Anna Griffin Empress Reviews

The plates do not warp. I cut into my magnetic Marx. It cuts beautifully. Rarely do I have an issue. I love that you can buy 3 different sizes of plates and use them. It’s quiet. I love having mine on a turn table.

The only bad thing is sometimes it can be challenging finding extra plates or mats, but I have a large stock just in case. I change my magnetic mat about every 5 months since I die cut into a lot. I rarely change my plates but I love having extras.

I have an empress for years and highly recommend!

- The plates don't warp so I think I've changed mine twice in all the years I've had it (about 5+ years). I didn't need to change the plates, I just wanted a cleaner looking one.

- The mat is magnetic so you can just cut into it and I never have to tape down my dies.

- Machine is a workhorse, use it frequently and it still works perfectly.

- Only slight downside is I do have to replace my magnetic mat, but that's only about every couple months. The magnetic mat is about $11 at the Anna Griffin site. I was able to purchase them on sale for $8 a couple weeks ago.

The empress was my first electronic cutting machine. I have been having carpel tunnel/wrist issues so that is why I purchased the full size Empress (on sale from the Anna Griffin site). I frankly love it. Yes, I did have to eke out a dedicated spot in my room near a plug but I have regretted the purchase zero times. I even bought the Anna Griffin turntable to put it on and store my plates (those go in and out of stock on the AG site).

I agree with the other reviews— the plates do not warp. I cut into my magnet plate and it is marked up but cuts great. I have heard Jennifer McGuire say that over time, the magnetic plate will flatten out (but not warp) and at that point if you notice an issue with clean cuts, use the included metal shim until you notice a cutting problem again, and then get a new magnetic plate. That is my plan but I’m not there yet. I bought my machine in January. I use it a lot but I’m sure not as much as Jennifer.

I had to look around to find extra plates in stock so I could have an extra set and also bought the larger set for bigger projects. But I mostly use the one that came with the machine.

I am very happy with the purchase.

ps. The only issue I have ever had is with a larger stitched die from Gina K. When I send it through my Empress, the machine presses down on the stitching so hard that it almost cuts through the perforations. This only happens with one Gina K die, and the stitches are pretty big, so I send that one through my Platinum 6 and it’s fine. I have other dies with stitching and they do not cut through, so it is a single Gina K die from Master Layouts…2 I think 😃

Jennifer M has it in her long review of her favorite die cutting machines. I could've sworn doing the OCC embossing folder class one of the instructors said they DO NOT like the Empress, even the big one, for embossing folders, FWIW.

I got the Empress Mini for Christmas and love it! As others have said...no plate warping & the magnetic mat works great so no more taping dies down. I specifically got it so I could have a smaller machine to keep right on my desktop and I like that the width is 4.25". I cut into the magnetic mat and I've cut into the plates with no issues either way.

My "big" die cutting machine is the Original Gemini. I do still like it but yes the plates warp like crazy (even using the green double-sided plates and clear plates taped together - a better solution but not perfect). I have no intention of getting rid of it as I also use the Gemini Hot Foil platform so I need it for that as well. My Gemini also does a great job with 3D embossing folders.

I also have a Big Shot & Cuttlebug but can't remember the last time I used them. I really like the electronic machines.

Well, you will...maybe not today, maybe not this item, but you will.

I personally will use a hand-cranked machine until I physically can't. And then I will resent my frailty. As for the magnetic mat, I am eagerly, eagerly looking forward to SB.C's magnetic magic mats finally being available!

Ohhh, I didn't know about this. I'm now on the notify me list. Thank you.

Cracks me up that it has not yet been released but still there is a single 5* review from a "verified purchaser."

Ha. It has been on my shortlist for quite a while. Several of the girls in the local card-making group have it and swear by it. With my frozen shoulder situation (right side, grrrr), I may have to succumb, but really hoping to hold off and get it for myself around the holidays.

I hope you will post all about it once you've got the hang of it! Super interested if you're able to effectively use all the different thicknesses of embossing folders with it.

MichyM, I'm sure you've talked to your doc, PT, et al about what you might be doing to aggravate your shoulder, but just in case this didn't come up, when Jennifer McGuire and Bridget Casey both had shoulder surgery, Bridget said something during an Altenew retreat about ink-blending technique being an issue. Something about needing to keep your elbow closer to your body and make smaller motions from the shoulder maybe? Anyway, I know you blend a lot, so I thought I should mention it. Even though this is a die-cutting discussion....

I can see if I can figure out when it was and try to get the details more clearly by rewatching the video if that would help.

I'm hoping all your great reviews will prove to be true, because my Empress is due to be delivered tomorrow. I've started using more intricate dies and layered pieces and my Big Shot is working, but it's old and showing it's age. Ya'll convinced me that the Empress would be a good buy. I held off spending the money because my Big Shot still does work, but then I saw it on sale last week and I went for it. I can't wait to get it!