Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I'm not a crafter or scrapbooker, but I am a mother who does the occasional project with her school-age daughter. I've never owned another crafting tool such as from the expensive Cricut line, and frankly, I was intrigued by a 'multi-function' crafting machine that doesn't use batteries, heat or electricity to get the job done, and I jumped at the chance to check it out for myself.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
"It's heavy and pretty big!" This could be considered portable, but I don't think I'd want to lug it around much, as with each function change you need a different cartridge such as the Xyron 3405-30-00 Creatopia Cutz Cutting Cartridge Starter Kit for cutting, and the Xyron 3404-30-00 Creatopia Border Patternz Roller Cartridge Starter Kit with Bonus Floral Cartridge for embossing, as well as the cutting and embossing cartridges that work with the starter kits for each. A buyer of this item would really want to have a space where they could use it and have ample storage for the cartridges that make it work.
"It's solidly made." I'm sure that with proper care this machine could be used effectively for all its muti-functions for many years to come. The Xyron Refillz (adhesives and laminates), Patternz (embossing), Cutz (cutting) and Shapez (die cutting introduced in 2010), are all part of the Creatopia line that will be used to expand the possibilities of this machine. Each cartridge and starter kit that I received with my special Vine package were sturdy and milled to fit easily together for smooth operation.
"I could do a lot with this tool." The machine comes with a 25' roll of adhesive. I am already thinking of buying the Xyron 3402-06-40 Creatopia Refillz 2-Sided Lamination 40-Feet Cartridge to archive my child's school photos and awards and the Xyron Creatopia Shapez Shape Maker Die Press Starter Kit, COMING SOON when it's available. There are many cartridges that add to the versatility of this machine, and the bottom line: the cartridges you own MAKE the machine what you want it to be.
OPERATION: EASE OF USE
The directions that come with this machine are not great. Dare I say, for me at least, they were bad. I almost went to the Xyron site to see if I could find video tutorials, but after almost 2 hours of playing with the Cutz starter kit and the Patternz (embossing) starter kit, I finally figured out how to add and remove cartridges with ease and get the desired effect. I also learned how to position the adhesive cartridge to properly feed it through the rollers.
If you're thinking that I'm just bad with directions... I have built desktop computers from the ground up, and am always called by other members of my family to set-up home electronics. I think if there is one flaw in the Creatopia machine packaging, it's in the directions. Clear, concise, step-by-step instructions with photos that are bigger than a postage stamp would be a helpful reference when getting used to and setting up the machine for each new function.
Once you get past the 'how to do I put it together' thing, it's easy. Slide the cartridges you want to use into the machine until it locks the cartridge into place. Crank the handle clockwise as you feed the paper or fabric (up to 1/2" thick) into the machine.
VALUE
If you know what you want to do with the machine initially, you'll save yourself some money. The machine ships with 25' of adhesive and that's it. Starter kits for cutting and embossing will run between twenty-five and thirty dollars with limited options in each kit. You're mainly paying for the main cartridge that seats in the machine. The cartridges that expand each function run another ten to fifteen with 2 new options in each. Examples: Xyron 3404-33-00 Creatopia Border Patternz Border-Embossing Roller Cartridge, Stars and Xyron 3405-33-00 Creatopia Cutz Blade Cartridge Kit, Set of 2, Pinking.
Yes, this machine offers many handy functions in one portable, manually operated package, but the costs will rise quickly the more options you add to it. Not uncommon to specialty craft items, but something to be considered.
CONCLUSION
The Xyron Creatopia Multi-Function Crafting Machine allows you to cut, emboss, adhere, laminate and cut out shapes without heat, batteries or electricity. Items up to 12" in width and 1/2" in depth can be fed through this machine, adding to its versatility.
Cartridges that expand the uses of this machine are bulky and will need storage space. They are well made and serve their intended purposes well, but are somewhat heavy due to the rollers that are used. Starter kits are somewhat expensive, but needed to accomplish the tasks as promised by the machine.
Offerings for the expansion of this machine are somewhat limited at the time of this writing, but Xyron promises more options soon including a die cutting cartridge. Prices are reasonable when considering the 'multi-function' capabilities of the machine and other crafting tools on the market.
This machine will appeal to crafters who sew, scrapbook, or make cards, and also to teachers and parents who like to help their kids with school projects.
A good machine that seems to be durably built and full of promise.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program
Xyron Creatopia comes with a permanent adhesive cartridge. All other cartridges must be bought separately. My video shows how the adhesive Refillz work. Basically, you can make stickers out of your paper projects or photos.
I like the adhesive cartridge, because it allows me evenly apply adhesive to my projects without the risk of getting glue on the front of the photos or paper and without wetting and wrinkling the papers.
It does, however, take up lots of room, especially if you end up getting all the accessories.
Other accessories are repositionable adhesive, fabric adhesive, two-sided laminate, Patternz, Shapez and Cutz.
I will post separate video reviews for Xyron 3404-30-00 Creatopia Border Patternz Roller Cartridge Starter Kit with Bonus Floral Cartridge and Xyron 3405-30-00 Creatopia Cutz Cutting Cartridge Starter Kit within the week, because they do not come with this package.
PROS:
+ versatile
+ easy to use
CONS:
need storage space
must buy additional cartridges to get the full benefit of this system
poor instructional guide
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The machine does what it says; however try to read the user manual. The worse instructions I have ever seen. Plus on line information is nill. I still can't figure out how to get the handle released. Keep in mind this does not come with the extra cartridges, just one-sided adhesive. It is capable of simple line cuts and emboss paper, but you have to buy the parts extra. Impulsive buy for me and wish I had proper instructions.
Honest reviews on Xyron Creatopia Multi-Function Crafting Machine
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I was pleasantly surprised to get the opportunity to experience and review the new Xyron Creatopia multi-function machine. I am a pretty serious crafter-I stamp, scrapbook, have a small card making business and make a variety of things for my children, family and friends. With that being said, I was not prepared for how large this machine is. When the box arrived, I was shocked to open it and see the Creatopia. I thought maybe a Nordictrack was in the box...okay the box was not that big, but it was pretty big. I own both the Cricut Expression 24-Inch Personal Electronic Cutting Machine and the Xyron 900 9-Inch Creative Station, and when placed next to the two, Creatopia is longer and wider than the xyron 900 which is to be expected and the Creatopia is the same length as the Cricut Expression when the handle is extended and slightly wider than the Cricut when closed. The Cricut is larger when opened and requires more clearing room for the paper when in use. The Creatopia is definitely a step up from the Xyron 900 and I can honestly say I LOVE that Xyron. I am thrilled with the increased paper capacity. I often wanted to run larger sheets of paper through my Xyron 900 and could not-bummer. I love the fact that the Creatopia embosses and does border cutting. Definitely a nice addition and upgrade to the Xyron 900. I found that the replacement cartridges for the 900 and the Creatopia are the same so I will most likely retire my 900 for a while and maybe pass it down to my daughters for school projects since I do love that machine and it's simple design and useability make it a keeper.
Okay some are probably wondering how this compares to the Cricut Expression. Should you buy this over the Cricut? Is this better? Worse? Well, it's not that cut and dry. The reasons I love the Xyron in general are for features that the Cricut does not necessarily have. I love the sticker making function. I LOVE being able to put adhesive on almost anything. I love being able to make magnets out of almost anything. I have made school pride magnets for the car, magnets of my children's work to hang on the fridge, I have laminated, etc...Now the Cricut, that's like a Mercedes or whatever nice car of choice you want to envision. The Cricut Expression is a wonderful machine, cuts like a dream. You can make things that you NEVER could make cutting freehand. I love that machine too. I just can't say I would choose one or the other. That may be because I do so many different things in terms of crafting that it makes both useful and almost necessary in my life. If you are a novice or occasional crafter or even a little skittish around technical devices, then the Cricut Expression may intimidate you and the Creatopia may be more your speed.
The Xyron Creatopia is pretty straight forward...Oh but wait, I have to agree with those who commented on the lack of directions. I thought the same thing! Common' Xyron!!! The only thing that saved me was that I owned the 900 and the machines work essentially the same way. I did struggle with the folding handle a bit and the locking mechanism because those things are not on my 900. It would have been nice to have clearer directions. You listening Xyron?!?!?
I really like this machine. I think it's great for many levels of craftiness. No electricity necessary. It is not very compact, but you need the size in order to accommodate the larger papers. the replacement cartridges are not terribly expensive (much less than the Cricut cartriges)and the adhesive tape does last a pretty long time depending on what you are doing. You'll get your money's worth with this one.
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Saw this product demonstrated at the International Quilt Show this year. Could not leave without it. I use the fabric adhesive attachment because I do a lot of appliques. It saves me a lot of time. No more ironing on adhesive backing! I really love the results. It does not gum up my needle with when I am stitching over the applique. I recommend it.
