Sizzix - Product FAQs

Most of the Big Shot machines come with a standard 1 year limited warranty from the date of purchase. This can be extended for an additional 2 years (for a total of 3 years), free of charge, by registering your machine on the Sizzix website. For details of which machines qualify for an extended warranty and to register your machine, click here.

To see details and download the warranty details for each type of die or embossing folder, please click here.

Visit our warranties page here, for a full list of machines eligible for extended warranty.

If you are seeing this message, please check your entries on the form:

Make sure that the serial number you entered is in the correct format and matches what is shown on your machine.

- Big Shot – Serial number will begin with BSM

- Big Shot Plus – Serial number will begin with BSP

- Big Shot Foldaway – Serial number will begin with BSF

- Big Shot Express – Serial number will begin with BSE

- Sidekick – Serial number will begin with SKM

- Texture Boutique – Serial number will begin with TBM

- BIGkick – Serial number will begin with BKM

Please ensure you are using the correct form for the machine being registered. Each of our machine types has a different form. If you are registering two different machine types, these cannot be done via the same form. To ensure you are using the correct form, please check here.

Ensure there are no hidden spaces or characters within the required fields.

If all of the above are checked and corrected, and an ‘invalid’ message is still showing, please contact Customer Service here.

You will find your unique serial number on the sticker attached to the bottom of your machine or on the side of the machine if you have a Sidekick machine.

If your machine is older than 3 years old, it may not have a serial number. This means that it cannot be registered for an additional warranty.

Your warranty starts from the date you purchased your machine, not the date of warranty registration.

If you have a problem with your machine which qualifies under the warranty, you should speak to the retailer from which your purchased your machine. If you bought your machine directly from Sizzix, you can contact Customer Service.

You should be ready to provide the following information:

- Information on the problem you are encountering

- The type of machine

- The date you purchased your machine

- The details about the retailer you purchased the machine from

- Your unique serial number

If you are new to die-cutting and are worried you may have broken your machine because it is making cracking noises, this is completely normal so don't worry. It is just the sound of your machine applying pressure to the Cuttting Pads and die to cut through the material. We have support videos to show this in action for your reassurance.

This warranty covers any manufacturing defects in your authentic Sizzix Big Shot machine. This warranty does not cover damages or defects caused by misuse or abuse of dies or accessory products in the machine.

No, some replacement parts can be provided for machines within warranty. Please refer to our warranty pages or contact Customer Service.

To help you decide which machine is right for you, visit our Machine Compatibility Table or watch our videos.

This all depends on the type of die you are using. To see which dies you can cut with each material, take a look here.

Yes this is completely normal and is simply the sound of the die cutting your paper and the Cutting Pads absorbing the pressure of the machine.

Cutting Pads are consumable items which means eventually they will need replacing. It's completely normal for your Cutting Pads to become marked. Check out this video to help you care for your Cutting Pads and expand their lifespan!

In terms of die-cutting, a sandwich is a combination of platforms that are assembled to enable the die to cut through the material. The sandwich type used is dependent on the type of die being used and the material.

A shim is another term for what is usually a sheet of cardstock, with varying die complexities shims can add extra pressure or act as a wedge to enable a cleaner die-cut.

There is no difference, Cutting Pads and Cutting Plates are the same product.

Please follow closely the instructions given by the manufacturer. Sizzix recommends not using competitor dies in Sizzix machines. Sizzix cannot advise on how to use these dies in Sizzix machines.

Click here for Compatibility chart for Sizzix Accessories

Sizzix does not recommend using and cannot advise on the use third party (competitor) accessories with Sizzix Machines.

As we develop new machines we look to enhance the pressure to accommodate the performance required for more intricate designs. As a result, the Big Shot Foldaway has adequate pressure without the need for the Precision Base Plate, so we don't recommend its use with the Big Shot Foldaway.

Use of the Precision Base Plate in the Big Shot Plus and Big Shot Foldaway will result in reduced cutting pad and die life. Also do NOT use the Precision Base Plate with steel-rule dies as damage may occur.

The dimensions for die-cut shapes are listed on the product packaging and on the website product listing under "Design Dimensions."

To extend the life of your Cutting Pads, make sure you flip the Cutting Pads with each use to ensure even wear and tear. Also, be sure to use the entire surface of the Cutting Pad instead of placing your dies in the same spot with each use.

See our Youtube Video

Extensive wear and tear can render Cutting Pads unusable. You can purchase replacement Cutting Pads from your local Sizzix Authorized Retailer or from the Sizzix website.

This may be the result of an overused die or general wear and tear or using an incorrect sandwich option which can apply too much pressure that causes the warping.

Make sure to clean your Bigz and Originals dies with the Die Pick periodically. Thinlits and Framelits dies can be cleaned with the Die Brush. You can also use our Release Sheets to get effective removal of die-cut shapes.

Buy Die Pick

Buy Die Brush

Buy Release Sheets

With the exception of the Precision Base Plate, all the accessories for the Big Shot Machine work in the Big Shot Plus Machine.

When using dies with crease rule, replace the top Cutting Pad with a Premium Crease Pad. Crease Pads are compatible with Bigz, Movers & Shapers and Originals dies.

Watch the video tutorial here.

You can also find instructions for your product here.

As a rule of thumb, anything that can be cut with a pair of scissors can be cut by Bigz and Originals dies. You can find the exact materials using our material compatibility table guide here

The maximum recommended paper weight for use with wafer-thin dies, depending on design and intricacy of the die, is approximately 66lb cardstock (300gsm). The use of thicker cardstock may result in damage to the die or the machine due to excessive pressure.

The following gauges work best with our DecoEmboss dies:

• Copper and brass: 28g

• Alkemè and aluminum: 25g

• Nickel: 30g

• Alloy: It depends on what it is in the alloy. For example, if the alloy has a high percentage of nickel, then approximately 30g would work, but if it is high in aluminum, then 25G would work.

Sizzix products are not designed for use with food of any kind.

Are any Sizzix products recyclable?

Are any Sizzix products made with common allergens like latex?