Learning and Leading - December 2011/January 2012

BUYER’Sguide

Ever since the 15th century, when Johannes Gutenberg invented movable-type printing, technology has been improving the way we reproduce words, two-dimensional images, and three-dimensional shapes. The shoe industry led the way for die cutting in mass production, and industrial die-cut machines led to small-scale versions that are affordable for home and school use.

Die-cut machines are perfect for creating bulletin-board designs, math manipulatives, greeting cards, and craft projects. With the appropriate cartridges and cardstock, you can make colorful and durable letters and numbers, as well as thousands of shapes, borders, and decorative designs.

Users typically select a shape from large downloadable collections online, or they retrieve shapes from a cartridge. After loading material, such as paper, onto a machine’s cutting mat, the unit electronically stamps the shape, or the user does it manually.

Die-cut machines fall into three categories: peripheral, stand alone, and manual. Peripherals connect to a computer by USB and come with operating software. The BossKut Gazelle and Pazzles Creative Cutter Inspiration allow you to create your own designs using fonts already on your computer. The Silhouette Cameo uses a blade to outline and cut fonts and shapes. With the Xyron Wishblade, you send designs to a color printer and then cut them out with the Wishblade.

Stand-alone machines do not require a computer but operate electronically with cartridges and built-in keyboards. The Cricut’s cartridges have large collections of shapes and fonts. The electronic storage allows you to organize and save your favorites.

Manual units, such as the Provo Craft Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Grand Calibur, have a hand crank on the side that draws material through the cutter. The Cuttlebug has dedicated websites, blogs, and forums with helpful tips and tricks. Spellbinders offers a series of how-to videos, an idea gallery, and a blog for its Grand Calibur unit.

Some companies, such as Pazzles, offer a monthly membership that includes online classes, live chats, videos, blogs, and forums. All companies offer some sort of free online help, discussion forums, and phone support. There are also many You-Tube videos about the operation and use of cutting machines. These resources are valuable when searching for ways to use your die-cut machine to its fullest potential.

The initial cost of equipment is a factor, but the ongoing cost of specialized paper, cardstock, and theme-based templates and cartridges can add up quickly. Die-cut machines will work with many different kinds of materials, depending on the blades and pressure of the cutters. Materials include cardstock, glitter and metallic papers, chipboard, balsa wood, foam board, vellum, plastic, vinyl, fabric, and other media. Crafts stores and online merchants offer discounts, but be sure to include the cost of materials in your budget.

With a combination of your imagination and careful planning, you and your students can use die-cut machines to create engaging classroom projects as well as colorful and decorative classroom environments.