Die cutting is more exciting than ever... but with more dies, more textures, and more machine options comes one universal truth: you need a storage system that actually works for you. Whether you’re swimming in wafer-thin dies or juggling Big Shot plates, the right setup can save you time, money, and frustration.
Today’s crafters are ditching the bulky, mismatched storage of years past and embracing sleek, uniform systems that protect their tools and make creativity easier. Below are the most up-to-date methods and storage solutions to help you organize your dies, cutting plates, embossing folders, and all the other bits that come with die cutting.
Materials You May Want for Your Die-Cutting Organization System
- Sturdy bins or organizers for metal-ruled or heavy dies
- Slim envelopes or sleeves for wafer-thin dies
- Tabbed dividers for alphabetical or themed systems
- Magnet sheets for securing and displaying dies
- A label maker for every container, envelope, and category
- An optional inventory system, digital or physical
The Challenge of Organizing Your Dies and Die Cutting Equipment
Die lovers know: once you collect dies from multiple brands, sizes, and systems, it gets chaotic fast. The goal is to:
- Choose an organizational method that fits your natural workflow
- Keep dies safe and together
- Quickly find what you need when inspiration strikes
Once your system is set, even a large die collection becomes stress-free!
How to Sort Your Dies and Die Cutting Equipment
Most crafters choose one of these systems (or combine them):
- By manufacturer
Ideal if you work with specific brands that release coordinated sets. - By type → theme
Great for people who think in categories like florals, alphas, holidays, shapes, etc. - By size
Perfect for those who use consistent storage envelopes or magnetic cards.
In theory, it would be nice to always organize by type, or to have all your shapes together by themes, however, it might be a nightmare to find a storage solution if you have a large collection. With all the different die manufacturers and the many accessories, it can be mind boggling! Remember: There’s no “right” approach — the best system is the one that makes your brain say ahhhh.
We’re in a golden age of die organization. Today’s storage options are sturdier, clearer, more compact, and far more uniform than the mix-and-match solutions of a decade ago.
Below are the most current and reliable storage solutions crafters love:
Storage Envelopes (Most Popular)
Perfect for wafer-thin dies, stamps + die sets, small embossing folders, and coordinating sets. Scrapbook.com’s Storage Envelopes are a modern craft room essential because they’re:
- Clear (so you can see the set instantly)
- Durable
- Available in multiple sizes
- Customizable with labels
- Ideal for drawers, bins, or shelf organizers
Pair them with:
- 5" × 7" or 6" × 8" magnet cards
- Tabbed dividers in your bins
- Envelope organizer bins (next section!)
Envelope Organizer Bins
These sturdy white bins are designed specifically to hold Scrapbook.com Storage Envelopes upright—no bending, no sagging, no searching.
They’re perfect for:
- Wafer-thin dies
- Coordinating stamp/die sets
- Word dies
- Background dies
Use them with:
- Tabbed dividers (alphabetical, seasonal, type-based — up to you!)
- Magnet cards inside envelopes for extra hold
Storage Bins with Tabbed Dividers
These bins are wider and fit more categories or larger envelopes. They are ideal when you want everything tidy, upright, and easy to flip through.
Use them to organize by:
- Manufacturer
- Theme
- Occasion
- Style
- SME (Small — Medium — Extra Large) sets
Clear Craft Storage Boxes
If you are storing thicker Metal-Ruled Dies, embossing folders, or any other heavy die, consider the Clear Craft Storage Boxes. Heavy or bulky dies need sturdier homes. The Clear Craft Storage Box features a clear plastic storage box with six removable, small inner clear plastic storage cases. Each inner case can store a 5x7 die up to 1 inch thick. The box and inner cases each have snap closures to keep everything secure.
Magnet Cards & Magnet Sheets
If you’re a visual crafter or you want maximum die security, magnet sheets make storage so easy. You can get magnet cards that slide perfectly into storage envelopes.
Magnet storage benefits:
- Keeps all die pieces together
- Prevents loss
- Allows easy browsing
- Fits beautifully into Scrapbook.com envelopes + bins
3-Ring Binders & Albums
Some crafters love the simplicity of flipping through an album-style system — almost like a collector paging through a treasured baseball card book. A 3-ring binder can be an excellent way to store:
- Wafer-thin dies
- Small die sets
- Alphabet dies
- Coordinating stamp/die sets
- Embossing folders
Use any standard binder along with pocket page inserts. Dies can be stored loose inside pockets, paired with magnet sheets for extra security, or slipped inside Storage Envelopes that you then file into the binder. This lets you keep everything visible and flippable without committing to a bin-based system.
This approach is perfect if you like seeing all your dies at once, prefer a “catalog-style” workflow, or enjoy the visual satisfaction of browsing through your entire collection in pages. Just remember to store binders upright so dies don’t shift, and keep the weight manageable — a fully loaded binder can get heavy fast!
Additional Storage Ideas
While today’s systems focus on envelopes, bins, and magnets, other storage approaches can still work:
- Photo boxes
- Plastic shoeboxes
- Narrow drawer units
- Metal tins
- Pocket-page binders
- Clear CD cases
- Magnetic boards or wall racks
Creating a Die Inventory (Optional but Powerful)
Many crafters find an inventory system dramatically cuts down on duplicate purchases. Inventory can be organized alphabetically, by theme, or by manufacturer.
Options include:
- A simple digital album in your phone
- A spreadsheet
- Printed reference sheets
- A modern take on the classic Rolodex system
Tips for a Smooth System
- Choose ONE system first — don’t mix too many approaches
- Label everything (you’ll thank yourself later!)
- Keep duplicates or rarely-used dies in a separate section
- Review your inventory annually
- Store dies where you craft — accessibility is everything
Tip: Some crafters like to make an Excel spreadsheet or printed sheet that shows them at-a-glance what dies they have. This is perfect if you want inventory sheets with image samples as part of your system.
Summary
When your dies and die-cutting tools are organized in a consistent, easy-to-use system, you’ll reach for them more often and enjoy crafting more. Regardless of the storage solutions you choose, you can build a system that grows with you.
If you are looking to further enhance your craft space organizational skills or want to learn more about die cutting and die cutting storage, check out the following informative articles:
If you have found a solution that works for YOUR dies, be sure to post your images into the Scrapbook.com Inspiration Gallery!
This article is part of our free class called Get Organized. Further expand your craft space organizational skills by taking the class for FREE!
About this Article
This updated guide was adapted from an original article by Scrapbook.com founder and organizational master Jill Davis, with insight from fellow organization expert Stacy Boatman. Their timeless methods provided the foundation for this refreshed 2025 version.
