Sizzix Big Shot Plus | The perfect starter kit for embossing and die cutting

by Joost Nusselder Updated on: April 3, 2023

If you are a card maker then you will absolutely love the Sizzix Big Shot Plus.

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This manually driven slicer is perfect for kids, beginners and crafters who want to get started with die cutting and embossing in one go.

Overall, it's one of the best cutting machines on the market, it is really easy to operate, and you get a lot of materials with the beginner bundle.

Before we get into the specs of this machine, let's make it clear that the Big Shot isn't actually that big at all.

It is designed for crafts such as card making and scrapbook and the print area is A4 size. This is nice, because it allows you to use most sizes of material.

So very compatible, you will never end up with unusable material!

The Sizzix Big Shot Plus is available as a beginner's kit, where you receive the following:

• 1 Big Shot Plus Machine
• 1 Big Shot Plus Platform System
• 2 A4 cutting mats
• 1 Thinlit Plus Die Set
• 1 Bigz Die
• 1 Framelit Die
• 4 Double Sided A4 Cardstock Sheets
• 10 double-sided 13,97 x 15,24 cm Cardstock Sheets

This machine is compatible with almost every brand. This makes it perfect if you would like to switch to another brand, such as the Cricut Cuttlebug slicer, but still have a lot of residual stock.

Did you know that there are three types cutting machines to exist? I'll list the different options for you here

From toddler to toddler activity book collection

Educational games and coloring pages for 3 to 6 years

Your toddler and preschooler will love this e-book, along with the accompanying printables. He or she can play with it at every stage of development, together with mom and dad.

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What can you do with the Sizzix Big Shot?

Even with its compact size, the Big Shot can slicer cutting a wide range of materials including cardboard, fabric, foam, felt, chipboard, metallic foil, craft aluminum, leather, natural paper and even window film.

So as you can see, this is a versatile one slicer, you can for example these cute fabric flowers with dies.

The best feature of the Sizzix Big Shot slicer is that it is very easy to use, just 3 simple steps to create great results.

Just make a sandwich with your die, cutting mats and material, feed this sandwich into the machine, and swing it through!

It really is that simple! Watch the video below for a demonstration of how this works:

Sizzix Big Shot Plus features and specifications

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• The standard cutting mats for this machine are 11,7 inches or 297 mm long. This allows you to play with larger designs.
• This machine is designed to use any brand of embossing folders and dies.
• A simple 3-step process to create beautiful and impressive cards and scrapbooks
• It requires no electricity, is operated entirely by hand and comes with a handle on the top meaning it is easy to transport.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Sizzix Big Shot Slicer

Benefits

• This machine is really easy to use. No software or cables. Just good old fashioned honest crafting
• At 7.75 kilos, it is a really sturdy device
• This machine is great for kids and beginners
• Very versatile and can cut many different materials
• This machine is compatible with other brands of stamps and embossing folders
• It really is a portable machine

Cons

• It's pretty much the same model as the Sizzix Big Kick, so if you have a Big Kick don't buy it deze

For another decent manual one slicer, look at my review of the Gemini Die-cutting and embossing machine

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.