Embossing folders are great fun but did you know you can make your own DIY embossing plate that can work kind of like an embossing folder? It is true! And not only that, you can make it really easily using die-cuts!

You can use cardstock, something around the thickness of a cereal box works well as it can be die-cut and you can layer it up if needed to fit your die-cutting machine. I have used a Cuttlebug machine for my projects and have found that for my machine I can use an A plate, one to two 250gsm cardstock shims, C plate, my DIY embossing plate (as detailed in the technique section), approximately 216gsm cardstock to be embossed and a B plate to make my embossing plate manual die-cutting machine sandwich.

To find what works with your machine, try different shims and plate combinations but remember to never force anything through your manual die-cutting machine. The best thing to do is to have a slightly loose sandwich and add a cardstock shim to make it thicker. This way you can control the thickness easily and not break your machine trying to run something through that doesn’t want to go.

Once you have worked out the thickness that works for you, just think of the possibilities – any die-cut can be turned into an embossing board shape! You can also use the DIY embossing plate as a letterpress by coating it with ink before running it through the die-cutting machine. Or if you use VersaMark you can also use embossing power too, for extra bespoke details you can add to your cards!

1

Die-cut two shapes from a cereal box and stick them together. Then adhere it to a panel of card, then repeat to create the desired look

2

Layer cardstock onto the embossing plate and sandwich it as you would an embossing folder. Add cardstock shims to make the sandwich thicker if needed

3

Run the sandwich through your manual die-cutting machine as normal. Never force anything through your machine – just take out a shim until the sandwich goes through easily!

Try out this technique!