Die-cutting machine

A die-cutting (or "die-cutting and embossing") machine is a small device that uses a combination of plastic plates and metal cylinders to apply pressure. This allows you to press shapes into paper, cut out shapes with the help of metal cutting dies, and more.

Manual or electronic

Manual die-cutting machines have a handle on the side and need a varying degree of manual force in order for the cylinders to roll, which then pull/push the plates through the machine.

Electronic machines will do the work for you: they will pull the plates through without the need for manual power. Gemini is a brand that has electric die-cutting machines.

Sizes

These machines can be mostly split up into three sizes:

• Large: roughly the size of a standard size paper (US letter or ISO A4)
• Medium/standard: roughly the size of half a piece of paper (1/2 US letter or ISO A5)
• Small: these are very small machines that will not be able to cut out a card front but can be used to cut out small images

When deciding on machine size, keep in mind the cost, the room it takes up, and the fact that the bigger machines don't force you to cut your materials to size before running them through the machine (since (specialty) paper, felt, vellum, … often comes in sheets that are US letter or ISO A4 in size).

Foldable sides

Some machines, like the Spellbinders Platinum machines, have sides you can fold closed, so the machine will take up less space on your desk or work surface.

"Sandwiches": combination of plates

To create the right amount of pressure to get the wanted result, most machines work with so-called "sandwiches": the right combination (and sometimes order) of plates, paper, plastic/metal, … for the technique you're using (dry embossing, die-cutting, …)

Brands

Some of the brands that sell these machines are:

• Gemini
• Spellbinders
• Sizzix