Stampin' Up! Die-Cutting and Embossing Product Line Changes

Following on from the news about the Stampin Trimmer posted here... I have more to tell you... and I think this is all very exciting for the future of our die-cutting and embossing lines! 

Though... headlines for you in the short term... order your die-cutting spares whilst you can... as  the old-style die-cutting & embossing machine (aka Big Shot) will be on the retiring list (from 8pm 15th April) but only while supplies last. This also includes related products such as cutting plates and platforms.

Edited to Add - apologies as this did not post as I thought... so this is a bit later than planned... 

Stampin' Up! Die-Cutting and Embossing Product Line Changes

Stampin' Up! are making some big changes to the die-cutting and embossing product line that give a better opportunity to support their long-term vision  for the line.  Innovation requires risk, and in the pursuit of a better overall die-cutting and embossing product line, there have been more significant transition challenges than originally planned for... 

The challenges being faced moving forward are not insurmountable, but they are taking time to resolve. So there will not be a die-cutting & embossing machine in the new 2019–2020 annual catalogue come 4th June... which will produce some interim challenges!  Stampin' Up! want to make sure that what is offered supports demonstrators and all customers by being high quality, thoroughly considered, and dependable product; so they want to take the time to get it right for rather than rush something to market. Their product development department is moving with responsible haste to work through this issue, and they will share more information as things are finalised. 

However, there will still be new dies and embossing folders offered in the 2019–2020 annual catalogue. Since the supplier is different, the dies and folders will be manufactured differently which means the way you use the new style of dies and folders will be a little different than how you used the old style. Both the new-style and old-style dies and embossing folders can work with any die-cutting & embossing machine (though in some cases, adaptations like shims may be required because the gap between rollers on machines may vary slightly between manufacturers). 

Another change required in this transition is to the terminology used to refer to die-cutting and embossing products... though luckily this won't affect me as I have always used the more generic terms of dies and embossing folders!

One of the significant factors in this decision is that instead of working with a supplier who works with a manufacturer, Stampin' Up! are moving to a direct-to-manufacturer relationship. This means that they will work directly with the factories who manufacture the dies and folders instead of working with another company who then works with different factories. This gives greater control and potential in the manufacturing process - having a direct-to-manufacturer relationship will better allow implementation of  die and folder ideas gathered from power users as they will now be able to work directly with the factories making the products to explore and implement those innovative ideas... And as an ex Purchasing Manager... I personally could bore you with the pros of this subject for hours!!

So while the timing of the current situation isn’t ideal, Stampin' Up! are setting the foundation for greater die-cutting and embossing opportunities in the future. Visit this page to get all the details including a Q&A PDF... or you can just download the Q&A pdf here... though I do recommend that you visit the page as there is lots of information and pictures there... As I say ... all very exciting....

And I will be back with yet another big announcement soon... but going to get back to a creative share first! And finish off a few things for our On Stage weekend in Telford....