User Guide: Paper Die Cutters - Ellison Die Machines

Ellison die cut machines

Description

The Ellison is a craft die cutter. You can use it to cut a variety of materials for your craft projects, including card marking, scrapbooking, and more.


What We Provide - Makerspace Equipment & Materials

Makerspace equipment is free to use, but there is a cost for project materials and items. We provide the following:

  • Ellison Die Cut Machines (various sizes)
  • Ellison dies
  • Limited materials for sale (cash only). Material availability is not guaranteed; prices are subject to change. We encourage you to bring in your own materials to create your projects.
    - Cardstock paper: 5¢/sheet
    - Paper: 5¢/sheet
    - Transfer tape (if purchased separately from vinyl): 2¢/inch (max cut length of 5 feet/60 inches)
    - Vinyl (iron-on/heat transfer vinyl/HTV - black and white colors only): 65¢/sheet (12" x 10" sheet)
    - Vinyl (indoor/removable): 10¢/inch (transfer tape included, max cut length of 5 feet/60 inches)


What You Must Bring - Materials & Items

To use this equipment, you must bring the following:

  • Project materials - Paper, cardstock, vinyl, or other compatible materials. We encourage you to bring in your own materials to create your projects. If you'd like to bring in your own materials, check the Ellison Materials Guide. The library also sells a limited amount of materials.
  • Compatible dies - The library has a large supply of Ellison dies. If you'd like to bring in your own die, check the Ellison Machine & Die Compatibility site to ensure compatibility with our Ellison Prestige machines.


Learn

Print Guides:
- Ellison Die Cut Instructions

Websites:
- Scrapbook.com - Top Die Cutting Questions & Answers
- Scrapbook.com - The Everyday Guide To Buying Dies
- Ellison Machine & Die Compatibility Chart
- Ellison Materials Guide

Videos:
- How to Use SureCut Dies with the Prestige Pro Machine
- How to Use Bigz Dies with the Prestige Pro Machine
- Ellison Educational Equipment

In-Person - Book-A-Maker Appointment:
- Book-A-Maker appointments are one-on-one instructional sessions to learn how to use a specific piece of Makerspace equipment. After your appointment, you'll have the knowledge and experience necessary to independently work on our equipment during Makerspace Open Use Hours. They are not meant to use the Makerspace outside of Open Use Time hours.
- Book-A-Maker Appointments are open to Bloomingdale Public Library cardholders only. To make an appointment, fill out the online form. SAME DAY OR NEXT DAY APPOINTMENTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE. Please allow at least 2 business days for a reply.
- If you're unable to make your appointment, please email or call the staff member who contacted you. If you have multiple broken appointments without notice, staff will not accommodate future Book-A-Maker requests.


Tips

The following tips are from Ellison:

  • Ellison Die List
  • Die blades are covered with foam for your protection. Use caution when handling die boards to keep hands free from cutting blades.
  • To extend the use of the cutting pads, make sure you flip the pads with each use to ensure even wear and tear. Also, be sure to use the entire surface of the pad instead of placing your dies in the same spot with each use.
  • With larger dies, cut an extra time in the middle of the die.
  • The number of layers you can cut is determined by the thickness and type of material.
  • Fewer sheets of material may be required when cutting very intricate shapes.


Reserve

Equipment reservations are recommended. Walk-ins during Open Use Time are welcome, but equipment availability is not guaranteed.

  • Reservation limit of 2 hours per day max.
  • Limit one reservation allowed per day.
  • Reservation requests can be made up to 7 days in advance.
  • All reservation requests are on a first-come, first-served basis.

To make a reservation, first check our Makerspace Equipment Calendar for equipment availability. If the equipment is not reserved, please call the Adult Reference Desk at 630-924-2730 to make a reservation. Please have the following ready:

  • Your full name
  • Your Bloomingdale Public Library card number
  • Equipment you want to reserve
  • Preferred date(s)/time(s)