Buying a plotter: Learn everything about the most common cutting plotters, their features, and what you can do with them in this blog post.
The most important things at a glance
- In this post, you will learn what types of plotters there are
- You will get an overview of which device has which features
- And what you need for your first project
- By the end of the post, you will be well informed and equipped to buy the perfect plotter for you
Have you been eyeing a plotter for a while and just can't decide on a device? No worries, I'll give you facts and tips on all the common hobby plotters on the market and help you with your decision.
In this post, you will learn what you should consider when buying a plotter.
Reading tip: Plotting and Plotters
How I got into plotting
When my girlfriend told me about her plotter, it was clear... I need one too. I have always liked crafting and giving handmade gifts, and what can I say? Plotting is simply next level. I admit, the first attempts drove me to despair, but it is worth sticking with it. Once you get the hang of it, you will be addicted.
My first project was a gift for my friends' wedding, a personalized picture frame with the inscription "My Bridal Bouquet" and shortly after I plotted champagne glasses as guest gifts for this wedding.
Hi, I'm Ria!
Mom of 2 great kids and a PTA by profession.
About 5 years ago, my husband had the idea that I could finally get my grandma's old sewing machine out of the basement, and I did.
I quickly realized that I really enjoy designing and sprucing things up myself. Shortly after, I got my plotter and from then on I sat at the sewing machine every free minute and sewed little cute pants and hats for my son or plotted everything I could find.
What is a plotter?
Many people cannot make sense of the term plotter at first and have no idea how working with a plotter works.
A plotter is also called a cutting device. It precisely cuts various materials such as flex film, vinyl film, paper, fabric, felt, and even leather... But it can not only cut, all common hobby plotters can also draw and some can even engrave, emboss, laminate, and much more.
What can you do with a plotter?
With a plotter you can design personalized gifts and decorations yourself. Whether individually designed cards, personalized mugs or clothing, or a wall decal created according to your wishes - the possibilities are endless.
With software you can create your own files or use the numerous files in various online shops. With luck you will also often find a suitable freebie.
What can a plotter not do?
Many people think that a plotter prints the images onto the fabric. But a plotter cannot print, it can draw, like a hand-drawn picture, or cut different materials.
How does a plotter work?
The most important question first: How does a cutting plotter actually work? A plotter cuts or draws the lines of a graphic.
And how does your plotter know exactly where to cut? For this you need vector graphics.
Vector graphics contain coordinates that your plotter can follow. They can be enlarged indefinitely without losing quality.
With pixel files like JPG or PNG, your plotter can't do anything., these contain color information for certain areas and have no clear lines. If you enlarge pixel files, they lose quality.
Which file formats can a plotter read?
Depending on the model, you can use different file formats.
SVG files are best suited. Every plotter can process these. Some plotters can also process dxf, jpg, and png.
Can I plot every design?
No. A plotter cuts every design with clear lines, i.e., coordinates. If you want to print a photo on a shirt, for example, I recommend heat transfer printing.
To plot a design on a shirt, for example, you need special films. Here the plotter cuts your design out.
Now you have to "weed" all the spaces, so that they are not pressed onto the shirt as well. For a multi-colored plot, you need films in different colors.
Why should you buy a plotter?
A friend once told me "I always look forward to your gifts especially. Your handmade things are always so personal and made with so much love.".
And that is exactly why I started plotting.
I don't have nice handwriting, but I always wanted to give cards with nice sayings and matching designs.
I used to spend hours making a card. I wrote the sayings with a pencil until I liked them, then I rewrote them with felt-tip pens. I usually traced the designs.
All of this is so easy to implement with a plotter. But the plotter is not only good for giving beautiful things. There is also one or another self-beautified piece of clothing in my wardrobe.
And my children are always very happy that their birthday shirts have their current interests printed on them.
Buying a plotter: The advantages of a cutting plotter
With a plotter, countless creative possibilities are open to you. The selection of materials you can beautify, cut, engrave, decorate, crease, and embellish is practically unlimited. And the films available for this are constantly growing. Because plotting is becoming increasingly popular.
Sewing fans especially like to use their cutting plotter to personalize and decorate self-sewn clothing. Here is once again a brief overview of all the advantages:
- Working with many materials: Films, acrylic glass, wood, felt, cork, fabric, paper – you have the free choice. And it multiplies, because you can naturally transfer the plotted designs to T-shirts, glasses, mugs, candles, and and and.
- Creating personal gifts: Made in no time and simply stunning – whether as a baby bodysuit with a name, a champagne glass with a wedding date, or a company logo for the car: Plotting makes it possible for you to conjure up completely personal gifts for your loved ones. And without much effort, but with a maximally professional look.
- Discovering creative possibilities: Anyone who loves DIY knows this very well: Creative curiosity never sleeps. When a hobby is really fun, you are constantly thinking about how to best implement something, who would be most happy about which gift, and: what you would like to conjure up next. Great if you discover a hobby with plotting that offers you new possibilities again and again.
- Personalizing DIY unique pieces: Plotting is simply part of sewing for many DIY fans. You cannot beautify your self-sewn clothing any better than with a decorative plot. That is a bit like the icing on the cake.
How do you want to use your plotter?
To be able to make the decision which plotter is right for you, you first have to think about what you want to do with your plotter. If you only want to make an individually designed card every now and then or print small lettering on your favorite shirt, then a small, affordable model is enough. If you also want to implement larger projects, then it makes sense to get a larger model with multiple functions.
How much space do you have for your new cutting plotter?
Every now and then I think "if I just add a little plot on top, it would really enhance the gift, but is it worth getting everything out of the closets and turning on the plotter?"
Often it fails exactly because of this. So if you have space to leave your new plotter in a fixed place, then that is a guarantee that you will also use it more often.
Over time, a lot of crafting supplies accumulate, whether a few blanks, films, paper, or again a new plotting accessory. Currently, I store all my plotting accessories in 2 dressers and turn the dining area into a crafting kingdom when I use the plotter, so quite elaborate.
I still dream of my own crafting room, maybe this dream will also come true for me in the future, so that I turn on the plotter even for a tiny plot.
How much do I have to spend on a good cutting plotter?
You want to buy a plotter, but you don't know which one is right for you? The selection of hobby plotters is large, there are different models from Brother, Cricut, and Silhouette, which one is right for you really depends a lot on what you want to do with your plotter.
For small simple plots, an affordable plotter for under €200 is enough. If you want to implement larger projects and, for example, also plot a few T-shirts for a bachelorette party, I recommend a model with a larger cutting mat. These are between €300 and €600, depending on the brand and features.
It is of course important to keep an eye on the budget, but also note, the purchase of a plotter is an investment in your creative future. So, plan ahead, it can be very likely that a cheap plotter is enough for you at the beginning and you then realize over time that you actually need a larger model. Maybe it makes sense to buy a larger plotter right away. Because as they say, buying twice costs more. You can also take a look if you can find a used plotter.
Buying cutting plotters: The plotters compared
Now you have the agony of choice. To make the decision easier for you, I will give you here the most important facts about the common devices.
I have sorted the plotters by manufacturer. Maybe you have already heard from a friend that she prefers a special brand and you want to know which model is an option for you.
Or you want to generally look at the differences between the individual brands? Whatever you need, search for, and want to know: This section is for you! 😍
Cricut Plotter
The Cricut plotters have no display, but can be controlled via the Cricut Design Space software or app. Here you can process finished files or create your own individual file. The file formats svg, dxf, jpg, and png can be used.
The app is set up a bit differently, but it also works very well with it, it also has a function I think is very helpful "SnapMat". With this function you can scan your cutting mat, this allows you to use your films very efficiently, because you can place the file very precisely. The SnapMat function is also very helpful if you want to cut different colors of a material at once or draw lettering to a certain place. This function is unfortunately currently only available for Apple devices.
After creating your files, you can easily transfer them wirelessly to your plotter via Bluetooth.
For Cricut plotters, there are Smart Vinyl and Smart Iron-On materials, which are up to 22.8m long and can also be processed without a cutting mat. This means you can also make very long lettering, e.g. as a wall decal or jerseys for an entire team, in a single step. Warning! Cricut plotters differ in width. Make sure you know which plotter the Smart Materials are designed for.
If you don't feel like creating your own files, you can get a Cricut Access subscription, which gives you access to many ready-to-plot files.
Cricut Joy
The Cricut Joy is a small plotter, but it has quite a lot going for it.
It cuts materials up to 2.4mm thick and has a cutting width of 11.4cm.
It is perfect for getting started if you want to try out small projects first and don't have much space, because its size makes it easy to store.
The standard cutting mat is 11.4cm x 16.5cm, but for larger projects you can buy a longer cutting mat (11.4cm x 30.5cm).
Cricut Joy Xtra
The Cricut Joy Xtra has only recently been on the market. It complements the Cricut Joy series and also has the Print Then Cut function, which means that pre-printed designs can be precisely cut with the Joy Xtra. This makes it easy to make stickers and labels yourself, for example.
It is 31.7cm wide and therefore also has a wider cutting area than the Cricut Joy. The cutting mat is 21.6cm x 30.5cm. With Smart Materials, it can even cut designs up to 24cm wide.
Cricut Explore 3
The Cricut Explore 3 is a larger model with a width of 56cm, and it has a material width of 30.5cm (33cm with Smart Materials). It is compatible with the Cricut roll holder for Smart Material rolls up to 22.8m long. So it is well suited for larger projects.
It not only has a larger cutting width, but also more functions. You can cut over 100 different materials with the Cricut Explore 3, such as iron-on material, vinyl, colored cardstock, glitter paper, cork, and reinforced fabric. It can also score, foil, and draw.
If you need to work quickly, you can use the Fast function to work at double speed.
Cricut Maker 3
The Cricut Maker 3 is the Mercedes among Cricut plotters and is really good for hobby plotting.
It can do everything the Explore 3 can, is also 56cm wide, and also has a material width of 30.5cm. (33cm with Smart Materials). In addition, it cuts over 300 materials, from delicate fabric, iron-on materials, vinyl, and leather to chipboard and balsa wood.
It can not only cut, draw, write, score, foil, and fold, but also engrave and deep engrave.
Brother Plotter
All Brother plotters have a display and can also be operated without a PC. Personally, however, I find it easier to create files on a PC, and your options are much greater with the free Canvas Workspace program. After creating your files, you can easily and wirelessly transfer them to your plotter. SVG files must be used.
One major advantage of the display is the memory function, so you can easily and quickly implement your favorite projects without a PC.
Brother plotters have an integrated scanner and can scan images or drawings and then cut the lines. I really like using the scan function to use up my material scraps, as the files can be positioned very precisely.
All Brother plotters have a 30.5 x 30.5cm cutting mat. For larger projects, there are also 30.5 x 61cm cutting mats available.
Brother has the CM series and the SDX series, which differ in their functions.
Brother ScanNCut CM 750
The Brother ScanNCut CM 750 is Brother's entry-level model. It cuts materials up to 1.5mm thick.
Files can be transferred via USB and selected on the 3.7-inch touchscreen for cutting or drawing.
The blade on the Brother ScanNCut CM750 is set manually; depending on the material, the cutting depth and cutting pressure must be adjusted. At the beginning, it is recommended to make a test cut. After a few tries, you will surely have found the right settings.
Tip: Once you have found the right setting, write it down for the respective materials. My experience has shown that iron-on materials can be cut with more pressure and less cutting depth, while vinyl can be cut with less pressure but more cutting depth.
If you ever forget to change the blade settings, it is certainly annoying. This cannot happen with the ScanNCut SDX series, because these plotters set the settings automatically.
Brother ScanNCut SDX Series
The DX series is equipped with new servo drive technology and can therefore work even more precisely, quickly, and quietly. In addition, all these plotters have an automatic blade with blade sensors that detect the thickness of the material and automatically adjust the blade settings. An extra steel vinyl blade takes the results to the next level and allows you to cut even the smallest details cleanly.
Furthermore, these plotters cut materials up to 3mm thick. With the roll holder, materials can be cut up to 1.8m without a mat. Data transfer is easily done via Wi-Fi.
The plotters in the DX series do not differ greatly in their functions, but mainly in the number of pre-installed fonts and designs and the accessories.
Brother ScanNCut SDX 950
The Brother SDX 950 is my favorite. Although it has a smaller display than the other plotters in this series, it has almost all the functions of the larger models. I simply think the price-performance ratio here is great.
Brother ScanNCut SDX 1350
Is that still not enough for you? Then with the Brother SCanNCut 1350, in combination with your Brother sewing machine, you can also process PES files. Working on the 5-inch display is even more convenient.
Brother ScanNCut SDX 1550
The Brother ScanNCut SDX 1550 is no different from the SDX 1350. It simply has more pre-installed files and fonts, and a roll blade for fabrics is included in the delivery. You get this separately for the other plotters in this series.
Silhouette Plotter
Silhouette plotters do not have a display, but are operated via the free Studio software. If the free basic version is not enough for you, you can upgrade it for a fee depending on your needs. Here you can process ready-made files or create your own custom file.
The file formats svg and dxf can be used. After creating your files, you can easily and wirelessly transfer them to your plotter via Bluetooth.
Silhouette Portrait 3
The smallest plotter from the Silhouette brand is the Portrait 3. It cuts materials with a thickness of 0.5mm - with a special Deep Cut blade even up to 2mm.
The Silhouette Portrait 3 has a cutting width of 20.3cm, and with the cutting mat (20.3cm x 30.5cm), materials in A4 format can be processed perfectly. With Smart Materials, you can also cut materials with a length of up to 1.8m
It is perfect for getting started if you want to try out small projects first, such as stickers with the Scan Then Cut function.
Silhouette Cameo 4
The Silhouette Cameo 4 is a larger plotter, with a cutting width of 30.5cm. It cuts materials such as vinyl, paper, foam and balsa wood with a thickness of up to 3mm.
It is equipped with 2 tool heads and is therefore great if you need to work particularly quickly.
Silhouette Cameo 4 Plus
The Silhouette Cameo 4 Plus does not differ in functions from the Cameo 4. The difference between these two plotters is the cutting width. The Cameo 4 Plus has a cutting width of 38cm and is well suited for large projects.
Silhouette Cameo 4 Pro
The Silhouette Cameo 4 Pro has the same functions as the smaller models in the Cameo series, and with 61cm it has the highest cutting width among all hobby plotters. With its cutting width, it is also suitable for real professionals.
Buy a plotter: Everything at a glance
In this table I have summarized all the important differences for you.
| Plotter | Files/ Fonts pre-installed |
max. material thickness | Cutting mat | Scanner/ Display |
File formats | Transferring files from PC | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cricut Joy | 50 projects online | 2.4mm | 11.4cm x 15.8cm 11.4 x 30.5cm |
no | svg, dxf, jpg and png | Bluetooth | approx. 160€ |
| Cricut Joy Xtra | 100 projects online | 2.4mm | 21.6cm x 30.5 cm | no | svg, dxf, jpg and png | Bluetooth | approx. 280€ |
| Cricut Explore 3 | over 100 projects online | 2.4mm | 30.5cm x 30.5cm 30.5cm x 61cm |
no | svg, dxf, jpg and png | Bluetooth/USB | approx. 280€ |
| Cricut Maker 3 | over 100 projects online | 2.4mm | 30.5cm x 30.5cm 30.5cm x 61cm |
no | svg, dxf, jpg and png | Bluetooth/USB | approx. 430€ |
| Brother ScanNCut CM Series 750 | 600 Designs, 5 Fonts | 1.5mm | 30.5cm x 30.5cm 30.5 x 61cm |
yes, 300 dpi | svg | USB | approx. 300€ |
| Brother ScanNCut DX Series SDX 950 | 682 Designs, 7 Fonts | 3mm | 30.5cm x 30.5cm 30.5 x 61cm |
yes, 600 dpi | svg | Wi-Fi/USB | approx. 400€ |
| Brother ScanNCut Dx Series SDX 1350 | 1303 Designs, 17 Fonts | 3mm | 30.5cm x 30.5cm 30.5cm x 61cm |
yes, 600 dpi | svg, pes | Wi-Fi/USB | approx. 590€ |
| Silhouette Portrait 3 | 50 (via download on PC) | up to 2mm | 20.3cm x 30.5cm | no | svg, dxf | Bluetooth/USB | approx. 175€ |
| Silhouette Cameo 4 | 100 (via download on PC) | 3mm | 30.5cm x 30.5cm 30.5 x 61cm |
no | svg, dxf | Bluetooth/USB | approx. 330€ |
| Silhouette Cameo 4 Plus | 100 (via download on PC) | 3mm | 37.1cm x 38.1cm | no | svg, dxf | Bluetooth/USB | approx. 400€ |
| Silhouette Cameo 4 Pro | 100 (via download on PC) | 3mm | 61cm x 61 cm | no | svg, dxf | Bluetooth/USB | approx. 500€ |
What materials do I need to get started?
Think about which project you want to start with. It's best to start with a simple plot to get the hang of it first. To get started with your first project right away, you need a few tools.
You can also think practically and order an affordable accessory set.
The following accessories are an absolute must:
- Cutting mat* suitable for your plotter
- Weeding hook/tweezers
- Squeegee*
- Spatula*
- Scalpel*
- Ruler/tape measure*
- Scissors*
- Vinyl suitable for your plotter
- good lighting and possibly a light pad*
- depending on the project
- Paper
- Pen holder and suitable pens
- Iron/heat press - If you want to work a lot with textiles, I definitely recommend buying a heat press for a long-lasting hold on your clothes. An iron is enough to start with.
- Transfer vinyl
- And of course a blank to plot, for example a T-shirt. Tip: Don't take your favorite shirt right away, look for an affordable piece of clothing to practice a bit first.
- Tip: A small desktop trash can is very practical for collecting vinyl scraps in it.
A tool set is very suitable, as it contains everything you need at the beginning. And you can save a few euros.
What types of plotter vinyl are there?
We have prepared a detailed blog post on the topic of buying plotter vinyl: Which vinyl for what? In it you will find a lot of details, hacks and tips for the right plotter vinyl for your project.
So here is just a brief overview:
There are different vinyls for different purposes. Heat transfer vinyl, adhesive vinyl and static cling vinyl.
Heat transfer vinyl
You will find heat transfer vinyl at many providers under textile vinyl, because it is primarily used for textiles. But you can also plot wood or paper with textile vinyl.
There are differences here too. There is flex vinyl and flock vinyl.
Flex vinyl
Flex vinyl is an extremely thin and slightly elastic vinyl. With this vinyl you can even plot in multiple colors, simply press the vinyls on top of each other in several work steps.
It comes in many different colors and versions. For example Turbo-Flex, stretch flex, reflective and glow-in-the-dark.
It is very suitable for children's clothing or your new favorite shirt.
Flock vinyl
Flock vinyl is a soft vinyl with a velvety surface. You cannot press it on top of each other, but as the last layer on thin flex vinyl, it enhances your plot.
It is often used for soccer jerseys.
Adhesive vinyl
Adhesive vinyls, often also called vinyl film, are self-adhesive vinyls that you can use for all smooth surfaces. For example glass, tiles, plastic, slate, stone, ceramic, porcelain and painted wood. To transfer the vinyl to the corresponding surface, you need a transfer vinyl.
But vinyl film is not all the same. Here you distinguish between permanent vinyl film and removable vinyl film.
Permanent vinyl film
These vinyls are very easy to work with, as they adapt to their substrate. Thanks to the strong adhesive, they hold permanently, as the name suggests. They are very suitable for the outdoors and heavily used surfaces. For example for car advertising, glass, tiles, porcelain, plastic, slate, stone or ceramic. I really like working with Oracal 751C.
Removable vinyl film
Removable vinyl film is very suitable for the indoors and less heavily used surfaces. For example for wall decals, lanterns, mirrors or cards. I really like working with Oracal 631.
Static cling vinyl
Static cling vinyl is a self-adhering vinyl that can be removed without residue. It adheres through static attraction on smooth surfaces and is particularly suitable for seasonal window pictures.
Which vinyl is suitable for your first project?
Personally, I recommend starting with textile vinyl. It is easier to weed because it is not self-adhesive.
This was one of my first projects. A two-color plot with flex vinyl.
How much vinyl do I need when I start plotting?
From sewing, I know that buying fabric and sewing are 2 different hobbies. It is similar with plotter vinyl.
So it makes sense to have a project in mind and buy the right vinyl for it. I still recommend a basic set with frequently used vinyls, so you can also implement spontaneous ideas at short notice.
You should always have white and black in stock. These colors are good for backgrounds. I also recommend a small collection in your favorite colors.
Tip: Pay attention to the current season. In spring you can use lighter colorful colors for your decor and in winter at Christmas time, dark green, red, gold and brown tones are suitable.
Extra tip: Sort your vinyls by type and color. I keep my vinyls in ring binders, so I don't have to search for the right color for a long time and save time .
How many plotter vinyls are useful for getting started?
Theoretically you can start with a single vinyl. It really depends on which project you choose for your start. But of course it is also great if you have a small selection right at the beginning, that really makes you want to get started with plotting and get creative.
Do I always have to buy new vinyl or can I use scraps?
You can definitely also use vinyl scraps. If your plotter can scan the cutting mat, then you can place the file so precisely that you can still use very small vinyl scraps.
Extra tip: When cutting larger files, fill the empty spaces with small hearts or circles and keep them in a small photo album until they are used.
Buying cutting plotters: My personal recommendations
Now you are probably wondering which plotter is the right one for you. But maybe our post has already helped you choose the perfect cutting plotter for you? Feel free to tell us in the comments which little gem you chose and what your first project was.
My personal favorite is the Brother ScanNCut DX 950. Why?
The ratio of price - performance is right and the handling is simple, fast and quiet. Thanks to the many functions you have many possibilities and can implement a wide variety of large or small projects with this plotter.
I hope to have helped you with your decision and wish you a lot of fun with your creative projects!
Happy plotting, Ria and Sabine
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