Electronic die-cutting machine wanted for small space

I am not your resource to answer this question

However

I am curious about the foiling comment. Are there any electronic machines that foil as well? I thought foiling was limited to the die cut machines that cut actual metal dies - the platinum 6, big shot, gemini idea. If there are electronic machines that will add foil I might be sucked in.

I love my Silhouette Portrait. The software is easy to use.

I have a Silhouette Cameo--the second one that came out. It's still going strong a decade later.

The portrait is smaller, but it's still a big machine. Silhouette America's website lists it at: Unit Dimensions: 44.0 cm x 16.3 cm x 12.4 cm. I know that I saw it on Amazon.fr, but when we lived in Belgium, I chose to use my Cameo with a transformer because I already owned the Cameo and a transformer. I never had an issue with 110 vs 220, but of course you would buy a 110 machine. Amazon.fr and .de sells mats and blades as well. I know there's a shop in Antwerp that sells Silhouette machines, so it's possible that there's a shop near you that sells the machine. When we lived in the state of Virginia, there was a quilt shop that sold Silhouette stuff.

I find the software very intuitive and there are lots of resources online to help with design or cutting. Designs are sold in the online shop for about $1 each, but you can buy a monthly subscription that brings that cost down. There's a free cut file available weekly and you can find lots more at other online resources. However, I usually just design my own cut files. There are "buttons" to draw circles, ovals, rectangles, triangles, etc. You can buy additional fonts, but most of my fonts were found for free at online sites like dafont.com. I also do a lot of tracing of logos or clip art for my crafts.

I've not tried the WRMK foil pen, but I do see it on sale frequently.

I will say that I think that there's a learning curve for using a digital die cutter. Patience helps as does trial and error. I still have to look up how to do a trace and cut, but I tend to only use that once or twice a year. And yes, you do need a good light for it. I've had to wait for daylight a few times, although I think the newer models do a lot better than my old machine. A computer with lots of good cache memory is especially helpful, especially when you are designing designs. You need that memory space to cut and paste what you're working on.

In terms of smaller machines, I have the Silhouette Portrait 2 and the Cricut Joy. I really like them both. I favor the Cricut machines because I find the software easier to use. You can foil with the Joy too. It has a very small footprint and fits nicely into a little case. I use the Portrait mostly for the Pixscan mat to cut out my stamped images. I also use SCAL software with the Portrait 2.

I have both the Cricut Expression and Cricut Explore Air 2. There is a world of difference. Not sure if that was a typo, and Explore was meant. The Explore is more comparable to the Silhouette Cameo.

I was one of the first to get an electronic cutter, before Cricut ever even came on the market. The first cutters available to crafters were the Wishblade and the Craft Robo. I had the Wishblade, which was similar to the Silhouette Portrait. Electronic cutters have come a long way since then.

The opinions regarding the “which is better for YOU, Cricut or Silhouette” debate often comes down to your comfort level with graphics software. If you have used graphics software before buying an electronic cutter, you will probably prefer the capability of the Silhouette software. If you have never used graphics software, then you will probably prefer a Cricut machine, which is far simpler, but also far more limited (IMO).

Both companies make excellent machines, but when comparing them, Silhouette software can do far more. Cricut software was designed for those who want simple and easy.

Silhouette software is not that hard to learn, but those who are new to graphics software are often intimidated by it.

There are plenty of online tutorials for both machines.

If you want simple, go with Cricut. If you want more capability, go with Silhouette. That’s the major difference.

I own both a Silhouette Cameo 3 and a Cricut Explore Air 2. I prefer my Silhouette, because I prefer the software and the capability it allows me.

If you are not familiar with graphics software and don’t have time or inclination to learn, go with Cricut. If you aren’t intimidated by learning new things and want to be able to do more than just basics, go with Silhouette.

Also, consider downloading the software for each machine and play with it. You can do anything except actually cut files. See which software fits your needs best before you decide.