Gemini or Empress?

If that happens to me, I will return it. I’ll try using a self-healing cutting mat as the top plate in hopes that it will protect the materials underneath.

I hope you give us your honest opinion of Gemini alter you use it. I have Gemini in all of its types. I have also the Empress and the mini Empress with all of its plates. But I would never stop using the Big Shot. It accommodates all dies and folders. But it has more platforms and plates than I care to think about. I like Bigz dies from Tim Holtz so the Big Shot is a necessity.

I have relegated Gemini to cutting fabric. It shreds its embossing mat. I don’t trust it with large frame dies. Just too much pressure. Gemini Jr I just use for foiling with the Gemini foiling plate. Again too much pressure with the foiling plate, depending on material, happens with the Gemini Jr. But I love the foiling system. Hands down the best. I do think it was pathetic that Empress is not sold with its large plates. What’s the point. But Empress performs like butter. With the exception of some thick embossing folders, which will not go through, Empress embosses dies and folders beautifully. But its magnetic mat is soft and has a short life. Keep your Big Shot.

craftmanic1,
I wish I’d read your post before I ordered the Gemini. I may see if I can cancel the order, but I doubt it’s possible at this point. I will let you know what I think after I receive it. I have no plans to get rid of my Big Shot. BTW, Sizzix debuted an electric cutting machine at Creativation, but it won’t be on the market until May. I saw a YouTube video about it. It looks fantastic. You don’t need to fiddle with sandwich thickness since the machine senses the thickness of your die or embossing folder and adjusts automatically. Sizzix products tend to be very good. I just couldn’t wait until May.