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Scrapbooking Die Cuts – Top 3 Die Cutting Companies You Should Consider Before Purchasing   by Dustin Mower

Have you started scrapbooking or card making and want to know what die-cutting company to purchase your scrapbook die cuts from? Here are three scrapbook die cutting companies for you to consider. This List has been compiled based on Quality, Affordability, Versatility, & Design and soley the opinion of the author. (Please note that the list does NOT include digital or computer software based die-cutting manufacturers. This list is provided for those that like papercrafting with their hands.)

1. Spellbinders Paper Arts

Spellbinders entered the craft market in 2003 with the introduction of the Wizard Universal Die-Cutting and Embossing Machine. Spellbinders die templates are coated with a bronze color making them easy to distinguish from other competitor dies. All Spellbinders dies have a triple function that cut, emboss, and stencil, making them the most versatile dies on the market. As far as quality and design, stacey Caron head designer and president of Spellbinders Paper Arts, is nothing but spectacular. With 250 patented and patent pending products like Nestabilities, Shapeabilities, and Impressabilities, she takes designing to the extreme providing exactly what customers want. Spellbinders die templates are a little more expensive than other die-cuts, but the quality and versatility make their products a very good value for your money. Hands down Spellbinders has the most creative and overall best design team in the market today. This is why they received the number one spot on the list.

2. Provo Craft (Cuttlebug)

Provo Craft is definitely the pioneer of crafting with over 40 years of experience. They inspire creativity and provide some of the best products on the market, like the Cuttlebug and the Cuttlebug embossing folders. The Cuttlebug Die Cutter & Embosser is considered the most portable, user-friendly die-cutting system out there and is very popular with papercrafters of all ages. It is easy to store and will cut and emboss a wide range of materials. This machines accepts all leading brand dies. Following the Cuttlebug machine, Provo Craft then released their line of embossing folders, which flew off the shelves! Card Makers are not shy in telling you these A2 embossing folders are a dream come true. With professional quality embossing, texture, and design, scrapbookers can’t resist them. Cuttlebug cutting dies are also of good quality, but don’t boast the creativity of the embossing folders. And at only 4.99, the price of the embossing folders is hard to beat. So with the easy to use Cuttlebug machine and the amazing texture and design of their embossing folders Provo Craft wins second place.

3. Quickutz

Quickutz Inc. was founded in 2000 by Natasha Hixon. Natasha was searching for a way to create cut-out letters without having to hand trace or use a big industrial die-cutting machine. Hence the Quickutz personal die-cutting system was born. Quickutz offers a variety of dies, however, unlike Spellbinders if you want to cut, emboss, and stencil you might find yourself purchasing multiple dies. Most Quickutz die-cuts do not offer a triple function, but if you will be doing projects where you will only be cutting, then Quickutz dies are the most affordable dies on the market. Also if you are a collector and like new dies they are a die-cutting company that release new dies every month. The die-cuts are usually seasonal shapes that are released a few months prior to the upcoming season. So come Christmas, Quickutz will usually have a release in October with all their christmas shapes. When papercrafters think of alphabets, no one can beat their designs. With their new 4×8 alphabets, Quickutz has taken the ease of cutting out letters to a whole new height! Quickutz stands for quality and die-cutting innovation. With the release of their new universal die-cutting machine the Epic Six, that cuts all their dies and other leading brand dies, it has brought them to a higher level of quality for 2009. Quickutz Inc. has also joined with Lifestyle Crafts to bring back letterpress printing, making handmade stationery affordable and easy for the home crafter. This is why Quickutz is in our number three spot.

It is important to note that most crafters seem to use a combination of the three die-cutting manufacturers. A serious crafter on average would probably be found owning a Cuttlebug Die Cutter & Embosser, with Spellbinders Nestabilities and some individual Quickutz dies on the side for very specific seasonal projects. To receive more information on these scrapbook die-cutting companies visit http://www.cutathome.com.

About the Author

I am Dustin Mower and the owner of D&J Ventures, LLC, which is an investment company that primarily invests in online businesses. I focus mainly on SEO marketing and strategies for each business.
Spellbinders Nestabilities tip #1

Spellbinders Nestabilities Decorative Elements Dies-Picot Edge Circles $16.95 SPELLBINDERS-Wizard Nestabilities Dies. These dies feature cutting; embossing and stenciling capabilities. Each set of Dies nest in size approximately 1/4in larger than the previous die. These die will work with most die-cutting systems. Available in a vast range of sizes and designs. Imported….

Spellbinders – Nestabilities Collection – Die Cutting and Embossing Templates – Blossom $24.99 Spellbinders Nestabilities Die Cutting and Embossing Templates Blossom…

NESTABILITIES DIE-LG INV SQU $24.99 Nestabilities offers a wide range of shapes in both straight and designed edges. Some shapes also offer large and small sizes; this gives the added benefit of expanding the cut sizes from the standard 1/4 increments to 1/8 increments (excluding paisley shape as this is not 1/4 incremented due to shape distortion)….

Spellbinders Nestabilities: Basics & Beyond (Annie’s Attic: Paper Crafts) $9.11 Spellbinders Nestabilties, Basics and Beyond is a showcase of stunningly detailed paper craft project sets. Sets include cards, party favors, gift wrap, invitations, package toppers, ornaments and much more! Also included is a helpful chapter focused on techniques used, with an array of options to inspire you to easily create dazzling items for your special moments and obtain more value from you…

Nestabilities: Labels 1 Small – Limited Time 20% Off Sale! Price shown reflects discount. $15.94 Nestabilities Dies feature cutting and embossing capabilities. The difference between die template sizes within a Nestabilities set is 1/2″, which becomes a 1/4″ border when layering. The difference between LG and SM Nestabilities sets is 1/4″. Combining both the LG and SM sets of Nestabilities will allow for 1/8″ borders when layering.Spellbinders Nestabilities cut, emboss, and stencil with a single die template, and work best with the Grand Calibur Die-Cutting & Embossing Machine, but will also work with most die-cutting systems (each sold separately).Approximate Die Template Sizes:1) 1-1/8″2) 1-5/8″3) 2-1/8″4) 2-5/8″5) 3-1/8″6) 3-5/8″

Grand Nestabilities: Labels 11 – Limited Time 20% Off Sale! Price shown reflects discount. $30.94 Grand Nestabilities are designed for use in the Grand Calibur Die-Cutting & Embossing Machine (sold separately). These are the largest triple-functioning dies that can virtually do it all! Cut, emboss, and stencil perfect shapes that mix and match with regular Nestabilities. Grand Nestabilities die sets increase in size from the original sets but still nest together in approximately 1/4″ increments. Available in a variety of different shapes and designs, each sold separately. Size and number of dies per set vary by design.

Grand Nestabilities: Big Scallop Ovals – Limited Time 20% Off Sale! Price shown reflects discount. $30.94 Grand Nestabilities are designed for use in the Grand Calibur Die-Cutting & Embossing Machine (sold separately). These are the largest triple-functioning dies that can virtually do it all! Cut, emboss, and stencil perfect shapes that mix and match with regular Nestabilities. Grand Nestabilities die sets increase in size from the original sets but still nest together in approximately 1/4″ increments. Available in a variety of different shapes and designs, each sold separately. Size and number of dies per set vary by design.

Spellbinders Nestabilities Compatible Clear Stamps: Anglaise Lace – Limited Time 20% Off Sale! Price shown reflects discount. $19.94 Spellbinders Nestabilities Compatible Clear Stamps are crystal clear and allow you to see where the image will appear on your page. They are highly detailed and made of top-quality photo-polymer resin. Each set of Spellbinders Nestabilities Compatible Clear Stamps was developed to be used in conjunction with certain Nestabilities dies (sold separately) but can be used individually or with other clear stamps to create any number of unique stamped designs! This package contains (1) 8″ x 6″ sheet of clear stamps. Made in USA.

Grand Nestabilities: Circles – Limited Time 20% Off Sale! Price shown reflects discount. $30.94 Grand Nestabilities are designed for use in the Grand Calibur Die-Cutting & Embossing Machine (sold separately). These are the largest triple-functioning dies that can virtually do it all! Cut, emboss, and stencil perfect shapes that mix and match with regular Nestabilities. Grand Nestabilities die sets increase in size from the original sets but still nest together in approximately 1/4″ increments. Available in a variety of different shapes and designs, each sold separately. Size and number of dies per set vary by design.

Grand Nestabilities: Squares – Limited Time 20% Off Sale! Price shown reflects discount. $30.94 Grand Nestabilities are designed for use in the Grand Calibur Die-Cutting & Embossing Machine (sold separately). These are the largest triple-functioning dies that can virtually do it all! Cut, emboss, and stencil perfect shapes that mix and match with regular Nestabilities. Grand Nestabilities die sets increase in size from the original sets but still nest together in approximately 1/4″ increments. Available in a variety of different shapes and designs, each sold separately. Size and number of dies per set vary by design.

Grand Nestabilities: Labels 1 – Limited Time 20% Off Sale! Price shown reflects discount. $30.94 Grand Nestabilities are designed for use in the Grand Calibur Die-Cutting & Embossing Machine (sold separately). These are the largest triple-functioning dies that can virtually do it all! Cut, emboss, and stencil perfect shapes that mix and match with regular Nestabilities. Grand Nestabilities die sets increase in size from the original sets but still nest together in approximately 1/4″ increments. Available in a variety of different shapes and designs, each sold separately. Size and number of dies per set vary by design.