SIZED OPENING - The larger platform means you can now use larger materials and...
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 be able to use all the other dies initially not compatible with this model. As for the dies, you will find a Bigz, for large works, one of the Framelits models, to cut out basic shapes and 12 Thinlits punches for complex and detailed projects in detail, ideal for cutting paper, cardboard, fabric or parchment. Then there is the basic material for the creations: inside the package, you will find 1 piece of cotton cloth, 4 colored A4 cards, and other colored double-sided cards with size 15 x 14 cm.
- MACHINE COMES WITH – A complete starter kit! See the product description below for...
- DIE CUTTING AND EMBOSSING - It's everything you love about the Big Shot and more with...
- THE A4 SIZED OPENING - The larger platform means you can now use larger materials and...
Conclusions
Confused? But no, it’s easier than it looks! Let’s summarize: to start this hobby, you need a die cutter. If you are completely zero, we recommend a starter kit with which you can already do the first work, and then you will see where your creativity will take you. The Sizzix Big Shot ” base “ model is fine to start with, but if you already have clear ideas, and you already know that this will be your hobby, then take the biggest car right away, and you will not think about it anymore!
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