Metal Dies Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Metal dies are one of the most satisfying tools in a scrapbooker's collection. Slide a sheet of cardstock through your die-cutting machine and out comes a perfectly cut shape -- clean edges, intricate details, identical every time. No scissors, no templates, no guesswork.

At Hip Kit Club, we design and manufacture every single one of our metal dies in-house. That means the shapes, borders, and frames you'll find here don't exist anywhere else. When you use a Hip Kit Club die on your layout, it's truly one of a kind.

We have a growing collection of exclusive die designs, with new releases every month. And when a month's collection sells out, it's gone for good -- we never restock and we never repeat.

How to Use Metal Dies

If you've never used metal dies before, here's how they work in four simple steps:

1. Choose your die and material. Metal dies work with cardstock, patterned paper, vellum, craft foam, felt, and thin fabric. Heavier materials may need multiple passes.
2. Build your sandwich. Layer your cutting plates, material, and die according to your machine's instructions. Each machine has a slightly different "sandwich" order.
3. Run it through. Crank the handle (or press the button on an electronic machine) to send the die through the rollers. The raised steel edges cut through your material.
4. Pop out your shape. Gently push the cut shape out of the die. Some people use a small tool or just their fingers. Done -- a perfect cut every time.

That's it. No computer, no software, no learning curve. Just a die, a machine, and a stack of pretty paper.

Die Cut Scrapbook Layout with Raffle Tickets Scrapbook Die Cut Layout – Ticket Design

Types of Dies We Make

Our die collection covers a wide range of shapes and styles so there's something for every kind of project:

• Border dies -- scalloped edges, lacy trims, and decorative borders that add a finished look to any page. We have over 10 border designs.
• Frame and window dies -- filmstrip frames, viewmaster shapes, ticket stubs, and photo windows. Perfect for highlighting your favorite photos.
• Stitchable dies -- our signature line of dies with tiny holes along the cut edges so you can add hand-stitching for texture and dimension. Completely unique to Hip Kit Club.
• Nested dies -- circles, ovals, and geometric shapes that come in graduated sizes so you can layer them for depth.
• Seasonal and themed dies -- snowflakes, flowers, butterflies, cameras, envelopes, confetti, and more. New themes every month.

Border & Edge Dies

Lacy Scallop Border Metal Di Fancy Border Metal Die Set Fancy Edge Metal Die Set Scalloped Arch Border Die

Stitchable Dies

Stitchable Mandala Metal Die Stitchable Starflake Die Stitchable Tag Die Set Stitchable Spring Blooms Met

Frame & Window Dies

Filmstrip and Slide Frame Me Postage Stamp Frames Metal D Slide Frame Metal Die Fall Clipboard + Frame + Lea

Shape & Seasonal Dies

Snowflake Mitten Metal Die S Butterfly Metal Die Set Heart & Star Confetti Metal Wreath Title and Winter Flow Snow Globe Die Kit Thankful Metal Die Set Tea Cup and Decoration Metal Tropical Layered Flower Die

What Machine Do I Need?

Our metal dies are compatible with all standard die-cutting machines with a slot width of 6 inches or more:

• Sizzix Big Shot -- the most popular choice among our members
• Spellbinders Platinum
• Sizzix Big Shot Plus / Pro
• Gemini by Crafter's Companion
• Other manual die-cutting machines with standard cutting plates

Important note: Metal dies are not the same as digital cut files. If you have a Cricut, Silhouette, or Brother ScanNCut, you'll want to check out our SVG cut file collection instead -- or browse our free cut files to get started.

Snowflake Die Cut Scrapbook Background Easy Winter Scrapbook Layouts with Dies

Why Our Dies Are Different

There are thousands of metal dies on the market from companies like Sizzix, Spellbinders, and dozens of sellers on Amazon and Etsy. Here's what makes ours different:

• 100% exclusive designs. Every die is designed and manufactured specifically for Hip Kit Club. You won't find these shapes anywhere else -- not in stores, not online, nowhere.
• Part of a coordinated collection. Each month's dies are designed to complement that month's papers, embellishments, and stamps. They're not random shapes -- they're part of a system.
• Limited edition. Once a month's collection sells out, we move on. There are no reprints, no restocks. If you love a design, grab it while it's available.
• Made for real crafters. Our design team includes working scrapbookers and card makers who test every die on real projects before it goes into production.

Getting Started

New to die cutting? Here's what we'd suggest:

1. Pick up a die-cutting machine. A Sizzix Big Shot is the most popular starting point -- reliable, affordable, and compatible with all our dies.
2. Start with a border die or a nested set. These are the most versatile and you'll use them on almost every layout.
3. Try it on scrap paper first. Get a feel for the pressure and plate sandwich before using your good cardstock.
4. Layer your cuts. Cut the same shape from two different papers and offset them slightly for instant dimension.

Already a die-cutting pro? Browse our latest releases and see what's new this month. Or check out our scrapbook ideas page for layout inspiration featuring our dies.

Explore More

Shop Metal Dies SVG Cut Files Free Cut Files Stamps Scrapbook Ideas How to Scrapbook Subscribe

Most Popular Dies

Our members' all-time favorites -- precision-cut, beautifully detailed, and made to last.

Nested Eyelet Circle Metal D Stitchable Scalloped Fringe Filmstrip Metal Die Set Viewmaster Metal Die Set Stitchable Scallop Circle Ne Snow Globe Die Kit Tag Infinity Metal Die Set Metal Die Set

Browse All Dies →