8 Creative Vinyl Cutter Reviews – Craft to Your Heart’s Delight in 2024

Many Cricut Explore Air 2 owners are quite attached–“in love with,” “obsessed with”, “addicted”–to this machine. One person jokes that it’s a “homewrecker” and that he’d be divorced if it vibrated.

All kidding aside...

Able to cut leather, paper, cardstock, vinyl, glittery paper, polished foils, bonded fabric, balsa wood and more, this versatile tool opens up endless possibilities for creative and DIY projects. A large drawback is the need to spend to more money in order to purchase supplies. Despite expenses, nonetheless, most users believe the Cricut Explore Air 2 is a good investment.

Why?

The machine comes with a cutting mat, a German carbide premium blade, a black pen (for writing), and materials for conducting a test-run project and practicing using the pen in conjunction with the blade. Users like the Cricut Explore Air 2’s multi-functionality. In addition to cutting and writing, it can score (with a stylus, sold separately) and emboss.

While conveniently included, the cutting mat seems to lose its stickiness pretty quickly for the overall price. One person advises future users to save the mat’s clear plastic shipping cover and stick it back on the mat after every use preserve the tackiness.

Inside are two compartments for holding accessories and a magnetic strip for grasping extra blades. The top has a cup-holder-like area for stashing pens or tools.

The Cricut Explore Air 2 earns mixed reviews in terms of ease of set-up.

On one hand ?

As with many vinyl cutters, this model doesn’t come with hard-copy (paper) instructions; the manual is only available online. Some new owners find setting up and learning how to use the machine “easy” and “intuitive” with “simple” online instructions as well as helpful videos on the manufacturer’s site, such as a tour of the Cricut Explore Air 2 model.

On the other hand ?

Other users concede that while the instructions are good, they warn that new owners may need to set aside time and patience to get a grasp on the machine. One person writes that it took two days (three hours each day) to learn the model’s features and different designs…but the final product looked so professional that the time and effort were worth it. There is a “steep learning curve” ?and lots of YouTube video searches and watching!

Nonetheless

In terms of cutting quality, the Cricut Explore Air 2 is accurate “with surgical precision.” It automatically selects proper setting when you tell it what material is being sliced. When cutting intricate designs, the machine can be “slow but accurate.” If accuracy is what you want, great. If you need speed, no problem–simply switch to “Fast Mode” via the machine’s software. The “Fast Mode” is designed to cut and draw twice as fast.

Some users observe that over time, the cuts become less precise, “sloppy”, and off center. A few grumble about the machine’s loud operation and many dislike that the machine must be online in order to work.

In fact

A major complaint is the machine’s requirement of a constant good and reliable internet for operation. In other words, the Cricut Explore Air 2 must be connected in order to access its online software, Cricut Design Space (more on the software itself later). This condition doesn’t work well for users in places without a reliable internet connection. ☹

Listen to this: ?

In fact, we read much feedback about the machine stopping in the middle of a project when, for any reason (i.e., weather, iffy WiFi, etc.), it disconnects from the web. Despite the manufacturer’s claim that the cutter has an offline mode where users can download images and projects to use when offline, many people wish the machine could have a “stand-alone” program to cut without having to online.

Here’s the reason

The Cricut Explore Air 2 needs to be connected to the internet in order to work because software, Circuit Design Space, is housed on the manufacturer’s website. Circuit Design Space comes with many free fonts and images for crafters. Crafters also can upload images. Also, all designing work by the user is conducted online in Circuit Design Space

So what does this mean?

Many people are fine with this arrangement; some, on the other hand, dislike this set-up because 1) you need to be online to access your chosen designs in order to cut, draw, etc., 2) your designs reside on the manufacturer’s server, 3) you don’t have your own backup copy of a design, and 4) you can’t export designs for use in another program. Although highly useful to some, Cricut Design Space is described as “limited,” “inflexible,” and “slow” by others.

To spend or not?

The first month of Cricut Access (a subscription that provides a much wider range of fonts and images) is free but costs several dollars per month after the first month. ?Some users find the number of free fonts and images sufficient for their purposes. Others, however, either resent the monthly fee and refuse to subscribe. Finally, there are users willingly pay the monthly fee if access is worth their needs.

Here’s an idea?

More than a few users skip the subscription and simply purchase a single image from Design Space for a dollar or so when needed.

Feel the freedom

A feature that people do agree on is the Cricut Explore Air 2’s convenient Bluetooth wireless technology. This allows crafters to work on projects while physically away from the machine itself, sometimes on the go.

Some owners have experienced excellent customer service while others encountered poor customer service. ?

To learn more about the Cricut Explore Air 2, watch this informative introductory video.

Features

• Dimensions: 24” x 9.5” x 9.5”
• Weight: 14 pounds
• Double tool holder (knife and pen)
• Includes cutting mat, a German carbide premium blade, a black pen, and tester materials
• Bluetooth wireless technology
• One-year warranty
• Manual

Fast, flexible, lightweight, and portable, the Brother Electronic Cutting Machine CM350 ScanNCut2 is a “game changer” for crafters. Loaded with 631 built-in designs, including 100 quilt patterns and seven lettering fonts, it also scans in and cuts out images to produce anything imaginable. Better than a die cutter, this vinyl cutter saves time and money to pay for itself quickly with much use.

Sound good?

It’s versatile and can cut handmade paper, cardstock, vinyl, fabrics, and more. The machine has a German carbide blade that one user reports cut through more than 88 sheets of paper in one sitting. In addition to slicing through materials “like butter,” it also cuts intricate designs very well. For the most part, the machine cuts quickly and easily. The only criticism of its cutting quality we found is a less-than-“impressive” performance cutting through fabric, especially felt.

The Brother Electronic Cutting Machine CM350 ScanNCut2 also includes a 12” x 12” cutting mat. Pulling double duty, the cutting mat also serves as a scanning mat. Initially, the mat is sticky (too sticky for some) but quickly becomes loses its adhesiveness.

Sounds familiar?

Some reviewers feel that this cutter is easy to use while others concede that there is a “big learning curve.” ?Of course in addition to reading the manual, you may need to invest more time into studying how to operate this machine through YouTube tutorials as well as trial and error. Nonetheless, the effort is definitely worth it.

Here’s where the magic happens…

The Brother Electronic Cutting Machine CM350 ScanNCut2’s magic is in its name. With its 300 dots-per-inch scanner, you can scan in practically anything (e.g., a magazine clipping, photos, drawings, etc.), save it to the machine’s memory, and then cut out its image.

Note:

Just make sure your desired image has a heavy black outline in order for the scanner to “find” or “pick up” the edges.

Examples of scanned and cut designs include doll’s clothing, squiggly shapes ➿, little lightning bolts ⚡…all meticulously carved without an X-ACTO knife.

Attention sewers!

No, we don’t mean the drain pipe ?. We just want to point out the machine’s unique option of adding a seam allowance in 1/4" increments for sewing together fabric for quilts, clothing, and more.

But wait, there’s more

The Brother Electronic Cutting Machine CM350 ScanNCut2 has a 4.85-inch LCD touch screen for convenient on-screen editing.  You can see the scanned images on the screen and then make any adjustments. Just use the stylus to resize, reshape, reposition, rotate, and/or combine images before cutting.

The Brother Electronic Cutting Machine CM350 ScanNCut2’s design software is CanvasWorkspace, a free cloud-based web application that comes with a library of images, shapes, and fonts. While not requiring a subscription, this collection is sufficient for some but “basic” and not “robust” for others.

Have it both ways

The Brother Electronic Cutting Machine CM350 ScanNCut2 can function both as a stand-alone scanner and cutter as well as a creative tool that connects to the internet. Tablet-friendly, this cutter also is “wireless network ready” for convenient remote work.

Aye, here’s the rub

In order to activate the wireless/internet function, however, you need to pay an activation fee; users groused about the added expense.

Some people found customer support to be very helpful while others had very opposite experiences. ?

To learn more information about the Brother Electronic Cutting Machine CM350 ScanNCut2, watch this video for an introduction and demonstration.

Features

• Carton dimensions: 23” x 10.25” x 10.5”
• Carton weight: 12.8 pounds
• Unit weight: 8.6 pounds
• Includes 12” x 12” cutting mat, German carbide blade, 632 built-in designs, including seven fonts and 100 quilt patterns
• Number of blade holder adjustment levels: 12
• Number of cutting speed adjustment levels: 5
• Manual
• Warranty: One-year limited parts and labor, 2-year limited electronic components and printed circuit boards

Silhouette Cameo 3 Bluetooth owners love this versatile cutter that gives them “limitless possibilities” in crafting countless and diverse projects like personalized labels, customized invitations, signs, plaques, t-shirt designs, wall décor, stencils, automotive stickers, and more.

Featuring a dual carriage that holds two tools at once (e.g., two blades or one blade and one pen), the Silhouette Cameo 3 Bluetooth is very handy to use. For example, you can cut cardstock with the blade ? and then embellish it with the pen ? without having to change tools manually; simply tell the machine which tool to switch to and use.

Speaking of cuts

With automatic adjustable blade settings, the Silhouette Cameo 3 Bluetooth can slice through materials as thick as balsa wood, foam, chipboard, leather, and more. With the Silhouette Deep Cut Blade (sold separately), you can slice through materials up to two millimeters thick. The cutter also has adjustable pinch and spring rollers to hold loaded materials securely. In terms of quality, cutting can be slow and imprecise, although most users find the machine does a good job.

Wait, there’s more

The Silhouette Cameo 3 Bluetooth has an optical scanner for its “print and cut” feature. With this application, you can create a design using the included Silhouette Studio software (more on this later) and print it out. Then take the printed design and feed it into the cutter. The machine’s scanner locates registration marks on the printed material and then cuts out your design.

Silhouette Studio, the software that comes with the machine, needs to be downloaded from the manufacturer’s site, which some people find “kind of a hassle.” Nonetheless, the software is “powerful” and “complex.”

This brings up the next point

As with other cutters we’ve reviewed, the Silhouette Cameo 3 Bluetooth is easy to use for some people while not-so-swimmingly straightforward for others. The machine definitely has a learning curve, and many veterans of this model suggest watching “a lot of tutorials” before cutting. Users concede that “it's not a simple system” but ultimately worth it when you see your final creation.

Many people dislike the lack of hardcopy instructions; the manual is online at the manufacturer’s site and available after purchase. As one unhappy buyer notes, you can download the user’s manual and print it out–all “118 pages of it!!”

This is nice?

What users do like is that the Silhouette Cameo 3 Bluetooth–with a convenient LCD touchscreen–doesn’t have to be connected to the internet in order to operate. This leaves you free to work on projects without being tethered to a computer all the time.

But

When you do want to connect, the cutter’s Bluetooth technology allows you to pair it with a computer ?, tablet, or smartphone.  At least a couple of users point out that the wireless feature is convenient but not essential for their purposes. In any case, it’s nice to have the flexibility of wireless connectivity.

A few reviewers had difficulty activating the Bluetooth function. This video explains how to connect Silhouette Cameo 3 via Bluetooth technology.

Finally

This starter bundle (which includes project materials like 26 12” x 12” sheets of permanent Oracal 651 vinyl, a 12” x 6” roll of transfer paper/tape, and 24 sketch pens) earns rave reviews. People love having ample supplies to begin crafting right away, like the “amazing” performance-grade vinyl suited for indoor and outdoor applications as well as assorted “vibrant” colored pens.

Features

• Dimensions: 22.5” x 6” x 8.5” (57.2 cm x 15.2 cm x 21.6 cm)
• Weight: 8 pounds, 15 ounces
• Double tool holder
• Starter bundle includes cutter, 12” cutting mat, AutoBlade, crosscutter, power cable/USB cable, Silhouette Studio software (download), 100 designs (download), one-month Design Store subscription, Vinyl Application Guide by Silhouette School, 26 12” x 12” sheets of permanent Oracal 651 vinyl, one 12” x 6” roll of transfer paper/tape, and 24 sketch pens
• Warranty: One year for parts and labor

Like the Cricut Explore Air 2, the original Cricut Explore Air Wireless Cutting Machine is addictive, conveniently portable, and fun to use.  Flexible and versatile, this machine can slice through more than 60 types of media, including cardstock, vinyl, vellum, leather, fabric, balsa wood, and more. DIYers love creating projects with this cutter that “brings ideas to life.”

The machine comes with a cutting mat, a German carbide premium blade, a metallic silver pen (for writing), and materials for conducting a test run project and practicing using the blade in conjunction with the pen. In addition to cutting and writing, it can score (with a stylus, sold separately) and emboss.

Speaking of using the blade with another tool…

The Cricut Explore Air Wireless Cutting Machine’s dual cartridge holds the main blade ? and the pen ? (or stylus) to allow a seamless and efficient shift between cutting and embellishing a project in one go. Users like not without having to switch back and forth between tools manually. Nonetheless, they still need to switch out and replace blades and pens with new ones as needed due to use over time.

The included cutting mat seems “way too sticky” for some people, yet loses its stickiness quickly for others. In order to help a mat’s adhesiveness last longer, one user suggests replacing the mat’s protective plastic sheet soon after each use.

In terms of set-up and use, the Cricut Explore Air Wireless Cutting Machine elicits decidedly contrasting opinions. A few users find set-up “a breeze” and quick. Utilizing this creative tool is “easy to figure out.” One person even set up the machine, its app on an iPad, and the software on a laptop and finished a sample project in under ten minutes!

However

Many others describe a steep learning curve. The instruction manual is only available online. Also on the manufacturer’s website are a tour of the machine as well as many helpful instructional videos. One Cricut Explore Air Wireless Cutting Machine veteran reassures future users that with patience and much YouTube tutorial viewing, learning to use the “complex” machine is doable and “you can get things done.”

The Cricut Explore Air Wireless Cutting Machine slices precisely. No white borders around designs are left showing and intricate designs are cut well. Some people report when smaller details are cut, the project tends to get a little “messy,” “chewed-up,” or torn–this also may be caused by a dull blade. Although a few owners find the machine “slow and loud,” many are fine with its speed (slower than the Cricut Explore Air 2) and think it operates quietly.

As with the Cricut Explore Air 2, many crafters dislike that the Cricut Explore Air Wireless Cutting Machine must be online in order to work. In order to access its online software–Cricut Design Space– the cutter itself must be connected to the manufacturer’s website where the software is housed.

Therefore,

Because the design software is web-based, when the manufacturer’s site's down you can't simply pull up and work on projects. Users in locations without a reliable internet connection may be out of luck at times. Despite the manufacturer’s claim that the cutter has an offline mode where users can download images and projects to use when offline, many people wish the cutter was a “stand-alone” desktop product.

Circuit Design Space comes with many free fonts and images for crafters. One user notes that a search for an image must include exact words found in the image’s Iabel; an option to search by theme would be good to have. Although very good for some, Cricut Design Space is described as “a pain” by others.

Mo’ money…?

The first month of Cricut Access (a subscription that provides a much wider range of fonts and images) is free but costs several dollars per month after the first month. Some crafters find the free selection plentiful. Others, however, either balk at the monthly fee and refuse to subscribe. Finally, there are users find the monthly fee worth it “because there's so much available.”.

Try this

More than a few users suggest skipping the subscription and simply purchasing a single image from Design Space for a dollar or so when needed. In addition, because they can upload their own images, they may not feel the need to subscribe to Cricut Access. In fact, one person finds the ability to use her own designs a large selling point for the Cricut Explore Air Wireless Cutting Machine.

Imagine the freedom

Users love the Cricut Explore Air Wireless Cutting Machine’s convenient Bluetooth wireless technology. This allows crafters to work on projects on the go and from a different location. Imagine sitting on the couch ? in one room working on your mobile device to create a design before sending it to your cutter in another room.

Think about it

One interesting point that two users bring up is that the Bluetooth wireless technology isn’t vital to the cutter’s overall use, at least not to them…because they need to be near the cutter in order to feed in project materials anyway! We assume that the above example (i.e., sending a project from the couch another room) applies to a preloaded cutter.

Some people raved about the customer service while a few rated it mediocre to poor and unhelpful. ?

To hear more about and see a demonstration of the Cricut Explore Air Wireless Cutting Machine, watch this review.

Features

• Dimensions: 25.4” x 10” x 9.2”
• Shipping weight: 16.89 pounds
• Double tool holder (knife and pen)
• Includes cutting mat, a German carbide premium blade, a metallic gray pen, and tester materials
• Bluetooth wireless technology
• One-year warranty
• Manual

The compact Silhouette Portrait 2 is a “great little machine to get your feet wet” in the world of vinyl cutter crafting and “a blast” to use.

Sleek, light, and easy to transport, this “unobtrusive” model is convenient for 1) saving space in a crowded or small workspace, 2) fitting into a drawer or on top of a shelf for storage, and 3) carrying around for on-the-go crafting.

But

One downside of this cutter’s small size is its restriction on project size. Limited to cutting 8”-wide material, the Silhouette Portrait 2 is adequate for making decals and stickers, but too narrow to accommodate something like 12" x 12" cardstock.

It’s also durable and economical in the long run. We read reports of owners using the Silhouette Portrait 2 “all the time” for four to seven years. They design and make their own party decorations, cards, high-quality stationery goods, customized labels and more…which saves money and makes the cutter worth the investment. The included blade and mat also seem to be long-lasting, although the mat is too sticky initially for many users.

Also

With automatic adjustable blade settings, the Silhouette Portrait 2 can slice through varying thicknesses of paper, cardstock, vinyl, fabric, and more. A couple of users feel the blade settings suggested by the machine aren’t always accurate but require trial-and-error experimentation to determine the proper setting for specific materials. For example, the blade setting is more effective for cutting thin, not thick paper.

Nonetheless

With the Silhouette Deep Cut Blade (sold separately), you can slice through materials up to two millimeters thick. In terms of overall performance, the machine cuts cleanly and works well on small and intricate designs.

Users love the Silhouette Portrait 2’s “print and cut” feature. With its built-in optical scanner, the machine allows you to create a design utilizing the included Silhouette Studio software (more on this later) and print it out. You then feed the printed design into the cutter. Its scanner locates registration marks on the printed material and then cuts out your design.

However

A few people report wasted paper resulting from the scanner having trouble locating the registration marks, not aligning the paper properly, and/or cutting slightly off the mark. Nonetheless, when the scanner does locate the registration marks, the results “come out nicely.”

Silhouette Studio, the software that accompanies the Silhouette Portrait 2, needs to be downloaded from the manufacturer’s site. Software installation and use are easy for many people but still presents a learning curve. One “very, very computer savvy” user understood the software relatively quickly but thinks it’s “not very intuitive” for people unfamiliar with design software. Nonetheless, patience, experimentation, and watching online tutorials are worth it in the end.

Some good, some bad ??

Although described as “very powerful” and providing access to a wonderfully expansive image library, the Silhouette Studio software also has its many critics. Customer service also earned mixed reviews. ?

For a demonstration on setting up the Silhouette Portrait 2, watch this step-by-step video guide .

Features

• Dimensions: 18” x 8” x 9”
• Weight: 3.53 pounds
• Includes power cable and USB cable, 8” cutting mat, AutoBlade, Bluetooth adapter, Silhouette Studio software (download), 50 exclusive designs (download), and a one-month Silhouette Design Store subscription
• Manual
• Warranty: One year for parts and labor

Perhaps a bit large for hobbyists, the USCutter Vinyl Cutter MH 34in is more suited for small business owners, such as sign makers, graphic designers, window tinting, vinyl application, etc. Great for big jobs (both in size and amount), this “entry level” machine slices through standard vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, paper, craft paper, cardstock, and paint mask.

Check this out

The USCutter Vinyl Cutter MH 34in has a backlit LCD display panel that allows you to enter commands, control speed and pressure, and make adjustments. The machine also comes with three blades ? ? ? (one for use and two replacements), which lasts a long time for some users (more than one year) but only months for others. A few reviewers express desire for better blade depth control.

In terms of operation, the USCutter Vinyl Cutter MH 34in is a bit little loud but cuts cleanly. A couple users say it works well on small, intricate designs, but some disagree. Also, sometimes the machine goes off-track even in the middle of cutting, resulting in wasted vinyl.

Do you feel the need for speed?

With a maximum speed of 48 inches per second, this cutter is fast enough for some but slow for others. We assume for businesses–especially those with a high volume– speed is a concern. Accuracy isn’t sacrificed for speed, though.

How’s this for multi-tasking?

The USCutter Vinyl Cutter MH 34in has a pen holder that allows you to turn the cutter into a plotter by switching out the knife for a pen?. Many people love this feature, which allows them to plot points as well as draw large patterns.

Note

This model does not contour cut, meaning it doesn’t first print an image and then go back and cut around the printed area.

Patience is a virtue ⏳

Set-up was quick and easy to learn for some (one person notes assembling the machine and cutting a set of stickers within 30 minutes) but “rough” for others. Be sure to “sit down and actually read” the instructions as well as watch the manufacturer’s videos. One newbie with “zero experience” with a cutter heeded this advice and figured out the machine’s operation in less than an hour.

Feedback on the VinylMaster Cut software is mixed; some say it is simple, basic, for beginners, and like something from the 1990s. Nonetheless, nearly everyone praises its vectorizing and tracing of images.

And guess what?

In addition to using VinylMaster Cut software, the cutter can run other popular design software like Sure Cuts Alot, Flexi, SignBlaser and SignCut Productivity Pro.

Although many USCutter Vinyl Cutter MH 34in owners report motherboard issues, most commend the helpful customer service. This cutter comes with free lifetime phone support.

An embarrassment of riches?

Users really like the plentiful supplies (including five 24" x 5’ rolls of Greenstar vinyl (black, white, red, green, and yellow), two 12" x 24" sheets of magnetic sign blanks, one 6" x 10-yard roll of TransferRite Ultra Clear 1310G (Grid) Medium Tack Application Transfer Tape, and one 6" x 1-yard roll of TransferRite Ultra 592U Paper Application Tape (High Tack) in this Bundle or Sign Making Kit.

We found only positive reviews of this model’s customer service. ??

One final note

This cutter isn’t compatible with Mac/Apple computers.

For an informative overview of the USCutter Vinyl Cutter MH 34in, see this video.

Features

• Includes machine, floor stand, three blades, pen holder, cover, hobby knife, squeegee, VinylMaster Cut software, five 24" x 5’ rolls of Greenstar vinyl (black, white, red, green, and yellow), two 12" x 24" sheets of magnetic sign blanks, one 6" x 10-yard roll of TransferRite Ultra Clear 1310G (Grid) Medium Tack Application Transfer Tape, and one 6" x 1-yard roll of TransferRite Ultra 592U Paper Application Tape (High Tack)
• Maximum speed: 48 inches per second
• Maximum feed width: 34.2”
• Max Cutting Length: 96” (8”)
• Maximum Cut Width:  30.63”
• Minimum cut width: 3”
• 90-day warranty

Like the USCutter Vinyl Cutter MH 34in, the USCutter 28-inch Vinyl Cutter may be large for hobbyists but it’s great for small business owners, such as sign makers, graphic designers, window tinters, vinyl applicators, etc. This “starter” machine slices through standard vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, paper, craft paper, cardstock, and paint mask.

What’s not to like?

Users find it a good value that “pays for itself” in the diverse projects it can complete. Many love the machine and declare it a worthwhile investment.

The USCutter 28-inch Vinyl Cutter has a backlit LCD display panel and a ball-bearing dual roller media roller system. The two adjustable pinch-rollers provide flexibility in use over a wide range of materials, including pieces as narrow as only three inches wide.

In general

Overall, the USCutter 28-inch Vinyl Cutter is easy to assemble and use. One reviewer describes it as a “very basic plotter.” The VinylMaster Cut software garners mixed reviews in terms of user-friendliness. In addition to utilizing VinylMaster Cut software, the cutter can run other popular design software like Sure Cuts Alot, Flexi, SignBlaser and SignCut Productivity Pro.

Good things come to those who wait…

Nonetheless, after reading the instructions, watching YouTube videos, and climbing a learning curve ?, users find the cutter worth the time and effort because it cuts very well. Some people say the cutter is loud while others feel it operates quietly.

Two final notes

The USCutter 28-inch Vinyl Cutter

• does not contour cut, meaning it doesn’t first print an image and then go back and cut around the printed area.
• isn’t compatible with Mac/Apple computers.

Most owners rate customer support as very good to excellent. ??

For an informative overview of the USCutter 28-inch Vinyl Cutter, see this video.

Features

• Includes machine, floor stand, three blades, cover, hobby knife, squeegee, VinylMaster Cut software, one 12" x 5-yard roll of black GreenStar sign vinyl, one 12" x 5-yard roll of white GreenStar sign vinyl, two 12" x 24" sheets of magnetic sign blanks, one 6" x 10-yard roll of TransferRite Ultra Clear 1310G (Grid) transfer tape, and one 6" x 10-yard roll of TransferRite Ultra 592U High Tack transfer tape
• Maximum speed: 39 inches per second
• Max Cutting Length: 96” (8”)
• Minimum cut width: 3”
• 90-day warranty

Sizzix eclips2+ owners love this “fantastic” machine that’s a versatile replacement for a traditional die cutter. Able to carve letters and unlimited shapes, this machine “revolutionizes” scrapbooking, decorating, stationery design, logo creation, signage production, and more.

How does it do all that?

With an industrial-strength motor and gears ⚙, as well as an easy-to-install blade, the machine carves through vinyl, vellum, paper, cardstock and chipboard in preset and custom sizes. Speed and pressure for cutting different materials are automatically selected.  A few reviewers note that this machine doesn’t cut through thick materials as well as it does for thin materials.

This Sizzix eclips2 Starter Kit includes two 12” x 12” mats. Although “very good” and “durable,” the mats eventually lose their stickiness as all mats do…but you can always try to “re-stick” the mats using the tips below.

Get this

The Sizzix eclips2+ “works like a charm” to cut and score materials quietly and efficiently. Able to slice intricate detail on projects like doilies, it can cut to nearest 1/100 of an inch. Nonetheless, a couple people advise standing over the machine to watch each cut in order to ensure the mat and material go through smoothly.

The software’s learning curve and quality earn mixed reviews. The cutter comes with eCAL lite software for a library of images and fonts for custom designing as well as accessing TrueType, OpenType and Dingbat/Wingding fonts. Some users find the software easy to use while others need a bit more time to study the instructions and watch YouTube videos. The Laser Cut Preview feature offers a sneak preview of the image before the machine actually starts cutting.

A bump in the road

In order to import designs and use Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) images, you do need to purchase a software upgrade, which annoys some consumers.

Nonetheless, people really like the freedom of design with the Sizzix eclips2+.

But let’s not forget

A convenient feature is Print2Cut, where the machine cuts out a printed color image. Because the Sizzix eclips2+ doesn’t automatically detect registration marks on the paper of the printed image, you’ll need to line the marks (preferably three) up with the machine’s laser manually. The Sizzix eclips2+ does sense white space around a colored design and cuts the image out nicely.

This model’s customer support is rated very good. ??

To view an in-depth demonstration and review of the Sizzix eclips2+, watch this video.

Features

• Dimensions: 26” x 6.5” x 7”
• Shipping weight: 18.21 pound
• Includes cutter, universal power supply, two cutting blades, blade holder, power cord, 6” USB cable, two 12" x 12" cutting mats, eCAL lite software download, and user's guide
• 90-day limited warranty
• Manual