The BUZZ about ScanNCut- All you need to know about this new machine.

Disclosure: I am a paid consultant for Brother International Corporation and have received a ScanNCut from Brother to evaluate. However, the opinions expressed are entirely my own and are based on my use of the product.

So I have seen SO MANY questions around blogs and message boards in regards to ScanNCut and I wanted to take a minute to answer some questions that you may have based on my experience with my machine.

Let me first start by sharing some information that I received from the Senior VP of the Home Appliance Division at Brother International, Dean Shulman:

"There are 2 models which will ship in October. One model will be available at Amazon for $399 plus applicable taxes and a step up model will be available from authorized Brother dealers starting at $499. You can find out the differences between the models on the www.scanNcut.com website. The differences are substantial and worth the value if you have the extra money.

Brother is planning on adding a download center before the end of the year for Scan N Cut owners which will offer additional features which can be done in the cloud."

Now I have had my own ScanNCut by Brother International (tm) machine since about April 2013 (prototype and pre-production machines) and have worked with it from the beginning with one of the first hand built machines. I have had time to work through it, create and really push the capacity of the machine. I have had time to truly investigate this machine and explore all of its features. In addition Brother used us crafters to help develop features that we would like to see on the machine; so this machine has been truly infused with a crafters desires in mind.

 I wanted to make sure that this machine was worth my endorsement as with all of the product that I use on my blog. So I really pushed my machine hard and stretched the limits. Like I mentioned before, although I have been paid by Brother and have assisted them with consulting, this in no way is reflected on my opinion. In all honesty I work with companies I trust and can endorse whole heartedly without remorse. I have always had this approach with my blogging and continue to do so. I firmly believe in sharing the truth and sharing knowledge. As a part of my commitment to continuing this approach on my blog, I wanted to share this info from Dean and myself with you all :)

So here are my thoughts...

ScanNCut it not only the first home and hobby personal cutting machine with a built in scanner but in my opinion it is the last digital cutting machine I will ever need. I have worked with others and have found that what other manufacturers have made are machines that are complicated, dependent on future sales and always rely on a computer or cartridges and well, that is just not what I have seen of Brother. With Brother, the machine is created with a USB port so that any future software updates will be free and will be as easy to update as plugging in your USB into your machine.

I have been working with Brother on this project since March and I have watched as Brother has taken steps toward eliminating what other machines have made complicated and have now created a machine in ScanNCut that is simple, easy to use and extremely intuitive.

In addition you may want to check out the new LIVE site at www.ScanNCut.com. This site is full of information as well as printable project sheets and the specifications of ScanNCut. You can choose which machine works best for you as both models are featured. Although both machines work perfectly for a multitude of crafts as well as have the same firmware and infrastructure, there are a few added bonus designs in one of the machines. This helps to allow you to pick which machine works best for you!


You can see the video below which Kathy Cano-Murillo and I shot in Colorado not to long ago. This shows from start to finish one of the many benefits of having a scanner built into your electronic cutting machine can offer.  The Scan to Cut function.







WHY the SCANNCUT machine?

Besides this video, we have about different 20 videos that feature a wide variety of tools, techniques, tricks and projects that share with you the many features of ScanNCut; Check them out here. ScanNCut was created for use in a wide variety of crafting from Mixed Media, Paper Crafting, Sewing and Quilting and even DIY general crafting to mention a few. Brother takes the technology and innovation that they are known for and apply it to ScanNCut to help solve many problems that other electronic cutting machines have faced before. In addition, ScanNCut is covered under Brothers Customer Service, as well as maintenance which ensures peace of mind for crafters looking to purchase ScanNCut.

When taking a look at your cutting machines as well as any future machines you may look into, here are a few tips to consider:

• Take full notice of what your total investment may be (machine, cartridges, software, computer, time and downloads). Tally up what you may spend this next year as an investment into your electronic cutting and crafting.

• Also take into account how much space all of these items take up as well as the convenience of set up. With ScanNCut it is light weigh and all you have to do is take it out of the box and plug it in.  You are you can start crafting anywhere. There is no need for cartridges or a computer.

ScanNCut is a great machine and I hope that you will see that it truly is this simple to make your designs come to life in minutes. I encourage you to take a few minutes to grab a cup of coffee and watch these videos on the BrotherCrafter YouTube channel. Although you may not have a ScanNCut, this will teach you the features of the machine as well give you some great tips and inspiration from some of the industries top crafters. Kathy Cano-Murillo, May Flaum, Vanessa Vargas Wilson, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer... these girls worked hard on these videos and I know that collectively with their talent you will find in these videos some of the answers that you may be asking yourself about ScanNCut.

Again although I am a paid consultant, this information is what I find to be true about ScanNCut and I am sure that you will see what I am talking about. Or if you come up with some questions please ask me. I have been working with the ScanNCut machine since March.  In addition, the Brother team is excited to help you learn all about ScanNCut; you can ask questions through their social media sites at anytime.


Feel free to comment here or on the Brother Crafter page on Facebook with any questions you have.  My goal is to help anyone who wants to learn more. I am a teacher by nature :) So if I can help, please let me know! email me or you can find me on Facebook under Liz Hicks Studios.

~Liz Hicks ♥