You can make some really amazing craft projects using leather. However leather can be a difficult material to work with, to achieve clean cut lines and make your projects look 100 times better the right cutting machine is essential.
In this guide we have looked at all the well know cutting machines and die cutters on the market to find the best option for people who want to work with leather.
Ultimately the number one machine for cutting leather would have to be the ORTUR Laser Cutter but laser cutters aren’t cheap, and your limited to what you can make. So read on to find some good alternatives.
How To Choose The Best Machine For You
When trying to decide on a cutting machine there is a few questions you should ask.
What Leather Thickness Do You Intend To Cut?
Its always important to check the specifications of any cutting machine before you buy. Some machines preform way better when it comes to heavy duty tasks like really thick leather, but don’t worry we have included the maximum thickness for each machine in this guide to make it easy for you.
TIP: Its always best to be a little under the maximum thickness of a machine.
What Types Of Leather Cutting Machines Are There?
- Laser cutting machines
- Electric (blade) cutting machines
- Electric (Die) cutting machines
- Manual die cutting machines
- Manual die stamping machines
Is Leather The Only Material You Intend To Cut?
If Leather is the only material you intend to use in your crafting there is a few more options that are specifically for leather.
If you like to make loads of projects across many different areas of craft (like us!) There is machines for that too.
What’s Your Budget?
For people with a slightly higher budget who’s crafts mostly involve the use of leather a laser cutting machine might be the perfect solution. Laser cutting machines are incredibly fast and accurate and perfect for thicker materials.
We have also included a few more budget friendly options in this list as buying a laser cutting machine for one or too projects is simply not practical.
Automatic Machine Or Manual?
There are two main types of cutting machines automatic/electric cutting machines and manual cutting machines.
There are options for both automatic and manual machines to cut leather in this guide manual machines typically have a lower price tag but will require dies (more info on dies at the bottom of this guide) and have less flexibility whereas automatic machines have a slightly higher price tag but the creative possibility’s are endless!
We Have Made A Leather Cutting Machine Comparison Table So Its Nice And Easy To Compare The Best Machines On The Market
| Cutting Machines | Maximum Cut Thickness | Do You Need Dies? | Manual or Automatic? | Cost? | Bumblebee Craft Rating Out of 10 |
| Circut Maker 3 | 2.4mm | Nope no dies required! | Automatic | High | 9 |
| VEVOR Cutting Machine | up to 4mm (dependant on dies) | Yes dies required | Manual | Medium to high | 7 |
| Gemini Electric | Max 1.5mm | Yes dies required | Electric but Manual | Medium to high | 6 |
| Sizzix Big Shot | Max 1.5mm | Yes dies required | Manual | Medium | 6 |
| ORTUR Laser | up to 6mm | No dies required | Automatic | High | 9 |
More information on all the cutting machines in this table below.
The Top Manual Leather Cutting Machine
VEVOR Cutting Machine Takes the top spot for best manual machine, with its reasonable price tag and massive 4mm cut thickness.
The Top Automatic Leather Cutting Machine
Circut Maker 3 Takes the top spot for best automatic machine, with is ease of use and unlimited design opportunities it would of been very hard to beat.
Our Top 5 Leather Cutting Machines
In our opinion these are the top 5 leather cutting machines on the market today and there is something for every crafter in this list.
1. Circut Maker 3
The Circut Maker 3 opens up so many possibility’s for your leather crafts and all crafts for that matter.
The maker 3 has so many versatile uses in your craft room form cutting card and vinyl to thin wood and leather. Once you get one of these amazing bits of kit there is no going back.
The only real downside to the Circut Maker 3 for leather craft is its 2.4mm max cut thickness, which may not be enough for some of you!
2. VEVOR Leather Cutter
The VEVOR Leather cutter is the top pick for someone who only makes leather crafts and is not ready for the big cost associated with a laser cutting machine.
With the amount of dies on the market today the only real limit to what you can make is your creativity. So don’t let this been a die cutting machine put you off.
The main downsides to the VEVOR cutter is its limited versatility when it comes to materials you can cut, but it is the go too for thicker materials with its 4mm max cut thickness!
3. Gemini Electric Die Cutter
The Gemini Electric Die Cutter is a great middle ground piece of kit, you get the convenience of an electric machine without the massive price tag.
The Gemini is also a very multi functional tool allowing you to cut all sorts of materials.
The biggest draw back to the Gemini is its thin max, only allowing you to make cuts up to 1.5mm. Which wont be suitable for all leather crafts.
Its low profile design means it wont look out of place in any craft room. It also boasts a fast cut speed and comes with a few dies so you can get started right away.
4. Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutter
The Sizzix Big Shot is a manual die cutting machine and the perfect entry level die cutter, much like the Gemini it can cut many different materials meaning its great for the do it all crafter.
Again with the max cut being only 1.5mm we know this wont be everyone’s top pick, but with its slightly lower price point it will be exactly what some of you are looking for.
The Sizzix Big Shot is quite a compact size meaning its easy to store and it only weighs 4.8kg, so if a lighter machine that you can move around easily is what your looking for this might just be the one for you.
5. ORTUR Laser Cutter
If you are into your slightly more heavy duty crafts like wood and leather than a laser cutter will change your life!
We have chosen the ORTUR Laser Cutter as its price is on the low end as far as laser cutters go, and its more than adequate for any leather project you may want to attempt.
There is no end to the amazing projects you can create with a laser cutter from engraving to cutting 6mm thick materials a laser cutter can do it all.
If your crafts involve very thick very heavy leather then there isn’t many options to cut it its either by hand or with a professional grade tool like this.
Now we all know the biggest draw back to a laser cutter is the price, but with the things you can make and sell using them we consider them more of an investment. After a few craft fairs you will have made back the money you put up for your new favourite bit of kit.
That’s it for our top cutting machines for leather below we have included a bit of information about dies, and a useful video for beginners getting into leather craft.
The Best Dies For Leather Cutting
The biggest issue with die cutting machines in general is the added expense of buying dies.
To make it easy for you to get started as soon as you get your machine we have included a link to some of our favourite leather cutting dies.
The important thing to look for in dies to use with leather is that they are sharp and deep enough to make the cut.
We hope you found this article helpful to make your decision on which leather cutting machine is right for you, if so why not leave us a comment? We love hearing from you!
