Cutting plotters are versatile devices with which a wide variety of projects can be put into practice. Textile transfer designs, labels, stickers and much more can be created in a short time and cut out precisely. There is now a comprehensive range of these devices – from the basic to the professional version, numerous models are available on the market that offer the user different options. We have put together this guide to give you an overview of which plotter is best suited for which project or plan.
Cutting plotter – not only for private handicraft projects
In private households, the cutting plotter helps craft fans and do-it-yourselfers to realize a wide variety of creative projects. Cutting plotters are also used in schools and universities, especially for model making. This applies to both arts and crafts subjects as well as technical areas of application.
Small and medium-sized companies also benefit from cutting plotters, for example when printing company T-shirts or creating self-adhesive letters and motifs for shop windows or company vehicles. The devices are also suitable for the production of promotional gifts: stickers, displays or printed textile bags – the possibilities are almost unlimited. Some cutting plotters are also equipped with folding and creasing tools. With these special embossings are possible, which for example enhance models, business cards or also greeting cards or invitations.
For beginners: Silhouette PORTRAIT 3
The PORTRAIT 3 model from Silhouette from the second generation is recommended for beginners. It can be connected to the computer via Bluetooth, or optionally via a USB cable.
The automatic knife of the Silhouette PORTRAIT 3 can easily cut various materials such as paper, cardboard, textiles or vinyl adhesive film with a thickness of up to 0.5 millimeters. A deep-cutting knife that can be added allows an even higher material throughput. This enables materials up to two millimeters thick, such as foam rubber, to be cut. The hobby plotter’s optical sensor reads in printed motifs, recognizes the fiducial marks of the motif and extracts them precisely and accurately. This is made possible by the PixScan technology, which can also place cutting lines on a template as required.
With its high-quality functions, the included Silhouette Studio software is comparable to design software of the highest standards, while it is user-friendly and included free of charge with the purchase of the Silhouette 3. Also included are cutting mats, free designs with which you can get started right away, a month subscription to the Silhouette Design Store, a USB cable and a power adapter.
For beginners and advanced users: the CAMEO 4
This cutting plotter is suitable for more experienced users as well as for beginners, because the same user-friendly software is used as the Silhouette PORTRAIT 2. The device can be used to cut a wide variety of materials, even textiles and leather with a thickness of up to three millimeters. This plotter can also be used for drawing, for example with the pens from Silhouette, but also with products from other manufacturers. The cutting plotter also has an integrated roll holder and cross cutter so that longer materials can be processed. This is why the CAMEO 4 offers a particularly wide range of opportunities to be creative.The knife of the CRICUT adjusts itself automatically as soon as it is entered on the computer which material is inserted. The cutting width of this model is up to 12 inches; the larger CAMEO 4 PLUS is up to 15 inches. Both sizes of the plotter are available in white.
Particularly compact: the CRICUT Joy
The Cricut Joy vinyl cutter is very versatile, it cuts a wide variety of materials such as vinyl adhesive film, paper, cardboard or iron-on films without any problems. He also draws with the Cricut Joy crayons, making it ideal for creating personalized greeting cards in any line width. The cutting plotter can be connected to a computer, tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth.In this way, users can create designs anywhere and import them into the plotter. The device is compact and portable, making it easy to transport. With the Design Space App, projects can be created and edited on the mobile device. These can also be downloaded and edited in offline mode, just like all other templates such as fonts and images.
The all-round talent: the CRICUT Maker
In addition to the features of the Cricut Joy described above, the Cricut Explore 3 Cutting Plotter can use its engraving tip to engrave materials such as aluminum or acrylic. The Cricut Maker is also particularly suitable for cutting fabric. The rolling blade and cutting mat required for this are supplied directly.The selection of tools available is particularly large: the hemming tool, for example, can be used single, double or in combination with a scoring tool. A wave-shaped cutter, a fine embossing tool, a deep cutting blade and a precision blade are also available. The folding and creasing tools make it possible to work with cardboard as well as to personalize T-shirts.
Like the other models, the creative plotter is also Bluetooth-enabled and can be operated via an app with a computer, smartphone or tablet. Anyone who values optics in addition to practicality and versatility is also well advised here. Because the Cricut Maker is available in champagne and rose.
Multifunctional with an integrated scanner: the BRO CM900
A cutting plotter that can not only cut various materials from paper to vinyl to leather and felt, but can also scan? The Cuttingplotter & Engraver does just that and also has a 4.8-inch screen so that it can be used independently without a computer. Alternatively, it can also be connected to a PC via WLAN and operated using the software included. For example, your own drawings can be scanned in and cut out directly. The plotter draws with the high quality pens from Brother.With this diverse selection of high-quality cutting plotters, there is the right device for every need and every level of expertise – whether a beginner or an experienced hobbyist is at work. Both private craft fans as well as schools or universities, shops such as shops, practices, event agencies, catering companies, tech start-ups and many more benefit from the simple cutting of shapes and the possibility of personalizing business premises or promotional items. All you need is the right plotter for a high quality result.
Devices in comparison
| Portrait 3 | Cameo 4 | Cricut Joy | Cricut Maker | Brother CM900 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials (examples) | Paper, iron-on transfers, adhesive vinyl, fabrics | Additionally leather, foam rubber, felt | Paper, iron-on transfers, vinyl adhesive | Additionally leather, foam rubber, felt | Additionally leather, foam rubber, felt |
| Cutting width | 8“ | 12“ | 4“ | 12“ | ≈11,6” |
| Drawings | With Silhouette pens or pen holder | With Silhouette pens or pen holder | With Cricut Joy pens | With Cricut Joy pens | Mit Brother pens |
| Engraving, embossing | no | no | no | yes | no |
| Scan | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Display | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Connection | Bluetooth | Bluetooth, USB | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | WLAN |
| Use with | PC | PC | PC, tablet, smartphone | PC, tablet, smartphone | PC (not absolutely necessary) |
