OK, I am not interested unleashing a huge debate about food safety, but I am wondering if the Cricut cake would cut paper as well as fondant / gumpaste. I am considering buying a machine, totally worth it for not having to spend hours with the Tappits spelling out sentiments. But I can also see myself wanting to do things like cut out cupcake wrappers out of paper. Would the blade cut paper?

Food safety issue aside, I would bet the Cake can cut paper. It is just like the Expression except for a few details. I think paper might dull the blade for cutting food items.

Not trying to debate either...
if you want to cut paper why not save yourself some money and just buy the Expression.

The blog on Cutting Edge Cake Art that compared the Cake and Expression side by side found that it would cut paper, but only did well when they changed the blade from the cake blade to the deep cut blade.

CakesbyCathy, I want to mainly use it for fondant so that is why I thought the Cake version would be better - more seals to stop fondant bits getting into the machinery.

cs_confections, does that mean you can have two blades and use one for fondant and one for paper?

I am still trying to get my head around the features of the Cricut, I have never actually seen one in action so I have to rely on websites and YouTube. I do know if it means being able to never use a Tappit cutter again it will be worth it!

Baking Girl - my thinking was the same - I'd mainly be using it for fondant and liked that bits couldn't get stuck anywhere and the blog said that the cake blade didn't clog like using the deep cut blade on Expression does.

The paper I would use would be for cupcake liners. Yes, you can use the deep cut blade on the Cake to cut paper - you can't, however, use the Cake blade on the Expression. The housings are slightly different, so while the Cake model will fit both, the Expression can't.

Here's the link to the blog I mentioned. http://www.cuttingedgecakeart.com/blog.php#03012010

They did a three part series comparing the two machines side by side and this is what helped me decide to pay the slightly higher cost of the Cake model.

Considering I paid $300 for it, shipping included, it doesn't seem all that much more than buying the expression, having to buy the deep blades (though I did buy one to be able to cut paper-but it's not a "have to"), and the hassle of having to modify the machine and mats.

cs_confections, I have read through the blog you linked to, and it is just the information I needed. Perfect. So now I am ready to shop! One Cake Cricut and a deep blade for paper. Just out of curiousity, how on earth did you get your Cake Cricut for only $300? The cheapest I have seen so far has been $299 on Amazon from JoAnne's, but shipping is on top so brings it up to $322.95.

I had preordered it in February from Cut n Crop. They had it on sale and there was an extra $50 off coupon for preorders (that's now expired). I don't have it yet, but did just receive an email today showing that it's shipped. I hope to have it set up in time -and figured out!- to use for my nephew's bday cake next week. $322 still seems like a good deal. Does it not qualify for the free shipping that Amazon does? Also, Costco has it online for $299 shipping included.

Since the machine ships from JoAnne though Amazon you don't get the free 2 day shipping unfortunately. I ordered the deep cut blade and that ships from Amazon so did not pay shipping on that. I have just placed my order, very excited now! Thanks so much for your help!

Costco.com has the cake cricut for 299.99 and that includes shipping and handling! I think this price is only until the end of the month. I too am debating whether or not to get it. I like the idea of being able to use it for paper and fondant.

It does indeed cut paper. You'll need to buy the 12x12 mat (it's sticky) for the expression. They come in sets of two for about $12. You'll also need the deep cut blade housing - it comes with a blade. I tested this the other day and it works great.

Since you're using an entirely different blade, blade housing and mat - I can't see any room for alarm.

Does anyone know if you can use the cricut cake with the software found online. I forgot what it is called, but its the website you can hook up to the cricut and download fonts, pics, patterns, etc.

I just bought my cricut cake on ebay for 100 bucks and thats brand new in a sealed package with 4 cartridges and all the beginner stuff that typically comes with it. I have also done research on this topic and found that most have said you can cut paper with it, you just need a cricut sticky mat for the paper and the deep cutting blade for it to work. i dont know about you but i cant afford both machines, and I love ebay for cake supplies in general.

I tried it with construction paper and it stuck to the mat so badly that I had to scrape and scrub it off.

on Costco right now you can get it for $59.99 shipped

Thanks for the advice about scrapbook paper. My one try at it scared me so bad I haven't tried since. lol

I guess cardstock is out, too, then?

I have not used my cricut cake in sooooo long.. I think Ive actually only used it once before. I was thinking about selling it until I stumbled across this topic. After reading what all you great people wrote I went out and got the deep cut blade/housing and a paper mat thingie and tested it out.
It worked perfectly! Im now going to use my cricut cake to make custom boxes for cupcakes etc.
I'm finally going to get some use out of the machine. Thanks everyone

Oh if you do decide to try out cutting paper on it i recommend getting the spatula thing to help peel the paper off the mat. (sorry I don't know what all the tools are called)

Sweet! I wondered if the mat was too new and thus extra sticky. Thanks, Marla84!

Thanks for all the info, I was wondering if I can use it on paper as well!
Knowing that it's a yes... Wohoo I DID get an awesome deal $49.99

I did it! I did it! Some of the time, anyway. Thanks for the tip about baby wipes and wiping the mat on your shirt. I wiped it on my couch which has a deeper nap and now the paper peels off about half the time.

Now if I could only figure out the feature keys on the Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge.