Abstract: Manually and electrically powered die cutting machines for making paper cutouts with replaceable dies. A generally cubicle platen cutting head preferably mounted on a supporting cabinet comprises a rigid, supporting base with a pair of outwardly projecting, parallel side plates that surround a pair of spaced apart platens. A stationary platen is fixed between the sides. A movable platen is laterally suspended between the sides away from the fixed platen, defining a die-receptive compartment therebetween. A die selected to produce the desired shape, and the paper to be cut, are inserted within the die-receptive compartment in sandwiched relation before platen compression. The movable platen is suspended by pins projecting laterally away from its edges that engage suitable follower slots defined in the side plates. A crankshaft assembly pivots an elongated, roller-equipped crankshaft to displace the movable platen for cutting.