Die Cut Letterpress + Giveaways
Hello! I have shared many different types of faux letterpress techniques in the past. However, none of them can compare to today’s technique. The results are such fun!
[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Multiple stores are also linked in the parentheses following the product name. Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]
I *love* letterpress! And am happy to share what I have found to be the best way to get the look of true letterpress using die cutting supplies. It is great for mass producing!
I have lots of examples to share. Be sure to watch the video for a better explanation of how this technique works.
For my first two cards, I used the Spellbinders Little Plants Die Set (SSS | SPL). This is a great set with unique leaves. I die cut two of each of the leaves from cardstock, and one from vellum. I stacked them together with a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen. I then inked up the vellum side with dye ink and laid them onto a piece of watercolor paper. I ran this through my die cut machine with a Spellbinders Embossing Mat. This presses the stacked die cuts and ink into the paper, giving the look of letterpress.
Check out how well this works! I do like results best with watercolor paper. You get less tearing with intricate die cuts.
I added white Nuvo Drops and a sentiment from the Birch Press Hooray for Everything Stamp Set.
With intricate dies such as these, I found the best combination to be two heavyweight cardstock pieces and one piece of vellum. (The vellum is good for transferring the ink.) However, you may have to experiment a bit with how many to stack.
As for the plate sandwich for your die cut machine – just use your machine as you normally using embossing folders, but use the Spellbinders Embossing Mat. Once you experiment a bit, you will be able to do this technique over and over.
Next I used the Spellbinders Lavender Swag Die (SSS | SPL) and the “hello” from the Spellbinders Phrase Set 2 Dies (SSS | SPL). I “pressed” them into watercolor paper with Gina K Peach Bellini and Hero Arts Soft Pool Ink. Swoon! I added tiny white Nuvo Drops to the flowers and stamped a small sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp Kind Flowers Stamp Set.
I used the Spellbinders Poppies Pocket Die (SSS | SPL) to create the letterpress look for these next three cards. I was impressed with how well the large die worked!
By the way, I added Wink of Stella Shimmer to all the impressed ink for added shine. However, for a true letterpress look, you can skip this step. I use a “hello” stacked die cut with silver embossing on top… and a sentiment strip from the Simon Says Stamp Kind Flowers Stamp Set.
Here I used multiple colors for the inking…
I also did a few more super quick cards while I was at it. This one uses the Spellbinders Snowflakes Etched Dies (SSS | SPL) and Spellbinders Phrase Set 2 Dies (SSS | SPL) “thank you.”
Here I just used the Spellbinders Phrase Set 2 Dies (SSS | SPL) “hello” with a gold heat embossed sentiment from the My Favorite Things Bitty Bears Stamp Set.
And how about super simple? I just used multiple inks to impress the Spellbinders Phrase Set 2 Dies (SSS | SPL) “thank you.” That’s it!
Now this last card was actually the first I made. Since these shapes are pretty basic and solid, I used three pieces of cardstock instead of two. (I probably could have just used two. Less is actually better.) I do recommend testing for best results. But these Spellbinders Dog Club Dies (SSS | SPL) doggies turned out great and I will be making more of these. The sentiment is from the My Favorite Things Furever Friends Stamp Set.
RELATED
Here are a few other videos you might like…
BLOG HOP
Today I am a part of a Spellbinders blog hop. This is exciting for me since my friend Yana Smakula asked me to participate. She works for Spellbinders. Spellbinders changed ownership a few years ago and I have enjoyed seeing them grow since then. So I was glad to play today! These dies are beautiful.
The next stop on the hop is the blog of Seth Apter. (You can always start at the beginning of the hop on the Spellbinders blog.)
GIVEAWAYS
Interested in a $25 gift certificate to Spellbinders? For your chance, leave a comment below by 11:59pmEST on 10/19/17. (To leave a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post and click the green “leave a comment” button. The winner’s name will be randomly selected, emailed and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!)
Also, Spellbinders is giving away a $50 gift certificate to FIVE lucky winners. Please leave a comment on Spellbinders blog by 10/19/17 11:59pmEDT for a chance to win. The winners will be announced in the blog hop post on Spellbinders blog the following day.
SUPPLIES
Want to find the products I used? To make them easy for you to find, I have listed them below. (Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. Thank you! Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except those from Spellbinders. As always, this post was NOT paid for.)
