Sticker Maker

get the little "X" shaped sticker maker. simple enuf for a four yr old and easy to use.

cowchipper

I would like to buy my daughter a sticker maker for Christmas and wondered which would be a good buy for a four year old. Cella gets mixed reviews on Amazon and my googling also brings up Xyron as a possibility. But I do need to be able to purchase from the UK. Any recommendations from the group?

Also, please can someone explain to me exactly what the technology / mechanics are in these machines? How can you just stick any old picture in a slot and get a sticker out - it's not a photocopier is it!

Thanks.

What you would want for your 4 year old,with mommy or daddy supervision of course is the Xyron 150. It looks like an X. The best was I can describe it is that the little X holds a roll of adhesive tape with a see through film that covers it. The machine opens the two so that when you slip an image into the slot of the machine, good side up, and pull on the tape, the image ends up being pushed into the glue coated sticky side, and protected by the see through non sticky film. The film also ends up coated with all the glue where there wasn't an image. You then tear off the piece that just went through the machine, pull off the film part, you have to be a little careful since it is now sticky, and then pull off the sticky image and adhere it where you want to.

There are different sizes of xyrons ranging from the small X box 150 to the

12 inch wide 1200, but the principle of how it works is similar.

I'd try ebay, UK or perhaps QVC UK to find one, though Marylyn or one of our other knowledgeable European members might have a better choice for you.

?item=583895&dd=/navigationapp/QVCNavigate.aspx?type=ukleftnav!class=UK73!level=2!parent=UKCO&qic=y HTH!

BUT you can only put small items/pictures in it, around the size of an inch square or so! If you want to 'stickerize' say a 4X6 photo or whatever, you might go for the Xyron 510--look around for the cheapest price though! Xyron's selling it for around $31 (US$) which is about

17 pounds in UK--I got mine for $10 at Big Lots, a clearance type store here in Texas, but I've seen it priced up to $70 and above! My daughter never had trouble with the bigger 510, it's pretty easy to use. Only thing is the refill cartridges can get expensive! So I use my Michaels/Hobby Lobby/Joann coupons to buy those a lot of the time. Carolyne in TX

I'm no expert but my understanding is that they apply a layer of adhesive to the back of whatever you put through it, from a cartridge which I imagine to be like a roll of double sided tape... I've not heard of Cella but I have heard of Xyron and they seem to be available from many papercraft shops (saves on shipping). I can't comment on which one is best as I've never used them, but I seem to remember the smallest one being pretty affordable and I'd probably buy that given how quickly children's interests change.

HTH, Helen.x

The Xyron 150 - the "X" - is probably more suitable for children because the cutting edge is serrated plastic while the larger Xyron 510 uses a small sharp blade (like in a paper trimmer) for cutting off the sticker.

Klara

I really don't know how a four-year-old would do with the stickermaker

- the strip is so narrow that you have to be VERY careful how you position the items or they get spindled/mutilated by the edges and wrecked (but it still wastes that much glue!) I find it quite tricky myself...

I think the Xyron X thing that's been mentioned would be suitable. It's simple, affordable, and very easy. Refilling is a breeze, too. If you have little tiny tiny pieces, it can be interesting getting them in there and saving as much adhesive as you can. But....I would think a 4 yr old wouldn't usually be using little tiny tiny pieces. I've got a 5 yr old, and the X Xyron. I'll have my 5 yr old try mine out tomorrow and see how he does with it. There's a 2 yr old, and a 3 yr old at church, too. I can try them with it on Sunday and see how they do.

Hi Bluetreetop,

You might want to try looking here for a good selection of Xyron products and their refill costs.

Since you are talking about a 4 year old, I would suggest that you think carefully before you buy. Although the machines are all relatively inexpensive, consumables are your biggest costs in the long term. It might also be worth considering a Xyron that could be used around the home if it falls out of favour with your little one. The Create-A-Sticker X150 will only make narrow stickers (2-3cm width) and is a pull through process with a plastic serrated edge to cut off the resultant sticker. Nothing on it to hurt little fingers really...but still would need supervised by mum or dad. Positioning the stickers correctly and close together may not be so easy for small fingers and result in loads of waste from the adhesive roll. I am not sure that a 4 year old would have the manual dexterity to use this effectively, as it sort of requires sliding in and pulling through simultaniously. I have a Xyron 250 which works by turning a handle and allows for slightly larger stickers (5cm or so wide). Similar to the above, still requires careful placement to avoid too much waste. Seems to be popular for childrens playgroups etc.. as it is not too big and has nothing sharp. Again, it has a plastic serrated cutting edge. Looking here I see that there is suggested age limits for certain kits: Check them out also :o) There is a Xyron 510, which makes stickers, labels, laminates and makes magnetic stickers. This machine is more versatile, but I believe it has a tiny blade (same as the 900) to cut off the resultant item. If you consider that each of the cartridges will run at about £10 each...you can soon clock up a fair amount of money. This machine has 6 different types of refill available.

Then there is the 900 or creative station, which will do all the tasks the

510 does but up to A4 in width. I have this one that I use for photos and photomats.

Basically, they all work on the same principal by placing item face up, pull through or turn handle. When it comes through other end it is covered with a clear film with the adhesive strip attached to the back of the item. All you need to do is remove the clear film, similar to cellophane and peel off your stickers.

HTH

I had my DS (5 yr old) make a sticker using my Xyron (the X one). Putting it in wasn't a problem. Pulling it out wasn't a problem. Tearing it off was a little challenge. I think with practice, he woudl get it though. HTH!

OK Thanks for this and indeed all the other replies.

I've come to the conclusion that Xyron 510 is the one but that it best wait until she's five (she only turns four this December).

Incidentally no one mentioned the "Cella" which is currently getting a UK television advertising campaign. I suspect this uses the same mechanics as the Xyron but is not so good value for money.

BT

Actually I meant 250 not 510 but I'm still going to wait a year...

BT