Cutting Dies

Cutting dies are metal shapes with a sharp edge that cut a design out of paper, cardstock or thin foil in a die cutting machine. They suit cards, scrapbook albums, boxes and decorations whenever you need the same precise shape several times. Here you'll find Sizzix dies from the Thinlits, Framelits and Bigz ranges, plus metal dies from Docrafts xcut, Leane Creatief and Creative Expressions. Some of them cut and emboss the design in a single pass.

Thinlits, Framelits or Bigz: what's the difference?

Sizzix makes two kinds of dies. Thin etched carbon steel dies (Thinlits and Framelits) cut a single layer of paper, cardstock, metal foil or vellum. Bigz dies have a steel-rule blade set in a thicker plastic body and, according to the manufacturer, also cut through thick materials, such as several layers of cardstock, chipboard, fabric, foam, magnet sheet or leather.

• Thinlits: sets of thin dies with detailed designs. According to Sizzix, an intricate shape may need up to three passes through the machine, and with an embossing mat the die embosses as well.
• Framelits: thin dies for frames and windows in cards, boxes and albums, or for trimming photos. Some sets are sold together with stamps.
• Bigz and Bigz XL: steel-rule dies for thicker materials and several layers at once.

Which machine do you need for cutting dies?

A die doesn't cut on its own. You lay it on the paper between the cutting pads and crank the whole sandwich through the rollers of a manual die cutting machine. The manufacturer lists compatibility for each set: Sizzix specifies Bigz dies for the BIGkick, Big Shot and Vagabond machines, while thin Thinlits dies need a pair of cutting pads and the platform supplied with the machine. Leane Creatief lists its dies for most die cutting and embossing machines, Creative Expressions for most die cutting machines. You'll find Big Shot machines and cutting pads in the Scrapbooking category.

Cutting die, stencil or embossing folder?

A cutting die cuts the shape out of the paper, so you get a separate die cut or window. A stencil is a sheet with openings through which you apply paint, paste or spray, and you'll find stencils in the Templates category. A classic embossing folder doesn't cut the paper; it only presses a raised pattern into it inside the die cutting machine. Folders and heat embossing powders are in the Embossing category.