Cricut Expression vs Silhouette SD
Unless you've been living under a rock (or are a nonscrapbooker/crafter), you know about the Cricut. Its a digital die cut machine that has everyone in the crafting community simply gaga. Including me!
I saw the Cricut Expression live and in person (it differs from a normal Cricut in that it can cut 12" wide whereas the standard Cricut only cut 6" wide) a few weeks ago at my scrapbook retreat. I loved it! I was all set to ask for one for Mother's Day. THEN I started doing some research...
I came across the Silhouette SD (not sure how it differs from the original Silhouette - I can't find much information about it and it doesn't seem to be available any longer). Oh me, oh my, I found my new die cut machine!!
The Silhouette website has a great chart that compares the features and capabilities of the SD to the original Cricut (the 6" version) and the Cricut Expression. You can find it here.
Here's a breakdown from my vantage point (I plan to use my machine for not only scrapbooking, but crafting also):
Silhouette: NO CARTRIDGES REQUIRED!!!!! This machine connects to your computer and can print any image or font saved to your PC (PCs only right now. Sorry Mac users!). It can cut any true type font (.ttf) already on your computer. For me, that's well over 1000 fonts! (I won't tell you the exact number. It might frighten you. Yes, I'm a bit of a font ho.) The machine comes with 50 shapes. You can purchase more shapes as needed from the Silhouette website for $1.99 each, but seriously people, you know there are ways around that. Its called free clipart, and its all over the web! Surely you can find a simple shape somewhere so that you won't have to pay for it. You can always draw your own shapes, too, and use those.
Also, the Silhouette can act as a printer. Not only that, but you can tell it to print AND cut an image. It prints first, and as it does so it makes small tick marks that tell it where to go back and cut it. It also can cut fabric and vinyl.
Cost: retails for ~$249
Cut size: Ā¼" to 8" shapes and fonts
Max cut width: 8"
Max cut length: 39"
Weight: 4.5 lbs (gotta keep that in mind for crops!)
Main disadvantage: You must have your PC if you want to use the Silhouette.
Cricut Expression: Requires cartridges, and they aren't cheap! Regularly $69.99 each, but if you wait for a sale you can get them for half that. The machine does come with about 75 shapes. You can not print images from your computer. You can purchase the Design Studio which is a program for your computer that allows you to arrange your shapes and fonts from your cartridges all at one time on a faux cutting map on your computer screen (again, for PC users only) which could save paper and help from printing one shape at a time as you normaly would.
You can also get drawing pens for the Cricut, but I don't think it will draw AND cut an image. It will also cut vinyl and fabric.
Cost: retails for $249
Cut size: Ā¼" to 11.5"
Max cut width: 11.5"
Max cut length: 24"
Weight: 20 lbs
Main disadvantage: Must have a cartidge to cut images.
So you may think the Cricut is more your style. Me, I'm going for the Silhouette! But I'm a very computer oriented person. I have literally thousands of image and thousands of fonts stored on my computer. I'm very friendly with my drawing program and am pretty sure I can make any image I don't already have. For this kind of cost, I definitely want a machine that is most compatible to me!
Okay, let's hear it... Do you have either of these machines? What do you love/hate about it?? I'd love to hear about it!
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Edit!!!! After Alison mentioned the Sure Cuts a Lot 2 (which I had never heard of!!), I had to go do some research on it. Its too good to be true! You can use the Cricut to cut fonts and shapes stored on your computer! AND its compatible with PCs and Macs. You can read more about the program here. I think my decision just became a little more difficult...
I did in fact purchase a cricut before finding this blog. Has any other company come out with a program that will work with the Cricut?
I did already purchase a Cri
cut and now I wonder if any of you have figured out how to over ride the sure cuts a lot for the Cricut, or if there is another company that has been able to come up with one?
I saw online today that it is available to MAC users, too.
I was pretty bummed because my husband FINALLY tells me to buy myself a Cricut for my birthday and you can no longer buy the Sure Cuts A Lot for it! š You just saved from from buying a Cricut! I'm ordering a Silhouette right now!
xoxo
Thank you for presenting the pros and cons so clearly! I'm in the process of thinking about buying one of these machines, and this helped a lot! š
Hi there!
First off,i'm loving the blog layout! its awesome!
Secondly, I'm going through this debate currently too, and am pretty much leaning towards the Silhouette SD, simply because of the capacity to print personal-off-the-cartridge images.
Could you tell me, as a user, how its been working for you?
Also, does it work with thick cardstock, and materials such as foamic sheets? And is there accessories you require for that? like a thicker adhesive mat? and how long do the blades/mats last?
Thanks a million!
I just started following your blog yesterday! Found you on the Silhouette blog actually! Sooo, I have a Sil!! And so far I love it!! I just got it a couple weeks ago.. I chose it over the cricut mainly due to the online library and the use with the computer. Also because it is much smaller and would be easy to grab my labtop and Sil and take to a friends for a party! š I just printed my first magnet yesterday and am sooo excited I'm finally learning how to use it! (I will also be using your knob idea for new ones in the kitchen!!) And all the possibilites out there for this machine is mind boggling.. I get all giggly and happy š PS The Sil software is now compatible with MAC š
Hello!
I noticed you started your debate in April.. Well what did you decide on? I am in the same debate basically and would like to know what everyone thinks now about these 2 options?
tHanks and love your site!
Your readers might want to know that Craft-e-corner.com will be having a BLACK Friday sale for the Silhouette SD at $179.99.
Your readers might want to know that Craft-e-corner.com will be having a BLACK Friday sale for the Silhouette SD at $179.99.
I am in the midst of the Cricut v. Silhouette debate right now and I have come to pretty much the same conclusion as you: Silhouette! My only question is about cutting fabric. I know that I will use either one to cut fabric, so I'm just looking for information about that. Have you cut fabric with your Silhouette? The "official" statement is that the Silhouette doesn't, but I've seen posts explaining how to, as well. Just wondering if you have any input on that. š Thanks! (my email is in my profile if you'd like to respond that way)
I have owned the Wishblade since 2005 and it recently gave up so I purchaed the Silhouette SD. Did you know it is also portable meaning you can download your images onto an SD card then you can take the machine with you? Not sure how it really works but one thing is for sure, it is much more slimline than a Cricuit. I love the Silhouette SD and they give you a free shape every week! Here from Friend Friday š
Silhouette all the way! No question!
I actually won a Cricut Expressions at Scrapbook USA and sold it in order to get the Silhouette. I love that it cuts every font on my computer and I don't have to buy cartridges.
My father-in-law bought one for my mother-in-law and she isn't too computer savvy so she doesn't use it. She is intimidated by it. I believe she would rather have a Cricut. š
Great info - thanks. Stopping by from New Friend Friday! I'm looking forward to following you.
Susan
http://www.BlackberryJamCafe.blogspot.com
Good luck!! Everyone sure is peaking my interest in the Silhouete!!
Okay, so the Silhouette looks awesome, and seems to be cheaper than the cricut, esp if you take into consideration all the accessories you need for the cricut. I found it on amazon and on ebay for less than $250. It looks neat, I have also thought about getting a slice, it's more handheld though! Thanks and I'm interested to see your decision!
Thanks so much for your opinion on those. I have been wondering about the Silhouette.
Have a happy day!
XOOX
Jen
I LOVE my Cricut! It's the original "Personal" Cricut, but it's easy to carry to a crop or to a friend's house. Hadn't heard of the Sure Cuts A Lot software, but you can bet I'll be looking into that soon as well!
Happy shopping (and cropping!)
I fount you from a comment you left on Oopsey Daisy, and just had to hop over and give a shout out for the Silhouette! I love mine, big time! I don't have the SD version, I got mine before the SD came out. With the SD version, you can put stuff on an SD card so you don't have to have it hooked to a PC. I also got mine on ebay for way cheaper. And they just reduced the price of downloads to 99 cents. The vinyl is way cheaper too. It comes in 10 foot rolls and lasts forever. And they just came out with heat transfer that you can cut too and make your own tee shirts! Anyway, happy crafting whatever you choose!
Jen @ http://becauseicancrafts.blogspot.com/
The "Sure Cuts A Lot" looks great. I may have to be investing into that. Also, I saw on their website that they are running an Easter special.
To be honest, I know nothing about the Silhouette... BUT you can get great deals on the cricut. I got mine for half its original price WITH a laminator, too.
ALSO... you don't have to buy cartridges if you buy software. I bought "Sure Cuts A Lot 2" that was the same price as ONE cartridge and now I will never have to buy a cartridge again. You just put in the pictures, fonts, etc. that you want straight from your computer. So if you go cricut, definitely look into that!! Anything on your computer you can cut on the Cricut using a software program like that.
Let us knwo what you decide!
I heart my silhouetteSD!!! BIg FUZZY heart it! I craft and scrap and it works great for both. PLUS all my fonts on my computer and those i download are FREE and i can use them as long as they are true type fonts (most are). I love that I don't have to buy every little thing I want to cut. I bought my silhouette SD brand new in the box on ebay and got it for a lot cheaper than $249. it comes with like 20 free downloads, but i have yet to use all of them since I mostly use it for fonts and shapes. Plus quickutz vinyl is SO much cheaper than cricut's vinyl. tons cheaper.
I'm looking into both right now, too. Great information! Thanks!