Please note that we have a YouTube channel in which we have posted several Scan 'N Cut tutorials and will continue to do so as time allows.
The purpose of this blog is to address particular questions/concerns/problems addressed on Facebook regarding the Scan 'N Cut.
A lot of people have expressed their frustrations with their machines. 90% of the frustration, I'm sorry to say, is user generated. The Brother Scan 'N Cut is truly the best machine on the market. It can do so much more than any of the other brands out there. But, I'm referring to the dealer models.
Buying the Right Machine
Frustrations can be eliminated if you have the right machine for what you are trying to accomplish. Dealer grade machines are the best you can get. Even though you can get the Scan 'N Cut online, it is NOT the same machine. There is a reason they are less expensive--they don't have the same features. Some of the machines that people have simply can't do what they are asking them to do. This is a major source of frustration.
Have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish with your SNC and research the machine model that would be best. I always tell customers to consider also room for growth. If you max out your machine's capabilities in a short period of time, you'll be back in upgrading it. Think ahead and not just at the present.
Buying used machines online can also lead to frustrations because you don't know what you are buying. If you buy a used machine, get it from a dealer. We have used machines that we know work. They came from good homes and our technician has gone through them to ensure that they work. Buying online is risky if you don't know the person from whom you are buying the machine.
Mistakes are Part of the Process
There is a substantial learning curve with the SNC. The machine itself is fairly user friendly, but it is learning how to manage and have success with all the materials that you can cut and getting the right formula for success.
Experimentation and mistakes are part of the process. Did you start off sewing everything perfectly? Have you been able to throw away your seam ripper because you are just that good now? No, and learning how to use the SNC is no different. Instead of taking a seam ripper to your work, you have to pull out another piece of fabric or paper and start over.
Over time, you will learn the exact amount of stickiness you need for each project to be successful. Rely on test cuts as you are learning. Don't subject a whole piece of paper to a brutal outcome when you could have seen the problem from a test cut. Test cut in the middle of the paper or vinyl to see what happens. It is usually there that problems arise, not on the edges.
Try my little stickiness tests before using a whole piece. Ruining a corner is better than ruining a whole piece of paper or fabric. Taking a second or two to run some tests can ease frustrations, time, and money.
Did you learn to drive the first time out? Probably not, it takes practice. So too does learning your SNC. Practice and experiment. Don't get discouraged because you have some disasters along the way. Keep at it and it will get better.