If you’re new to f, you’ve certainly heard seasoned crafters wax poetic about die-cutting… I wondered what in the world they were talking about! To put it simply, die-cutting is the technique of cutting out elaborate forms in one fell swoop using metal cutting shapes called dies… picture cookie cutters for paper! But that’s not all — because dies eliminate the necessity for scissors for generating cut paper shapes, the possibilities for creating wonderfully detailed designs are nearly unlimited! Continue reading to learn how to use dies to make eye-catching papercrafts, what die-cutting machines are and how to use them, and what you’ll need to get started.
You will need a die-cutting machine to utilize your dies. What exactly is a die-cutting machine? In a word, a die-cutting machine is a device that cuts your desired forms out of paper, vellum, and other appropriate materials. Manual die-cutting machines, electrical die-cutting machines, and digital die-cutting machines (more on these later!) are the three types of die-cutting machines.
1) MANUAL AND ELECTRONIC DIE CUTTING MACHINES:
Manual die cutting machines, as the name implies, are operated manually by the craftsman using a crank mechanism and do not require power. These are generally the most economical, and they’re a terrific way to get started in the world of die cutting! If you want something that takes less physical work, an electronic die cutting machine may be the best option for you.
They function similarly to manual die cutting machines, except instead of a manually handled handle, they utilise a motor to move your die and paper through the machine and make your cut-out pattern. Both manual and electronic die cutting machines need you to make a’sandwich,’ or to sandwich your selected die and the crafting material you want to cut between two cutting plates so that they may be run through the machine and compacted to form your cut-out pattern. Computerized die cutting machines, on the other hand, function a little differently…
2) COMPUTERISED DIE CUTTING MACHINES:
Instead of real metal dies, these machines use digital cutting patterns that are either incorporated into the machine or supplied through a USB containing the digital cutting files or a computer containing appropriate cutting files or photos. To operate these machines, no actual die is necessary; instead, just load the machine with your preferred medium (paper, vellum, etc.), pick your design using the machine’s touch-screen interface or a connected computer, then instruct the machine to cut… then sit back and wait for your neatly cut form to materialise!
3) DIES — PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL:
The type of dies you purchase will be directly related to the type of die cutting equipment you own. Manual and electronic die cutting equipment require real metal dies, but computerised devices require digital cutting files, which may be purchased on convenient USBs. Physical dies must be carefully preserved, however die USBs have the extra benefit of allowing you to possess hundreds of designs, all saved in one compact location — freeing up space in your craft cabinet for plenty of other things!
4) E-DIES:
E-Dies are carefully designed designs (all kept on a convenient USB!) that are distributed layer by layer, allowing you to easily construct spectacular paper piecing creations. Every layer has been carefully considered to provide the most realistic information; the number of layers utilised to make each image can range from 16 to 89!
