Q. What is the difference in cost between mechanical die cuts and Cutout Maker electronic dies?
A. Mechanical dies range in price from approximately $40 - $105. Cutout Maker shapes range in price from $8 - $10 depending on whether you buy a 20 credit CD ($199.95) or a 125 credit CD ($999.95). REMEMBER: Cutout Maker Electronic dies are scaleable! One die can create any size cutout from 1" to 18".
Q. How do I purchase additional shapes, fonts and collections?
A. You can order a 20 or 125 shape credit CD, fonts and collections CDs from your VariQuest-Authorized Sales Specialist. After you receive the CD, call the VariQuest Registration Center at 1-800-328-0585 to activate your new content. Contact your VariQuest-Authorized Sales Specialist to order Collections and Fonts on CD. These do not require activation.
Q. How will I select and purchase shapes?
A. You or your school volunteer coordinator can use the Workroom Assistant (on the Design Center 1000) to activate shapes OR you can allow other users (teachers, staff and administrators) to activate shapes as needed.
Q. How will content updates be communicated?
A. Updates will be distributed to customers twice a year. Updates to content will also be communicated through our website, www.variquest.com and via e-mail correspondence.
Q. How will all teachers, volunteers and administrators in my school know what shapes, fonts and collections we own?
A. Fonts that your school owns will appear when you choose the Letters, Numbers and Symbols button in the software.
Shapes that your school has purchased and activated appear when you click "See My Shapes" in the Design Center software. Shapes that your school does not yet own are green and appear when you click "See all Shapes Available" in the Design Center software. All customers receive and maintain a Content Guide that shows our entire content offering. Free content is indicated with a check mark. As your school purchases new shapes, fonts and collections, check the content that you have added.
Q. Can my Cutout shapes also be printed on posters and awards?
A. No, the cutout shapes and collections are developed differently than our print-only graphics. Fonts, which are purchased and activated for the Cutout Maker, may also be used on the Poster Maker and Awards Maker.
Q. Are there instructions or photos for putting together a bulletin board after I have cut it out?
A. Yes! There is a leaflet included with every Collection that shows you what the Collection looks like when assembled.
Q. Is the cut speed for laminated construction paper the same as unlaminated construction paper?
A. No. The cut speed depends on the content (shape, font or collection) being cut. Blade depth and blade pressure vary, therefore cutting speeds range from approximately 1" to 6" per second; average cut speed is 4" per second.
Q. How often do I need to change the Cutout Maker blade?
A. As a general guideline and preventative maintenance tip, we suggest that you change your blade once a month. You may need to change it more often depending on material type and volume of cutting.
Q. What is the life expectancy of the Cutout Maker cutting mat?
A. The cutting mat will last between one-two years. You can extend the life of your mat by rotating it 180°. The suggested retail price of the cutting mat is $79.95.
Q. What does Minimum Cut Size mean? Is this the same for all shapes?
A. Each shape, font and collection has a "minimum cut size." Our shapes are very simple, simple, intricate or very intricate. The purpose of the minimum cut size message is to inform you that the cut quality may not be acceptable at the selected size. You may choose to cut the shape or choose to make the shape larger.
Q. Are there any safety issues for students operating the Cutout Maker?
A. The Cutout Maker is designed to be safe enough for students to operate it! The machine is UL and CE certified; it meets the federal guidelines for safety. We do recommend that an adult change the blade, as it is very sharp.
Q. How do I change the blade in the Cutout Maker?
A. Simply…
- Turn power OFF.
- Rotate blade holder 90° towards front of unit.
- Press blade release button.
- Remove blade with blade removal tool.
- Insert new blade.
- Secure blade by turning power ON.
- Rotate blade holder 90° back to operating position.
Q. Does the LCD on the Cutout Maker tell me which color to load when cutting pieces of a collection/bulletin board?
A. Yes. For example, "load yellow construction paper".
Q. Can I use scrap pieces of paper to cut out shapes, fonts and collections?
A. Yes! You can create cutouts from scrap paper as small as 4-1/2"x 6".
