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Letterpress-like look with hot foil plates?

Hi everyone! It's been a while. Sorry for my absence, but too many things on the 'life' side, took time away from the 'craft' side. Things might be the same for the next 3-4 weeks, but today I decided to take some time to play.


So, letterpress, or Betterpress as has been recently made popular by Spellbinders, is the new shiny toy I have been having my eyes on. But as I have promised myself some discipline in spending this year, I decided to see if I could recreate the look with things I already have.


In the video below I share 2 ways I tried and I think it was pretty close to what I was hoping to achieve. I am sure it will be a bit of trial-and-error each time, but definitely possible.





Here are the die-cutting sandwiches I tried:

  1. With platinum die-cutting machine only (from bottom to top)

    1. Variation 1

      1. Platform

      2. Plate

      3. Paper

      4. Clear cutting plate did NOT work. No pressure at all, the paper and plate simply passed through.

    2. Variation 2

      1. Platform

      2. Plate

      3. Paper

      4. Squishy mat

      5. Embossing mat worked, but I do NOT recommend it. My paper tore to the point that individual lines got cut out like strings on the backside. Also, my platform itself got a deep impression of the plate :-(

  2. With Glimmer platform

    1. Variation 1

      1. Glimmer platform

      2. Plate

      3. Paper

      4. Glimmer shim

      5. Glimmer clear plate did NOT work. Hardly any pressure. Only stamped, but no indentation.

    2. Variation 2

      1. Glimmer platform

      2. Plate

      3. Paper

      4. Glimmer shim

      5. Cardstock shim (I used 2 at first but that again tore the paper in some places. Using 1 gave much better results.)

      6. Glimmer clear plate This came closest to what I was hoping for.

I think each platform-plate-paper combination will vary slightly and will be a bit of a trial-and-error. But it's definitely doable.


Further ideas/to-do items:

I also assigned myself a to-do (I know my project manager is showing! :D) but

  1. I do want to try using the BetterPress plate(s) with other platforms and see what happens.

  2. I also want to try the specialty paper from Spellbinders and some watercolor papers, especially cotton-based papers.


I will be sure to share my findings when I do. :) If you get there first with any of these ideas, please drop by and let us all know here what you find.


As always, please know you have my immense gratitude for all your love and support! I appreciate you!!


Hugs! ~Varada



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