Stacked Die-cutting Tutorial
Create effective background designs for your birthday and all-occasion makes
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The stacked die-cutting technique is a fantastic way to add some visual depth to your cards, and if you add 3D foam pads between the layers you can also add actual depth too. One of the simplest versions of this technique is to use a set of shaped nesting dies, cutting each separate die from another layer of cardstock. However, you can also incorporate a shaker into this design too, keeping a couple of layers above and below the shaker, you still get that tunnel look but you’ve added an interactive element. Along this same theme you can use stacking die sets that have intricate cut-away elements too, this allows you to see more of the layer underneath through the die-cut lacy pattern.
Another popular way to use this technique is with word dies, this works great when you have a word die that has a separate outside ‘bubble’ die, such as the Tonic Studios Will’s Hand Collection. You can achieve this look simply by cutting the ‘bubble’ die from the different layers and snipping them in half to move them further apart. So whether you want a die-cut word to be the focal element of your card, create a tunnel effect or even use intricate stacking dies for a lacy look, this technique is certainly worth a try.
Cut four pieces of different shades of cardstock to the same size then select your die. Here I’m using a word die that has a separate outside ‘bubble’ die, this isn’t essential but it works nicely
Die-cut the actual word from white cardstock, then use the ‘bubble’ die to cut an aperture in the centre of three of your colours of cardstock
Use your paper trimmer to cut each piece in half, try to line up your cutting so you cut through the same part each time
Add your white die-cut word onto your solid piece of coloured cardstock then adhere your first two pieces around this but slightly apart as shown
Add the next layer, ensuring you do a dry run first so you know how you want to line it up. Once happy adhere in place
Repeat Step 5 and add the final layer to your stacked die-cut piece. The outer piece of cardstock can be whatever size you desire. To spruce up the designs, try stamping tone-on-tone patterns onto the cardstock before layering them together too
You will need
- White 13.5x10.5cm tent-fold card blank
- Coloured & white cardstock
- Tonic Studios Will’s Hand Miniature Moments – Enjoy die
- Simon Says Stamp Mothers Fathers Florals background stamp
- Lawn Fawn Happy Happy Happy stamp set
- Lobster & Carrot Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad
- Clear Ranger Perfect Medium inkpad
- True White Cosmic Shimmer Detail embossing powder
- Cosmic Shimmer acrylic glue
- Heat tool
- Star sequins
- Paper trimmer
- White gel pen
- 3D foam pads
- Manual die-cutting machine
You will need
- White 14.5cm-square card blank
- Coloured & white cardstock
- Card Making Magic The Christina Collection Layered Florals die set
- Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Lift Your Spirits die set
- Simon Says Stamp Hey Love Emma background stamp
- My Favorite Things Bundles of Blossoms background stamp
- Pink Flamingo & Sugarplum Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad
- Cosmic Shimmer acrylic glue
- White gel pen
- 3D foam pads
- Manual die-cutting machine
You will need
- White 11.5x17cm card blank
- Coloured & white cardstock
- Lawn Fawn Scripty Thanks die
- Tonic Studios Wings & Things – Monarch & Princess Wings die set
- My Favorite Things Bundles of Blossoms background stamp
- Cosmic Shimmer acrylic glue
- Celery Stick & Peacock Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad
- White gel pen
- Paper trimmer
- 3D foam pads
- Manual die-cutting machine
You will need
- White 10.5x13.5cm card blank
- Coloured & white cardstock
- Lawn Fawn Scripty Love die
- Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Lift Your Spirits die set
- Creative Dies Nesting Heart dies
- My Favorite Things Roses All Over background stamp
- Lobster & Carrot Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad
- Cosmic Shimmer acrylic glue
- Acetate
- White gel pen
- Heart sequins
- 3D foam tape
- Manual die-cutting machine
You will need
- White 21x10.5cm card blank
- Coloured & white cardstock
- Tonic Studios Will’s Hand Miniature Moments Happy & Birthday dies
- Tonic Studios Wings & Things Monarch & Princess Wings die set
- Tonic Studios Delicate Detail Henna Flourish stamp set
- Celery Stick & Peacock Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad
- Cosmic Shimmer acrylic glue
- White gel pen
- Paper trimmer
- 3D foam pads
- Manual die-cutting machine
You will need
- White 14.5cm-square card blank
- Coloured & white cardstock
- Tonic Studios Floral Affections Hello Posey die
- Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Lift Your Spirits die set
- Lawn Fawn Happy Happy Happy stamp set
- My Favorite Things Floral Fantasy background stamp
- Simon Says Stamp Emma background stamp
- Clear Ranger Perfect Medium inkpad
- Pink Flamingo Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad
- True White Cosmic Shimmer Detail embossing powder
- Cosmic Shimmer acrylic glue
- Heat tool
- White gel pen
- 3D foam tape
- Manual die-cutting machine
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