Choose between these machines by your next project and existing equipment. Platinum SIX PE-104 includes Universal plates; a Big Shot can be the sensible choice when you already own a documented working setup. Glimmer II compatibility is a decisive difference.
Check this setup in the finderA documentation-based guide, not a hands-on test. Manufacturer instructions support technical claims; community reports illustrate questions, not compatibility guarantees. How we check our sources.
On this page
Compare the exact machines, not just the brand names
| Decision point | Platinum SIX | Sizzix Big Shot |
|---|---|---|
| Reference model | PE-104 | 667085; other bundles differ |
| Advertised opening | 6 inches | 6 inches |
| Plate purchase | Universal Plate System is included with PE-104 | Check the exact package and your existing platform |
| Glimmer II | Listed compatible | Explicitly excluded, including the redesigned Big Shot |
Model and package details come from the manufacturers. An older Platinum 6 may have different plates from PE-104. A Big Shot Plus is a different model and is not covered by the Big Shot column. [1] [2] [3]
Choose around a specific project
Our recommendation is to write down three projects before shopping: something you make repeatedly, a project your current equipment cannot complete, and a technique you actually intend to learn. That makes the purchase decision more useful than choosing the machine with the longest feature list.
| Your situation | Start here | Verify before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Your Big Shot works and the problem is one confusing folder | Check the folder and plate combination first | Whether a documented recipe already uses parts you own |
| You are starting from scratch and specifically want Glimmer II | Shortlist Platinum 6 | The exact machine bundle and the separate foiling system |
| You own a substantial Big Shot setup and want a replacement machine | Price a compatible replacement against a complete alternative | Which existing accessories are documented for the replacement |
| Your main problem is a design wider than either opening | Compare larger machines instead | The complete tool's outside dimensions, not only the finished image |
These are buying priorities, not claims that one machine cuts better. We have not conducted a side-by-side physical performance test.
Treat the plate system as part of the purchase
The word “plate” can mean a base, a cutting surface, an adapter, or a shim. Before carrying accessories across brands, record the printed name, size, and intended job of each piece. Similar-looking clear plates are not enough evidence of interchangeability.
Sizzix provides different stack instructions by machine and operation, and specifically directs owners of older equipment to the instructions on their platform. Use those instructions to identify what you have. Do not combine the bottom half of one brand's recipe with the top half of another. [4]
For a used purchase, request a photograph of every included plate laid out separately. A photograph of a closed machine does not show whether the seller has included the equipment needed for your first project. If parts are missing, price the required replacements before comparing the apparent bargain with a complete package.
Compare the cost of the first working setup
Use this worksheet for both carts. Enter zero for equipment that is included or that you already own and can use in a documented setup.
| Cost line | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Machine package | The exact SKU and current checkout price |
| Required plates or adapters | Only missing components for the chosen project |
| New technique | A separate foiling or letterpress system, if actually planned |
| Consumables | Paper and the first project's foil or ink |
| Delivery and tax | The amount for your location |
Do not add a second Universal kit to a new PE-104 cart. Equally, do not assume that every discounted or secondhand listing contains the current manufacturer's bundle. Compare the checked contents, not the product photo's styling.
What owners worry about
In a July 2020 Splitcoaststampers discussion, a Big Shot owner considering a Platinum 6 replacement asked whether existing bases and plates would transfer. Replies also discussed worktable space. That thread predates the current Universal-equipped bundle, so it is useful evidence of the buying problem—not a current compatibility chart or a durability study. [5]
For your own comparison, list the accessories you would be reluctant to replace. Then check those specific items. “I have many accessories” is less useful than a short list of the five pieces you use every week.
Questions to settle before checkout
Should I replace a working machine to solve one embossing problem?
First check the exact folder generation and plate system in the finder. A missing instruction or part is a different problem from needing a new machine.
Can I choose based on an old Glimmer tutorial?
Identify the foiling-system generation first. The original Glimmer and Glimmer II do not share an identical machine list; use the generation-specific comparison linked below.
Which one is best for everyone?
There is no evidence here for a universal winner. Choose the setup that covers your named projects with the fewest unverified assumptions and unnecessary purchases.
Match the guide to your actual equipment.
Choose your exact machine, plate system, and accessory generation. Read the evidence label before using a recipe or buying a part.
Open the compatibility finder →Sources & review notes
Checked against the references below on November 7, 2026. Product packages and documentation can change. A brand name, nominal width, or similar appearance does not establish compatibility.