Essential Tools for Handmade Stationery: What I Use and Recommend
Essential Tools for Handmade Stationery: What I Use and Recommend
Creating handmade stationery is a rewarding and creative process, but having the right tools makes all the difference. Whether you're making stickers, memo pads, or bookmarks, investing in quality equipment will help you achieve professional results. In this post, I'll share my must-have tools, my personal experience with different machines, and a comparison between budget-friendly and professional-grade options.
1. Essential Tools for Making Stickers
Printer: Bringing Designs to Life
A good printer is crucial for achieving vibrant, high-quality stickers. After researching various options, I invested in the Epson Ecotank ET-8550, which offers excellent color accuracy and uses refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges, making it ideal for high-volume printing.
Budget-Friendly Option:
Canon PIXMA TS6420 – A basic inkjet printer with good color quality.
HP ENVY 6055 – Affordable and suitable for basic sticker printing.
Professional-Grade Option:
Epson Ecotank ET-8550 – High-quality printing, eco-friendly ink system, and excellent for bulk production.
Canon PIXMA PRO-200 – A professional-level printer with impressive color accuracy, ideal for artists.
My Experience: Switching to an Epson Ecotank has saved me money on ink while maintaining vibrant colors. I’m still fine-tuning the color calibration for perfect results, but overall, I love how my stickers turn out. However, I’ve had trouble printing on cardstock—it worked well at first, but now I can only print from the rear tray, which unfortunately doesn’t support borderless printing on A4. Despite this limitation, it remains an excellent option for my sticker and paper projects.
Cutting Machine: Precision for Stickers and Bookmarks
To cut stickers, bookmarks, and other paper products with precision, a cutting machine is essential. I use the Silhouette Portrait 4, which allows me to cut intricate designs with ease. However, cutting laminated stickers can be tricky, so I’m still adjusting the settings to improve the process.
Budget-Friendly Option:
Cricut Joy – Small and compact, ideal for simple sticker cuts.
Silhouette Portrait 3 – A good choice for beginners with accuracy in stickers and paper crafting.
Professional-Grade Option:
Silhouette Portrait 4 – Advanced features, ideal for commercial production.
Cricut Maker 3 – Cuts a variety of materials beyond stickers, including fabric and thick paper.
Siser Juliet – A high-performance cutter designed for precise, professional-quality cuts.
My Experience: I love the flexibility of my Silhouette Portrait, but learning to cut laminated stickers without damaging the cutting mat has been a challenge. I’m experimenting with different blade settings to improve the process.
2. Tools for Making Memo Pads
Paper Cutter or Guillotine
A sharp guillotine ensures clean, professional edges when making memo pads. I use a heavy-duty guillotine to cut multiple sheets at once.
Budget-Friendly Option:
Fiskars SureCut Deluxe – A basic option for light cutting.
Westcott Multi-Purpose Trimmer – Ideal for small projects.
Professional-Grade Option:
Dahle 552 Rolling Trimmer – Precise, durable, and perfect for large projects.
Swingline ClassicCut Guillotine – A heavy-duty guillotine for bulk production.
My Experience: A good guillotine has made memo pad production much easier. It saves time and provides straight, clean cuts.
For cutting paper, I use the Dahle 502 guillotine, but I have mixed feelings about it. Sometimes it cuts perfectly, but other times it doesn’t cut all the way through or wrinkles the paper. It’s not the most reliable cutter, but when it works, it does a great job.
I also use the We R Makers Cinch, but I’m not satisfied with it. It doesn’t allow precise control over the cutting location and leaves marks on the paper. If I were to buy a similar tool in the future, I’d choose a different brand.
Binding Compound: The Adhesive for Memo Pads
To bind memo pads, I use binding compound, which acts as an adhesive to keep the sheets together while allowing them to be easily peeled off.
Budget-Friendly Option:
Elmer’s Rubber Cement – A cheaper alternative, though less durable.
Professional-Grade Option:
Binding Compound – Specifically designed for memo pads, available in white, clear, and tinted versions.
My Experience: Using binding compound makes a big difference. It provides a strong yet flexible hold, giving memo pads a professional finish.
3. Laminating for Durable Bookmarks
Laminator: Professional Finish and Added Durability
Laminating bookmarks and planner dashboards makes them more durable. I use a basic thermal laminator, which works well for my projects.
Budget-Friendly Option:
Scotch TL901X – Affordable and reliable for small projects.
Professional-Grade Option:
Fellowes Saturn 3i 125 Laminator – Heats up quickly and provides smooth lamination.
My Experience: Laminating enhances durability and gives a professional look. I currently use a 32-micron film, but it’s very delicate and tricky to apply without bubbles. I’m still testing different options to achieve the best quality.
Wish List: Tools I'd Love to Buy in the Future
A laser cutter like xTool – Ideal for working with wood and creating painted, solid-color products.
A mug heat press and an automatic heat press – To expand my range of products.
A Heidi Swapp Foil Machine – It offers different temperature settings, but I haven’t found it in stock.
With the right tools, you can create beautiful, high-quality stationery. Share your favorite tools in the comments!