There must be something in the air because I’ve received the same question 6 times in the last two days via the contact form. LOL! I decided it called for an addition to the FAQ:
I’m thinking about buying a digital cutting machine. Which is better, the Cricut or the Silhouette? What advice can you give me?
I have both an original Silhouette and a Cricut Expression. I only use the Cricut Expression now for only one reason: it will cut 12″ wide. That truly is the only reason I use the Cricut instead of the Silhouette. Truth be told, if the Silhouette cut 12″ wide, I’d probably prefer it over the Cricut because you can cut with the Silhouette straight from Adobe Illustrator on a Mac. It’s more convenient for my work flow. Currently, I design in Illustrator, save the file as an SVG, and then open it in Sure Cut a Lot to cut it on the Cricut. It’s an additional step.
I don’t use the Cricut cartridges much (mostly because I just don’t think about it, and also because my sister borrowed them). But at least I have the option to use them later.
Video: Cricut Cutting Machine & Cartridges Review
Video: Connecting Cricut to Your Computer
Video: Using SVG Files with your Cricut
UPDATE January 30, 2010 – I have gone back to the Silhouette purely for quality issues when cutting from my computer. See this entry. As a “you don’t have to have a computer to use it” machine, the Cricut is fine and dandy. But if you’re cutting from a computer, the Silhouette is the clear winner–even if it can’t accomodate 12″ wide paper.
I have questions about the Cricut / Sure Cuts a Lot / Silhouette. Can you answer them?
Your best bet is to post to one of the message boards. There a people a lot more knowledgeable than me who will help you there. I’m somewhat new at this, too! :)
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Thanks for posting this! LOL @ your sister “borrowing” them!
For those of us with the Cricut Expression, do you suggest getting the sure cut a lot? If so how does it work? Do you need the cartridges or can you use items you have purchased for example from Twopeas?
I think your questions are answered in the second and third video links above. :)
People are probably asking so often because the cricuts are ALL over the black friday ads
totally. I know AC Moore has pre-Black friday sales. I just got a standard Cricut for $98. I know Michael’s is having similar sale prices for Black Friday, but I didn’t want to wait. :) Now all I need to do is get the Sure Cuts A Lot software and I”m set!
Thanks for the info…question, have you considered the MM Slice?
I have a MM Slice, but haven’t used it for over a year. I had some problems with it and just never picked it up to try it again. I should break that out…
Hi Kristina – I hope you don’t mind me asking but what problems with the SLICE have you had? I just bought it and would rather know the good, bad and ugly of the machine.
The blade got stuck. When I called customer service they said to just whack the side of it and the blade would pop out again. Thought that was strange, and I haven’t really tried it. Oh, well!
I also have the MM Slice. It’s nice when you just need to cut one thing out but very limiting in so many respects.
Hi Tina – Can you share a little more info on the drawbacks that you feel the SLICE has? I just bought my SLICE and I’ve used it twice but it would be interesting to read what “quirks” you think it has.
I so just answered this thinking it was me you were asking. So sorry! I was reading comments from within my blog software and didn’t see you were responding directly to Tina. Again, so sorry!
I found that it took me along time to cut several letters for a title because you have to sit there and hold the MM while it cuts. It’s great for little jobs but i scrapbook a lot and I find that with my Cricut I can multi task more and use my time more wisely. Every time I change the blade I seem to have issues with getting it reset to the correct cutting depth. It seems to go wonky and has to be homed often. I got it when it first came out so I’m sure that they worked through some of these issues.
Sorry Kristina – I think you answered your question but in the reply to Tina Harden. I asked you both the same question to see what you each felt about the SLICE. Sorry for the confusion.
I love my expression. I have had a Wishblade and a Pazzles and I prefer the Cricut. Yes I would recommend the Sure Cut A Lot software. It gives you the freedom to cut the SVG files that you can get from TwoPeas for example. You can also use fonts on your computer and create in it. If I were the AWESOME Designer as KWerner is… I might think differently but I’m just a Mom with a camera that enjoys card making and Scrapbooking and is completely confused by CS Illustrator. :) Hope you find this helpful.
I have both the original SIL and a Cricut Expression, and I do like that I can make my own designs for both machines (w/ the Cricut you have to use the SCAL software) but I do find that my Cricut cuts Bazzill cardstock SO much better, faster and quieter then my SIL….love that the Cricut mats are so sticky too, I use them in my SIL since the SIL ones stink.
I own the Silhouette and have used the Cricut.
I prefer the Silhouette because you can download any True Font or True Image on your computer and cut it. I don’t like having to depend on cartridges and only one design, I like a variety. Plus cartridges can get costly, there are a lot of Free fonts and images out there to download.
I think for cutting they are both set up the same way.
I’ve had the pazzles machine in the past and I prefer the Cricut w/ Sure Cuts A Lot. I like having the option to use my cartridges with just the machine when I’m away from my computer. If anyone is looking for a deal on SCAL, http://store.candacraft.com has it on sale for the cheapest price I’ve seen.
Hi Kristina,
I love my Silhouette and you’re the reason I bought it in the 1st place as you opened my eyes to the fact that it cuts illustrator files ….. before this I didn’t feel I had any reason to want a Digital Die Cutter ….. so I blame you lol!
I have looked at the SCAL Software as I was selling some of my files as SVG Files and someone had a problem with a file. I downloaded the trial version to try and sort it out. This convinced me that the Silhouette was the Die Cutter that was right for me.
This is the problem I found … I have small dash/gap lines on some of my files not complete cut lines(outlines) Having a Silhouette yourself you will be aware that you can just cut dashes instead of the full cut lines. The lines were not continuous so I found that SCAL was joining them up so that they were continuous. It was also unable to convert the lines to just dashes.
I had help from an experienced SCAL user who was going to ask SCAL to update the software so it matched the cut options offered by the Silhouette.
I don’t know if you have come across this problem or if they have now updated the SCAL Software (This was in April)
I also love the fact that the Silhouette software now offers shadow cuts which wasn’t available before.
Sorry for the long post but I thought this info might be helpful if someone was deciding between the Cricut and Silhouette.
Many thanks again for bringing the Silhouette to my attention.
because I am incredibly clueless – you can use a cricut w/out the cartridges? Can you tell me what I need to be able to do that?
I am hoping if not for Christmas to get the expressions for Mother’s day :)
You can use Sure Cuts a Lot to cut SVG files from your computer. Watch the video that’s linked up above for more info on that. You do need at least one cartridge, though. You have to have a cartridge in the machine to get it to load the paper when you’re using Sure Cuts a Lot. But the Expression usually comes with at least one cartridge, so you’re okay.
I have the original cricut and I like working with it and I was thinking of buying SCAL but then Oh My Crafts had such an amazing offer on a Silhouette (50% off) that I ordered one, even with the shipping costs it’s far cheaper then buying it here in The Netherlands. I’m really looking forward in using it.
Eveline.
I love my cricut and SCAL:)))
I have a Silhouette but for my purposes I really need something that can cut thicker material. Now I’ve been told the cricut expression can do that with a special knife but I’m curious up to which thickness it can handle? And how long does a blade last if you use it with heavier material. Anyone have some answers to that?
You might try posing your question on the Cricut message boards. The ladies there are experts! http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/
Oh, I was so sure I wanted a Cricut, but now I don’t know. The Sil costs less and can use all true fonts, but with SCAL the Cricut can work magic…
I guess I better start writing to Santa:-)
Thank you Kristina for this precision !
You know I have a Cricut Expression and I am considering selling it because I never use it. I think I have used it 4 times in the past year.
How much are you selling it for?
I was thinking $150 I think I paid around $275 for it. I bought it brand new I will have to check but I think I have a cutting mat but it may be losing it’s stickyness and I have the orginal box and all the books and cords that go with it.