You saw this thing (cricut cuttlebug) in your friend’s home and you wondered what it was. Or you’re looking to buy a Cricut and someone recommended this to you.
Whatever reason made you end up here looking for answers, I’m here to answer all of them. So without further ado, let’s get into it.
What Is A Cricut Cuttlebug?
The cricut cuttlebug is one the most famous manual die-cutting machines on the market that allows you to craft without using any type of software or internet connection.
Did you know that the Cricut Cuttlebug was one of the very first portable papercraft tools manufactured by Cricut? If you’re looking for a die-cutting machine that you can easily handle, then Cricut Cuttlebug is for you!
What Is A Cricut Cuttlebug Used For?
Generally, the Cricut Cuttlebug is an embossing or paper cutting tool. Other materials it can cut include cardboard, fabric, leather, etc.
Even though its general function includes only paper-cutting tools, it can also cut precise shapes of various other materials as well such as cardboard, fabric and even leather.
What Is A Die?
A die is a metal with a raised edge that helps in cutting paper, fabrics and other materials when some pressure is placed on it.
What’s the use of Cricut Cuttlebug in die cutting? Well, a Cricut Cuttlebug helps put loads of pressure on the dies in order to cut through anything.
Cricut Cuttlebug: Is It Worth Buying?
If you’re into making cards and scrapbooks and are not much into vinyl t-shirt decals, then cricut cuttlebug is definitely for you.
Due to the easiness of the device, it is the best gift for kids or for beginner crafters.
I’ll give you a laydown of this crafting machine and you can decide for yourself whether it is worth the buy or not.
Specifications:
Here is a table of it’s basic specifications,
| Cutting Dimensions | Maximum width: 6 inches Maximum length: 7 inches |
|---|---|
| Accessories | 1 A Spacer 2 B Cutting Plate Instruction booklet Bonus: 1 5×7 embossing folder |
| What it can cut | Cardstock, thin metal, thin wood, some fabrics, thin felt, poster board, chipboard, tissue paper, fun foam |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Paper Used | Watercolor paper hot or cold-pressed |
The Working:
One of the major benefits of cricut cuttlebug and the reason why it was famous when it first came out was that it was very easy to use. It’s the perfect gift for kids, your grandmothers or any other beginner crafter.
Here’s what you have got to do,
- Firstly, take the A plate and lay it down as the first layer on the cuttlebug.
- Secondly, take the die (make sure the foam side is up) and place the chosen material i.e. fabric or thin felt on top of it.
- Thirdly, sandwich the material and the die together using B plates and place it on top of the A plate. Roll the plates through the machine using the crank.
For embossing,
- Place the A plate on the machine.
- Take the embossing folder and put your desired material in the middle and just like before, make a sandwich using B plates.
- Roll the plates through the machine using the hand crank.
The Positives:
Here are some of the main advantages that you get for using Cricut Cuttlebug,
1. Durability
Cricut Cuttlebug is the most durable machine. Even after using it for years, I can guarantee you that you will hardly see any wear and tear.
Admittingly it is not recommended for heavy use, but it certainly has the capability to handle most standard cuttings and embossing craftings.
2. Clean Cuts And Well-Defined Embossing:
How well does it do its job? The Cricut Cuttlebug does its job perfectly. The cuts are accurate and the embossings are well-defined. When it comes to this, the Cricut Cuttlebug is reliable and does the job!
3. Easy To Use:
With this, you’re not going to spend hours reading manuals and figuring out how it works. Not only is it very easy to use, but also it requires no electricity or internet connection. You’ll be able to use it from straight out of the box!
The Negatives:
Now it’s time for the negatives,
1. No C Plate:
If you buy the latest version of the Cuttlebug, you would notice that no C-plate is included in it. This is the complaint that I have seen Cuttlebug Users make very often.
The C-plate is only used if you plan on using die-cuts or embossing folders of brands other than Cricut.
The C-plate acts as an adapter for it. If you are looking to use materials more than 6 inches then the Cuttlebug Adapter C Mat is a must!
2. Suction: A Hit and Miss:
The cuttlebug has suction capabilities that allow it to adhere to surfaces making it easy for you to feed your sandwich between the machine.
But many users found this feature useless as it doesn’t do its job properly. Honestly, this feature is really not needed as the machine is sturdy and stable enough without the suction capabilities.
Cuttlebug or Sizzix Big Shot: Which Is Better?
Well, there isn’t much of a difference between the two. Both serve the same purposes, both are personal embossing machines and die cutters that provide excellent results. The couple of minor differences are:
- Cricut Cuttlebug is smaller and more compact as compared to Big Shot.
- Cuttlebug is cheaper than Big Shot.
- Cuttlebug has the ability to fold up while Big Shot does not have this ability.
Cuttlebug or Cricut? The Most Asked Question!
Cuttlebug is a Cricut machine! This has seriously been the most asked question. I assume people are talking about other Cricut machines such as the Explore Air 2 or Cricut Expression when they’re asking this question.
Well, all of the machines are completely different from each other and are suited for different types of crafting and users.
Like where Cuttlebug is highly suited for kids or beginners, the Explore Air 2 is suited for people who have knowledge or past experience of using such devices.
Here is a comparison table between Cuttlebug and some other Cricut machines,
| Cricut Cuttlebug | Cricut Explore Air 2 | Cricut Expression 2 | Cricut Mini Cutting Machine | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Suited For | Scrapbooks and card making | Advanced crafting | Crafters that use cartridges | Cutting crafts |
| Software | None | Cricut Design Space | Cricut Craft Room | Cricut Craft Room |
| Cutting Dimensions | 6″ x 13″ | 11.5″ x 23.5″ | 11.5″ x 23.5″ | 8.5″ x 12″ |
| Stand-out Features | Easy to use, Manual | Automatic cutting settings and Bluetooth | Stylus and LCD touchscreen | Compact yet electronic |
| Cartridges | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Final Verdict:
Is Cricut Cuttlebug worth it? For the correct group and audience, yes it is! The Cricut Cuttlebug is highly recommended for kids and crafting beginners and of course for people who love to make cards and scrapbooks.
It may not have the capabilities like the advanced machines but it is easy to use, durable, simple, cheap and gets the job done!
Beatrix Ainsley (Bea to her friends) is an abstract artist who was heavily inspired in her twenties by the abstract expressionist movement of the 1940s. Since then Bea has acquired three degrees in Science, Education and most importantly Fine Art. Her art works showcase exploring emotion and introspection of self. To achieve this – the use of bold, sweeping, intricate layers of color, and spontaneity of form is enhanced by reflecting on decades of life experiences. Bea has amassed a vast knowledge of art in all its forms, and hopes to pass it on with her contributions here.