Personal die cutting machines provide scrapbookers with ability to cut perfect shapes and letters out of paper, cardstock and other lightweight materials. The very first personal die cutters were manual machines such as the Sizzix, Quickutz and Zip'eMate. With manual machines, cutting is achieved by applying downward pressure on the die blades causing the die shapes to be cut out in a stamping action. These days, personal die cutters are becoming more sophisticated. Electronic versions borrowed from the sign-making industry have been adapted for use in the scrapbooking industry.
Electronic die cutters use software and computers to control the cutting blade. They look something like an inkjet printer and are roughly the same size. Two main types have emerged - those that require cartridges to work and those that don't.
Cartridge-based cutters require a cartridge to be inserted before any cutting can be done. Each cartridge stores a library of pre-set shapes and letters that the machine is able to cut. Operating the cutter usually involves inserting the cartridge, selecting a shape or series of shapes to be cut, setting the speed and depth of the cut (ie the pressure that the blade will use) and then pressing "go" to commence cutting. Examples of these types of machines are the Xyron Personal Cutting System or XPCS (above right) and the Provocraft Cricut (see left).
Computer controlled cutters are similar to the vinyl cutting machines that professional sign-makers have been using since the early 1990's (albeit lightweight versions). They are connected to a computer via a USB cable and design software allows the operator to draw and trace shapes which can then sent to the machine for cutting (similar to sending a print job to a printer). These machines are capable of cutting an infinite variety of shapes and letters, eliminating the need to purchase cartridges. Examples of these cutters are the Xyron Wishblade Personal Media Cutter (see right), Craft Robo, Craft Robo Pro, Pazzles Creative Cutter Mighty and the Creative Cutter Mini (below left). Note: Cartridge libraries are available for the Wishblade providing for owners who do not have the ability to design their own shapes.
The XPCS and the Cricut are currently available on pre-order in Australia. The first XPCS machines are set to arrive in August 2006 and the Cricut machines are due to arrive in November 2006. The Craft Robo and Craft Robo Pro machines are not presently available in Australia. (Article Update: Since the time of writing the Craft Robo and Craft Robo machines have both become available for purchase in Australia.) It is rumoured that the Xyron Wishblade is a re-branded version of the Craft Robo, so it is unclear whether the Wishblade will ever be released here. The Pazzle machines are also not available in Australia yet although some businesses are offering custom cutting services with Pazzles machines (refer below). It is also relevant to note here that the Cricut machine is a collaborative effort between Provocraft and Pazzles.
There are currently five Australian scrapbooking businesses designated as "Custom Cut Centres" (2 in QLD, 2 in WA and 1 in NSW). These centres offer custom die cutting services from Pazzle cutters. Customers can have custom shapes cut out for them for a fee. For more information, contact details are listed below:
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