New Kid On The Cutting Block - eBosser Product Review

There are a variety of die cutting devices on the market, but I'm happy to be able to share insights with you on a new electronic die cutting device that is compatible with using dies from a number of manufacturers, as well as embossing templates.  And, it is available at a reasonable price.  But, first, I want to clarify that I'm sharing my own opinions in this review and I do not receive any payment.  I simply received a "loaner" product for evaluation purposes.

Craftwell released the eBosser, an Electronic Embosser and Die Cutter in 2012.  The target audience of this product has been scrapbookers and crafters.   SewCalGal views this product will become very popular among quilting, sewing and embroidery enthusiasts. As such, I'm excited to be able to share insights with you  about the eBosser today.



I want to clarify, that I contacted Craftwell to help me research and share insights on this new product. Thanks to the Craftwell Team, I obtained a "loaner" unit for evaluation purposes. I've put this unit thru the paces, trying to push it hard cutting a number of layers of fabric, dies from a variety of manufacturers, and a variety of medias cut.   Overall, I'm so delighted with the functionality, quality, and value of this product,.  My conclusion is that this product offers great value to anyone interested in cutting fabric and/or other medias with any brand(s) of dies.  It will open up greater versatility than using a fabric die cutting machine designed to work on one brand of dies, and of the die cutters that will support cutting of two or more brands of dies, the eBosser is still the most versatile that I've seen, with a few exceptions.

The eBosser was designed to accept dies that do not exceed 8 1/2" in width by 12" in length, but at the CHA Winter Show SewCalGal saw that the Craftwell team has created adapters that will allow longer dies to be used in the eBosser.  As SewCalGal learns more, I will gladly share (e.g. price point for longer adapters/mats, how to order, etc.).  But for now, I can confidently say that the eBosser can handle dies up to the 8 1/2" x 12" size.

Unlike other die cutting systems, this product comes with all the platforms that you need to use dies from a variety of manufacturers (e.g. AccuCut dies, AccuQuilt, Sizzix, Fiskars, Cuttlebug, QuickKutz, Spellbinders, and more.)  The User Manual does provide easy to follow visual instructions for how to build a sandwich with platforms appropriate for each of these manufacturers.  And, it is designed to reject a sandwich that wasn't stacked properly, but still, SewCalGal strongly encourages users to closely follow the instructions in the User Manual for stacking platforms (aka building sandwiches) before feeding into your ebosser.

 While the user manual includes a platform chart, here is a link to a platform chart that will give you an idea of what the eBosser does to stack sandwiches to handle a variety of dies:
 http://www.craftwellusa.com/sites/default/files/images/uploads/PlatformCombination.pdf

The eBosser can cut paper, vinyl, card stock, fabric, plastic, thin wood, metal, leather, foam, chipboard,  and much more. Any material up to 3mm in thickness!  For cutting fabric, it can cut up to 8 layers of fabric at a time.  And, a cut typically takes ~18 seconds for the die to go completely thru the eBosser!



{above} I used the eBosser and an AccuQuilt die to cut wax paper in the shape of Christmas trees, which were stitched around the edge and filled with candy.




{above} It was certainly fun and fast creating applique' shapes using the eBosser and the AccuQuilt die to cut 8 layers of scrap fabric to create an applique' quilt.



{above} And, it was fun using a Sizzix die to cut scraps to applique' for a quilt for a young girl..

 
{above} The eBosser quickly cut ducks, with an AccuQuilt die, for a  baby quilt for an upcoming Operation Homefront's Baby Showers.

Embossing was a big plus with the eBosser offering up so many more crafting opportunities. It also comes with one Embossing folder and is compatible with using embossing templates from most manufacturers too!

 
{above} It was very easy and fast to make a greeting card with an embossed owl using a Sizzix die and the embossing template that came with the eBosser. I love the embossed texture. Now, I'm wanting to use the eBosser embossing on leather for a variety of projects. Think of purses with embossed leather, or how an embossed leather luggage tag would make a nice gift!.

SewCalGal used the eBosser to make snowflake for the Sandy Hook School's PTA request.  The eBosser made it very easy to cut and emboss snowflakes.  And a package was shipped to Sandy Hook on behalf of Janet McElroy (Jan's Musings Again) as well as another package from SewCalGal.  The eBosser made it so easy and fast to make the paper and mixed media snowflakes. {just wish I could find photos from my original batch}.


{above} check out the detail in these two snowflakes to see the difference that the embossing makes.  Wish my camera could do a better job, but I think you'll see the beautiful texture the embossing template created.

There are a variety of videos on the eBosser, including many made by Craftwell, but I found this video to be one that does the best job (that I could find) for sharing insights on the eBosser.





A fewspecs on the eBosser that I think you might be interested in:

• 15 lbs (approx)
• 6.9H x 12.4W x 8.9D
• 100 - 240 v
• Multiple Platforms included: 1 - Embossing/Cutting Platform, 3 - Base platforms, and 1 - shim 

Here is a quick comparison of the eBosser to other comparable die cutting systems:

eBosser	AccuQuilt GO! Baby	Sizzix Big Shot
~15 lbs w motor	15.82 lbs no motor	tbd
cuts up to 8 layers of fabric	cuts up to 6 layers of fabric	cuts up to 8 layers of fabric
cuts and embosses	cuts (no embossing)	cuts and embosses
$229 MRSP	retail $139	retail $99
ALL GO! Baby dies, all AccuQuilt AND Sizzix dies < 8 1/2" width, and many more dies and embossing templates from other Manufacturers.	compatible with 43 dies	All Sizzix dies < 6" and most dies <6" from other manufacturers
mats, platforms, one embossing folder come with the unit	mats are extra (not shipped in the box)	mats and platform come with unit
1 year limited warranty	1 year limited warranty	3 year limited warranty

SewCalGal hopes if you are looking for a die cutting machine you'll check out the new eBosser.  Great product at a great price.  While it may appear more expensive, don't forget you get a motor, platforms, mats and the ability to cut more dies than a GO! Baby or Sizzix Big Shot can.  You can also find the eBosser at their online store,  Amazon, Jo-Ann's and a variety of crafting stores.

For a limited time, eBosser has a special where you can get two embossing mats vs one, found in the typical eBosser package.  That is a $34 value, so if embossing interests you, you may want to check out this special with eBosser.

And, don't forget to check back soon, to see what I create with all the cuts I've made with the eBosser!  I have some fun projects and tutorials planned for the new eBosser and hope to share with you soon!


For more info on the eBosser

Benefits of an eBosser
Value of an eBosser

http://www.craftwellusa.com/products/ebosser
http://blog.craftwellusa.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ecraftbycraftwell
http://pinterest.com/teamcraftwell/
http://www.youtube.com/ecraftbycraftwell

SewCalGal also plans on sharing more insights on the eBosser in the near future, with more examples on how this product can help quilting, sewing and embroidery enthusiasts create.



What do you like about the new eBosser?