Craftwell eCraft Die Cut Machine FAQ's
Is it true about no cutting mat? Yes. The eCraft's unique design keeps the sheet secure with a series of rollers and guides without the need for a cutting mat. As the eCraft cuts, it leaves behind what we call "micro-tabs" which hold the material together until you pull it apart. Once the cut out is pulled away, the tabs are virtually unnoticeable, leaving you with a perfectly smooth cut out. No more mess, fuss or risk of tearing when removing material from a mat. Plus you save money!What can it cut? Paper (standard, flocked, glitter, magnet, adhesive backed), card stock, vellum, vinyl, felt, organza, grunge paper, grunge board, wood veneers, thin chipboard, Fun Foam, and many other materials under 1mm thick. Want to decorate cake or cookies?...no need to buy a separate machine. Use the eCraft to cut Lucks Edible Image Food Decoration Sheets and easily add edible designs to cupcakes, cookies and much more! Paper size? The eCraft can handle paper up to 12" wide by ANY length! You can cut smaller pieces as well, we're all about saving money and using scraps! Although we don't recommend going smaller than 2" x 3". Image size? The eCraft can handle paper up to 12'' wide, and the maximum width of an image you can cut is approximately 11-3/4". We've tested all of the images on our SD cards and set a predetermined minimum size for each one. Depending on how intricate the cut is, some images won't go smaller than 3" whereas others can go as small as half an inch. We've taken the trial and error process out of it to help minimize wasting paper! How many sheets fit in a paper tray? The number of sheets depends on the thickness/weight of the paper. There is a guideline on the tray to help you determine the maximum quantity, as well as an alert on the eCraft that tells you when the paper tray is empty. How long do the blades last? We use high quality blades similar to those used in other cutters. Naturally, if you're cutting through vellum, blades will last longer than cutting thicker cardstock. Does it make a lot of noise? No. While all cutters make some noise, the eCraft is relatively quiet. For everyone who saw the eCraft at CHA or in a video demo, those were prototypes, the actual production units are much quieter. Does it draw? Yes, a pen and a blade are in the machine at the same time. Our images come with preset draw and cut lines. The eCraft draws first and then cuts without having to stop and swap or reset anything. Draw without cutting or cut without drawing is also an option with the basic eCraft software. Does it work off of cartridges? We use SD Cards similar to those used in digital cameras. They enable you to work independently of a computer and are available in different themes (Calendar, Travel, Waterlife, Swirls, Fonts, etc...) We currently have 17 SD Cards, each with over 150 images, and there's many more to come! Can I connect to a computer? Yes, using a USB connection, but it is not required (see above). Is it Mac compatible? Due to the limited amount of turnaround time for the software development, the initial release is for PC but we are hard at work on the Mac version and Mac users won't have to wait too much longer, we promise! Can I use my own designs? Yes, using the Pro version of our software (sold separately). Pro will allow users to import SVG files and access True and Open Type Fonts, then establish draw and cut lines, or create your own images within the software using our design tools. What file formats are supported? The eCraft uses a proprietary file format, however eCraftshop Pro will allow you to import SVG files, TTF and OTF, automatically converting them for compatibility with the eCraft. How much does it cost? The eCraft cutter has an MSRP of $259 for a limited time and comes with over $100 of additional accessories; eCraftshop (Basic Design Software), MSRP $69.99; eCraftshop Pro (Professional Design Software), MSRP $159.99. Please keep in mind these are suggested retail prices, actual retail prices may differ. What are the accessories? There will be full line of SD Image Cards ($39.99 - $49.99), 5 packs of Black and Primary Color ball-point pens ($9.99), 10 and 20 packs of blades ($17.99 - $29.99), iPhone App, Travel Bag, Rolls of Vinyl, Battery Pack and MORE! When will it be in stores? Our official product launch was at the January CHA show (2010) where many retailers placed their orders. The machines are shipping in JULY and will be available in stores as soon as retailers can stock their shelves! |