When you emboss with Anna die cut machine use both the clear plates by themselves and your embossing with turn out great, I’ve had one of Anna die cut machine for a long time now and I can’t think of one think I don’t like about it!

I live in UK and have the Empress. It does 3D embossing folders a dream. Use base plate, embossing folder, metal shim and magnetic plate.

I've had both the regular Empree and the mini for years. I cannot say enough good things about them. I've never had any problem cutting or embossing with these machines. My only complain is I wish the magnetic mat would last longer. But it's still a winner for me.

I love my empress and by far the best machine I’ve owned. It is worth every penny.

Just watched another video and the demonstrator for 3D folders used 1 plastic plate, shim, the 3D folder and no top plate and ran that through and that worked really well.

I got so excited when you showed the magnet plate but the 3D embossing issue is a deal breaker. Thanks for showing this. I was curious about it. I still have my SU Big Shot and I keep it because of the magnetic plate. I really can’t figure out why other die cutting machine companies can’t get a really good magnetic plate designed meaning one that doesn’t warp, and one that the dies jump around due to separate magnets. If the AG company solves the 3D folder issue I will be all over it!

I have the empress machine. I have some older big shot plates that I use for some of the SU embossing folders. Those plates are just different enough in thickness that I can use my thick embossing folder between two big shit plates, and it works great. It has taken me a hot minute to figure out all the sandwiches with all the different SU embossing folder thicknesses. But try and play with integrating your big shot plates. ;)

I have the Empress mini since 1.5 years ago. I love it. Got it on sale for $115 on HSN. I mostly emboss/cut A2 or smaller items so it’s perfect. Besides I have a cuttlebug for thick dies that cut multiple layers at once. And XL dies that are also thick. Price was perfect on the mini and also takes up only small space.

Yes, yes, yes! I got mine on sale for around $150 and I would have paid a lot more for it! I absolutely love mine. I have my Platinum 6 for the embossing folders. I love my Empress!

I think that it simply depends on how you craft. I currently have a Big Shot and an Empress. I use the Empress the vast majority of the time. Only on rare occasion do I use the big shot machine. I have some older Sizzix dies that can only be used in the Big Shot. Those of us who are into crafting have a lot of tools - and so I have five sewing machines because they all do something different, and I also have two die cutting machines, because they do different things. I prefer using the Empress because it is faster, I can do cutting and embossing in one quick pass through the machine, I can use much larger dies in the machine than I can in the Big Shot, my plates do not warp and they rarely have to be replaced which saves me money, And the vast majority of the dies that I use work perfectly in it.

Great review. FYI, Jennifer McGuire did a video on the Empress a few years ago. For the 3D embossing folders she did the clear plate, the embossing folder and the magnetic plate and that worked. I have a mini empress so unfortunately can't test.

I have seeing good reviews of this machine on youtube, however I am blocked from their website, it says they do not sell to my country (Spain), only to UK, USA and Canada. What a bummer. And no, they dont have it on Amazon Spain either. I, like other people I see in comments have trouble with my hands, tendinitis in my case and I am looking for an automatic machine for the future.

Thank you Wendy! I need an electric machine due to arthritis so I’ve been looking around at the different options

I love mine! I am going to start cutting into the magnet after watching this.TYFS

Yes it is!!!! Most definitely!!!

Im surprised you can cut into the magnetic sheet. I thought that was just to hold the dies. So interesting thanks!

Thanks for sharing Wendy. I haven't looked at other machines.

Anna Griffin products are so amazing.

What is the thickness this can cut? Thick cardboard? Leather?

I’m struggling with embossing folders. I don’t know if there is something wrong with my machine. When I run a 3D embossing folder thru my machine it comes out with areas that are barely embossed. Have you had any issues with that? Thanks for sharing your findings. 😊

Did you try the other plates in the machine at all? I know that you can use all the other sized empress plates in the big machine, so i would think you can use the sizzix one too.

Hello Wendy , I see a lot of this product online , I have a big shot and love it

Wouldn’t misting your paper with water help with 3D embossing?

Thanks Wendy - have a great weekend.

What plates did you use for your SU 3d embossing folders?

I absolutely love my Empress die cutting machine! I agree with you 100% about the 3D embossing folders. I've tried loads of different sandwiches and just hasn't found anything that's given me the results I want. I still use my Platinum manual die cutting machine when I want to use a 3D embossing folder. I was bummed about the plates not being a "standard" size like all of the other machines initially as well. It doesn't bother me anymore though as I'm still using my original plates that came with the machine when I bought it a couple of years ago. They just don't warp or get beat up like the plates on a Big Shot, Platinum, etc. Another downside for me with the Empress is that it's not compatible with my Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System. I still have to use my Platinum manual machine for that as well. I don't have the Spellbinders BetterPress (letter press) system, but from my understanding, it's not compatible with the Empress either.

Thanks for the info!

I have had mine for like 4 years or more and I love it. I still have issues with embossing folders though

Anna Griffin cuts into the magnetic plate in her demos.