Introducing the Brother ScanNCut DX SDX1200.

Open up a world of possibilities as you cut, scan, draw and create: imagination is your only limitation!

 

The Brother ScanNCut packs of punch when it comes to functionality.  Incorporating Blade Sensor technology, the ScanNCut is a multi-faceted cutting machine.  The built-in scanner reads both SVG cutting files and PES embroidery files.

Convert, scan, cut and draw, the Auto Blade’s capacity to cut up to 3mm is impressive. Automatic detection means your cards, self-adhesive vinyl, leather, material, felt and foam can be drawn, cut or scanned with amazing accuracy and fine detail.

Users will love the intricate cutting capacity and be thankful for the scope to create fine bespoke items using the unique scanning and drawing ability.

CANVASWORKSPACE

Brother have enhanced the ScanNCut’s capacity for design via the impressive CanvasWorkspace, the one stop recipe shop. Download this amazing program from the Brother website, create your account and start exploring the huge number of recipe available on the program. There’s even a dedicated Disney sub file for creators who are keen to use these specific licensed designs.

But wait, the ScanNCut cooks too?! No, but the items you can make have a variety of steps, all which are termed a ‘recipe’ for the purposes of SVG file XML coding.

By scanning, uploading via wifi or using the USB to CanvasWorkspace, you can create your own personalised recipe. The ScanNCut will then be able to read the recipe and help you to create your project.  The best aspect is the capacity to change any and all dimensions of items once the recipe is uploaded to the ScanNCut.

 

What are SVG/PES Files?

Simply put, an SVG file (scalable vector graphic file) renders two dimensional images.  A PES file is computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) file containing embroidery instructions.   Upload any file in an SVG or PES format via CanvasWorkspace and the ScanNCut can read the instructions and translate them into the end product.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

CREATIVITY UNLEASHED

Vinyl Heat Transfers

The world is your oyster when it comes to vinyl heat transfer design. With everything from embellishing hats, shirts and bags and a multitude of other uses, the ScanNCut can help you create intricate designs that will wow with the end result.  There’s endless product and colour choice out there for those interested in this medium: matte, gloss, glitter, you name it.

Quilting

The ScanNCut has excellent quilting patterns inbuilt and you can always upload your own designs through scanning or an SVG file.  It can draw you a perfect ¼” seam through first using the pen option and then cutting the desired shape outside of this seam. The recipes will walk you through each aspect and give you time to upload and draw/cut as you desire.

Card Making

The ScanNCut is amazing for creating intricate designs.  If you’ve cut by hand and/or used metal stamps to create cards previously,  throw them away. You can program the size of the design and decided on multiple amounts on a variety of card stock. Hit print, sit back and let the ScanNCut do all the work.

Scanning

Draw, print or simply cut out a shape, feed it into the ScanNCut and you have the beginning of a new design. It is that simple. Save this new recipe to the USB or even on the machine – there’s ample memory to help you develop your own unique creations.

Drawing

The ScanNCut comes with a selection of coloured pens which are swapped out for the cutting implement.  You can create some amazing text on cards or paper, with additional leeway for scanning in your own handwriting and letting your imagination go wild!

Brother also include an erasable pen set – one washes out and the other rubs out. These are great if you’re making items for hand piecing or machine stitching as you can safely mark out your stitch lines and know they’ll be gone once the line is dampened or rubbed away. Very handy!

 

MY CRAFTING PROJECTS

I had great aspirations to create a quilt of the ages, a show stopper, an heirloom worthy of the Brother ScanNCut.   Alas, my desires were dashed by the demands of my real world job and family.  Nonetheless, it didn’t mean I couldn’t achieve great things, albeit in a more sensible size and time frame.

First of all I had to familiarise myself with the machine. I was lucky enough to be provided with a number of different heat transfer vinyls which I put aside initially. I had never used this medium before so educated myself and figured out I’d need some blank testing materials for starters.

No 1 Rule of the ScanNCut – always do a test cut
You can resize this using the little window and shrinking down. And I repeat.. always do a test cut. In the interest of research, I found out what happens when you don’t. The cut was wrong and I ended up with a half cut, lightly scored card . So always do a test cut.

Weeding
I used to think it was just gardening but no; when you pick out the unwanted parts of a vinyl transfer, you are weeding.  Some of the finer cut outs had extremely small parts to them but I managed to weed these successfully. As you can see below, the weeded heat transfer versus the finished product:

 

Hiccups and Fixes

I cut the the dinosaur receipe vinyl transfer on my first go with no trouble, using different colours to achieve my desired vision. But what I did not anticipate was an issue with ironing onto the tshirt medium. For some reason it just didn’t transfer quite right and I was left with a rather mangy looking dinosaur. Oops, So back to the ScanNCut and I recut the body design again.  I then used a pair of scissors and piece by piece cut out the various missing bodily bits by hand. I then ironed them one by one to fill out the missing body parts.  Success!

I envisage this would be a very effective layering medium should you wish to become adventurous in colour ways.  The capacity to create a very unique look would only be enhanced by the ScanNCut’s ability to create individual fine piecing.

 

 

 

Feeling slightly emboldened, I went on to cut out a number of different heat transfer shapes and used them to decorate a variety of tshirts, blank calico and even my laptop case. See below.


 

 

 

I’ve included some of the messages the ScanNCut shares as your design is in the process of creation.  It’s good to see time frames and indeed, any errors that may arise.

 

I BROUGHT IN A CRAFTING EXPERT!   MEET MUM!

I’ve got many years of various craft interests under my belt but mum is the only woman I know with a huge sewing room, two sewing machines and an endless stash of craft goodies overlooking a paddock full of cows.  My step father is a very understanding man and this may explain why he’s out on the tractor more often these days…

So I invited mum along for a test run of the Scan N Cut.  How well will my crafty 75yo mum cope with the technological side of the ScanNCut? Can she see the added value it brings to the craft table? And let’s be honest, is it easily understood machine for her age demographic and experience?  The woman can certainly spin, knit and sew like a demon… but can she weed? *arches brow

After running mum through the ScanNCut’s paces, I’m pleased to announce she found it quite easy to use and could see the added value the ScanNCut might bring to her endeavours.  Mum mentioned how handy it would be for the local Sip&Sew Ladies at the Tooraweenah CWA Hall if they had the need to cut out appliqué figures, etc.   She then came up with a few more ideas and we agreed the wealth of opportunities are endless once you get into the ScanNCut groove. Great work, Brother – once you’ve got the rural ladies onside, the world is your oyster!

 

MY OBSERVATIONS

Quilters

Honestly, if you’re a machine quilter and used to short cutting your way around a quilt through multiple piecing at speed, the ScanNCut will quadruple your time due to the individual piece cutting.  Not ideal.

However, if you’re a hand quilter and applique shapes, the ScanNCut can take the hassle out of cutting and give your perfect pieces, complete with or without ¼ inch seam, every time.  It will even draw your ¼ inch seam for you.  Now that’s impressive.

Paper craft

Get it done quick smart by batching multiple cut outs and coming back when it is finished. Honestly, the ScanNCut does all the hard work for you.

Vinyl Decals/Heat Transfers

The ScanNCut is the bee’s knees of cutting and creating. That is all you need to know. Set it up, do your test cut and you’ll be ironing that decal in no time.

Size

The ScanNCut is ideally set up on a large table. This enables you to have enough room for the various mats to go in and out of the machine feeder, plus allows for any other tools/materials to accompany your design aspirations. ie. Having room to weed designs and set up the heat pressing/iron as required.

If you’ve got a dedicated office, class room or craft room, the ScanNCut would certainly take centre stage as the machine could quickly become indispensable to someone who can use it to the full potential.   I’m currently in the middle of renovations and found it frustrating having to pack everything away each time.  Apparently eating dinner around the ScanNCut was not my partner’s ideal dinner scenario… no idea why!

 

ISSUES

I’ve been trialling the ScanNCut for a while and have enjoyed putting it through its paces.   There were a couple of minor issues but nothing that could not be fixed with some tweaking. Understanding the ScanNCut’s operation from the get go is crucial, so spend some time familiarising yourself with instructions and operating variables.

Cutting material was at times a little tricky. I found heavier weight material would cut very well, but, if lighter, would at times be rumpled by the cutting knife. This is where the iron on fabric support sheets come in handy. In addition ensuring the cutting pressure was increased and the cut was set to full cut (not half as you do with vinyls).

The cutting mats can become somewhat clogged up with thread, fluff or simple small pieces of paper.  I made sure to cover them with the clear sheeting to preserve the tacky integrity of the mat.

The pens were sturdy and did the job well, but I would worry about them drying out potentially if a cap was accidentally left off.

Software updates will appear via the CanvasWorkspace.  If you’re hooked up via wifi, it’s a simple process to upgrade the software. Just follow the instructions.

 

YOUTUBE HELP

One huge bonus when using the ScanNCut are the number of Youtube videos out there which help you in all aspects of the ScanNCut’s operation. Brother provide great tuition via the ScanNCut machine itself and Canvas Workspace website. But there’s nothing quite like someone step by step explaining the how to and why of the ScanNCut and the various mediums upon which your can experiment. You will be amazed at what ScanNCut users create!

 

RECOMMENDATION

Yes, I can recommend the Brother ScanNCut DX SDX1200.  Age is no barrier and for those with a small creative business such a heat transfer vinyl,  school teachers with a variety of embellishment needs or crafty individuals enjoying their favourite past time, the ScanNCut is definitely for you.  It is fast, reliable and easily adaptable for all your crafting needs.  Go forth and create!

Retailing at $799.00, the Brother ScanNCut is available nationwide through Brother stockists. Sometimes it is even on sale, especially with Mother’s Day fast approaching… hint hint.  You can buy a variety of materials ie mats, pens, etc from the same stockists plus there’s a whole industry catering to the needs of avid craft users online. Go forth and create!

I would like to personally thank Brother for the opportunity to review the ScanNCut. Mum says thanks too.