The Big Shot and Stampin' Up!'s exclusive new dies will be available for purchase (order on-line here) on September 2. However, I'm feeling overwhelmed with the amount of information (and misinformation) about the Big Shot, the new dies and compatability with other die cutting machines.
So, I put together "Big Shot 101," which addresses FAQ's regarding the Big Shot Die-Cut Machine and
Stampin' Up!'s Sizzlits, Bigz and Bigz XL Dies. Except as noted, the information below
represents my "independent research" (and piles of card stock experiments over the last few days) on how to use this little work
horse and the new dies. Coming Up! Using the Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL Die.
I have set this page up as a permanent link in my right side bar (under "Links I Love") and will update this information as I
continue to learn and experiment with more related products. Please check back
for new ideas and tips. In addition, I have included my personal
recommendations for using the new dies successfully in the Cuttlebug.
Click to download Stampin' Up!'s Big Shot Machine and Dies Brochure. Check out my Big Shot Gallery for samples and ideas.
TIP:
Results and tension may vary a bit from machine to machine. Typically,
simple adjustments by adding or removing a piece of card stock or two
(acting as shims), will help create the right amount of pressure for
your machine. You should feel some resistance and hear a few clicks as
your roll your sandwich through. However, never force a sandwich through any machine. You risk breaking the machine, dies and plates.
Big Shot
Bigz Dies (for example, Scallop Envelope, Top Note (featured), Pillow Box):
Sandwich (starting from the bottom)
- Acrylic Cutting Pad (Big Shot)
- Bigz Die face up
- Card Stock or Designer Series paper
- Acrylic Cutting Pad (Big Shot) or Premium Crease Pad (for deep etched score lines)
TIP:
If you have any issues with the die cutting through part of the score
lines, the Premium Crease Pad ($113476, $8.95) is an excellent solution.
My Tutorial: Bigz Scallop Envelope Die
Sizzlits (for example, Birds & Blooms). Dies are much thinner than the Bigz Dies)
Sandwich (starting from the bottom)
- Multipurpose Platform Tab 1
- Acrylic Cutting Pad (Big Shot
- Sizzlits Die face up
- Card Stock or Designer Series paper
- Acrylic Cutting Pad (Big Shot)
Cuttlebug Embossing Folders (for example, Floral Fantasy as shown):
Sandwich (starting from the bottom)
- Multipurpose Platform Tab 1
- Acrylic Cutting Pad (Big Shot)
- Cuttlebug embossing folder with card stock inserted
- Acrylic cutting pad (Big Shot)
Nestabilities: These are a little trickier since you want
to get the pressure just right to avoid any embossing on card stock you
only want to cut.
To Cut (starting from the bottom):
- Multipurpose Platform opened to Tab 1
- 2 pieces thin card board and 1 piece card stock. TIP: This is where you can adjust a bit (more or less card stock, for example) for perfect pressure.
- Acrylic Cutting Pad (Big Shot)
- Card Stock or Designer Series Paper
- Die face down
- Acrylic Cutting Pad (Big Shot)
TIP:
I flip the traditional order of the card stock and the die (face down
vs. face up) so that you can stamp an image first and still align and see it when
you cut. This avoids the extra step of a magnetic sheet or tape.
To Emboss (starting from the bottom)
- Multipurpose Platform opened to Tab 1
- Acrylic Cutting Pad (Big Shot)
- Die face up with card stock still in it from cutting steps above
- Tan polymer mat (same as used with the Cuttlebug)
- 1 piece thin card board TIP: This is where you can adjust a bit (more or less card stock, for example) for perfect pressure.
- Acrylic Cutting Pad (Big Shot)
Cuttlebug
Bigz Dies (for example, Scallop Envelope, Top Note, Pillow Box)
- Cuttlebug B Plate
- Bigz Die Face Up
- Card stock or Designer Series Paper
- Cuttlebug B Plate
TIP: Score lines do not cut through (a good thing) but are not quite as
defined as using the Big Shot (per above) with the Crease Pad.
TIP: For my suggestions on using Nestabilities in the Cuttlebug, please click here.
Thank you so much for posting all of this! I just got my Big Shot and after only using my Cuttlebug to cut & emboss everything I was looking for directions to use all of my cutting tools on the BS!
Thank you for sharing this information Mary! It’s a good resource to keep on hand.
thanks for posting this. I was wondering about it! as always, you are so with it!
Thanks for this Mary! I wanted to buy some dies but didn’t want to buy the Big Shot as I already have a Cuttlebug, and it is a big investment for something that may or may not work. You’re the best!
1 BigShot + Mary’s true test recipes + Your own sanity = Priceless. Thanks bunches Mary. As always you come through for your virtual friends.
Thank you for clearing that up, Mary!!
As always, excellent work Mary! I completely agree (from experience) about working with the nestabilities in the Big Shot. I tried several of the recipes online, but I, too, had to experiment to perfect my own best recipe. Thanks for sharing your own true tests. I’m sure you used lots of time (along with lots of cardstock)!
Yea for you Mary!!! I will be saving your info on the big shot. I am tired of waiting for stamp it up to release it so we can see it. All the cool projects have been driving me crazy!!!!