Gemini Cutting Machine Review

Are you scouring the market and searching for a brand new die-cutting machine?

Are you looking for a die-cutter that is versatile, durable and also reliable? Are you tired of cranking the handle and physically exerting yourself during your creative process?

The world of hobbies has taken a serious yet decisive turn to professionalism. The era of die-cutting and embossing machines and its growing popularity is here.

Scrapbooking, party invitations, customized holiday cards, fabric, you name it – it can be done.

If all of this applies to you, then you have found yourself in the right place!

Today I’ll be reviewing the Gemini Cutting Machine – an electronic die-cutting and embossing machine that will ensure that your crafting process is not only easier but much more comfortable.

Amidst the sea of die-cutting and embossing machines, this Gemini model offers the ardent crafters the possibility to do whatever they set their minds on.

Crafters Companion is a company that specializes in crafts, and their product range is vast and enviable – from crafting tools to stamps and dies, all with one mission – to enrich your crafting journey.

This Gemini Cutting Machine review will dispel any doubts that you might be harboring and ensure that your purchase is worth the money.

To find out if you are ready to part with all other die-cutting and embossing machines that you own and replace them with this one, stay tuned to this review and just keep scrolling!

Gemini Cutting Machine Grading Table

In this section of the review, you are able to get an epitomized outline of my opinion of this neat machine by just one glance at the grading table.

The following section will provide you with my reasoning for the scores given in the table.

What’s Inside The Box?

• Gemini Die Cutter & Embosser
• Clear Cutting Plate
• Base Cutting Plate
• Metal Cutting Plate
• Magnetic Shim
• Plastic Shim
• Rubber Embossing Mat
• 16 Die’sire Dies
• 3 Embossalicious Embossing Folders
• Power Cord
• User Guide
• A limited warranty of a year-long duration included in the User Guide

Tech Specs & Features

Dimensions:

• 14 x 8 x 6.5 inches (35.5 cm x 20 cm x 16.5 cm)
• Platform size: 9 inches x 12.5 inches (22.8 cm x 31.75 cm)

Weight: 20.5 pounds (9.30 kg)

Fully automated

Customizable pressure

Digital controls (power, pause/resume and reverse buttons)

Safety sensors

Edge-to-edge cutting feature

Supported cutting materials:

• Adhesive foam
• Adhesive vinyl
• Balsa wood
• Brass metal
• Burlap
• Cardboard
• Construction acetate
• Cotton
• Denim
• Fabric
• Felt
• Foil
• Funky foam
• Glitter paper
• Heavyweight cardstock
• Hessian
• Leather
• Mirror card
• Mountboard
• Stencil film
• Thick paper
• Vellum
• Vinyl

Gemini Cutting Machine Put into Practice

Having covered the technical details, I will lead you through the actual performance of the Gemini machine.

Physical features

The design of the Gemini is such that it doesn’t allow mobility (at least, not with ease) and it of course, requires a working plugin order to function.

Its size and weight are enough for this machine not to be considered easily portable – it requires a permanent, flat working space.

However, if you wish to have the option of transporting your machine open for you, you can purchase the Gemini Crafters Companion Tote Bag or, if you wish to store your Gemini accessories like plates and shims in one place, you can purchase the Gemini Plate Bag.

Tips and tricks for using Gemini Cutting Machine

Before you begin with your next crafting project, settle your Gemini Cutting Machine onto a desired dry, flat surface that has a plug nearby.

The actual process of “sandwiching the plates” can be a little confusing at first, so make sure to follow my two tips:

1. Find the Clear Cutting Plate and the Base Cutting Plate. These should always be your top and bottom plates, respectively. This is a foundation that is used for every crafting process, while the middle part is actually flexible, depending on the material that you want to cut.
2. What you put between the Cutting Plates is the following, in that order: first, the material that you want to cut, then the die with the blade side up. The die should be followed by a magnetic shim, and the last piece of this sandwich should be the plastic shim.

Now, this is your basic setup that will work with thin metal dies. If you want a design that is more exciting and intricate, like I did, you will need a different sandwich.

Don’t worry, my Gemini Cutting Machine review won’t let you down and leave you roaming in the dark; I will share my wisdom with you!

For a more intricate design, you will need to add more pressure. This is achieved by adding more shims to the sandwich in order to increase the amount of pressure on the die.

The Metal Shim can be placed at just about any level of the sandwich, but in my experience, when it’s placed above the material, you’ll get a stronger cut.

As for the Magnetic Shim – it should never be placed above the die, because the die can cut through it.

From my point of view, you should experiment with the sandwich. Different combinations of shims and plates will give you a different result, and mistakes are bound to happen. Another tip from me would be not to use too much pressure for simplistic designs, because the material can turn out warped.

Highlight features

The thing I love the most about this machine is that it is fully automated.

It does not require any exertion on the user’s behalf like the majority of the die-cutting & embossing machines.

This feature is beneficial especially if your hands and arms are strained or if you suffer from arthritis but do not want to give up on your hobby!

I’m sure you will be satisfied with your sandwich if you follow my tips, and the next thing that comes in handy with the Gemini Cutting Machine are the easy-to-use buttons.

In general, the digital controls that the Gemini Cutting Machine possesses are great, especially the reverse button.

Now, if you are indecisive like me, or you simply want a last-minute change, you can actually press the pause/resume and then the reverse button and your sandwich will come out.

And as I have already said, mistakes are bound to happen – you discovered that you inserted an incorrect sandwich combination? It’s not a problem, because you have the reverse button!

Another thing that this button provides is less waste. You won’t ever need to go through a batch of material and throw it away. You can pause the process and reverse it to fit your liking.

There is also the case with automatic reversion that is worth mentioning and this is because of the safety sensors that the Gemini is equipped with.

I happened to load the machine with a thicker sandwich than it was possible, so the machine automatically stopped the forward motion and put it into reverse.

These safety sensors are there for two things – not only do they prevent the motor from accidentally activating, but they also protect your machine from any possible catastrophe, like my case of loading it with too thick a sandwich.

Last in order but not of importance, Gemini’s practicality does not end here.

If you have any leftover embossing folders or metal dies from other machines, do not throw them away! You can use the vast majority of them with Gemini.

Gemini accepts other brands without a problem, and it is an amazing feature to have in such a machine.

Additional features & Enhancements

Gemini Cutting Machine provides the opportunity for the user to work with just about any kind of material at the user’s disposal.

This wide array of materials that the machine supports includes: adhesive foam, adhesive vinyl, balsa wood, brass metal, burlap, cardboard, construction acetate, cotton, denim, fabric, felt, foil, funky foam, glitter paper, heavyweight cardstock, hessian, leather, mirror card, mount board, stencil film, thick paper, vellum, vinyl.

This versatility definitely makes the Gemini a worthy acquisition.

Gemini Cutting Machine is the perfect option for crafters that have problems with their arms or hands, crafters affected by arthritis or any other condition that could prevent you from enjoying your hobby.

The right amount of pressure is not manually exerted, but achieved by the right combination of shims and plates, so you don’t have to worry about exerting yourself physically whilst operating this machine.

Of course, as with everything there is room for improvement, so let’s take a look at the possibility of enhancing your experience with the Gemini.

As I previously mentioned, the machine, due to its considerable weight and size, isn’t easily portable, but it can be with the Gemini Crafters Companion Tote Bag, which will allow you to carry your machine wherever you want to.

Also, with Gemini Plate Bag you easily carry all the add-ons for your machine.

Depending on how often you use your Gemini Cutting Machine, you will need to restock your sandwich materials, such as cutting plates, shims and rubber mats.

They are bound to bend and bow over time, but it depends how fast they will need to be replaced on the amount of usage.

Replacement plates are readily available for order, and I’ve selected a few of them that I think you will need the most: Replacement Magnetic Shim, Replacement Metal Cutting Plate and Clear Cutting Plate.

To Sum It All Up…

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Taking all of this into consideration, my thorough Gemini Cutting Machine analysis proves that this machine is worth your money.

One of its best features showed to be its wide cutting area, which gives you the power to cut a virtually large number of things at one time (looking at you, multitaskers!).

Another noteworthy feature of the Gemini is that it isn’t manually operated. All you have to do to work with it is to press a button. This grants you the possibility to cut and create so many more designs than you could ever imagine.

Its power surely does lie in the three magic buttons, and the one I immediately fell in love with is the reverse button, which allows you to stop and think for one more second before doing something that you might regret.

Another strength of the Gemini that cannot be ignored is that it welcomes just about any brand of dies and embossing folders; so if you happen to have any of the old and unused ones lying around your house, you are sure to make good use of them with this machine.

For these reasons, Gemini Cutting Machine stands out on the market.

It is a versatile, durable and reliable purchase.

You can do so much more with this gadget than you could have imagined doing with any other die-cutting and embossing machine!

No matter if your heart is set on a hobby or mass production, Gemini is the one that can cater to all of your imaginable needs precisely because of its high functionality.