Die-cut Letterpress Tutorial
Claire Rhodes-Brandon demonstrates the impressive die-cut letterpress technique with this range of birthday and all-occasion cards
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The die-cut letterpress technique is a versatile and fun way to get more from your dies. It’s a relatively quick and easy method to create a card that looks professional and appears more involved than it actually is.
So what is die-cut letterpressing? It’s a technique where you create your own letterpress stamps by layering up a few of the same die-cut, adding ink and then embossing into cardstock. The number of layers required to create a stamp which has sufficient depth to letterpress will depend on the weight of the cardstock, and also which die-cutting or embossing machine you use, so you’ll need to experiment.
You can achieve anything from a clean look to one more distressed and grungy depending on the ink and dies you use. Dye ink usually works best for a neat finish but all ink gives a different result depending on the cardstock and die-cuts you use. Watercolour card works well for this technique as the fibres stretch without tearing.
A final vellum die-cut layer to apply your ink to is a great way to make your stamps reusable. You can wipe them clean with a paper towel and reuse them many times. When using this technique for sentiments, remember to add the vellum to the back of the die-cuts to ensure it reads the right way round!
Take a fresh look at your dies and see them in a totally different way as you consider the possibilities of die-cut letterpressing!
Die-cut three butterflies from cardstock and one from vellum then adhere all four together. Blend coloured ink onto the vellum side of the stacked die-cut
Carefully secure the ‘letterpress stamp’ onto an 11cm square of watercolour card, leaving the right-hand edge overlapping as shown
Run through the die-cutting machine using the embossing mat and plate then remove the die to reveal the design
You will need
- white 12.5cm-square card blank
- white & black cardstock
- watercolour card
- Tonic Studios Wings & Things Mariposa Wings die set
- Avery Elle Loads of Wishes stamp set
- Shabby Shutters, Dried Marigold & Scattered Straw Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
- Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad
- ink-blending tool
- vellum
- sequins
- 3D foam pads
- manual die-cutting machine
- White 12.5cm-square card blank
- White & black cardstock
- Watercolour card
- Tonic Studios Wings & Things Mariposa Wings die set
- Avery Elle Loads of Wishes stamp set
- Shabby Shutters, Dried Marigold & Scattered
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