| There are a number of die cutting machines on the | | | | remember to adjust the cutting settings or risk a |
| market including the Cuttlebug and Sizzix. These | | | | miss-cut and damaging the cutting blade or the |
| machines use the traditional method of die cutting | | | | material. The Cricut expression requires the use of |
| which involves placing paper over a template, covering | | | | specially designed sticky mats which the paper needs |
| it with a protective board, and running it manually | | | | to be attached to for insertion and cutting. This means |
| through a press machine to punch out the shape. This | | | | that these boards will have to continually be purchased |
| method has proven effective and can cut multiple | | | | and if the company decides to stop making their |
| impressions of an image at once. However, there are | | | | machine or accessories the users will no longer be |
| some limitations when it comes to selection, storage, | | | | able to use the machine; this is not a problem for the |
| and size. | | | | traditional die cutters which do not require special |
| The Cricut machine has renovated the world of die | | | | equipment. The stickiness of the cutting mat can also |
| cutting. It is a completely electronic machine. The | | | | be an issue; when the mats are first used they are |
| traditional dies have been replaced with small | | | | very sticky and can actually damage the paper |
| cartridges jam packed with images and options. The | | | | causing it to tear or curl when removed but after |
| cartridge is similar to a USB thumb drive in that it has a | | | | several uses it becomes easier to manage. If a |
| small plug that inserts into the front of the machine, | | | | customer finds a design they like by another company |
| stores mass amounts of data on it, is small, easy to | | | | such as cuttlebug they are out of luck because they |
| store, and is portable. The Cricut functions by having | | | | cannot use it in the Cricut but they could use it with |
| the user insert the cartridge, cover the machine key | | | | their Sizzix Big Shot or Cuttlebug machine which |
| pad with the custom cartridge key pad, and select the | | | | provides more freedom in choosing a company and |
| images desired. By using the cartridge the user has | | | | the images available. Finally, the nature of the machine |
| more options. They can print multiples of the same or | | | | only allows it to do die cuts where the Sizzix and |
| different images, choose special effects like shadows | | | | Cuttlebug are able to do embossing and put crease |
| or italics, and most importantly alter size! The ability to | | | | marks into paper which produces a wider range of |
| alter size is one of the best features of the Cricut | | | | options for their users. |
| machine providing the user with the freedom to | | | | Overall, the Cricut expression is a great tool for any |
| change an image to fit their design layout not the other | | | | paper crafter. Like all tools it has benefits and |
| way around. The Cricut machine has size adjustment | | | | drawback and it is up to the end user to do the |
| that can go as small as desired, although you want to | | | | research and decide if it is right for them. The Cricut |
| limit this to ensure image quality, and it can max out at | | | | has recently come out with a computer software |
| size 12X12 or 12X24. The computer inside the machine | | | | allowing users to design a layout on their computer and |
| tracks previous cuts and knows how much space is | | | | send it to the machine to cut opening it to the digital |
| left on the remaining paper altering the user if there is | | | | and computer world of crafting; a similar device is |
| space issues and when cutting multiple images knows | | | | coming out for Sizzix but will not require a computer |
| which sections have already been used. This opens up | | | | instead using a hand held device and electronic cutter |
| a world of creative possibilities that were never | | | | very similar to the Cricut. With all of the options it is just |
| possible with traditional die cutting machines. | | | | personal choice if you want more freedom in sizes |
| However, the machine is not perfect. The Cricut | | | | and more options then a Cricut might be for you. |
| expression like the traditional machines can be used to | | | | However, if you prefer versatility, the ability to do |
| cut a variety of materials including card stock, paper, | | | | embossing, and want to use other brand dies then a |
| vellum, plastic, rubber, and vinyl but the user must | | | | traditional cutter would be the better choice. |