I'm looking for this gadget that will print out any pattern/lettering?

Question

I want to buy my friend a birthday present and she had mentioned this gadget or something for arts & crafts that can print out and cut out any type of pattern or lettering that you want? Does this sound familiar to anyone? Do you know what the gadget is called?

Thanks!

Answer 1

There are different ones on the market, and to be honest, I do not like any of them.  Cricut, Cuttlebug are two that come to mind right away.  They are not cheap, and you have to purchase cartridges that will allow you to cut out certain shapes and fonts.  What I really dislike about them is that the paper you use has to be a certain size and has to stick to the surface of the cutting board.  If you are not using a good quality card stock, the shapes and letters will be difficult to remove from the cutting surface and will most likely wrinkle or tear.  I love the sizzix system (although that will get pricey as well), because it will cut a wide variety of materials (even fabric!).  When I need a font or shape that I do not have for the sizzix system, I just print it from my computer and cut it out.  With a fine swivel xacto knife you can get very intricate.  My circuit machine is collecting dust.  After 3 tries, I gave up.

I just came accross this one in a catalog I got over the weekend.  I think this may be what your friend is talking about.  It still works the same way that circuit or cuttlebug do, but instead of cartridges with the shapes and fonts on them, you connect it to a computer.  It's pricey, and again, would have all the same problems as the other two systems.  Plus, I think you may have to use it with a computer.  

http://www.quickutz.com/qk2/silhouette/

There is another one on the market called Wishblade.