Acid Etched Dies
Acid Etched dies are, generally, known as "Wafer Thin" dies. Dies of this type have no sharp steel blades to cut the image. The chemical process to create these dies is quite a production and I'm not knowledgable enough to even begin to tell you how it is done.
What I CAN tell you is this type of die is great to have on hand for your crafting projects. This type of die can be very intricate and highly detailed.
These dies can be used in the Sizzix Side Kick, Original Sizzix, and the Big Shot machines with no difficulty. Sandwiched between the two acrylic cutting plates and the paper(s) of your choice is easy. The downside to these dies is the quantity of papers you can cut through is not many. Two (2) sheets of text weight designer paper is about the limit. Very thin chipboard can be cut with these dies. The chipboard or cardboard these dies will cut through is a typical cereal box.
The highly detailed wafer dies will have further restrictions on paper quantity due to the intricacy of the cutting. The key, pictured above, is one. The holes in the key head will not cut out well using double thicknesses of card stock.
Acid etched dies can be purchase at your local craft/hobby store or online. You can find these on eBay where I purchased these two. The prices range from $7 to $10 depending on where you shop for them.
Steel Ruled Dies
This type of die CAN NOT be used with the Sizzix Side Kick. It is too thick to fit through the throat of the machine. This type of die is used with the Original Sizzix or the Big Shot.
These dies can be purchased at your local craft/hobby store or online. The prices range from $10 to $25 depending on the size.
"Steel Ruled" dies have a sharp metal blade hidden in the padding. The blade is only exposed during the cutting process while going through the machines. The deep foam pad protects your hands and fingers from the cutting blades.
The way this type of die works is pretty much the same as other dies. Sandwich your design paper or card stock between the die and the acrylic cutting plates, then run it through your machine. The compression of the machine exposes the blade to cut through your paper thicknesses.
I have stacked up to five (5) pieces of design text weight paper on top of the die and run it through my machines. The fourth layer is cut well, however the fifth layer has had some places that did not get cut through fully. Card stock I can get away with three (3) for the best cuts and four (4) is pushing the limit of the blade.
The Sizzlet die, pictured here, is a Steel Ruled die also. This die CAN be used with a Sizzix Side Kick, Original Sizzix, and the Big Shot.
These Sizzlet dies can be purchased at any craft/hobby store or online. They range in price from about $6 for individual dies on up to $12 to $15 for a set of four (4) or more.
These dies can handle two (2) pieces of design text weight paper and one (1) of card stock with no problem. This particular die is from Stampin' Up! and can only be purchased through a Demonstrator.
This die has a "Dashed" line within the die itself. This allows you to tear or cut away the outer portion of the die cut to have the inner oval shape to use on your project. You can use this die to cut two (2) pieces of card stock in different colors. Or one piece of card stock and one piece of design paper. The center oval can be cut away leaving a piece for your sentiment or photo and the other die cut can act as the "Frame" for your embellishment.
Embosslets
This particular Embosslet is purchased through a Demonstrator of Stampin' Up!. I'm not sure if this item is still available or not. Other Embosslets can be purchased at your local craft/hobby store or online. The prices range from $10 to $15 for each die. Some come in a set of two (2) to four (4) and the prices for the sets range from $15 to $25.
This type of die is "Acid Etched". There are two sections to this die. One is the "DEBOSS" side which has the lower depth of the image and the other side is the "EMBOSS" side which has the raised part of the image. This particular die cuts the image and embosses it at the same time.
As with other dies of this size the paper quantity you can use with it depends on the thickness of the paper you wish to use. Two (2) pieces of card stock is the limit, while you can sandwich in up to three (3) pieces of design text weight paper.
Another type of "Embosslet" is the Spellbinders brand of embossing and cutting die.
Spellbinders has a range of dies to use in their machines. These dies can be used with the Original Sizzix machine and the Big Shot. Some adjusting of the shim thickness may be required for your particular machine to get proper cuts and embossing using these dies. You will need to experiment to find out how your machine works best with this type of die.
I have a video at the bottom of the "Die Cutting" page that shows you how I used these dies on my "Inventory" project.
Spellbinders dies can be purchased at your local craft/hobby store or online. The prices of the dies range from $15 to $30. The silicone mats are sold separately and range in price from $5 to $7 depending on the store.
Embossing Folders
Embossing folders are used to give your project some "pizzaz" with texture and a visual dimension. They are made of plastic. One side is the "Deboss" side and the other is the "Emboss" side. Place your card stock or design paper inside the folder and run it through your Original Sizzix or Big Shot.
Embossing folders can be purchased at your local craft/hobby store or online. They range in price from $8 to $15. The embossing folder shown in the photo is from Stampin' Up! and can only be purchased through a Demonstrator. Cuttlebug and Sizzix sell embossing folders in stores and online.
I made a video quite a few years ago, before I purchased my Big Shot. This video shows you how to use an embossing folder through your die cutting machine. Using a Big Shot you will need to use the platform with the appropriate tabs open. Instructions are on the platform.
Texture Plates
Texture plates do not cut your paper. They simply give your paper visual dimension and design. The image on the plate is "Embossed" on card stock.
Texture plates can be purchased at your local craft/hobby store or online. These pictured are from my local craft store and from Stampin' Up! when I was a Demonstrator. The prices of texture places range from $10 to $20. Some come in sets of two, and sometimes you will find a set with four. A separate Texture and Silicone Mat will need to be purchased to use these plates.
Texture plates have two sides to them. A different design on each side. The two blue plates are Fiskars and can be used with the "Original" Sizzix machine and the Big Shot. The gray plates are from Stampin' Up! and only fit through the Big Shot.
I'm going to have to make a video showing how you use these things. It is easy. For a Big Shot, open the Platform to the second tab, place your texture plate on the platform, layer your card stock on the plate, place the black Silicone Mat atop your card stock, then place the black plastic embossing mat on the very top of your sandwich. Run this through your Big Shot and work it back through. This will give a deeper impression on your card stock.