brother cm350 electronic cutting machine scanncut2 4.85 lcd touch screen free sa

Editing designs is both quick and easy with ScanNCut2. Every editing function can be done on the LCD touch screen display. Easily convert your scanned designs into custom cut or draw files. Customize designs by changing the shape, size, or position, even using just part of a design. Enjoy the ability to weld, rotate and resize to create fully detailed designs all without the use of a computer or expensive design cartridges.

Background Scan - See your scanned image on the large color LCD touch screen, open your cut design, and use the stylus to simply move the design to the desired area for a perfect cut without measuring or using a computer.

Welding - Use the welding feature to combine shapes, hand drawings, fonts, and more directly on-screen. Combine detailed or intricate cuts in seconds to simply group designs in one piece prior to cutting.

Scan to USB - Scan virtually anything into your machine to be saved as a cut file. You can also use ScanNCut to scan important documents, files, artwork, photographs, and more - then save to your USB for future use without the need for a clunky, stand-alone scanner. USB not included.

On-screen Editing - Every editing function can be done right on your LCD touch screen. This includes customizing designs by resizing them, changing shape or position, using only part of a design, welding designs, rotating designs, and more.

Large Scanning and Cutting Area - Use the included 12" x 12" cutting mat, or the 12" x 24" cutting mat (available for additional purchase) to easily create and cut a wide variety of designs of all sizes.

2) I found that I needed to hold an Ott Light right over the cutting blade in order for it to scan in stamped out images. Even if I do this, it still won"t capture all the stamped out images properly if I stamp out a whole sheet, even if I rescan several times.

5) If you want to be able to use the new "enhanced imaging feature" that came out, you have to purchase it for $130 from a Brother dealer, which comes in a bundle that includes a bunch of designs that are ugly, AND, in order to use that feature, you MUST purchase and install the Online Activation feature, another $50 purchase, so in all, almost another $200 to get that one feature. Owners have been outraged, most people feel this should have been a feature users can access for free through the Canvas software. The only thing I give Brother credit for is that they did not come out trying to sell a new machine with this new feature, but for the price they are charging, you might as well have purchased a new machine!

6) Also, BEWARE, if you purchase any "card" like the "online activation card" for this machine from any one else other then an "Authorized Brother Dealer" the warranty will be VOID, SO DO NOT BUY THE ONLINE ACTIVATION CARD HERE ON AMAZON.

7) Even though the area of the mat that can be cut on is 12x12" the mat is much much larger than 12x12" - it is so huge, you need a huge table for that mat to go in and out of that machine, it takes up the entire area of my craft table when I use it. I have to lug it out (its heavy), carry it over to my table, use it, then lug it back to where I store it. So I try to stamp out a bunch of images and do a big batch production when I do use it. If you have a large craft room with lots of tables where you can keep this machine in a dedicated area, that will help you out, otherwise, it is not very practical to stamp out images for one card, pull this out, set it up, and scan and cut 5 images, then put it away.

9)) Brother has terrible customer support. They have these You Tube Channels with tutorials on how to use the various features of the machine, however, if you leave a question in the comment section, no one answers it. You need to get help from a Brother Dealer, however, if you bought your machine in Amazon, well, out of luck. I have a local Brother Dealer and asked them a few questions, they were not trained on the machine and didn"t know, ended up giving me a bunch of information that turned out to be inaccurate. The only other option is to call the Brother toll free number, which you need to get from a Brother dealer.

10) When I called the Brother Customer Support phone number they told me that for as long as this machine has been on the market, from the "original" they have never allowed any seller other than Brother dealers to see their "enhanced feature" cards (ie. online activation card, enhanced imaging card etc.) so there will never be price competition so you can buy them elsewhere for a lower cost. I still don"t understand how the online activation card can be sold on Amazon after I was told that. Also, with the mats, you HAVE TO USE A BROTHER MAT on this machine, it needs to see the numbers along the edges of the machine when it scans in images, so you cannot use another mat from Cricut for example, and these mats are very expensive. At least you can buy them cheaper here on Amazon, my dealer wanted $30 for 1 mat, and they were unwilling to do a price match with online pricing for the mat.

The only thing and I mean the only thing this machine has been good for, for me, is that it does do a fairly decent job of directly scanning and cutting out a stamped out image. It has paid for itself already from what I have been able to save by not having to buy the coordinating dies for stamps I have purchased. But thats all it is good for. Its very big, it takes up a lot of space, and

Sometimes, the hardest part about using a cutting machine is figuring out exactly what to make. You might have an idea in your head, but then you have to find the perfect images online. And make sure it’s in the right format. And get it all set up in your editing software. It can be a huge pain!

The Brother Scan and Cut 2 is a unique cutting machine: if you can draw it, you can cut it! You can scan in your own drawings or printouts and easily turn them into cut patterns, all without a computer.

The Scan N Cut 2 is the updated model of Brother’s scanner and vinyl cutter. Though it was released back in 2015, its truly unique capabilities still make this machine a solid choice for certain crafters.

The ScanNCut2 is the only craft cutter with a scanner, so you can scan in your own drawings or pictures. Plus, you can then edit and cut your designs directly on the touchscreen. Without a computer. You can even just choose and combine from the hundreds of designs and fonts built into the machine. It’s truly capable as a standalone machine, more-so than the popular Cricuts or Silhouettes.

The machine can then immediately cut the design out of your designated material, or save your cut patterns in its internal memory to be used, edited, or combined with other patterns in the future.

The Scan and Cut 2 features a 4.85″ full-color LCD touchscreen with great editing capabilities. This is probably my favorite part about the Brother machine since it means you don’t need a computer to cut out your designs. No need to hook up cables or worry about finicky WiFi and Bluetooth.

There’s a decent range of editing abilities accessible from the touchscreen. You’ll get more from most computer editing software, of course, but it’s pretty sufficient for creating and editing new designs.

If you remember the old Cricut cutters, it’s kind of like it comes with thirty different design cartridges, all included and built-in. But no little plastic cartridges to keep track of, it’s all stored in the machine’s memory. It’s the best of all worlds.

But no more! Brother recently developed a desktop version for Windows and Mac, so you can now use it offline. It’s seriously a big improvement, making the software more accessible to people in different working environments.

The biggest drawback is that CanvasWorkspace is still fairly basic software, offering limited design tools. So if you need a more robust design program, you’ll have to design in something like Illustrator or CorelDraw, and then import it into the CanvasWorkspace to send to your Brother machine.

When you are ready to cut (or draw) your design, you can send the design to the cutter over WiFi (activation card required, not included), or directly with a USB cable (not included). Note: the machine requires a ScanNCut Online activation card to receive files over WiFi. This is an additional cost, but if you buy the right bundle it will be included.

It’s certainly not as versatile as something like the Cricut Maker, but it is sufficient for cutting all sorts of types of paper, vinyl, fabric, and more:

So it probably won’t be able to handle very thick cardstock, and it might have some trouble with thick flocked vinyl that is more than 0.5 mm. Though I suspect the Deep Cut Blade would make thick flocked HTV work, and Brother even sells some in a sample pack, so please let me know if you have some success with this.

The Brother machine can cut up to 12″ by 12″ with the included cutting mat, or up to 12″ by 24″ if you purchase the longer cutting mats. The cutting mats are required; it cannot make very long cuts directly from vinyl rolls like the Silhouette machines can.

It has two different fabric backings that make it cut fabric more reliably. One allows for more precision for cutting applique shapes out of thin fabric. The other is especially good at cutting difficult fabrics with seam allowances because you don’t need to be as precise as, say, cutting applique shapes.

It can also emboss and deboss with an additional embossing tool. You will also need a special embossing mat, as well as the Brother embossing metal sheets so they won’t damage the scanner. You can try to emboss any sort of paper though, and the results look super fun!

I’ll be honest, the visual design of the Brother machines doesn’t thrill me the way a Cricut or Silhouette does. It’s light gray, boxy, with rounded corners, and looks a fair bit like a printer. This is not that surprising since Brother is a company that is primarily known for its printers.

Really, the best thing about how the machine looks is the incredibly functional LCD screen right on top, which I’ve already gone on and on about. It looks like a cellphone sitting on top of the cutter.

You can adjust the angle of the touchscreen, and lower it all the way down when you aren’t using it. There’s a little stand behind the touchscreen for its stylus and a spatula as well.

The cutter weighs 8.6 lbs, which is actually much lighter than most other home cutters. The whole shipping carton measures 10.25″ W by 23.0″ D by 10.5″ H. The actual machine isn’t nearly that deep, it looks more like six or eight inches front to back, so a pretty small footprint when it’s all closed up. But you will need a decent amount of space in front and behind of the cutter to allow the cutting mat to move back and forth when in use.

The Brother Scan N Cut 2 comes with a 1-year limited warranty for parts & labor (including defects in accessories like cutting mats, blades, pens, etc), and a 2-year limited warranty for electronic components and printed circuit boards. A 1-year warranty is pretty standard on home craft machines, so getting 2 years on the electronics is a bonus.

The Brother warranty (pdf) does not distinguish between personal and commercial use, so you should still be covered even if you use your cutter to make and sell stickers or vinyl decals.

Crafting machines can use all sorts of accessories: blades, mats, pens, and more. I’ll show you everything that is included with a brand new Scan and Cut machine, then I’ll talk about the quality of the most important accessories.

Like most cutters, it includes all the basic accessories you need to make your first cuts or drawings. However, if you want to cut fabric or cut more delicate papers, you’ll have to purchase the specialized cutting mats and fabric interfaces.

Brother cutters come with German carbide steel blades (similar to the Cricut blades) that boast “Japan design quality.” They look like relatively standard cutting blades that can easily handle paper, vinyl, fabric, etc.

The blades have to be manually adjusted to the right blade extension by rotating the blade in its holder and then inserting it into the machine. Luckily, removing and installing the blades are easy: they just lock into place with a single lever.

The cutting mats aren’t the top of the line (that award goes to the Cricut mats). Paper can get stuck and the mats lose their stickiness very quickly. You can minimize this by using the right tackiness for the job.

For example, if you use regular printer paper on the high tack (standard) mat, it may become stuck or partially stuck to the cutting mat. Using fabric without the sheets for fabric cutting may cause a lot of fibers to be stuck to the regular mat, reducing its stickiness. Brother has a whole chart in their user manual that tells you which mat should be used with which materials.

It’s a great choice for anyone who wants to be able to cut patterns withouta computer since you can find and create designs using the touchscreen right on the cutter.

It’s perfect for anyone who likes to hand-draw, or include found objects in their work. It’s easy to scan in your own drawings or found graphics and turn them into vinyl decals or scrapbook shapes. You can even write out a party invitation by hand, and then have it copied onto 20 different cards. All on one machine.

It is also especially great for seamstresses and quilters. You can tell by all these added features that the machine was designed with you in mind. You can add easily seam allowances and use built-in applique and quilting shapes. It has different fabric backings for different types of fabric cuts (applique or with seams). There are even special fabric pens so you can mark up unwashable fabrics, and the marks will simply disappear on their own within a few days.

So, if you fall into one of these groups, this is the machine for you! If these aren’t your priorities for home crafts, you might do better off with a Cricut or Silhouette.

When buying an expensive machine, you need to first make sure that you purchase from an authorized dealer, so your machine falls under Brother’s warranty. The best deal from an authorized dealer I’ve been able to find is:

I’ve got to be completely honest: I spent a really long time researching all the bundles and deals I could find for the Brother Scan and Cut and came to this conclusion: they aren’t actually worth it! You’re better off buying the machine at that cheap price above, and getting the accessories separately. So, here are those best accessories:

When the Brother ScanNCut 2 was first released, there were two different models: the CM350 and the CM650W. The 350 is the more basic model, the one discussed in this review. The 650W has some more advanced features and a much higher price tag.

Unfortunately, the CM650 has been discontinued by Brother and is no longer for sale by any authorized dealers. You might be able to find them for sale on sites like eBay, sometimes even new in box, but be aware that they will not fall under Brother’s warranty.

The biggest concrete benefit of the CM650W is that it is able to directly import PES files, which are used for quilting and sewing. Additionally, the machine has twice the scanning area. It is able to scan the entire 12″ by 24″ cutting mat, instead of just 12″ by 12″.

Outside of those differences listed above, the basic scanning, editing, and cutting abilities of the two machines are absolutely identical. They are fundamentally the same machine, with just some extra features tacked on.

You do not need it! You can design and cut entirely from the touchscreen directly on the machine. Or you can connect your computer to the machine through USB. You can even print out your designs, and scan them into the machine to be cut.

Absolutely, and it’s really the only machine that lets you do this, entirely on the machine. You can design and cut directly on the touchscreen, and it cuts vinyl easily and cleanly.

You can certainly try, but you most likely won’t get a clean cut without using the stabilizing fabric interface. It’s really necessary to stiffen fabric before cutting it.

631 Built-in Designs, Including 100 Quilt patterns, Plus 7 Lettering FontsGet Creative! Basic shapes, intricate designs, borders, quilt patterns, fonts and more are all available on the easy-to-use color LCD touch screen display - now 30 percent larger than our prior models. Simply select a design, and then have it cut out on your material of choice. For even more variety in your creations, combine built-in designs or scan an image to create a one-of-a-kind design.

Turn your scanned images into unique one-of-a-kind cut designs and patterns. The secret lies in the 300DPI built-in scanner. Scan virtually anything - a handmade drawing, a magazine clipping, cherished photos, and more - to create endless cut designs and save to the machine"s memory. Say goodbye to expensive, clunky design cartridges! As a bonus, use ScanNCut2 as a home scanner to archive pictures, documents, and more and save to your memory stick for use in your computer. Enhanced scanning with color recognition. Choose to scan in either gray scale or color RGB mode.

Background ScanThe magic of ScanNCut2 lies in the ability to scan your materials using the 300 DPI built-in scanner. See the scanned image on the large color LCD touch screen display - now 30 percent larger than our prior models, open your cut design and, using the Touch Screen, simply move the cut design over the desired area for a perfect cut without measuring or using a computer.

Scan and convert to cut data. Using the technology of the 300DPI smart scanner, scan in your design and save it as data to cut or draw. ScanNCut2 will create cut lines automatically, and then within minutes, hand drawn elements can grace the pages of your art work as a cut element or drawing with the assistance of the pen draw feature.

Single Pass... See it, Cut it! No more fussy cutting! Relax, and let ScanNCut2 do the work for you. With just a few simple steps, ScanNCut2 will scan your material, create the outline cuts, and allow you to select your design straight from the surface to cut out. This revolutionary feature will eliminate the hassle of hand-cutting designs from your favorite papers and fabrics! More scanning power with the ability to scan in gray scale or Color RGB mode.

Large Scanning and Cutting AreaUsing the included 12"x 12" cutting mat, or the 12"x 24" cutting mat (available for additional purchase), easily create and cut a wide variety of designs - from one as small as a delicate snowflake for a holiday ornament or one as large as an inspirational wall quote to place in your family living room. Plus, the cutting mats double as a scanning mat for ease of use!

On-Screen EditingEditing designs is both quick and easy with ScanNCut2 Every editing function can be done on the LCD touch screen display - now 30 percent larger than our prior models. Easily convert your scanned designs into custom cut or draw files. Customize designs by changing the shape, size, or position, even using just part of a design. With the ability to weld, rotate and resize your designs, you"ll love having the ability to create fully detailed designs to your liking - all without the use of a computer or expensive design cartridges.

Select from the wide variety of built-in designs or from your gallery of scanned images to build your own unique cut designs. Use the welding feature to combine shapes, hand drawings, fonts and more directly on the large color LCD touch screen display - now 30 percent larger than our prior models. Combine detailed or intricate cuts in seconds to simply group designs into one piece prior to cutting.

Creative Embellishment. Have you ever dreamt about adding custom drawings to your crafting projects? ScanNCut2 gives you the ability to change your cut file - whether it"s from a previous scanned image or a built-in design, and replicate the design into a drawing in virtually seconds! With the Color Pen Set (6 pens) for drawing plus Erasable Pen Set (2 pens) for working with fabric you can now take all your sewing and crafting projects to the next level.

Seam Allowance and Sewing GuidelinesHave you ever struggled with piecing together your fabric when working on various sewing and quilting projects? ScanNCut2 gives you the ability to add a seam allowance in 1/4" increments to assist you in piecing together fabric pieces for your quilts, clothing and more. But wait, it gets better! You can even utilize the erasable pens (air soluble and water soluble) to create sewing guidelines on your designs to assure virtually perfect placement of your stitches.

Space Saving Auto Layout CapabilitiesDo you often find yourself with a collection of odd shaped scraps of paper and fabric that you likely won"t be able to use again? With the space saving capabilities of ScanNCut2, get the maximum use out of your material. Using the background scan option, simply scan your material into the machine and watch as an image of the material quickly appears on the large color LCD touch screen display - now 30 percent larger than our prior models. From there, see the exact placement of where your designs will lie on the material prior to cutting them out. Even the smallest scraps can be utilized when working with this innovative crafting tool!

Scan and Save Data - Even more versatility!Even more versatility with the ScanNCut2 machine, not only can you save cut data to the machine"s memory and USB memory stick but now you can connect transfer a .fcm cut file to your PC via USB cable (USB cable required, not included). The ScanNCut Online feature allows you to connect wirelessly to transfer cut data to and from the ScanNCut2 machine via ScanNCutCanvas (optional WLAN activation card required).

ScanNCutCanvasScanNCutCanvas is a FREE cloud-based web application that combines the versatility of your favorite design software and the awesome cutting power of your Brother ScanNCut2, giving you the ability to easily convert .SVG files to .FCM, perform Image Tracing, and edit multiple images for cutting. It is easy to import projects that you have created or edited with ScanNCutCanvas into your ScanNCut2 cutting machine, via the ScanNCut2 memory stick port, PC direct connect (USB cable required, not included), or ScanNCut Online (optional WLAN activation card required). Try It Now!

Cutting Material - Max 1.5mm (May Vary): Paper: Printer/Scrapbook/Cardstock/Velum/Tracing/Poster Board, Fabric: Thin Cotton/Flannel/Felt, Others: Magnet/Sticker or Seal

On-Screen Editing Functions: Sizing (Height), Sizing (Width), Duplicating, Lock or Unlock the Aspect Ratio, Pattern Rotation in 1 Degree Increments, Mirroring, Seam Allowance On/Off, Unifying, Wielding, Group Deleting/Group Selecting, Auto Layout by Rearranging Patterns - Rotate at Any Angle, Rotate Patterns 0 degrees or 180 degrees without Rotating, Moving (on 100/200/400 percent Screen), Magnifying (by 200 or 400 percent), Undoing, SVG File Readability

Released in September 2015, the ScanNCut2 is Brother’s next generation upgrade to the original ScanNCut. It comes in two separate models, which have a significant price difference between them (around $200).

This is an alternative to other similar vinyl cutting machines, such as the Cricut Explore Air 2 and the Silhouette Cameo 4. The ScanNCut is very popular with artsy craft fans, particularly those who like to design on paper or in scrapbooks.

The wireless support allows you to send files from the ScanNCut Canvas software straight to the machine. But the great thing is you can do this on your tablet, too.

As you’d expect, there’s a raft of brand new in-built designs that can help you get up and running on the machine without having to learn the ropes via custom designs and scanning.

Experienced designers will prefer using their own professional-grade software to carry out intricate work (Illustrator, CorelDraw, etc), before sending the designs over to ScanNCutCanvas for conversion and to be fed in to the machine.

From what we’ve seen, it’s a solid cutter that can handle materials up to a depth of 2mm in thickness. You can adjust your pressure settings and cut speed via the display screen for maximum performance.

The CM650W is a premium machine that has several new features targeted at hardcore cutting enthusiasts who are willing to pay extra for all the bells and whistles.

Unless… you want to take advantage of the CM650W’s 24 inch scan feature, or its integration with PES files. Curiously Brother has assigned no ‘extra value’ to these features, whilst instead talking about the freebies of erasable pen sets instead.

Some of the extra features included with the CM650W are certainly worth having, but unless you want all of them, it’s probably going to be more cost effective to simply buy the CM350 plus any individual extras as and when you need them.

It’s difficult to find in stores and you will have to go through one of Brother’s authorized dealers to buy it. Stock of the CM350 is much more widespread.

The ScanNCut2 is more of a standalone machine. It doesn’t come with the same sophisticated software as the Cricut or Silhouette machines. The emphasis is on loading in your existing designs, or using pre-set designs, or making use of the scanning facility.

However, they do not provide the built-in 300 DPI scanner which many would argue is the ScanNCut’s greatest quality. Particularly for those who like to design on paper instead of on screens

Here are some good reasons to buy the ScanNCut 2:It’s the only machine with built-in scanning — Much of the ScanNCut2’s appeal is based around the ability to scan and go. Great for scrapbookers.

And here are some good reasons to consider other vinyl cutters:Limited for vinyl cutting — If you are here to cut vinyl, you will be sacrificing a lot of capacity in terms of working area. The ScanNCut2 can cut up to a maximum of 12″ x 24″, compared to Silhouette’s Cameo mammoth 12″ x 120″.

Slightly more expensive — The Brother cutters are around 10-20% more expensive than the top Silhouette or Cricut machines, which often have better bundle deals on sale.

We think users will opt for or against the ScanNCut2 based on its primary feature; that around which its entire brand is built — the ability to scan your designs.

For a detailed breakdown of how they compare, check out our Best Vinyl Cutters comparison. Also, don’t forget to visit our Reviews portal for more excellent machines.

Turn your images or hand-drawn sketches into cutting designs with this Brother ScanNCut 2 CM350 cutting machine, which features a 300 dpi scanner for accurate image replication. A 4.85" color touch-screen LCD makes viewing and changing settings easy.

Using the included 12" x 12" cutting mat (or optional 12" x 24" cutting mat), easily create andcut a wide variety of designs. Plus, the cutting mats double as scanning mats! Now with12" x 24" scanning capability! Great for scanning 18" doll patterns and large quilt patterns to create cut data.

Get creative! Basicshapes, intricate designs, borders, quilt patterns, fonts, and moreare all available on the easy-to-use color LCD touch screen display.

Get even more versatile with the ScanNCut machine. Not only can yousave cut data to the machine’s memory and USB memory stick, but you can now connect and transfer an FCM cut file to your PC via USB cable(USB cable required, not included). The ScanNCut Online feature allows you to connect wirelessly in order to transfer cut data to and from the ScanNCut machine via ScanNCutCanvas (optional ScaNCut Online Activation Card).

Yes, it cuts precise fabric shapes with ease, makingsewing, quilting and appliqué projectseasier to create than ever before. This machine has the ability to read PES* and PHC* files containing appliqué stitch data for cutting appliqué pieces.

631 Built-in Designs, Including 100 Quilt patterns, Plus 7 Lettering FontsGet Creative! Basic shapes, intricate designs, borders, quilt patterns, fonts and more are all available on the easy-to-use color LCD touch screen display - now 30 percent larger than our prior models. Simply select a design, and then have it cut out on your material of choice. For even more variety in your creations, combine built-in designs or scan an image to create a one-of-a-kind design.

Turn your scanned images into unique one-of-a-kind cut designs and patterns. The secret lies in the 300DPI built-in scanner. Scan virtually anything - a handmade drawing, a magazine clipping, cherished photos, and more - to create endless cut designs and save to the machine"s memory. Say goodbye to expensive, clunky design cartridges! As a bonus, use ScanNCut2 as a home scanner to archive pictures, documents, and more and save to your memory stick for use in your computer. Enhanced scanning with color recognition. Choose to scan in either gray scale or color RGB mode.

Background ScanThe magic of ScanNCut2 lies in the ability to scan your materials using the 300 DPI built-in scanner. See the scanned image on the large color LCD touch screen display - now 30 percent larger than our prior models, open your cut design and, using the Touch Screen, simply move the cut design over the desired area for a perfect cut without measuring or using a computer.

Scan and convert to cut data. Using the technology of the 300DPI smart scanner, scan in your design and save it as data to cut or draw. ScanNCut2 will create cut lines automatically, and then within minutes, hand drawn elements can grace the pages of your art work as a cut element or drawing with the assistance of the pen draw feature.

Single Pass... See it, Cut it! No more fussy cutting! Relax, and let ScanNCut2 do the work for you. With just a few simple steps, ScanNCut2 will scan your material, create the outline cuts, and allow you to select your design straight from the surface to cut out. This revolutionary feature will eliminate the hassle of hand-cutting designs from your favorite papers and fabrics! More scanning power with the ability to scan in gray scale or Color RGB mode.

Large Scanning and Cutting AreaUsing the included 12"x 12" cutting mat, or the 12"x 24" cutting mat (available for additional purchase), easily create and cut a wide variety of designs - from one as small as a delicate snowflake for a holiday ornament or one as large as an inspirational wall quote to place in your family living room. Plus, the cutting mats double as a scanning mat for ease of use!

On-Screen EditingEditing designs is both quick and easy with ScanNCut2 Every editing function can be done on the LCD touch screen display - now 30 percent larger than our prior models. Easily convert your scanned designs into custom cut or draw files. Customize designs by changing the shape, size, or position, even using just part of a design. With the ability to weld, rotate and resize your designs, you"ll love having the ability to create fully detailed designs to your liking - all without the use of a computer or expensive design cartridges.

Select from the wide variety of built-in designs or from your gallery of scanned images to build your own unique cut designs. Use the welding feature to combine shapes, hand drawings, fonts and more directly on the large color LCD touch screen display - now 30 percent larger than our prior models. Combine detailed or intricate cuts in seconds to simply group designs into one piece prior to cutting.

Creative Embellishment. Have you ever dreamt about adding custom drawings to your crafting projects? ScanNCut2 gives you the ability to change your cut file - whether it"s from a previous scanned image or a built-in design, and replicate the design into a drawing in virtually seconds! With the Color Pen Set (6 pens) for drawing plus Erasable Pen Set (2 pens) for working with fabric you can now take all your sewing and crafting projects to the next level.

Seam Allowance and Sewing GuidelinesHave you ever struggled with piecing together your fabric when working on various sewing and quilting projects? ScanNCut2 gives you the ability to add a seam allowance in 1/4" increments to assist you in piecing together fabric pieces for your quilts, clothing and more. But wait, it gets better! You can even utilize the erasable pens (air soluble and water soluble) to create sewing guidelines on your designs to assure virtually perfect placement of your stitches.

Space Saving Auto Layout CapabilitiesDo you often find yourself with a collection of odd shaped scraps of paper and fabric that you likely won"t be able to use again? With the space saving capabilities of ScanNCut2, get the maximum use out of your material. Using the background scan option, simply scan your material into the machine and watch as an image of the material quickly appears on the large color LCD touch screen display - now 30 percent larger than our prior models. From there, see the exact placement of where your designs will lie on the material prior to cutting them out. Even the smallest scraps can be utilized when working with this innovative crafting tool!

Scan and Save Data - Even more versatility!Even more versatility with the ScanNCut2 machine, not only can you save cut data to the machine"s memory and USB memory stick but now you can connect transfer a .fcm cut file to your PC via USB cable (USB cable required, not included). The ScanNCut Online feature allows you to connect wirelessly to transfer cut data to and from the ScanNCut2 machine via ScanNCutCanvas (optional WLAN activation card required).

ScanNCutCanvasScanNCutCanvas is a FREE cloud-based web application that combines the versatility of your favorite design software and the awesome cutting power of your Brother ScanNCut2, giving you the ability to easily convert .SVG files to .FCM, perform Image Tracing, and edit multiple images for cutting. It is easy to import projects that you have created or edited with ScanNCutCanvas into your ScanNCut2 cutting machine, via the ScanNCut2 memory stick port, PC direct connect (USB cable required, not included), or ScanNCut Online (optional WLAN activation card required). Try It Now!

Cutting Material - Max 1.5mm (May Vary): Paper: Printer/Scrapbook/Cardstock/Velum/Tracing/Poster Board, Fabric: Thin Cotton/Flannel/Felt, Others: Magnet/Sticker or Seal

On-Screen Editing Functions: Sizing (Height), Sizing (Width), Duplicating, Lock or Unlock the Aspect Ratio, Pattern Rotation in 1 Degree Increments, Mirroring, Seam Allowance On/Off, Unifying, Wielding, Group Deleting/Group Selecting, Auto Layout by Rearranging Patterns - Rotate at Any Angle, Rotate Patterns 0 degrees or 180 degrees without Rotating, Moving (on 100/200/400 percent Screen), Magnifying (by 200 or 400 percent), Undoing, SVG File Readability

ScanNCut, reinventing the cutting machine! The secret lies in the built-in scanner, making ScanNCut the only home and hobby cutting machine that allows you to take an image, photo or hand drawn sketch, scan it, and precisely cut the shapes or outlines you want.

Get Creative! Basic shapes, intricate designs, borders, quilt patterns, fonts and more are all available on the easy-to-use color LCD touch screen display-Now 30% larger than our prior models. Simply select a design, and then have it cut out on your material of choice. For even more variety in your creations, combine built-in designs or scan an image to create a one-of-a-kind design.

Turn your scanned images into unique one-of-a-kind cut designs and patterns. The secret lies in the 300DPI built-in scanner. Scan virtually anything � a handmade drawing, a magazine clipping, cherished photos, and more � to create endless cut designs and save to the machine�s memory. Say goodbye to expensive, clunky design cartridges! As a bonus, use ScanNCut2 as a home scanner to archive pictures, documents, and more and save to your memory stick for use in your computer. Enhanced scanning with color recognition. Choose to scan in either gray scale or color RGB mode.

The magic of ScanNCut2 lies in the ability to scan your materials using the 300 DPI built-in scanner. See the scanned image on the large color LCD touch screen display-Now 30% larger than our prior models, open your cut design and, using the Touch Screen, simply move the cut design over the desired area for a perfect cut without measuring or using a computer.

Scan and convert to cut data. Using the technology of the 300DPI smart scanner, scan in your design and save it as data to cut or draw. ScanNCut2 will create cut lines automatically, and then within minutes, hand drawn elements can grace the pages of your art work as a cut element or drawing with the assistance of the pen draw feature.

Single Pass� See it, Cut it! No more fussy cutting! Relax, and let ScanNCut2 do the work for you. With just a few simple steps, ScanNCut2 will scan your material, create the outline cuts, and allow you to select your design straight from the surface to cut out. This revolutionary feature will eliminate the hassle of hand-cutting designs from your favorite papers and fabrics! More scanning power with the ability to scan in gray scale or Color RGB mode.

Using the included 12" x 12" cutting mat, or the 12" x 24" cutting mat (available for additional purchase), easily create and cut a wide variety of designs � from one as small as a delicate snowflake for a holiday ornament or one as large as an inspirational wall quote to place in your family living room. Plus, the cutting mats double as a scanning mat for ease of use!

Editing designs is both quick and easy with ScanNCut2 Every editing function can be done on the LCD touch screen display-Now 30% larger than our prior models. Easily convert your scanned designs into custom cut or draw files. Customize designs by changing the shape, size, or position, even using just part of a design. With the ability to weld, rotate and resize your designs, you�ll love having the ability to create fully detailed designs to your liking � all without the use of a computer or expensive design cartridges.

Select from the wide variety of built-in designs or from your gallery of scanned images to build your own unique cut designs. Use the welding feature to combine shapes, hand drawings, fonts and more directly on the large color LCD touch screen display-Now 30% larger than our prior models. Combine detailed or intricate cuts in seconds to simply group designs into one piece prior to cutting.

Creative Embellishment. Have you ever dreamt about adding custom drawings to your crafting projects? ScanNCut2 gives you the ability to change your cut file � whether it�s from a previous scanned image or a built-in design, and replicate the design into a drawing in virtually seconds! With the Color Pen Set (6 pens) for drawing plus Erasable Pen Set (2 pens) for working with fabric you can now take all your sewing and crafting projects to the next level.

Have you ever struggled with piecing together your fabric when working on various sewing and quilting projects? ScanNCut2 gives you the ability to add a seam allowance in �� increments to assist you in piecing together fabric pieces for your quilts, clothing and more. But wait, it gets better! You can even utilize the erasable pens (air soluble and water soluble) to create sewing guidelines on your designs to assure virtually perfect placement of your stitches.

Do you often find yourself with a collection of odd shaped scraps of paper and fabric that you likely won�t be able to use again? With the space saving capabilities of ScanNCut2, get the maximum use out of your material. Using the background scan option, simply scan your material into the machine and watch as an image of the material quickly appears on the large color LCD touch screen display-Now 30% larger than our prior models. From there, see the exact placement of where your designs will lie on the material prior to cutting them out. Even the smallest scraps can be utilized when working with this innovative crafting tool!

Even more versatility with the ScanNCut2 machine, not only can you save cut data to the machine�s memory and USB memory stick but now you can connect transfer a .fcm cut file to your PC via USB cable (USB cable required, not included). The ScanNCut Online feature allows you to connect wirelessly to transfer cut data to and from the ScanNCut2 machine via ScanNCutCanvas (optional WLAN activation card required).

ScanNCutCanvas is a FREE cloud-based web application that combines the versatility of your favorite design software and the awesome cutting power of your Brother ScanNCut2, giving you the ability to easily convert .SVG files to .FCM, perform Image Tracing, and edit multiple images for cutting. It is easy to import projects that you have created or edited with ScanNCutCanvas into your ScanNCut2 cutting machine, via the ScanNCut2 memory stick port, PC direct connect (USB cable required, not included), or ScanNCut Online (optional WLAN activation card required).

Sizing (Width and Height), Duplicating, Lock or Unlock Aspect Ratio, Pattern Rotation in 1 Degree Increments, Mirroring, Seam Allowance On/Off, Unifying, Welding, Group Deleting/Selecting, Auto Layout by rearranging patterns, Rotate any angle, Moving (on 100%, 200%, 400% Screen), Magnifying (200% or 400%), Undoing and SVG File Readablity

Cutting machines are simply amazing for small companies or freelance crafters. They can help you create such a variety of personalized merchandise for branding and advertising purposes. They can also help you make gifts or work on fun craft projects for leisure or teaching purposes.

Whichever way you cut it (pun intended), a cutting machine is a great thing to have if you’re into crafts, especially given how many of them are affordable and compact enough to be used at home.

What is the Brother Scan and Cut (aka Brother ScanNCut)? It’s a line of cutting machines manufactured by Brother which also feature a scanning function alongside the cutting component. This makes them unique and revolutionary in the world of electronic cutting machines.

The Brother ScanNCut is designed as a one-stop shop for all artists, designers, quilters, and anyone else that might need to do their own branding by creating stickers, cards, etc.

The machine is also a space-saver and time-saver which is why it’s a perfect solution for anyone that doesn’t have the time to switch back and forth from the computer and the cutting machine.

It is also the only vinyl cutting machine that has the functionality of scanning, so if you love drawing your own designs that you wish to scan in and cut out on vinyl or paper, then this is a great option for you.

Whatever you’re doing – scanning, cutting, or drawing – you’ll always have to use the cutting mat. The ScanNCut usually comes with two mats. One is 12” x 12” and the other is 12” x 24”.

The first function of scan and cut machines is that of pattern recognition. ScanNCut is designed around a 300DPI scanner. This can be used to recognize, scan, and save patterns from fabrics, photos, hand-drawn paper artwork, and various other materials.

While the material is scanned, the machine will create cut lines based on the outlines that are more heavily pronounced. Although the scanner is very accurate, it helps if you highlight outlines better especially when working with soft or faded colors.

With this setting, you can ensure that the machine only cuts along the outside lines. Nothing inside the outline is touched, even if the lines are recognized during the pattern recognition process.

As already mentioned, the Brother ScanNCut machines can work on a variety of materials. This is possible due to the inclusion of two different blades into the machines’ design.

Along with scanning and cutting, this machine also lets you draw using its touchscreen. It’s not the most amazing feature for the non-artists among us, but it’s certainly useful if you want to correct some outlines, draw new lines, or write certain phrases.

What’s nice is that there are plenty of designs and fonts readily available. Those provided by Brother are found in .FCM formats. This means that you can transfer them to a USB and then upload them to the ScanNCut.

However, when working on editing and converting other files, you may need to consult some online tutorials. This is not as scary as it seems but it is somewhat time-consuming to a total beginner. Luckily, Brother scan and cut machines are so popular that it’s not hard to find step-by-step tutorials posted by artists, crafters, sewers, and hobbyists.

Brother Scan and Cut machines can be supplied with patterns in two ways. You can scan an image and save it into the machine or you can upload a pattern via an external USB drive.

The overall ease of use is kind of hard to determine. On one hand, the Brother ScanNCut can do scanning, editing, and cutting. So it’s easy in a way since you don’t need any additional hardware for your crafts.

On the other hand, finding the right settings for each type of material, determining the correct blade depth, and editing patterns using the die cutting machine’s interface all have a certain learning curve.

The manual provides plenty of instructions for each feature, be it complex or basic. And, there are also tutorials that you can follow online which are loaded with tips and tricks on how to get the best results out of your Brother ScanNCut machine.

For some users, the time investment may be associated with a certain degree of difficulty when it comes to learning how the machine works. It’s also worth pointing out that since there is more than one model of the Brother ScanNCut, it’s hard to say definitively how easy or hard it to use all the different machines.

There are two major ScanNCut machines that you need to be familiar with. The two models are fairly similar but all the minor differences matter in terms of pricing and overall performance.

The machine’s memory comes with plenty of built-in designs too. The total is 600 with 500 of those being for paper and 100 for quilting. Five built-in fonts are also available. Although drawing accessories are not included, you do get a spatula and a touch pen, plus an accessory bag with which to hold them.

The CM550DX also known as ScanNCut DX is better overall, which you might expect at almost twice the market value. The machine uses the same 1mm and 1.5mm blades. Both standard and low tack adhesive mats are included with the added bonus of a secondary mat.

The support sheets also come in pairs like the DM. Both machines are capable of a 400% zoom and the difference in clarity is virtually nonexistent. The same screen and scan size are available for both machines and there’s no difference in readable object capacity or cut size.

This model also comes with 140 built-in quilt designs and 762 built-in regular paper and fabric designs. This puts the total at 902 designs, 302 more than what the CM100DM model comes with. The same five built-in fonts are found in both machines.

Since the first Brother scan and cut review and the product’s upward trajectory, the company has released more than a few models. Eventually, the entire line was upgraded to the Brother ScanNCut2 series which features multiple models worth checking out.

If you want an upgrade from the first line of scan and cut machines, or if you’re looking for something slightly more advanced, the ScanNCut CM350 or CM650 models may be of interest to you.

Both machines can pretty much do anything that older ScanNCut models can do. The scanners are slightly improved and the compatibility with 6 color pen sets has been drastically improved for the CM650 model.

The Brother CM350 ScanNCut2 happens to be the most popular of all the Brother ScanNCut models. One thing that makes any Brother ScanNCut2 die cutting machine even more appealing: the wireless functionality. The original Canvas software had to be used on a separate computer or tablet as it is cloud-based.

Because of that, uploading an image onto the machine was a multi-step process and required an external USB drive. With ScanNCut2 machines, you don’t have to worry about all that.

The machines can establish a wireless connection to a PC, tablet, or iPad. This means that you can immediately send files to the machine and you don’t have to leave the room to do so every time.

The Brother ScanNCut2 CM350 can cut a maximum width of 11.5″, which is all that is needed for most hobbyist crafters. It has a large 4.85” LCD touch screen to enable easy operation. The larger screen which is roughly 30% bigger than on the original ScanNCut models. This certainly helps when trying to edit intricate patterns. The DX models also come with middle tack adhesive mats instead of low tack adhesive mats which help a lot with pattern recognition.

The good thing about the ScanNCut2 line is that there are budget-friendly entry-level models and up to expensive ones suitable for demanding crafters. However, whether or not you need to upgrade from the original ScanNCut to the newer versions is up to you.

It’s also worth pointing out that machines in the Brother ScanNCut2 series are quieter. It’s not way quieter but for some people it may be worth paying the extra buck.

Brother is a global manufacturer based in Japan. Therefore, you may find different model names for various regions around the globe. What’s sold in the US markets may be identical in features and performance to something sold in the UK, Europe, or Australia, but they may not have the same name.

This is also true for Brother ScanNCut2 die cutting machines. All Brother products are based on its main regional offices. If you’re in Mexico or Canada, for example, your Brother products would be supplied by Brother USA.

The Brother ScanNCut doesn’t need a computer or any other gadget with an operating system in order to function. Using the machine is pretty straightforward as its user interface and control panel have everything you need to configure for various materials.

This step involves scanning the pattern into the machine and saving it, either in the machine’s memory or in its software. Choose black and white mode or color mode depending on what image you have on paper.

After scanning an image, you can then do quite a bit of editing directly from the machine’s touchscreen interface. You can remove unclear patterns, choose the width and length of the cut, choose the size of the line, and much more.

When placing a piece of paper on the mat, it’s a good idea to keep it centered. The ScanNCut machine seems to do a much better job of recognizing patterns when the paper is centered. Other machines might favor off-centered positions.

Any Brother Scan and Cut machine is going to be an amazing addition to your workshop. Whether you work with vinyl, paper, or fabrics, having two machines built into one will save you space, money, and a lot of time.

What’s even better about the original ScanNCut series is the fact that you have a model suitable for any type of activity. You can get the entry-level machine to continue your hobby or you can get the more advanced model to scale up your production and start entering the commercial scene.

The original ScanNCut machines are just as revolutionary today as they were at introduction. And, although some people have since upgraded to various models in the ScanNCut2 series, don’t feel pressured until you’re ready. Maybe you’ve saved enough money from lower business taxes or something?