How to Use a Die Cutting Machine

Hi crafty friends! If you are thinking about purchasing a die cutting machine, this video is for you. I put together a short tutorial on how to use the Sizzix Big Shot, a die cutting machine I love and use all the time for my crafting. I hope this tutorial helps answer any basic questions you have about die cutting! Please see my blog post here for more details: emilymooredesi...
I now have my very own dies that I created myself! Check out my Card Sentiment Dies, perfect for card makers of any level here: emilymooredesi...
If you love giving gift cards, check out my Gift Card Holder Die here (perfect for the Holidays!): emilymooredesi...
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Disclosure: Compensated affiliate links may be used below at no cost to you. I only show you products from companies that I believe in and purchase from personally. Thank you for supporting me so that I can continue to bring you lots of fun crafting content!
Products Used:
Sizzix Big Shot Standard Machine (includes cutting platform & cutting pads): shrsl.com/4gofk
Extended Multi-purpose Platform: shrsl.com/4e8na
Sizzix Accessory - Silicone Rubber: shrsl.com/45qx3
Sizzix Accessory - Impression Pad: shrsl.com/45qx6
Thinlits (Sizzix Die cuts): shrsl.com/45qx7
Embossing Folders: shrsl.com/45qx8
Tweezers: shrsl.com/45qxg

[@TheTruckingScribe]

I didn’t know I could get stamps and dies to match. Cool! New Subscriber, I will be back to see more. ❤

[@emilymooredesigns]

Yes that is my favorite thing! & Thanks so much!

[@2legit2quit4u]

Great tutorial!

[@emilymooredesigns]

Thank you so much!

[@callycatus]

Thankyou A great help 🥰

[@emilymooredesigns]

you are so welcome!

[@Mary-el3pi]

I just got the Big Shot Switch yesterday! So great to “save” my arthritic hands, but I’m finding it hard to keep my dies from falling out of place. It’s a big step above my Cuttlebug, for sure!

[@emilymooredesigns]

Find a washi tape you like and you can tape your dies down exactly where you want them! That always helps me, Sizzix actually sells a low tack tape that works really well and won’t ripe your paper! Let me know if you need a link! ☺️

[@Infinity2025-0]

This is a very informative video. Thanks 4 sharing ur knowledge with us. I'm gonna get a manual cutter this week, I'll b working with vinyl though cause I'm using it for customizing certain items. Can't afford a cricut at the moment so this will do.

[@emilymooredesigns]

So glad this helped you decide! I know Sizzix has a lot of different materials as well you can use the die cutting machine with :)

[@chrisarlington1792]

I have an extended platorm from an old machine. Do you think it is worth while using it with my new sizzix or foldaway

[@emilymooredesigns]

Hello! I think you could try it out, I’m not sure how it would work with the foldaway but sure it would be fine! I love my extended platform 😊

[@joycebarker2288]

i am curious could I use this for scrapbooking ?

[@emilymooredesigns]

Absolutely! There are a lot of different die cuts out there that work great with scrapbooking, like florals, or even just shapes like circles etc that you could make a pattern or design with for a background! Or as embellishments 😍

[@LoraleeSmith-t2k]

So helpful. Thank you

[@emilymooredesigns]

@@LoraleeSmith-t2k so glad this could help! You are welcome!

[@jillcrapo7159]

I bought a Sizzix and the very first day ended up breaking it because it was too thick for the rollers and broke the gears for rolling. My husband took it apart and it ended up having flaws in the metal where it broke. So Sizzex was kind enough to replace it, but now I am very nervous about using the machine for fear that will happen again. You seemed to just use the plates and didn’t have to shim it up with cardboard or paper to cut properly. How do you know when it is too much tension or not enough? I just don’t want to break it again. So I don’t use it much….❤❤❤

[@emilymooredesigns]

@@jillcrapo7159 hi Jill! I’m sorry you had that experience. If I were you, I’d start out with smaller dies and some thin cardstock, you don’t need extra shims or cardboard when you sandwich it the way I show in the video, that would be too much pressure. The machines are pretty hearty and can take the pressure & need it sometimes! But i understand your hesitation after what happened! I’d just start small & work from there, something like 70lb cardstock or lighter will do! Hope that helps!

[@moniquejolly6603]

great tutorial thank you

[@emilymooredesigns]

You’re welcome!

[@NormaCruz-vm2fw]

Can this tool be used on thin tin?

[@emilymooredesigns]

@@NormaCruz-vm2fw hi Norma! I believe you emailed me also but I will answer here publicly in case anyone else has the same question! I’m not exactly sure what you are referring to when you mean thin tin metal. The die cutting machines do cut steel metal dies that are typically thin material, but I’d hate to tell you something without being 100 percent sure. Another thing to note, Sizzix sells different material such as texture rolls that are like foam or even thin leather material that you can use their dies to cut with! Not sure if that’s helpful, but I hope so!

[@BizonMeister]

How often you need to change plates?

[@emilymooredesigns]

@@BizonMeister great question! To be honest, I’ve had my die cutting machine for I think over 10 years now and I’ve changed them twice. To me, it’s like a nice skillet where you kinda want to work them in & get them “seasoned” haha but I know some people like them clearer/neater. That may be another video I can work on!

[@kayequinn7146]

Just bought some sizzix dies & an embossing folder. Why doesn't th folder go through? They're siizzix brand,the fokder is longer than the one you're showing . It seems to be too thick to go through. Help!

[@emilymooredesigns]

@@kayequinn7146 hi! Make sure you are only using ONE cutting plate for an embossing folder & also make sure you are using the right platform (the grey only without the green piece) let me know if that still doesn’t work

[@MoffjelBm]

🎉khhô

[@anita210287]

What paper ( gsm) You use?

[@emilymooredesigns]

@@anita210287 hello! I like to use a wide range, the Big Shot can cut through pretty thick paper, up to 110lb. Hope that helps!

[@RosiePrice-f3b]

Im using the thin die cuts and I get a third of the way thru and it gets really hard to turn.

[@emilymooredesigns]

As long as it’s the correct sandwiching you should be able to force it through, some are harder than others and you’ll hear some cracking noises but that’s normal 😊

[@berkaytopkaya5798]

Could we cut in this machine the alphabet?

[@emilymooredesigns]

@@berkaytopkaya5798 yes! If you had alphabet or number dies you can definitely use this machine for that!

[@berkaytopkaya5798]

@ thanks for your answer 🙏

[@custom-dies]

❤

[@kristinacobb2662]

I learned the hard way. Be careful how,you put your plates into your machine. Mine went in all wonkkee and I thought I broke it. My husband had to take it all apart and prayed I didn't break it. With lots of prayers he was able to get the plates out and reassemble it

[@emilymooredesigns]

Glad you got it figured out!! Don’t know what I’d do without my die cutting machine 😊

[@KimCardin]

Do you all make your envelopes?

[@harpersmythe658]

Do you think you could speak up sweetheart? Even with hearing aids I still struggled to hear you and missed a lot of what you said 😢. I’ve subbed for now, but I’ll see how it goes 😉

[@emilymooredesigns]

Ah I’m so sorry! Of course I will try to speak a little louder. Feel free to email me at [e-mail] with any questions you have!

[@PatriciaDILLON-o8x]

Slow down,please