Die Cutting tips

Welcome!

All kaleidoscopes by inkspired and KaleidoCam 

I have been having the best fun lately

using my Spellbinder’s Platinum machine.

I was concerned that cranking the handle would aggravate a sore shoulder -

But no!

How difficult it is to turn the handle depends on:

*what kind of paper/cardstock you have

*for me, how high/low the Platinum is

*what brand of dies you are using

*how many items you have to cut at once

First, let’s address paper.

Regular ol’ paper goes through super easy. As you increase the thickness of the paper, you need to apply a bit more pressure to turn the handle.

Logical, Mr Spock. Logical.

Second, what do I mean by ‘high/low’?

To be able to give good turns with the least amount of pressure, play around with how high your table is in relation to your body. At different heights your arm will be able to turn easier or harder.

You might not think it matters, but when you are doing a project with many die cuts, it will make a difference to your muscles at the end of the day.

Next, what brand of dies you are using will depend on how much exertion you need to have 

for a good die cutting.

I have dies from many different companies.

Some are thicker metal than others. While I take care of them the same, the tiny differences in thickness do affect how easy my platform goes through the machine. My solution? While loading up my platform, I make sure to use only the same manufacturer at a time, or space them so there is no overlap in die brands. Envision invisible lines across your platforms.) Fortunately for right now each company seems to be using a different color metal so it is easy to distinguish.

Lastly, how many dies you have on your platform I think does make a difference in ease of turning that handle. With just 1-3 dies things go pretty smoothly. 

But- as you add more dies and even perhaps differing paper thicknesses it will become harder and harder to crank that platform through the machine.

Just be aware of this.

Sometimes it is worth a little extra muscle to be able to cut many things at once. Sometimes I want to conserve my energy, so 1 or 2 dies at a time is best.

Card by M. Nelson, Spellbinder dies

This brings up another tip for you:

As you cut more and more your different platforms will become ‘warped’ and curved.

No need to replace them right away; 
try this instead:

Place items on 1 platform (follow directions from manufacturer). Then, instead of placing the top platform directly above, ease it back about 3/4” from the bottom edge in front. (Meaning the side that goes through machine first). This makes a gradual entry into the machine and gets things going, which is especially helpful when cutting thicker cardstock.

Inside of card, by inkspired

Ignore the loud crack it makes as you push the platforms through. It sounds like you are breaking everything, but you’re not.

Trust me.

Another tip is to run your cardstock/die sandwich through your machine both forward and backwards, never picking it up, sometimes even 3 times to get a good clean cut.

How to stop your die sliding around the paper or on the platform?

After placing your paper/die sandwich on the platform, use several pieces of

Blue painter’s tape

to hold all in place. I re-use my strips of blue tape many times until they no longer stick.

Don’t have any?

Regular tape works well IF you first stick the piece of tape to your pants or shirt. After peeling it off you will notice it has picked up tiny pieces of lint 

and is not so sticky as before.

Remove either kinds of tape carefully

so you do not tear the paper.

I have bits of paper stuck in the cut lines of my platform. How can I clean it off?

Try a lint roller, the kind that uses sticky tape.

Many times this is all you need.

Shadow box by inkspired

I have bits stuck in my metal die.

I hope you already have a 

“Sharp, pokey tool” 

that helps you push your cut die out from the metal die. I use a metal tool from my pottery days.

I have also seen these in various craft stores.

Turn your die over and give it several sharp raps with your metal tool. Many bits will fall out afterwards.

Still some stuck in the die?

Poke with your “sharp, pokey tool”,

and/or use that sticky tape lint roller.

I sometimes use a dab of masking tape also.

If your die keeps clogging in the same spot,

consider just leaving it in there, and see if your die still cuts out all the parts it is s’posed to.

Dimensional card by inkspired

Another trick is to run your die through the machine with a piece of wax paper/paper sandwich.

These are throw-aways  but the wax 

helps lubricate the die for future use.

Layered card by Shelly Newkirk

That’s all for today!
I hope you found some helpful hints that will make
your creative time more enjoyable.

Many of these tips work with other
die cutting machine brands also.

Do you have a tip?
I would love to hear from you,
and pass it on if you wish!

‘Til next time,
inkspired