Digital Paper Cutting Systems
Advances in Technology for the Paper Crafter and Scrapbooker
Digital cutting systems give the paper crafter the ability to cut detailed fonts and shapes in limitless sizes and variations.
One of the greatest innovations in cutting tools for the paper crafter has been the development of digital cutting systems. These cutting machines function in the same way as a drafting plotter, but employ a blade rather than a pen. In a digital cutting machine, the blade can move from side to side on a belt or a track, and rollers pull the paper in and out of the machine. This combination of motions allows for complex shapes, curves and details to be cut.
In the majority of digital cutting systems, the uncut paper is attached to a plastic carrier sheet, which is coated with a repositionable adhesive. The carrier sheet acts as a cutting board, protecting the base of the machine from the blade.
There are two general types of digital cutting systems:
- Machines that do not require a computer for input
- Machines that require a computer for input
Stand-Alone Machines
Machines that do not require a computer use cartridges to supply the shapes and fonts to the machine. The system is sold with one or two cartridges, and additional cartridges are sold separately. Stand-alone machines generally have a keypad and LCD interface, and are easy and intuitive to use. However, the user is limited to the fonts and shapes available on the cartridges, and the fonts and shapes are not infinitely scaleable. Systems that fall under this category are the Cricut and Cricut Expression by ProvoCraft and the Personal Cutting System by Xyron.
Computer-Controlled Machines
Machines that require a computer for input are far more flexible than stand-alone machines. These machines can cut any True Type font at any point size, and the software can input shapes from drawing programs such as Adobe Illustrator. The downside of these machines is that they have a much higher learning curve than the stand-alone machines. Machines that fall into this category are the Wishblade by Xyron, the CraftRobo by Graphitec, the Creative Cutter by Pazzles, and the Silhouette by QuicKutz. Some of these manufacturers offer downloadable shape libraries. Several user groups exist for each of the cutting systems. These user groups provide community support and custom generated shape libraries.
The Future of Digital Cutting Machines
Some of the stand-alone machines do have USB interface ports for future system upgrades. This will give the stand-alone machines the ability to cut custom inputs, and will greatly increase the value of these machines. However, none of the stand-alone machines currently on the market can currently interface with a computer.
Digital cutting machines provide a huge improvement over die cut systems, where the user is limited to a single size shape per die. These machines give the user flexibility to create complex shapes and patterns, and provide infinite possibilities for enhancing paper crafting or scrapbooking projects.
