Tax Return time - which machine should I get?

[happyleesh]

So after spending HOURS looking at all the beautiful pages on here I'm itching to get my memories off my computer and into books. I've been interested in a die cutting machine for a few years but it's a big expense to justify to the hubby/budget just so I can do more Pinterest projects However, we are giving ourselves a bit of fun money this tax return and I've decided to just go for it and get a machine.

Now, Silhouette or Cricut? Disney/scrapbooking will be my primary use, and I'd like to be able to cut simple vinyl projects (names, etc) with it too. I don't know much specifically about each machine, other than the Cricuts use cartridges and the Silhouttes don't? (if that's even correct). If that's true, will that make the Silhouette cheaper in the long run if I'm not having to buy cartridges?

I'd love to hear more about how each machine works (download vs. cartridge, prices, etc) and which one you prefer, or would get if you could. Thanks!

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

I have both machines. I love them equally.

Cricut is cartridge based. Meaning you have to buy the cartridges for your shapes. It's fast and easy to cut out the layers. and you dont need a computer.
You can use CraftRoom (computer based) to weld fonts and shapes. But I believe you still have to own the carts in order to cut. I think you can download some free shapes from time to time too.

Silhouette-I'd go with the Cameo since it is bigger. It is almost all computer based (you can download already made images to an sd card and plug it in). You can use the Studio software that comes with it. It is fairly easy and you can use a ton of fonts that you can find free. It cuts beautifully! I haven't had an issue yet. You can also upgrade the software that comes with it or purchase SCAL 3, which will allow you to import your own svgs and create your own shapes. You can purchase SVG's from all over the web as well and find them free or create your own. The Studio store has images for purchase for $0.99. I also love the print and cut feature (can also be used in SCAL3) but it is so nice to print on cardstock and then run it through the machine and cut around it. perfect labels and shaped bday invites!

I prefer to use my SCAL, but do have all the Disney carts for the cricut which I do use all the time, but I do not plan on buying another cartridge.

It is actually up to you. do you want to be able to make your own? or just plug and go?

PS. if you go for cameo, i know where you can get a good deal. just pm me for more info

 

[Reddy]

if you go the the Cameo with SCAL3 or upgrade - then help yourself to my files on my blog
that is my next machine (after Disney is paid off - I"m going to start saving up for it - hoping next Black Friday)

 

[dogcarbon]

This is my questions to ask yourself and my thoughts on circuit vs another cutter. (Same as I posted on another thread):

I remember how confusing it can be, but you have to know what you are expecting your cutting machine to do. Can you answer some of the questions below, and we can help guide you a cutter or where you might begin your search.

do you have a computer?
will your cutting machine be near a computer?
do you have a laptop?
Are you wanting to create while at a crop?
will you have internet access?
are you willing to learn a new piece of software to do what you want to do?

do you want to cut nearly any image or font on your computer?

Do you want to cut just paper? Chipboard? Vinyl?

How big do you expect to want to cut? 6" wide, 12" wide, or more? how about length? 12" or 24" or even longer?

Do you want to use cartridges with shape and fonts, and not worry about other designs? Or will you always be yearning for that other cut of some other shape? Cartridges on average are $25 (on ebay... some are more, some are less)

I personally started with a Cricut, and quickly found that I wanted more, and was able to buy the SCAL software. BUT you can no longer buy a copy of SCAL and have it work with any Cricut. (same with MTC... it won't work with a cricut).

SO, many folks gave up their cricuts and have gone with other cutters.

I went with the Silhouette Cameo. And I love it. I cut SVG shapes that I create myself, OR i can utilize the Silhouette on-line store and buy cutting files for 99 cents each. Also, they do have a subscription program too. Silhouette also makes a Portrait cutter that cuts a smaller width than a Cameo. I also use the Silhouette Studio (SS) software to cut. (but SCAL3 also works great).

All of the above software (SCAL3 & SS) are available to download for free if you want to play around.

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

I was thinking that maybe Nan or Buffy can make a Cricut vs Silhouette Sticky?

 

[happyleesh]

Is it tricky/difficult to work the Cameo as far as the digital files? I'm pretty tech savvy but it definitely seems like the cartridges for the cricut are pretty straight forward and easy to use.

do you have a computer? i have a macbook pro laptop.
will your cutting machine be near a computer? yes, but it doesn't have to be.
do you have a laptop? yep, the macbook pro.
Are you wanting to create while at a crop? most of my scrapping is done at my desk, so not necessarily?
will you have internet access? yes
are you willing to learn a new piece of software to do what you want to do? yes

do you want to cut nearly any image or font on your computer? i want it for disney pieces, general scrapping/clip art and fonts would be nice.

Do you want to cut just paper? Chipboard? Vinyl? paper, and vinyl.

How big do you expect to want to cut? 6" wide, 12" wide, or more? how about length? 12" or 24" or even longer? 12 inches would be fine.

Do you want to use cartridges with shape and fonts, and not worry about other designs? Or will you always be yearning for that other cut of some other shape? Cartridges on average are $25 (on ebay... some are more, some are less) i'd like to 'invest' as little as possible but wouldn't mind paying for things i really want, i do like the idea of not buying cartridges and just buying/finding what i want (i'm cheap)

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

Then you probably want the cameo

 

[TinaLala]

You should watch a ton of youtube videos to see how each works and what additional costs there will be for you. If you're only going to use it for Disney stuff, which one has Disney stuff you want. For me the Cricut was the right on for me and I love it! Probably use it a few times a week.

Personal preference.

 

[3pletprincesses]

My next purchase will be a cameo. I hate having to buy a cartridge to only use 1 or 2 items on it. I much prefer to design my own stuff.

 

[dogcarbon]

Is it tricky/difficult to work the Cameo as far as the digital files? I'm pretty tech savvy but it definitely seems like the cartridges for the cricut are pretty straight forward and easy to use.

yes the cartridges are somewhat straightforward, but still a bit trickey. but not any more trickey than a Cameo. Your hand just may not be held for the whole Cameo experience. But there are lots of helpful forums for the Cameo.

do you have a computer? i have a macbook pro laptop.

I know SCAL3 is Mac Compatiable, but I don't know the others, you would need to check that out.

will your cutting machine be near a computer? yes, but it doesn't have to be.
if you want to use just the cricut using cartridges, no, your computer is not involved, but if you want to use Cricut's Craft Room (online) you need your computer and the internet. If you are using the Cameo, it is highly recommended to have your computer hooked to your computer to cut. You could use an SD card, but I don't think most folks do.

do you have a laptop? yep, the macbook pro.

just asking because of the portablity of having it near you while cutting with your machine.

Are you wanting to create while at a crop? most of my scrapping is done at my desk, so not necessarily?

will you have internet access? yes

I was thinking more of using your laptop while scrapping, will you want to search for an image to cut? especially while at a crop? I have SO many files right now, that I really don't think I need to have internet while working with my Cameo, but for someone new they may want access to the Silhouette Store.

are you willing to learn a new piece of software to do what you want to do? yes
any machine will have a learning curve... just some are bigger than others.... and your willingness to learn. For the Cricut you may need to learn how to use the online-Craftroom, for the Silhouette you have 3 or 4 options: Silhouette Studio, Silhouette Studio Designer Edition (if you want to directly import SVG files), Sure Cuts a Lot version 3, or Make the Cut. All three of these software are available to download for free, and you can play around with them, you can't get a usable cut with them tho (it will cut several lines across your paper, making your beautiful cut useless.)

do you want to cut nearly any image or font on your computer? i want it for Disney pieces, general scrapping/clip art and fonts would be nice.

The only Disney pieces you will be able to cut with a cricut are the ones on the cartridges. So, look at those handbooks and see if you will be happy with just those images. then look at Reddy's designs and see if you want to be able to cut those too? If yes, then don't purchase a Cricut.

Do you want to cut just paper? Chipboard? Vinyl? paper, and vinyl. The cameo doesn't do chipboard, but they have just reported they will be selling a type of chipboard that will be compatible with the Cameo, but no price has been released yet...

How big do you expect to want to cut? 6" wide, 12" wide, or more? how about length? 12" or 24" or even longer? 12 inches would be fine. The Cameo cuts 12" wide, up to 10 feet long (think rolls of vinyl)

Do you want to use cartridges with shape and fonts, and not worry about other designs? Or will you always be yearning for that other cut of some other shape? Cartridges on average are $25 (on ebay... some are more, some are less) i'd like to 'invest' as little as possible but wouldn't mind paying for things i really want, i do like the idea of not buying cartridges and just buying/finding what i want (i'm cheap)

I am the queen of cheap and that was the reason I search out SCAL when I had my cricut! I just knew someone had to have a better way! I really don't know to do my research beforehand. Cricut just did a great job of marketing! The Silhouette Store also has a subscription that you can purchase for a year. Like $20/month for $150 in credit. I do not have a subscription, but if I was just starting in this venture, i would consider it. The drawback is that is only for .studio files, not .svg files. So you can only cut .studio files using the SS software. And each software has a forum to ask fellow "experts" how to solve any issue you may be having. Or ask here, there are enough of us here too