Some Die Cutting Machine Tips

I know exactly how confusing and complicated knowing which dies will fit which machines can get!
My personal recommendation on which machine to buy if you're looking for a new one is definitely the Sizzix Bigshot, because the answer to the question "which brand of dies will it take?" is very straightforward...it takes all of them!

However, if you haven't got a Bigshot, the chances are your machine will take most brands of die too. It's all a case of shims!

I've put together a little guide on which dies are compatable with which machines to hang up in the shop, so our customers can buy one of our dies safely knowing it will fit their machine!

Which of our dies will work in which machine?

Sizzix Bigshot

 

• XCut Nesting Dies* YES
• XCut Quilling Dies* YES
• Quickutz Dies* YES
• Impress Dies* YES
• Papermania/XCut Layered Dies* YES
• Sizzix Sizzlits Dies YES
• Papermania Embossing Folders YES
• Quickutz Embossing Folders YES

If you have the multipurpose platform, (that thingy with the tabs!) all the above dies will work nicely in the bigshot. If you only have the plain white platform, you’ll either need to use a shim, (xcut do magnetic ones for £2.50) for the dies marked with a * or purchase a multipurpose platform (rrp. £13.99)

Old Style Sizzix Bigshot

• XCut Nesting Dies* YES
• XCut Quilling Dies* YES
• Quickutz Dies* YES
• Impress Dies* YES
• Papermania/XCut Layered Dies* YES
• Sizzix Sizzlits Dies YES
• Papermania Embossing Folders YES
• Quickutz Embossing Folders YES

If you have the multipurpose platform, (that thingy with the tabs!) all the above dies will work nicely in the bigshot. If you only have the plain white platform, you’ll either need to use a shim, (xcut do magnetic ones for £2.50) for the dies marked with a * or purchase a multipurpose platform (rrp. £13.99)

Provocraft Cuttlebug

• XCut Nesting Dies* YES
• XCut Quilling Dies* YES
• Quickutz Dies* YES
• Impress Dies* YES
• Papermania/XCut Layered Dies* YES
• Sizzix Sizzlits Dies YES
• Papermania Embossing Folders YES
• Quickutz Embossing Folders YES

For the dies marked with a *  you will need to use a shim. (xcut do magnetic ones for £2.50)

Spellbinders Grand Calibur

• XCut Nesting Dies* YES
• XCut Quilling Dies* YES
• Quickutz Dies* YES
• Impress Dies* YES
• Papermania/XCut Layered Dies* YES
• Sizzix Sizzlits Dies YES
• Papermania Embossing Folders YES
• Quickutz Embossing Folders YES

For the dies marked with a *  you will need to use a shim. (xcut do magnetic ones for £2.50)

Quickutz Epic 6

• XCut Nesting Dies YES
• XCut Quilling Dies YES
• Quickutz Dies YES
• Impress Dies YES
• Papermania/XCut Layered Dies YES
• Sizzix Sizzlits Dies YES
• Papermania Embossing Folders YES
• Quickutz Embossing Folders YES

There is no need to use a shim for any of the above dies with the Epic 6.

Sizzix Sidekick Machine

• XCut Nesting Dies* YES
• XCut Quilling Dies* YES
• Impress Dies* YES
• Sizzix Sizzlits Dies YES

Notes: Only dies and folders which will physically fit through the gap will work! The gap is 2 ½ “ An “adapter” is available for cutting wafer thin dies (marked with a *) but it is essentially just a shim! XCut Impress dies are an ideal choice for this machine.

Tim Holtz Vagabond by Sizzix

• XCut Nesting Dies YES
• XCut Quilling Dies YES
• Quickutz Dies YES
• Impress Dies YES
• Papermania Layered Dies YES
• Sizzix Sizzlits Dies YES
• Papermania Embossing Folders YES
• Quickutz Embossing Folders YES
• Sizzix Bigz Dies YES

Notes: It’s basically just an electric Bigshot! Very, very scrummy! And only £130 if you’d like us to order you one…

(rrp is £175.00!)

Sizzix Bigshot Pro

…and I quote:

“Compatible with all Sizzix and Ellison designs. Any shape-cutting or embossing product thinner than a Bigz Die requires the Big Shot Pro Solo Platform - shim and wafer-thin die adapter (sold separately)”

XCut Impress Machine

• XCut Nesting Dies YES
• Quickutz Dies YES
• Impress Dies YES

The Original Sizzix

I am told this will also cut wafer thin dies, however I’m slightly dubious due to the way the machine works. If you own one and have managed it, please enlighten us on how to do it!

The same, to my knowledge is true of the Wizard Machine.