Die-cutting and embossing is a big part of your world if you are into design, arts, and crafts. Embossing machines are not very complex, but you need to find the right one for your needs.

At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Embossing Machines

Today we want to help you find the best embossing machine of 2022 in this embossing machine comparison article.

​Comparison Table

​Best Embossing Machines: Reviews

1. ​Cricut Cuttlebug Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

If it’s a relatively affordable embossing machine you are going for, the Cricut Cuttlebug Die Cutting and Embossing Machine makes for a great option. It’s not particularly expensive, but it works like a charm.

Review

The Cricut Cuttlebug Die Cutting and Embossing Machine is one of the more compact options, as when not in use, it forms a relatively small package and even has a carrying handle. What’s pretty impressive is that the Cricut Cuttlebug Die Cutting and Embossing Machine can cut and emboss a fairly wide range of materials including cards, thin leather, tissue paper, normal paper, acetate ribbon, and more.

It comes with a 6 x 8-inch plate and two 6 x 8-inch b plates as well, plus it also comes with an A2 embossing folder and two metal dies. It cuts cleanly, crisply, and it can repeat the same embossing and cutting process with spectacular results.

PROS	CONS
​​ Works with a wide range of materials ​	​​ Slightly limited durability
​​Compact and portable
​​Very user-friendly
Affordable

​2. ​​Sizzix 660425 Big Shot Machine

​Here we have a slightly more affordable option, the Sizzix 660425 Big Shot Machine, which comes in at roughly half the price of the Cricut Cuttlebug Die Cutting and Embossing Machine.

Review

The Sizzix 660425 Big Shot Machine can work with a variety of materials including paper, construction paper, acetate ribbon, thin leather, and a few others. It can handle materials up to 6 inches wide, but keep in mind that this machine is designed for smaller projects only.

Here you get the Big Shot machine, one extended multipurpose platform, and a pair of cutting blades. It can emboss and die cut at the same time.

The Sizzix 660425 Big Shot Machine is a good tool for beginners to start practicing on, but keep in mind that it’s not exactly a professional-level tool.

PROS	CONS
​​ Very easy to work with​	​​ Not intended for professional purposes
​​Fairly compact
​​Can handle a variety of materials

3. Sizzix Big Shot Plus Manual Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Here we have another embossing and die-cutting machine from Sizzix, the Big Shot Plus, which is more or less just an upgraded and more costly version of the Big Shot which we reviewed above.

Review

The Sizzix Big Shot Plus Manual Die Cutting and Embossing Machine has a 9-inch opening, so it can handle projects of a fairly decent size. It’s ideal for cutting pretty big shapes, plus it can even handle some basic 3D design work as well. This can work with quite a wide variety of materials from lace, ribbon, and construction paper, to thin leather and more.

​Included here are the Big Shot Plus Machine, one platform, one adapter A, one adapter B, and a pair of cutting pads. It might be a bit bulky, but it’s not really intended to be portable. This machine is intended for smaller businesses.

PROS	CONS
​​Ideal for small business needs	​​ Some durability issues
​​Can work with a large variety of materials
​​ Pretty large opening for larger projects

4. CNCShop Embosser Embossing Machine

The CNCShop Embosser Embossing Machine is designed to make plastic cards, as opposed to arts and crafts like the others we have looked at so far.

Review

The CNCShop Embosser Embossing Machine is a manual option, so there is no option to control it using your computer, but it does work well enough. It is designed to make gift cards and all kinds of other plastic cards.

It comes with 72 characters that can be arranged in any way you see fit. It comes with various characters, character spacing options, embossing depths, and more. It’s quite easy to control, but when it comes to arts and crafts, it’s limited in what it can do.

PROS	CONS
​​ Great for making plastic cards	​​Not for arts and crafts
​​Very easy to use
​​Precise control

5. Spellbinders GC-200 Grand Calibur Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

This is another small, affordable, portable, and basic embossing machine that is perfect for small home crafts.

Review

The Spellbinders GC-200 Grand Calibur Die Cutting and Embossing Machine is very small and portable for one, so it’s easy to store and you can take it with you anywhere you go. It can work with normal paper without trimming, and it can emboss pieces up to 8-1/8 inches wide, which is not bad for such a small machine.

Besides the machine itself, you also get a crank handle, a base plate, a cutting plate, an embossing plate, an embossing mat, and instructions.

PROS	CONS
​​Small and portable	​​ Really only designed for paper
​​Great for paper projects
Affordable

Conclusion

If you need a simple paper embosser, the Spellbinders GC-200 Grand Calibur Die Cutting and Embossing Machine is a good option. The CNCShop Embosser Embossing Machine is great for plastic cards.

If you need something that can work with a variety of materials, the Cricut or Sizzix options are also great.

Related Reading:  How does an embossing machine actually work?