Die-Cutting and Embossing Product Line Changes

Stampin' Up! is also making big changes with their die-cutting and embossing product lines. They have worked with their current supplier for many many years. Currently, Stampin' Up! goes through a supplier who goes to the manufacturer to make the dies and embossing folders. Stampin' Up! had the opportunity to reassess their relationship with their supplier and manufacturer and decided to move in a more direct to manufacturer relationship with a new manufacturer. Going directly to the manufacturer takes out many production steps. This will give Stampin' Up! more accessibility with product control and product potential. Working directly with the manufacturer will help avoid some of the increased back orders seen earlier this year and will also increase the ability to add new products more easily, like incorporating more customer requested designs and ideas.

Here is how the transition will unfold.

Transition to New Die-Cutting and Embossing Line
Through June 3rd, 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 catalog sales period; we 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 catalog may be depleted; if this happens, they may go on backorder or may not be available to order until we have replenished the inventory.*
April 15–June 3, 2019	Retiring List Our 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 catalog in any format. Dies and standard embossing folders NOT included on the retiring list will be carried over into the 2019–2020 annual catalog. We’ll use up our 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.* These are the high-quality products we currently offer, so we’re confident that you’ll be happy with their performance.
Beginning June 4, 2019	2019–2020 Annual Catalog All new dies and embossing folders (denoted with a “New” icon in the catalog) will be produced by our new supplier and made in the new style with a different and high-quality product design. For carryover dies and non-3D embossing folders, we’ll use up our 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.* These are the high-quality products we currently offer, so we’re confident you’ll be happy with their performance. All new and carryover 3D embossing folders will be produced by our 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 catalog launch but we’re in process on getting these ready to go and they’ll be available as soon as possible. We’ll let you know when they are. No die-cutting & embossing machine will be available for purchase from Stampin’ Up! in the 2019–2020 annual catalog.

Another change required in this transition from our previous supplier is to the terminology we use to refer to die-cutting and embossing products. While the primary reason behind these changes is to comply with trademarks, we are excited for the opportunity to simplify—and we think it will make talking to your customers about these products even easier.

All dies are now just “dies.” We no longer need to categorize them based on whether they’re open (coordinate with stamps), detailed, or designed to go along an edge. And embossing folders will all be called “embossing folders.” We will have two types: standard and 3D (3D being more detailed and intricate than standard).

Die-Cutting and Embossing Product Names
Old-Style Product Names	New-Style Product Names
Framelits™, Thinlits™, Edgelits™	dies
Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder	embossing folders
Textured Impressions Dynamic Embossing Folder	3D embossing folders
Plates, platforms, etc.	plates
Big Shot™	Any die-cutting & embossing machine we may offer in the future will have a different name.

Since Stampin' Up! is using a new supplier for our dies and embossing folders, they’ll be manufactured differently, which means the way you use them will be a little different. We’ll highlight a few of the changes between the old-style and new-style products below. In the future, we’ll also provide videos to show how to craft with the new-style dies and embossing folders and better showcase the features described below.

We’re confident the new-style products will continue to uphold our high-quality standards and that you’ll be happy with your crafting results using the new style.
Here are some of the changes you’ll notice with our new-style dies and embossing folders:

• Our 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. 

Current dies and embossing folders that will carry over from the 2018-2019 Annual Catalog into the new 2019-2020 Annual Catalog will be the same dies and folders that we have right now until the current supply runs out. Once the new supply of carry over dies and embossing folders is ready, the current dies and embossing folders will look like the new die and embossing folder style.

Because Stampin' Up! will no longer be working with their current supplier and manufacturer, that means the Big Shot Machine and all accessories are being retired. The Big Shot Machine, the cutting plates, the precisions base plate, and the all of the accessories will be retiring. I recommend ordering Big Shot Machines and accessories timely, to avoid missing out. If Big Shot accessories go on back order, I encourage you to place your email in the "update me when back in stock" box on the individual product pages in the online store, so you will be notified when it comes back in stock.
 

Stampin' Up! is coming out with their own die-cutting machine in the near future but no exact date or details have been announced. It will not be ready in time for the 2019-2020 Annual Catalog transition, so there will be no die-cutting machine offered in the 2019-2020 Annual Catalog. In the meantime, I will continue to use my Big Shot Machines and order a few extra cutting plates.

I am really excited about the new line of dies and embossing folders! I can't wait to see what Stampin' Up! has in stored for us! Hopefully, I will have more details about what the new dies and embossing folders will look like this weekend at OnStage. I will keep you updated as I know more.

Stampin' Up! is doing a price increase on some products starting in June to meet the increases in paper production and in shipping. This will affect products like solid cardstock, Foil Paper, notecards, envelopes, embossing powder, a few background stamps, and Designer Series Paper. Stampin' Up! wrote a note stating that

"We regularly review our pricing, taking into account the cost of doing business, global exchange rates, increased supplier costs, and market comparisons. When it comes to making changes, we are conservative and put off price increases for as long as we can because we know they impact demonstrators and their customers."

Please click here to review the list of affected products.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding these changes. I am happy to help!

Thanks for stopping by!
Beth

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