Do you own a die cut machine?  You might assume you don't if you're not even sure what this is!  It's not unusual for people to be unsure of what is meant by a die cut machine since they're not typical in most homes.  Manufacturing companies use them all the time but of course not for the same reasons that you'd find them in a home. 

Simply put, a die cut machine is a machine used to cut out shapes from a wide variety of materials.  Manufacturing companies use very large machines to cut out metal shapes for machine parts and other reasons, but having a die cut machine at home usually means cutting out letters, shapes, and things like this for scrapbooks and other such craft projects.  You might think such a machine would be huge and bulky and certainly those used in manufacturing environments are, but those used at home are typically the size of a desktop printer.  Some allow you to cut out very large shapes, typically 12x24, as well as shapes that are perfect for scrapbook pages.  Why would anyone want a die cut machine for their home?  Well, consider what you could do with such a machine.  There is virtually no end to the number of craft projects and things you can create.  For instance, what about banners for parties?  You can make letters two feet high and a full foot wide and then string them together very easily.  For those who homeschool their children, a die cut machine can mean decorating the home classroom with letters and shapes for the alphabet as well as with other teaching aids that can help children learn.  If you're a serious scrapper you can create all sorts of shapes and letters for your albums and pages.  You can also cut out shapes and letters for decoupage projects, invitations, party decorations, and just about any other craft project you may have.  But what should you look for when choosing a die cut machine and how can you be sure you're using such a machine properly?

One thing to consider about a die cut machine is whether or not it needs to be hooked up to a computer or if it works on its own.  Some that hook up to a computer can be a bit clumsier to use since you need to load the software and make sure that your computer works with it properly.  Those that are standalone are often a bit easier to work with.  And certainly this is a concern for those who don't have a computer!  You can purchase a die cut machine that doesn't involve a computer hookup and that has a small screen right on the machine which you use to make your choices.

The size of a die cut machine is also a consideration.  While some are portable and take up only a small amount of space, the larger machines are not meant to be moved and should have a permanent spot in your office or spare room.  Think of this if you plan on using your machine in different areas or want something that travels well.  Also, you need to purchase many different accessories for your die cut machine.  Cartridges are what get put into the machine and from which you get your shapes and letters; the machine itself does not just have these things "loaded" automatically.  Being able to purchase cartridges is what gives you the variety of options; you can buy ones for particular themes, shapes, letters, fonts, and so on.  While this may increase the cost of using your die cut machine it also gives you the variety you may not have if you tried to create your scrapbooks and craft projects freehand.

One thing you want to remember about using a die cut machine is that you shouldn't be shy about trying the variety of letters, shapes, symbols, and so on and also shouldn't hesitate to try different sizes of these things as well.  Sometimes when you have very large letters and shapes available you're hesitant to think of what they can be used for, but consider how you can make an entire scrapbook page out of one shape.  A large circle or diamond can serve as a background and can fit into an album very nicely.  Your die cut machine lets you cut out those large shapes for a reason so it's good to try them out.

When you shop for a die cut machine you may notice that you have a wealth of options available to you.  It's good to give yourself some time when shopping.  For what will you use your die cut machine?  Do you plan on having the children use the machine as well?  There are many smaller machines that are easier to use and that are designed for children and which offer cartridges geared toward them and their needs.  These cartridges may include items perfect for school projects, bedroom decoration, diaries, and so on.  If the die cut machine is for yourself and your scrapbooking, you may want to shop the cartridges available for the machine as well.  Do you need just lettering or will shapes and other forms be good for your projects?  Some prefer a die cut machine that they can use for a variety of projects but if you do simple scrapbooks you may be able to use a simple machine without a lot of accessories.

There are many things to consider when it comes to purchasing and using a die cut machine but if you take your time and shop around, you're sure to find one that's good for you.  Make sure you have enough in your budget for cartridges and be sure to check back with your manufacturer for new cartridges as well.  Many make new cartridges all the time as they know their customers like to update their die cut machine accessories, so always keep shopping!