Brother ScanNCut vs Bellissimo: Which Cutting Machine Is Right for You?

Brother has introduced a new cutting machine, the Bellissimo CT1, offering a more compact, app-controlled approach to crafting. But how does it compare with the established ScanNCut range, and which machine is best suited to your projects?

For years, Brother’s ScanNCut machines have appealed to crafters who want to cut their own designs, scan stamped images and work without relying on a computer.

Now Brother has introduced the Bellissimo CT1, priced at £229 in the UK. With matless cutting, automatic blade adjustment and Bluetooth connectivity, it offers a different way to create.

But there’s an important distinction: Bellissimo is not a smaller ScanNCut with all the same features.

Let’s look at what each machine offers, what they have in common and, most importantly, what that means for everyday crafting.

ScanNCut and Bellissimo at a glance

Feature	ScanNCut DX	Bellissimo CT1
Built-in scanner	Yes	No
Built-in touchscreen	Yes	No
Standalone operation	Yes	No, Artspira required
Automatic blade adjustment	Yes	Yes
Matless cutting	With appropriate optional roll-feeder accessories on supported models	Yes, for supported half-cut and perforation applications
Full cutting with a mat	Yes	Yes
Maximum cutting width	297mm	297mm
Cutting thickness	Up to 3mm on supported DX models	Up to 1mm with a mat, subject to material
CanvasWorkspace designs	Yes	Yes, transferred through Artspira
Main connection	Wireless LAN and USB options, depending on model	Bluetooth to Artspira
Built-in designs	Yes, number varies by model	100 exclusive designs accessed through Artspira
Drawing	Yes	Yes, optional pen holder
Best suited to	Scanning, independent operation, varied craft materials	App-based cutting, stickers, vinyl and portable creative workflows

ScanNCut specifications vary by model. This comparison focuses primarily on the SDX range rather than every older ScanNCut machine.

1. The biggest difference: scanning

One of ScanNCut’s defining features is its built-in scanner.

You can place a stamped image, hand-drawn design or other suitable original artwork onto a scanning mat and use the machine to create cutting lines around it.

This makes ScanNCut particularly useful for stampers who want to cut around stamped images without purchasing matching dies.

The scanner can also help with positioning designs on materials and working with existing artwork.

Bellissimo does not have a built-in scanner.

Instead, it relies on Brother’s Artspira app, which can convert images into cutting data using supported app features.

That means the Bellissimo can still work with your own artwork, but the process is different. You cannot simply place a stamped image into the machine and scan it as you would with ScanNCut.

For anyone whose favourite ScanNCut feature is Direct Cut, this is an important distinction.

2. Standalone crafting versus app-based cutting

A ScanNCut DX can operate independently, using its built-in touchscreen.

You can select designs, edit them, resize them and prepare cutting jobs directly on the machine without needing your phone, tablet or computer.

This appeals to crafters who prefer to work at their craft table without switching between devices.

Bellissimo takes a different approach.

The CT1 is operated through Brother Artspira, using a compatible smartphone or tablet. Designs are prepared in the app and sent to the machine using Bluetooth.

The advantage is a compact machine with a mobile-focused workflow.

The trade-off is that the Bellissimo depends on an external device for design preparation and operation.

Neither approach is automatically better. It depends on how you prefer to work.

3. What does matless cutting actually mean?

Matless cutting is one of Bellissimo’s headline features, but it’s important to understand what it can and cannot do.

The CT1 supports matless half-cutting and perforation cutting with suitable materials.

Half-cutting is especially useful for adhesive vinyl, heat-transfer vinyl and stickers, where the design is cut while the backing remains intact.

Perforation cutting creates interrupted cutting lines, making it possible to separate shapes from suitable materials without the same approach as a conventional full cut.

However, matless does not mean that every material can be cut without a mat.

For full-cut projects, including many traditional papercraft shapes, Bellissimo uses a cutting mat.

A standard mat is included, and the machine also supports compatible 12×24-inch mats.

ScanNCut DX machines generally use mats for ordinary cutting, although some models support optional roll-feeder accessories for suitable rolled materials.

For cardmakers and scrapbookers, the included mat remains an important part of the Bellissimo workflow.

4. Can Bellissimo use CanvasWorkspace?

Yes, and this is excellent news for existing Brother cutting-machine users.

Brother has confirmed that designs created in the desktop version of CanvasWorkspace can be transferred to Artspira and then sent to a compatible machine such as Bellissimo.

The process involves linking the CanvasWorkspace and Artspira accounts, sending the design to Artspira and opening it through My Creations.

This means you do not necessarily have to abandon your existing CanvasWorkspace design skills or start every project from scratch on a mobile device.

There is, however, a distinction between design compatibility and machine control.

CanvasWorkspace cannot be treated as a direct replacement for Artspira when operating Bellissimo. The cutting job is handled through the Artspira workflow.

For ScanNCut DX owners, CanvasWorkspace offers additional transfer routes, including supported wireless transfer and USB.

5. Do you need an Artspira+ subscription?

No. Artspira is free to use, and Brother confirms that you do not need Artspira+ simply to create stickers with Bellissimo.

When a Bellissimo is registered and linked to Artspira, users receive 100 exclusive designs, including cutting and print-and-cut designs.

Artspira+ is an optional subscription that provides additional designs and enhanced features, including increased storage allowances.

Some functions also have country or subscription restrictions, so it is worth checking which features are included in the free version before committing to an ongoing payment.

For ScanNCut users, the machine’s built-in designs and independent operation remain particularly useful for anyone who prefers not to rely on a mobile app.

6. Which machine is best for cardmaking and scrapbooking?

Both machines can cut shapes suitable for cardmaking and scrapbooking, but they have different strengths.

ScanNCut is particularly useful if you:

Frequently cut around stamped images.
Want to scan hand-drawn shapes or patterns.
Prefer editing and cutting directly on the machine.
Work with a wide variety of card, paper, fabric and other supported materials.
Want advanced cutting and accessory options, depending on your model.

Bellissimo may appeal if you:

Enjoy designing on a phone or tablet.
Make stickers, labels, vinyl decals or heat-transfer projects.
Want a smaller, more affordable Brother cutting machine.
Like the convenience of supported matless cutting.
Already create designs in CanvasWorkspace and are happy to transfer them through Artspira.

For scrapbookers who regularly cut full shapes from patterned paper and cardstock, remember that Bellissimo still needs a mat for those full-cutting projects.

7. Should existing ScanNCut owners switch?

For most existing ScanNCut owners, Bellissimo is an alternative rather than an obvious upgrade.

If you regularly use your machine’s scanner, onboard editing or specialist cutting accessories, moving to Bellissimo would mean giving up features you already use.

On the other hand, someone who primarily makes vinyl lettering, stickers and straightforward cutting projects might appreciate its compact, app-based approach.

Bellissimo could also make an interesting second machine for a crafter who wants a separate cutting setup for sticker and vinyl work.

The decision should be based on the projects you actually make, rather than simply choosing the newest machine.

8. Which should a beginner choose?

The Bellissimo CT1’s £229 UK recommended price makes it an accessible entry into Brother’s cutting-machine range.

For someone comfortable with mobile apps who wants to explore vinyl, stickers and everyday cutting projects, it could be an attractive starting point.

However, someone who wants to cut around stamped artwork, scan drawings or work independently of a mobile device should look closely at ScanNCut before making a decision.

The scanner alone can be a significant advantage for papercrafters.

It is also worth comparing the complete cost of the machine, mats, blades, accessories and any optional subscriptions rather than relying on the initial purchase price.

Our verdict

Brother’s Bellissimo CT1 brings a fresh approach to the company’s cutting-machine range.

Its combination of Bluetooth connectivity, Artspira operation and supported matless cutting is particularly interesting for stickers, vinyl and mobile-first crafting.

But ScanNCut still offers something distinctive: the ability to scan artwork directly, prepare designs on the machine and cut without needing a separate device.

For dedicated stampers, scrapbookers and crafters who value those features, ScanNCut remains a compelling choice.

For those who prefer app-based crafting, particularly with vinyl and stickers, Bellissimo offers another route into electronic cutting.

The best Brother cutting machine isn’t necessarily the newest one. It’s the one whose workflow suits the projects you enjoy making.

Further information

Product information and UK recommended prices checked October 2026. Availability, subscriptions and machine capabilities may vary by model and region.