by Joanne James9. April 2019 20:00Today saw two very important announcements from Stampin' Up! that I need to make you aware of. The first of these is in relation to the Stampin' Trimmer:
Stampin’ Up! has decided to retire the Stampin’ Trimmer as of 3 June 2019, including all accessories—replacement cutting blades, scoring blades, and cutting mats. They have experienced challenges with the supplier and are taking the opportunity to research and explore a replacement option for this product, which will not be the same as the current Stampin’ Trimmer.
While the replacement cutting blades will also retire with the trimmer and will not be featured in the annual catalogue, Stampin' Up! has ordered what would normally be six months of inventory based on recent historical patterns to help customers during this transition away from the current trimmer. When the retiring list goes live on 15 April, the order limit for the blades will increase from three to six (and the limit will remain at six until they’re no longer available). From now until September, Stampin' Up! will receive intermittent shipments from the supplier. But please know that this news could cause faster inventory depletion. Throughout these months, we anticipate times when the blades will not be orderable (and not offered as a backorder) - this is currently the case here in the UK. During those downtimes, you will have the option to enter an e-mail address to receive notification when the blades are available again.
Click the images below to head right over to my online store to start shopping for the Stampin’ Trimmer and the replacement consumable items:
The second Big News item of the day is that Stampin’ Up! also announced that they’ll be transitioning to a new manufacturer for their dies and embossing folders moving forward.
Stampin’ Up! is moving to a direct-to-manufacturer relationship. This means that they will work directly with the factories who manufacture their dies and folders instead of working with another company who then works with different factories. This gives them greater control and potential for increased speed to market, which can only be a good thing.
TRANSITION TO NEW DIE-CUTTING AND EMBOSSING LINE
Here’s a look at how this transition will unfold:
Through June 3, 2019 | Die and Folder Supply: While Supplies Last and Interruptions - Inventory on some retiring dies may be depleted before the end of the 2019 occasions and 2018–2019 annual catalogue sales period; Stampin’ Up! will not replenish inventory on any retiring dies and folders that sell out.
- Inventory on some dies and folders carrying over into the 2019–2020 catalogue may be depleted; if this happens, they may go on backorder or may not be available to order until they have replenished the inventory.
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April 15– June 3, 2019 | Retiring List- The old-style die-cutting & embossing machine will be on the retiring list while supplies last. This also includes related products such as plates and platforms.
- Dies and embossing folders included on the retiring list will not be offered in the new catalogue in any format.
- Dies and standard embossing folders NOT included on the retiring list will be carried over into the 2019–2020 annual catalogue. Stampin’ Up! will use up their current inventory before starting to ship new-style dies, so even if you place an order in 2020, you might receive an old-style die or folder.
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Beginning June 4, 2019 | 2019–2020 Annual Catalogue- All new dies and embossing folders (denoted with a “New” icon in the catalog) will be produced by their new supplier and made in the new style with a different and high-quality product design.
- For carryover dies and non-3D embossing folders, Stampin’ Up! will use up their current inventory before starting to ship new-style dies, so even if you place an order in 2020, you might receive an old-style die or folder.
- All new and carryover 3D embossing folders will be produced by their new supplier and made in the new style with a different and high-quality product design.
- Carryover 3D embossing folders (previously named Dynamic) will not be available to order beginning with the catalogue launch but they are in process on getting these ready to go and they’ll be available as soon as possible. Stampin’ Up! will let you know when they are ready.
- No die-cutting & embossing machine will be available for purchase from Stampin’ Up! in the 2019–2020 annual catalogue.
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One of the biggest impacts of this change is that there will be no die-cutting and embossing machine in the 2019-20 annual catalogue. The Big Shot and its associated accessories will therefore be retiring so if you have been considering a Big Shot purchase you should do it now. Now would also be a good time to stock up on consumable Big Shot accessories, such as the die brush and replacement cutting pads. Head over to my online store to purchase yours via the links below:
HIGHLIGHTS: NEW-STYLE DIES AND EMBOSSING FOLDERS
Since Stampin’ Up! is using a new supplier for their dies and embossing folders, they’ll be manufactured differently, which means the way you use them will be a little different. A few of the changes between the old-style and new-style products are listed below. In the future, Stampin’ Up! will also provide videos to show how to craft with the new-style dies and embossing folders and better showcase the features described below.
Here are some of the changes you’ll notice with our new-style dies and embossing folders:
- The new-style open dies (those that coordinate with stamps) use a high quality metal that’s thinner than before but still as strong and durable.
- The new-style dies have an added lip to the inside of the blades.
- On old-style dies, when you place an open die (dies that coordinate with stamps) over a stamped image, a small border of cardstock is visible around the stamped image. With new-style dies, the die hugs the edge of the stamped image. Instead of aligning the die to the space around the stamped image, you will align it to the edges of the stamped image. When the image is cut, there will still be a cardstock border around the image.
- They’ve improved the adhesive that secures the dies to the insert sheet in the package so that it’s not too sticky. It’s easier to remove dies from the insert sheet, and the adhesive won’t cling to the dies. (Hurrah for this update!!)
- They’ve standardized the size of the die inserts for easier storage. There are now only two insert sizes: 5″ x 7″ (12.7 x 17.8 cm), which coordinate in size with the stamp cases, and 6″ x 6″ (15.2 x 15.2 cm). The standard sizes will allow uniform storage in whatever system you use. The envelopes that the dies come in will be slightly larger.
- With old-style Dynamic folders, they recommended that you spritz cardstock before embossing to soften the fibers so you got a better impression. Now, that extra step will not be necessary because the new-style folders usually create a crisp impression without spritzing. The way the new folders are manufactured also gives options for more detailed and intricate designs in the future.
- 3D folders are thinner than the old-style Dynamic folders. Because they are thinner, you will need to use a shim, depending on the die-cutting & embossing machine you use.
I will be attending Stampin' Up!'s Onstage event here in the UK this weekend and am looking forward to getting my hands on the new dies and learning more about these changes. I will continue to share updates here and on my Facebook Page as they occur. In addition, a quick note for anyone reading this who is either an online or in-person customer of mine - please do request to join my Facebook VIP Customer Group if you're not in it already - this way you can be sure that you will receive news and updates as soon as they are happen!