ScanNCut Guide For Beginners

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This ScanNCut Guide For Beginners tutorial is a great way to get you started. The Create With Sue website has many tutorials to help you learn to use your ScanNCut. PLUS a free course. Read on to learn much more….

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Links included in this tutorial may be affiliate links, Amazon or others, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost. These commissions will help me continue creating content for you. Thank you for your support! Read my very boring full disclosure policy here.

Introduction to the ScanNCut

What is a ScanNCut?

Well, it is a cutting machine designed for crafters, offering the ability to cut various materials like paper, vinyl, fabric, and much more. It features built-in scanning capabilities, enabling users to create custom designs and cut them precisely. The ScanNCut simplifies projects like cardmaking, scrapbooking, Appliqué, and will manage many of your fussy cutting projects for you. It can label items and decorate clothing. Its versatility and ease of use make it ideal for beginners and advanced users alike. Projects that can be created are endless.

Are you still trying to work out which ScanNCut model you would like to purchase? Here is a Beginner’s Guide to purchasing a ScanNCut that may help remove some of the confusion for you.

The first step with your ScanNCut

The very first step with your ScanNCut is to get it out of the box! Yep… as Nike says… just do it! There is nothing to fear and if you make a mistake it is no biggy. Mistakes are only learning opportunities. Believe me, I still make LOTS!

I have three ScanNCut machines at the moment. Here is my unboxing video of my latest purchase. I was so excited to purchase it… you would have thought it was my first one.

If you have already been playing and creating with your ScanNCut, you will have already discovered how much fun your new cutting machine is AND how many different projects you can make with it.

Important Tips & Tricks before you start.

Here are a couple of quick tips before you start cutting with your new machine.

• Mat Stickiness: Ensure the mat isn’t overly sticky, especially for delicate materials. If needed, gently dab a clean, lint-free cloth over the mat to reduce stickiness. To restore stickiness again, use alcohol-free baby wipes—these wipes are great for cleaning the mat between projects as well. Materials like cardstock and fabric tend to leave residue behind, which can reduce the mat’s stickiness over time, potentially affecting future projects.
• Cardstock gets stuck on the mat: If your mat is too sticky and your cardstock sticks like glue to the mat, you may find part of your cardstock seriously stuck and left behind on the mat. This can cause concern for new ScanNCut users as it seems like that stuck card is never coming off. I have heard crafters ask if they need to throw away the mat. Nope, this isn’t an unsolvable problem (only a darn nuisance). You can simply rinse your mat under the tap or give it a quick soak in the bathtub and it will be as good as new.
• Mat Wear and Tear: Expect the mat to show scoring over time so don’t panic — this is quite normal and doesn’t affect its performance. Mat scoring will possibly occur even with your very first cut. Do not be concerned.
• Blade Settings: Adjust the blade depth according to the material; Use the test cut feature to check the depth of cut which, in the long run, will save you time and resources. I demonstrate how to do this in many of my ScanNCut tutorials.
• Cutting too Deep: If you decide that the blade is cutting too deeply the pressure can be adjusted. You will find the tutorial on how to do this here.
• Don’t Throw Your Mat Away: You will find many mat-related tips in this tutorial. It covers minor issues to major disasters. You don’t need to spend money continually purchasing new mats.
• Files your ScanNCut machine will use: The ScanNCut will import FCM (Brothers file format) and SVG which stands for Scalable Vector Graphic.
• Canvas Workspace supported files: Canvas Workspace will import FCM files, SVG files and will also support Tracing PNG, JPG, GIF and BMP which are all picture files. Here is a tutorial on using the Trace feature.

****You will find helpful tips and tricks in many of my tutorials.

Free ScanNCut Basics course

The ScanNCut Basics course is a great starter video course that covers how to use most of the ScanNCut features. The course will show you how to use your Scan N Cut in an easy-to-follow, logical order. Many of the tutorials were created on a CM900 model, which is a great model and has many features built into it. It also includes step-by-step instructions on the newer features of the DX models. You will find more information on how to enroll in the course here.

What if you have an older CM Model?

If you have an older CM model then this course is still ideal and it will show you how to do so much with your ScanNCut. The course has information demonstrated on both the SDX and CM range of Scan N Cut machines. A number of areas are the same with Brother being fairly consistent with the icons they have used across ALL the models.

Features of the ScanNCut

Did you know your ScanNCut has a LOT of features? These include:

• Add, duplicate, flip, and rotate shapes directly on the machine.
• Cut a wide variety of materials plus draw designs with precision.
• A Universal Pen Holder for non-Brother pens.
• Zoom in up to 200% or 400% for detailed adjustments.
• Add designs and text to projects with ease. Here is a tutorial for using built-in designs.
• Weld text and shapes for custom creations.
• Save and retrieve your projects directly on the machine.
• Scan images or drawings to create custom cut files.
• Use built-in designs and fonts or import your own via USB or Wi-Fi.
• Design in Free Canvas Workspace to edit and create your own personalizations

To find out more and enroll follow this link.

DX Models of the ScanNCut

If you have a DX model you will have added features. Many are included in the course however I have free tutorials on the website as well. Some are included in Project form and others as a tutorial on that feature

Here are some “How To” tutorials to get you started on how to use your Scan N Cut.

Easy projects to start you off

Ideally, when you first start it is a good idea to do a couple of easy projects to build your confidence. You can start with the in-built designs in your machine OR some of the FREE projects in Canvas Workspace.

Canvas Workspace is the free software that Brother provides to create your own designs. There are two versions of Canvas Workspace. There is the online version which is quite good and then there is the downloaded version which is much more feature rich. It is certainly my choice for most projects.

Find out more about the two versions

Free and easy projects in Canvas Workspace

Yes… you read that correctly. There are FREE projects in Canvas Workspace and they are GREAT to get you started. The projects are ideal Scan N Cut beginner projects.

Brother includes the cut file to import into Canvas Workspace, a PDF with some instructions, and a short video tutorial on most designs. They are certainly worth checking out when you are looking for a project.

You are also not restricted to using the project “as is”. You can mix and match objects from the various projects to create your own, unique projects. This can be a lot of fun!

The above are some projects in Canvas Workspace that are aimed at Valentine’s Day. These are fun projects with instructions for a shaker card, cake topper, some cute boxes, and candy-shaped boxes just to mention a few.

NOTE: there is a search bar at the top to enter keywords so you are not doing the never-ending search. (mind you the continual scroll through all the designs takes you on a wondrous journey of inspiration)

More free SVG designs

You will find lots and lots of free designs. I have written a complete post listing a number of them… I possibly haven’t even scratched the surface of the free designs out there. Just remember, when you are first learning…. keep it simple.

Information with the really a big list of free SVG files is here

Canvas Workspace Course

Would you like to learn how to use Canvas Workspace?

While most of my tutorials are free, this one is a paid course called ‘Get Started With Canvas Workspace.‘ It guides you from beginner to pro through simple, easy-to-follow steps. It’s the perfect way to start your journey without the hassle of searching for tips and tricks on your own.

Tools and accessories for your ScanNCut

Tools, mats, pens, which ones fit, which do you really need… so many things to learn about.

I have tutorials on accessories that can be purchased plus various tutorials demonstrating how to install and use them with your ScanNCut.

Below are some examples of available accessories:

• Brother Universal Pen Holder
  Allows the use of various pens for drawing and writing with the machine. Very handy! There is also a third-party tool called the 3DFunPrintz however at this time, the company is no longer selling them.
• Vinyl Auto Blade Kit
  Designed for precise cutting of vinyl materials, ideal for creating intricate projects.
• Embossing Kit
  Create raised designs on paper and other materials for a textured effect. You can also use it for scoring fold lines on cardstock. See here for the tutorial.
• Foiling Kit
  Apply foil accents to your crafts for a metallic finish. You are able to purchase the Brother Foiling kit which is a cold foil technique or a WRMK hot foil tool for hot foiling projects. Foil adds WOW factor to your projects. I have a few foil tutorials on the site. Check them out. This tutorial will compare the two I have suggested (I have both).
• Calligraphy Kit
  Incorporate beautiful calligraphy into your projects with specialized pens and tools. This personally, is my least favorite addition, though many other crafters seem to like it.
• Paper Piercing Kit
  Add intricate pierced designs to paper crafts for a delicate touch. This tool can create a really nice effect on cardstock and papercraft projects.
• Rhinestone Kit
  Create sparkling designs by adding rhinestones to your projects. I really love this kit however, Brother appears to have stopped supplying it to vendors. It is very hard to locate, if at all.

There are quite a few more that can be purchased. Note: Some accessories are for the SDX models only.

You can find more about the various tools that are available for your Scan N Cut here

Mats

Mats are probably the most troublesome item. You need to make sure that you purchase the correct ones for your machine.

Basically, the CM mats work in all the CM range of ScanNCut machines and the DX mats work in the DX range of machines

BUT

They are NOT interchangeable

It can also be a bit confusing to determine which mat suits which range when you’re shopping for ScanNCut mats. Below are some quick tips to help.

Brother has NOT been helpful in this area with the mats looking very similar to new users.

There is a tutorial that shows you how to identify the difference between the mats. There are a few easy to spot differences. I see so many people purchase the incorrect mats it is certainly worth working out which ones you need BEFORE you go to buy them.

Keeping your mats clean is another very important thing to do. You can use alcohol-free baby wipes after you use your mat to help keep it clear of all the fluffy bits that can be left stuck to it after cutting your designs. I must confess I don’t always do it after each use however I aim to give them a wipe down very regularly as it really does make a big difference.

AAHHH, and before I forget and you have a very common mini-panic, the blade on your ScanNCut WILL score your nice new shiny mat as it cuts out your designs. Sad but true! It usually leaves light scratches/score marks in the shape that it has just cut. Do not be concerned!

Helpful tutorials

To help you along, I have created a few tutorials that cover a number of the main pain points. While I have listed a few, don’t forget to browse the site as there are many more. Even the projects have a LOT of information included on how to use your machine or Canvas Workspace.

• How to tell the mats apart, there are a couple of easy tips to remember
• How to clean and restick your mat to get the most wear out of it (cause let’s face it, they are not that cheap to buy!)
• How to stop materials moving around on the mat. If they are not stuck down well, there is a strong risk that your materials will move during the cutting process and your project will fail.

Working with vinyls – Guides for Beginners

Using vinyl, both Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) and the adhesive back vinyl is GREAT fun! I love both and they are usually fairly easy to cut for beginners.

So many projects are at your fingertips. To get you started with vinyl, you will find some really handy tutorials on the site. This Top Tips for Using HTV tutorial is a good starter for Heat Transfer Vinyl projects. There are more…….

Making cards

I really like making cards however, the funny thing is this is a new phenomenon for me. I have never been much of a fan of cards, either buying OR making them. This was until I purchased my first ScanNCut. Lo and behold… a sharp change occurred and today is a different story.

There are so many unique card designs, from pop-up cards, flip-out cards, cut-out cards, concertina cards, tri-fold cards, box cards, 3D cards, and one of my favorites, the name card.

There are of course many many more and I am slowly working my way through them all. LOL

These projects are ideal Scan N Cut tutorials for beginners.

Cutting Fabric with your ScanNCut

Stabilizing your fabric before cutting it is imperative for a good cut. This can be achieved in a few ways.

For tips check out this tutorial on “How to cut fabric with your ScanNCut”. You will also find an Applique series that will guide you through creating Applique projects.

Join me on Facebook

Join me in the ScanNCut – Let’s Create With Sue Facebook group. It is a group of awesome craft friends sharing and caring.

I would love to see you there.

Please feel free to ask any questions that you need.

Happy creating

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