Crafts Beautiful - Quick & Crafty - Let's Make Cards Magazine

I hope you like it, the Lite was only just realesed I did get an email from the crafty club - a free web site that you can join once you have your Robo.

I have some free templates on my site - and there are other free templates available, so I am sure you will find something to do on it - even if you need to learn some stuff.

Hi

I’ve had a Craft Robo for a couple of years now and its brilliant.  I have a background in graphic design so find it fits in perfectly with my skill set.  I started using it with the software that came with it but found it limiting so opted to use the Illustrator plug in instead.

I was also a bit cautious at first about the types of paper/card to put through heeding to Graphtec warnings but over time got a bit more adventurous.  It does have its limitations such as thick card and card with plastic coatings - although I tend to use the markings it makes as a guide and then use a knife just to cut through the final layers.

I was really pleased when Graphtec introduced the wider pen holder that snuggly fits Gelly Rollers in and have recently been using the print and cut options (using the crop marks) which works really well.

I’m not sure if Graphtec has got round this with the newer models, but one thing that disappoints me is that you can’t get full use of an A4 sheet of paper.  The cutting guide dismisses about 20mm at the top and also the rollers create deep 5mm impressions at each side of your paper.  As I create bespoke card shapes/sizes, this limits how big I can make the cards.

Nevertheless, I enjoy using my CraftRobo very much even if it has meant a lot of my other crafting tools (punches, circle cutters etc) sit gathering dust!

Sarah

I’m really pleased to hear that you get so much use out of your Craft Robo-jealous in fact ! However I found the instructions quite complicated and the after care less than satisfactory! I think that Graphtec should warn you that you should have a good knowledge of computers before buying. In saying that a year later and I have gone back and checked the website & notice a vast improvement-maybe I should give it another go!
One day when I have plenty of time on my hands......

katy-bear - 20 November 2008 05:55 PM

I’m really pleased to hear that you get so much use out of your Craft Robo-jealous in fact ! However I found the instructions quite complicated and the after care less than satisfactory! I think that Graphtec should warn you that you should have a good knowledge of computers before buying. In saying that a year later and I have gone back and checked the website & notice a vast improvement-maybe I should give it another go!
One day when I have plenty of time on my hands......

Yes I know what you mean.  The instructions were bewildering.  I consider myself to be a bit of a techie, but even so I found it hard to read between the lines and get the answers I wanted.  To truely get to grips with it, putting some time in doing trial and error is needed and as I was living 250 miles away from my boyfriend when I first got it I had plenty of spare evenings!

Your message also prompted me to have another look at the Crafty Club website, and I must admit it seems to be getting better all the time.  Some of the projects have definitely given me some inspiration!

I struggled a bit when I got my Craft Robo in January, even though I am by no means a technophobe.  I poked around on the web for help and joined a couple of user groups on Yahoo.  I found one of them in particular very helpful with heaps of useful information, free cutting files and tutorials and members *almost* as helpful as CB members - if anyone would like the details please PM me.

Well now here’s a thing ! I “Googled” the prob that I was having about the registration marks-oh boy you should try it if only to see that you are not the only person having a problem with it. Then try putting in all your other probs..... hurrah we all have the same complaints. But the good news is that there are some lovely people out there who can help! I am definitely going to have another bash as I think that it will be brilliant if only I could get it to do the things I want.....
Ha! watch this space.I am determined not to let it beat me! Argh!

Good on you Katy good luck x

That’s the attitude Katy, go for it!!  You won’t regret it.

cheers guys nice to know your there !

WOW! What a surprise to see this discussion featured in the favourites list :o)

I still don’t have one :o( But I have asked santa again this year, so here’s hoping!

well I am sure if you have been good you will get one!