Confused about Die Cutting Machines (Sizzix or Circuit?)

[pixie]

Hi guys

Im thinking of asking for a die cutting machine for Christmas and am trying to decide between purchasing a sizzix or circuit. Mainly, I would like to know, can one of these machines print on chipboard, cardstock, etc. exactly what I want it to say?

I mean if I wanted to make a gift tag and put "To:Uncle Bob" on the decorative piece the machine just cut out for me, will it do that? And if so, how does it do that? Do you hook it up to the computer? My computer printer will NOT print on anything that isnt regular printing paper (wont print on any cardstock what-so-ever) so I want a die cutting machine that will also print on the pieces. Do either the sizzix or circuit do that? I really like the selection of die cuts the sizzix offers but the ability to print on the cutouts is more important to me than the selection.

I hope I'm explaining this right lol.

Thanks all

Stacey

[asheebeans]

I know this is a little OT, but with regard to die cutting machines the Sizzix Big Shot also cuts fabric. Good to know if you want to die cut shapes for quilts/applique. You can even use Accuquilt dies (under 6" wide) in it too.

[jonsie]

I don't know anything about Sizzix, and I only know about the Cricut. It is possible that the Sizzix is a better machine so I won't try to sell you on the Cricut, and instead I'll just tell you my experiences with it.

I bought the Cricut Expression and it is great for cutting out their designs from their cartridges on something as thick as Bazille cardstock.

Their cartridges are expensive... $30 - $60 new, and not a huge selection of designs per cartridge.

If you want to cut cardstock as thick as something like cereal box cardstock, you will need the Cricut Deep Cut Blade & the Housing. I have had trouble cutting anything thicker than that, although it may be due to the version machine I have, or my lack of patience. But the fact that it wasn't simple for me made the Cricut a disappointing purchase.

If you want to make custom designs, you will need to hook up your Cricut to your computer and pay for some kind of software that supports Cricut. The only software I experimented with was Make the Cut!, and at the time I last used it, they had severed ties with Cricut because Cricut was sueing anyone that used their name without paying them.

I have heard that you can use the Cricut to do printing and embossing but I haven't tried that yet.

Back to cutting out shapes... when using the Cricut cartridges on quality cardstock, it does that very well. My five-year old daughter and her friends learned how to read the visual instructions for layering and switching out mats and paper, and they LOVE IT. They make the cutest cutouts and glue them together and absolutely treasure them. I've made some precious greeting cards with it as well. But trying to accomplish anything outside of what Cricut prepared for the general user can be a challenge. It can be done, but there is a big learning curve.

Good luck!

Edited October 10, 2011 by jonsie