We don’t think it’s worth it for most people. It’s also the only cutting machine we’ve tried that works with Linux. If you’re a sewer who is used to Brother machines and their software, or if you find it helpful to have a cutting machine/scanner combo (we didn’t), you might be comfortable adding the ScanNCut to your craft tools. It feels like a really outdated way to get cut files, considering that both Cricut and Silhouette offer big digital libraries you can shop from and access instantly online. However, the rest of Brother’s image library is limited, frustrating, and inconvenient, relying on expensive physical cards with activation codes. The ScanNCut comes with almost 700 built-in designs-more than the 100 free images Cricut offers with a new machine. But the machine’s interface and the company’s design software were clunkier and harder to learn than those of the Cricut and Silhouette machines we’ve tested. And it’s marketed to sewers and quilters because it can cut fabric and add seam allowances, which the Maker also does. It’s more expensive than the Cricut Maker. The Brother ScanNCut DX SDX125E, which we also tested in 2020, is a disappointment for beginners. Selling is a cost-effective way to upgrade your machine, so it’s nice if your old one has a history of fetching a decent price. Decent resale value: These machines have a resale market, and many crafters sell their old ones online when a new model comes out.But we think you should look for one that includes the above-mentioned tools, as well as extra blades or cutting mats, if possible. These machines are often sold in different bundles, with an assortment of tools and starter craft materials. Different-size mats are also helpful if you’re working on larger or smaller projects. These include a burnishing tool for applying vinyl (it rubs out air bubbles) a weeding tool, to help remove tiny bits of vinyl or paper from a design and a spatula, to help get your projects off the sticky cutting mat. A range of accessories available in a bundle: You’ll likely need half a dozen tools to help you complete your projects. She also told us to look for brands with a library of how-to videos and step-by-step guides, or for a community of machine owners who create videos and tutorials. “You can never have enough support when getting started,” she said. Responsive customer service and community support: Stahls’ Jenna Sackett stressed that we should go with the brand that has the best customer service or tech team.We considered which brand had the easiest-to-follow rules on licensing and which brand gave users the most freedom with their projects. Sometimes the images are for personal use only, which means you cannot sell anything you create using them (lest you risk being sued), and sometimes the license is more flexible for people interested in starting a business. Straightforward licensing agreements: The image libraries available in the software for these cutting machines have rules about how you can use their images (and so do independent designers who sell their graphics on sites such as Etsy).In our testing experience, a too-noisy machine usually goes hand-in-hand with a lack of cutting precision, and it suggests that the cutting machine isn’t as well-engineered as it could be. Quiet hardware: A noisy, screeching machine is unpleasant to use, and it can be especially annoying to family or roommates. Also, although we don’t think speed is a huge factor for these machines (unless you’re running a business), if you are making a lot of items, a blade that cuts quickly and cleanly might be more appealing. And if it isn’t easy to change the blades and use the pens, you may barely use the machine.
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