Great review thanks. Would also like to point out that neither the Gemini or Express cut Big Z Dies the mouths are not deep enough. I sympathise with people that have a lot of these dies and cannot use them, only with the Cut n Boss. You have made up my mind to which one I need. Thank you.
I got a little confused at the end when you kept mentioning the Scan N Cut. Did you mean the Cut N Boss? Thanks for the comparisons though, that was great. I hadn't even heard of the Teresa Collins Cut N Boss before. I looked long and hard and finally decided on the Couture Creations Go Power and Emboss. It is shaped like the Gemini, has the colours of the Empress and does Steel Rule Dies like the Cut N Boss and it's totally awesome! I've cut dozens of intricate dies with it and it does them perfectly every time....without a metal shim or a magnetic mat or any extra shims. It may also be used with the Go Foil and Emboss and the Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System. Also the plates are 9x12 and you can use smaller plates portrait or landscape when you aren't cutting a huge amount. The only 'but' I've found with it is you have to press the 'Run' button with each cut like the Empress. It's such a small thing though and totally outweighed by the fact it cuts so well. 🤩
Hi Annette!!! I went through the video and nearly fell off my chair laughing!!!! The mistake starts at 11:22 in the video. Goes to show your sharp skills, thanks!!! Also, I didn't know about the GoPower and Emboss, thanks for the information. If I may ask, when did you purchase yours and where?
this video is so informative, I found really helpful information. I have my own channel here so I know the amount of time it takes to make videos like this, setting it up, working out what you want to feature and the points you want to say and demo, so I really appreciate the effort Your style is also lovely and relaxed so it makes it comfortable to listen too. The only thing I would say, and nothing to do with the video, but when i did a video on a die cutting machine and mentioned that Sue Wilson was using another set of plates in the machine, I didn't even demo it ! I got a very nice message from spellbinders (and I imagine this may apply with other companies too) to say if you use other companies plates or in my videos case it was using the Grand Calibur plates in the Platinum so same company even, that the warranty is voided. I think personally I would take the risk, but obviously it is something you might need to mention to your viewers just so they can make that choice themselves. Big hugs xxx
ps I dont know if it works on the electronic machines like these but if you put your dies through slightly off square you should find the front and back will cut better the first time and it helps with warping too. :-)
Thanks for sharing. My die machine just died after over 6years use hobby not business and I'm trying to decide what to buy to replace you have helped me decide
Gemini A4 it's not as noisy and bulky as the Ebosser, I asked my crafting friends what they had to help me decide, it had to be electric as my hands can't do the manual sort
@@subigland5600 If you haven't bought it yet, check out the video I made comparing all of them to the Couture Creations GoPower and Emboss. It's like the Gemini, Empress and Ebosser (Cut n Boss) had a baby. GoPower and Emboss vs Cut 'n' Boss vs Empress vs Gemeni
I had a Cut N Boss which, due so serious illness I'd never used & eventually forgot about. I received Anna Griffin's Empress two days ago. I watched a lot of vlogs on the Cut N Boss & the biggest complaint seemed to be that it was poor at cutting either thin or highly detailed dies. In fact, one vlog I watched showed Teresa Collins herself addressing these two issues & I was appalled as she agreed that both were ongoing problems with the CNB. The advice she gave was all about having to place specifically detailed parts of intricate dies on specific areas of the plate & finding oneself a "...suitable thickness of extra cardboard, to see if that helps (!)". For an expensive piece of equipment which basically had an innate design flaw, we were just being told to figure it out ourselves....... Although not old I have health issues & want to warn older folk that, whilst the Empress got excellent marks for dealing with the two issues mentioned already, it is extremely heavy & it wouldn't be practical for someone, without a dedicated craft space or room to lift it up & down each time they wished to use it. At present we are at our U.K. home & I bought my Empress from QVC U.K. Anna did have the decency to admit that buying the basic boxed Empress set would allow you to make a card only 5" x 7" (although it has the ability to cut craft foam, vinyl, cork & fabric). A lot of people have complained that having to buy the extra plates, added significantly additional expense to the Empress. I bought it on sale but the price it sells for on QVC now, works out at about $270, so the expense of buying extra plates really ramps the basic cost up! I had watched many UA-cam vlogs & some of these issues were not mentioned. Jacqueline, thank you, so much, for producing & uploading this vlog. Time & effort is much appreciated :-).
Thank you for this informative comment. I have the cut n boss and that thing has a major issue with cutting intricate dies (at least mine does). Basic shaped dies are okay. I am looking for another machine and it looks like I am going with the Gemini. Question is, which to get: the regular one or the Jr.? I want the regular one because I can cut multiple A2 dies at once, but with the Gemini Jr., I believe I will get better first-run results due to its smaller size. Decisions, decisions....
@@cyanoxicrose Just get a Sizzix Big Shot or Big Shot Plus. I've seen nothing but complaints about these other machines. Either the motor dies, they require this shim or that shim, they don't cut right, etc. My Big Shot never fails me and does exactly what it is supposed to do without all the fuss. Yes, it's a hand crank, but seriously, if it's loaded properly, it's easy to crank, plus no motor to go out or use electricity. Oh, one more thing. The Big Shot comes with 2 clear cutting pad. I use one on the bottom but substituted the top clear plate with one of the green mats they use with a rotary cutter. You will have to cut it to fit into the machines platform, but it works great. Instead of the dies cutting into your clear plate, the die cuts into the altered green self healing mat. If you want to see this in action, you tube has videos of people that use this method. Hope this helps!
Thank you for demoing the 3 machines as I am needing an electric die machine, my ??? is if needing to replace mats for the Empress are they difficult as I searched Amazon & HSN with no luck as I found easily as the Gemini? That Is my concern.
Tfs. Beautiful card. I am having trouble getting my Empress to emboss the die deep enough, do you have any ideas you could share with me I would really appreciate it. Thanks again.
Hi Myrna, I lightly mist water on the card stock before embossing. Also, adding an extra shim to the plate combo might help. Start with something very thin though. Hope that helps.
@@byJacqueline2u Thank you I will try the mist of water before embossing. I already added a shim so I will give it one more try. Thanks for your suggestions.
What width's does each cut? Can you get the 12 inch (or what ever the size is) long plates for each machine? Are the plates interchangeable between machines. I really appreciate you doing this! I am going to purchase one, but mind is not made up yet.
Hi Donna! The Cut n Boss large plate is 8.50x12, the Empress is 8.50x13 and the Gemini is 9x12.50. That 24" long plate is only for the Cut n Boss. In the video, at 4:48, I test the different plates on all machines. The only machine that does not have the smaller plates is the Cut n Boss. I recommend buying both the small and large plates for the other two machines if you decide to go with one of them. I hope this helps!!!
What do you mean when you say 5:06 "These are the total plates." I looked online to buy them can you let me know what they are called exactly please & the size so I get the correct plates. Thank you.
I have the Gemini but switched to the CutNBoss because the plates didn’t last long on the Gemini. I was getting new plates for my Gemini every 4 months. I have had the same plates on the CutNBoss for over 1.5 years. I bought a second of A&B (which are the same) ONLY because mine were so scratched up when i needed both sides of a large cut I would get some of the scratches from the over used plates showing up on the cardstock. I think the reason the plates last longer is the very thick bottom D plate seems to help keep the A&B plates straight. I have never bent the D on the CutNBoss. I use a lot of the thick 3D embossing folders and they fit better through my CutNBoss. The 3D folders can really bend the plates - but the Larger D plate helps re-flatten them back out. The only problem I have had with my CutNBoss is it didn’t come with a metal shim - but any metal shim will do. I have many delicate dies. If really a really detailed and you have issues - Shim. Add a metal shim or I have added a cardboard shims. I have even used cheap craft foam with to emboss dies. Usually most of my problems have been with cheap Chinese plates from Ebay. But I had more problems with my Gemini when plates start to warp. Unfortunately the only place I can find to buy the CutNBoss is on line through CreateAndCraft.com based in the UK. Plus Craftwell is having difficulty keeping up with demand.
I agree 100% with your comment. I use shims I bought from Create and Craft a while ago. Prior to that I would use cardboard or foam. As far as purchasing the machine or the plates, difficult a lot of times. Good thing they last forever!!!!😁
Which is the better value Gemini or Empress, considering the Gemini comes with the big plates and you have to pay extra for the big plates with the Empress?
Hi! I found that the Empress a better value because the clear plates for the Gemini warp faster than the Empress. Making you buy additional plates anyways. But, you can straighten the plates with hot water. You will eventually want both the small and larger plates for whichever machine you choose.
Thank you SO SO SO much for your impartial, complete, and very informative video! I have been looking at all 3 of these machines, and this is the best comparison video I have seen. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! As for the cutting of the dies, Sara Davies did an instructional video describing how to get the best cut from the machines. It has to do with the number of cutting points across the width of the die. The more cutting points, the lower the overall pressure will be. It is worth the 10 min. to watch her video. ua-cam.com/video/m1exEbKyFCA/v-deo.html
Great review thanks. Would also like to point out that neither the Gemini or Express cut Big Z Dies the mouths are not deep enough. I sympathise with people that have a lot of these dies and cannot use them, only with the Cut n Boss. You have made up my mind to which one I need. Thank you.
Your welcome!!! Thanks for the comment!
I got a little confused at the end when you kept mentioning the Scan N Cut. Did you mean the Cut N Boss? Thanks for the comparisons though, that was great. I hadn't even heard of the Teresa Collins Cut N Boss before. I looked long and hard and finally decided on the Couture Creations Go Power and Emboss. It is shaped like the Gemini, has the colours of the Empress and does Steel Rule Dies like the Cut N Boss and it's totally awesome! I've cut dozens of intricate dies with it and it does them perfectly every time....without a metal shim or a magnetic mat or any extra shims. It may also be used with the Go Foil and Emboss and the Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System. Also the plates are 9x12 and you can use smaller plates portrait or landscape when you aren't cutting a huge amount. The only 'but' I've found with it is you have to press the 'Run' button with each cut like the Empress. It's such a small thing though and totally outweighed by the fact it cuts so well. 🤩
Hi Annette!!!
I went through the video and nearly fell off my chair laughing!!!! The mistake starts at 11:22 in the video. Goes to show your sharp skills, thanks!!! Also, I didn't know about the GoPower and Emboss, thanks for the information. If I may ask, when did you purchase yours and where?
this video is so informative, I found really helpful information. I have my own channel here so I know the amount of time it takes to make videos like this, setting it up, working out what you want to feature and the points you want to say and demo, so I really appreciate the effort Your style is also lovely and relaxed so it makes it comfortable to listen too. The only thing I would say, and nothing to do with the video, but when i did a video on a die cutting machine and mentioned that Sue Wilson was using another set of plates in the machine, I didn't even demo it ! I got a very nice message from spellbinders (and I imagine this may apply with other companies too) to say if you use other companies plates or in my videos case it was using the Grand Calibur plates in the Platinum so same company even, that the warranty is voided. I think personally I would take the risk, but obviously it is something you might need to mention to your viewers just so they can make that choice themselves. Big hugs xxx
ps I dont know if it works on the electronic machines like these but if you put your dies through slightly off square you should find the front and back will cut better the first time and it helps with warping too. :-)
Thank you for the advise. I will do that for sure!!! Saw your channel, loved it. Will be definitely subscribing.
Both of you ladies are helpful & great! Thank you both!!! Subscribing to you, both!!! 🙂🙂
Thanks for sharing. My die machine just died after over 6years use hobby not business and I'm trying to decide what to buy to replace you have helped me decide
Su Bigland I am so glad it helped you out!!! Which one did you decide on?
Gemini A4 it's not as noisy and bulky as the Ebosser, I asked my crafting friends what they had to help me decide, it had to be electric as my hands can't do the manual sort
@@subigland5600 If you haven't bought it yet, check out the video I made comparing all of them to the Couture Creations GoPower and Emboss. It's like the Gemini, Empress and Ebosser (Cut n Boss) had a baby. GoPower and Emboss vs Cut 'n' Boss vs Empress vs Gemeni
Thank you for you tutorial. I bought the right machine. The Gemini!
I had a Cut N Boss which, due so serious illness I'd never used & eventually forgot about. I received Anna Griffin's Empress two days ago. I watched a lot of vlogs on the Cut N Boss & the biggest complaint seemed to be that it was poor at cutting either thin or highly detailed dies. In fact, one vlog I watched showed Teresa Collins herself addressing these two issues & I was appalled as she agreed that both were ongoing problems with the CNB. The advice she gave was all about having to place specifically detailed parts of intricate dies on specific areas of the plate & finding oneself a "...suitable thickness of extra cardboard, to see if that helps (!)". For an expensive piece of equipment which basically had an innate design flaw, we were just being told to figure it out ourselves....... Although not old I have health issues & want to warn older folk that, whilst the Empress got excellent marks for dealing with the two issues mentioned already, it is extremely heavy & it wouldn't be practical for someone, without a dedicated craft space or room to lift it up & down each time they wished to use it. At present we are at our U.K. home & I bought my Empress from QVC U.K. Anna did have the decency to admit that buying the basic boxed Empress set would allow you to make a card only 5" x 7" (although it has the ability to cut craft foam, vinyl, cork & fabric). A lot of people have complained that having to buy the extra plates, added significantly additional expense to the Empress. I bought it on sale but the price it sells for on QVC now, works out at about $270, so the expense of buying extra plates really ramps the basic cost up! I had watched many UA-cam vlogs & some of these issues were not mentioned. Jacqueline, thank you, so much, for producing & uploading this vlog. Time & effort is much appreciated :-).
I appreciate your comment very much, thank you!!!
Thank you for this informative comment. I have the cut n boss and that thing has a major issue with cutting intricate dies (at least mine does). Basic shaped dies are okay. I am looking for another machine and it looks like I am going with the Gemini. Question is, which to get: the regular one or the Jr.?
I want the regular one because I can cut multiple A2 dies at once, but with the Gemini Jr., I believe I will get better first-run results due to its smaller size. Decisions, decisions....
@@cyanoxicrose Just get a Sizzix Big Shot or Big Shot Plus. I've seen nothing but complaints about these other machines. Either the motor dies, they require this shim or that shim, they don't cut right, etc. My Big Shot never fails me and does exactly what it is supposed to do without all the fuss. Yes, it's a hand crank, but seriously, if it's loaded properly, it's easy to crank, plus no motor to go out or use electricity. Oh, one more thing. The Big Shot comes with 2 clear cutting pad. I use one on the bottom but substituted the top clear plate with one of the green mats they use with a rotary cutter. You will have to cut it to fit into the machines platform, but it works great. Instead of the dies cutting into your clear plate, the die cuts into the altered green self healing mat. If you want to see this in action, you tube has videos of people that use this method. Hope this helps!
I have a couple questions for you too Carte
After having all 3 for a while..which would you purchase again if only one of them?
I would buy the cut n boss. The plates last longer.
Thank you this was most helpful just need to decide my needs and what i want from the machines
Your welcome, I'm glad you liked it!!!
Excellent video thank you ever so much
Thank you for demoing the 3 machines as I am needing an electric die machine, my ??? is if needing to replace mats for the Empress are they difficult as I searched Amazon & HSN with no luck as I found easily as the Gemini? That Is my concern.
From what I have seen, HSN usually has them available on the monthly craft days.
Tfs. Beautiful card. I am having trouble getting my Empress to emboss the die deep enough, do you have any ideas you could share with me I would really appreciate it. Thanks again.
Hi Myrna, I lightly mist water on the card stock before embossing. Also, adding an extra shim to the plate combo might help. Start with something very thin though. Hope that helps.
@@byJacqueline2u Thank you I will try the mist of water before embossing. I already added a shim so I will give it one more try. Thanks for your suggestions.
@@mackinacdog your welcome
thanks. A very useful review
Great review! Thanks for sharing 💕
Your welcome!!!
What width's does each cut? Can you get the 12 inch (or what ever the size is) long plates for each machine? Are the plates interchangeable between machines. I really appreciate you doing this! I am going to purchase one, but mind is not made up yet.
Hi Donna! The Cut n Boss large plate is 8.50x12, the Empress is 8.50x13 and the Gemini is 9x12.50. That 24" long plate is only for the Cut n Boss. In the video, at 4:48, I test the different plates on all machines. The only machine that does not have the smaller plates is the Cut n Boss. I recommend buying both the small and large plates for the other two machines if you decide to go with one of them. I hope this helps!!!
What do you mean when you say 5:06 "These are the total plates." I looked online to buy them can you let me know what they are called exactly please & the size so I get the correct plates. Thank you.
Hi, they are the replacement plates for the Todo die cutting machine that was sold by Create and craft.com. They measure 8.25"x 12"
I have a Teresa Collins Cut-n-Boss that I love :)
It's a very good machine!!!
I have the Gemini but switched to the CutNBoss because the plates didn’t last long on the Gemini. I was getting new plates for my Gemini every 4 months. I have had the same plates on the CutNBoss for over 1.5 years. I bought a second of A&B (which are the same) ONLY because mine were so scratched up when i needed both sides of a large cut I would get some of the scratches from the over used plates showing up on the cardstock. I think the reason the plates last longer is the very thick bottom D plate seems to help keep the A&B plates straight. I have never bent the D on the CutNBoss. I use a lot of the thick 3D embossing folders and they fit better through my CutNBoss. The 3D folders can really bend the plates - but the Larger D plate helps re-flatten them back out. The only problem I have had with my CutNBoss is it didn’t come with a metal shim - but any metal shim will do.
I have many delicate dies. If really a really detailed and you have issues - Shim. Add a metal shim or I have added a cardboard shims. I have even used cheap craft foam with to emboss dies. Usually most of my problems have been with cheap Chinese plates from Ebay. But I had more problems with my Gemini when plates start to warp.
Unfortunately the only place I can find to buy the CutNBoss is on line through CreateAndCraft.com based in the UK. Plus Craftwell is having difficulty keeping up with demand.
I agree 100% with your comment. I use shims I bought from Create and Craft a while ago. Prior to that I would use cardboard or foam. As far as purchasing the machine or the plates, difficult a lot of times. Good thing they last forever!!!!😁
I got confused can I contact you directly somehow
Which is the better value Gemini or Empress, considering the Gemini comes with the big plates and you have to pay extra for the big plates with the Empress?
Hi! I found that the Empress a better value because the clear plates for the Gemini warp faster than the Empress. Making you buy additional plates anyways. But, you can straighten the plates with hot water. You will eventually want both the small and larger plates for whichever machine you choose.
Can the empress use the sizzix bigz dies?
No, it cannot
@@byJacqueline2u thank you
Thank you SO SO SO much for your impartial, complete, and very informative video! I have been looking at all 3 of these machines, and this is the best comparison video I have seen. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! As for the cutting of the dies, Sara Davies did an instructional video describing how to get the best cut from the machines. It has to do with the number of cutting points across the width of the die. The more cutting points, the lower the overall pressure will be. It is worth the 10 min. to watch her video. ua-cam.com/video/m1exEbKyFCA/v-deo.html
Elizabeth Britt thank you for the comment!!! Anything I can do to help!!!