Sizzix Eclips 2 Review

Perfect Scoring & Reliable Cutting

Hello fellow crafters!

Are you looking for a high quality die-cutting machine made by a renowned company?

Sizzix Company has become famous for its Big Shot die-cutting machine and its subsidiary Big Shot Pro die-cutter. However, this company has been around for more than three decades and has managed to attract an army of followers among crafting enthusiasts.

Here’s a fun fact – the parent company of Sizzix, Ellison, has actually manufactured the first die-cutting machine as we know it today.

Today I’m shedding some light on one of their best-selling representative – Sizzix Eclips 2. Sticker & card makers and scrapbookers alike are going crazy for this machine, and all for a good reason.

It is a genuinely great product and a worthy opponent to the Cricut Explore cutters and all-mighty & ever-popular Silhouette Cameo. It boasts cutting skills of high precision, True Scoring, and Laser Cut Preview, and can thus make an excellent assistant in your creative endeavors.

It is not 100% perfect (nothing is), but if you want to find out more read my full Sizzix Eclips 2 review – it might be what you are looking for!

Sizzix Eclips 2 Grades Table

The following table will show how Sizzix Eclips 2 craft cutting machine scored in comparison to all the other devices I have reviewed so far, including its predecessor Sizzix Eclips.

My full review will explain the reasoning behind these grades – once you read it come back, and see if you agree with me.

What’s Inside The Box?

• Sizzix Eclips 2 die cutter
• 12″ x 12″ cutting mat
• Two cutting blades
• Blade holder
• 6-foot USB cable
• Power supply and cord
• User guide
• Authorization code to download eCAL lite software
• 90-day limited warranty

Tech Features:

Dimensions – 26″ x 6 1/2″ x 7″

Weight – 18.21 lbs

Cutting width – 12 inches, adjustable

• Bluetooth technology
• Auto-selection of speed and pressure
• Laser Cut Preview
• Adjustable blade depth
• Precision cutting and true scoring
• Compatible with PC, Mac, iPad and Android tablets

Supported Materials:

• Paper
• Sticker Paper
• Vinyl
• Cardstock
• Vellum
• Iron-on heat transfer
• Light chipboard
• Fabric (you have to use fabric stabilizer)

Sizzix Eclips 2: Detailed Review

Design

The Sizzix Eclips 2 features a minimalistic design – and that means no bells and whistles whatsoever. It will hardly be noticed in your room or office and will take up minimal space.

It does not mean that it is not attractive, though, as the opposite is true – it is rather sophisticated and meets all the essential aesthetic demands. Some of you might be disappointed at the absence of colors or designs, but I think its a plus as those things are a matter of personal taste.

After all, if you bought this machine, you must be a DIYer, and that means you can embellish it if you want to and, more importantly, how you want to.

As I have already mentioned, Eclips 2 is a compact machine – precisely 26 inches long and about seven inches wide. It can easily be positioned on any desktop and moved whenever needed (it weighs under 20 lbs).

The controls are located on the right side of the machine. The user panel is intuitive, and you should have no trouble getting the hang of it. It allows you to adjust the settings in accordance with your project demands.

Cutting Performance

First of all, the Sizzix Eclips 2 features a maximum cutting width of 12 inches and can feed and cut materials up to 0.5mm thick. It does not seem much, and I must admit that it is not sufficient for commercial use, but home-based hobbyists will do just fine. Moreover, you can adjust the cutting width.

Moreover, this machine boasts a powerful engine that provides it with a cutting force of 600g and that will secure enough strength and precision for this machine to cut through materials such as vinyl, vellum, paper, fabric, cardstock, iron-on heat transfer, and sticker paper, like through butter.

Notably, Sizzix Eclips 2 can handle a limited range of materials, but those are all the materials you will most probably work with during most of your projects. Even better, you will be pleased with the results and wowed with the speed of the Eclips 2.

Eclips 2 is faster than its competition, Cricut Explore and Cameo die-cutters (although they have a stronger cutting force).

How do I know that?

It took me 5-10 minutes less to cut out some rather intricate designs than with these other machines.

However, if you plan to work with more heavy-duty materials such as leather, rubber, or even sheet metal, you should best skip the Eclips 2 and opt for another cutting machine.

Furthermore, this machine cannot emboss or engrave items, and thus if you are searching for a machine with such capabilities you will want to skip this Sizzix model.

The strength of Eclips 2 might not lie in its ability to cut through a significant number of materials, but it definitely shows when intricate designs need to be perfectly cut out.

In this area, Eclips 2 truly excels and can hardly have a worthy opponent and that makes it a perfect machine for paper crafting, scrapbooking, and making all sorts of cards and gift boxes.

Usefulness & Features

The Eclips 2 boasts high-precision blades that will cut without any error, and the final result will be almost perfect.

The potential of this machine is truly exceptional – it can even integrate multiple layers of different letters and shapes in a single cut. Unfortunately, this excellence is limited to cutting as Eclips 2 cannot engrave or emboss. If it were to come with that ability, it would be in my top three cutting machines for sure.

On a more positive note, Eclips 2 is packed with customer-friendly features such as auto-selection of speed and pressure that takes the guessing out of your work and speeds up the entire process.

I have already mentioned the True Scoring feature of the Eclips 2, but I must praise this trait once again as this machine really delivers all that is promised in this area and the folds are by definition clean and precise – no perforations whatsoever. You can specify which layer to cut and which layer to score, which can be of great help when score lines are on separate layers.

Another user-friendly feature I must mention is the Preview feature. Thanks to this attribute, you can always check how the cut will turn out in reality before you actually get down to cutting. If you notice something that bugs you, you can make all the changes you want upfront. In this way, all the potential disasters will be avoided saving you material and your precious time.

Finally, the Scrap Cut mode Eclips 2 brings about will make sure that your material is used up in the best way possible, which means that there will be minimum waste and maximum savings!

Software

The eCAL lite, a version of Sure Cuts A Lot, is a software that comes included with the purchase of the Sizzix Eclips 2. It is straightforward and easy to use, so even the newbies and youngsters will have no problem mastering it.

It will work great in Windows PCs, Macs, and Android devices. Even thought eCAL is super easy to use, it is rather basic, so if you want to get the maximum out of your Sizzix Eclips 2 machine, I highly recommend getting an upgrade right from the beginning.

The lite version allows for basic work such as creating designs, combining various letters and shapes in one cut, using True Type and Open Type fonts as well as fonts that already exist on your computer. The upgrade to eCAL2 will open the door to a whole new world of opportunities.

First of all, the upgraded version will enable you to easily import various files such as Adobe Illustrator files or SVG format files. Any image you desire will be only a few clicks away.

Moreover, you will get the Print 2 Cut feature, auto-tracing features, and access to loads of fonts from the Eclips’ store. You will even be given an opportunity to create rhinestone templates and lattice shapes.

Therefore, unless you are a complete beginner, and you need to learn the basics first, upgrade from the start, and enjoy the added features. It is a pity all this does not come free with the purchase of the machine, but you still should not miss out on it all.

Difference with The Predecessor – Sizzix Eclips

The Eclips 2 is a much-improved machine in comparison to its predecessor, the Eclips.

It is notably bigger (3.5″ wider than the original Eclips) and better made, and that will guarantee not only improved performance & durability but greater reliability as well.

All the components built-in Eclips 2 are industrial grade, and that was not the case with its predecessor. The motor has been enhanced as well, making Eclips 2 a much stronger machine. The increased strength equals better cutting too.

You can say good-bye to the cartridges that the original Eclips could not do without; Eclips 2 connects directly to your computer or tablet, giving you endless opportunities to showcase your creativity. It is much faster due to reduced transition time between cuts, and quieter too. The handheld controller has been eliminated, and thus, the price is lower as well.

If you already own the original Eclips, you will be pleased to know that Eclips 2 uses the same mats and blades. Therefore, if you have some spare ones, they will not go to waste.

Sizzix Eclips 2 Review – My Final Thoughts

The Sizzix Eclips 2 is rather good at everything it can do, but it cannot do everything – it is as simple as that! If you have read my Sizzix Eclips 2 review attentively, you are now well briefed about its capabilities, and you can make an informed decision – is Sizzix Eclips 2 good enough for you or not?

For all of you who were a bit absent-minded, here’s a synopsis: Eclips 2 is a superb cutting machine for scrapbooking but not a heavy-duty all-purpose cutter.

It is reasonably priced and made to last.