Die Cut Machine: The Evolution

The world of die cut machines is not a new world, nor is it a new fascination for scrapbookers, card makers, paper crafters, teachers, kids or most anyone with a fondness for arts & crafts. For years, a crafty girl could buy templates for hand-cutting shapes, use punches to create simple shapes, or purchase basic shape already cut out. The proliferation of embellishing mediums such as of chalks and ink brought faux dimension to these simple forms. The past few years, however, has seen advancements in die cut machines resulting in exquisite detail and creative advances for these small, but important embellishments. Finally, crafters can effortlessly emboss details into these shapes and watch them come alive, adding true dimension to almost any project.

The die cut machine began its march to crafters’ homes through industrial size machines that stamped out large sheets of metal for manufacturing. Smaller professional die cut machines found their way to elementary schools and other teaching institutions. Soon, personal die cut machines entered the scene, beginning with small hand-held tools, moving through manual table-top/portable die cut machines and the introduction of electronic, computer-compatible cutters to the newest releases: motorized (non-computerized) die cut machines. As time passes, the crafting world continues to explode with new machines and new dies featuring seasonal, thematic and functional shapes of all kinds.

The Wizard™ Die Cut Machine

Traditionally, manual die cut machines are manufactured from metal, plastic or a combination. All include a mechanism (handle, lever, button, etc.) that produces pressure, forcing the paper against a die to cut thin materials into chosen shapes. One amazing die cut machine, the Wizard, by Spellbinders Paper Arts, uses a ratchet handle to create 3,000 pounds of pressure, the cleanest cuts and most intricate embossed detail of any die cut machine on the market. It’s like having a power tool for crafting.

The Wizard is more than just your basic die cut machine. Yes, it cuts Spellbinders’ patented Die Templates to create the most intricately cut and detailed shapes available, but it also creates beautiful die cut shapes and embossed patterns using most consumer dies, texture plates and embossing folders available today, making it one of the most versatile and effective tools in the craft room.

Along with this basic cutting function, the Wizard can be used to emboss myriad materials, flatten bottle caps, apply rub-ons, reproduce charms in craft metal, set several eyelets at one time, bone fold, flatten and imprint flowers onto watercolor paper, perform photographic image transfers, and even make foam stamps! See projects for our die cut machine, the Wizard.

Using the Wizard

Now that you’ve gotten a sneak peek at what the Wizard can do, let’s get the die cut machine ready to create. Open the box purchased from your favorite scrapbook store, and check out all the cool stuff that comes with the Wizard to make it universal:

• 2 white master mats for cutting and embossing,
• 1 magnetic spacer plate for holding dies in place and providing additional pressure for cutting
• 1 tan embossing pad
• An adapter plate for use with Sizzix® original dies—the ones with the thick red base
• A small User’s Manual and an Instructional DVD.

When using the Wizard, place the longer part of the machine, which features the logo, facing away from you. Always begin with the ratchet handle towards you. As with most die cut machines, building a good sandwich with various mats, dies and the material to be cut is critical to success.

Choose a die that suits your project and begin building a sandwich. To cut with a Spellbinders Die Template:

• Lay the white master mat onto the work surface.
• Add the magnetic spacer plate with the white side facing up.
• Place the die, with the cut edge face up, onto the magnetic spacer plate.
• Layer paper, cardstock, craft foil or other medium on the stack, making sure that the side you want visible in the final project is face down on the die.
• Add the second master mat and your sandwich is ready. Yum!

Running the sandwich through the die cut machine can take some practice but your results will be worth the time taken to learn the tricks.

• Using your left hand, hold the sandwich and bring it around to the back of the machine. In other words, over the longer part of the machine as it faces away from you. We like to call this ‘Hugging’ the Wizard!
• While pulling the sandwich towards you with your left hand, place your right palm on the top roller and press down while pushing forward to engage the mats. A little “scoot” should do it.
• Next, put your right hand on the handle and push it forward to the tabletop. Lift approximately 12 inches to the notch near the handle base and push it down again. This should advance the mats towards you. Continue ratcheting the mats through the rollers, making sure to move your left hand to the front to catch the mats as they exit. (Remember, you’re exerting 3,000 pounds of pressure with every ratchet of the Wizards’ handle so the sandwich can exit the machine with some force!)
• Open the sandwich to see the cut paper.
• To emboss, simply remove the magnetic spacer plate and add the tan embossing mat on top of the die with paper still in it. Run the sandwich through the Wizard using the same technique and open it to see the details of the embossing. For an extra special touch, use a colorant such as chalk or ink to stencil through the embossing holes. Voila! A die cut that is embossed and embellished.

Speaking of universal, Spellbinders’ Die Templates can also be used in other die cut machines.