ALL ABOUT DIE CUTTING
For those who have been crafting for a while, Die Cutting is just a common step in your card making process. But for those who are newer to card making, die cutting can seem like such a daunting thing… what tools do you need and how do you actually get the piece to cut out?!
We’re going to talk all about die cutting, and I’ve linked a YouTube video below (you can also find it here). Join me in the video to see how to die cut, and make this fun card:
In this card, I tried to die cut as many things as possible. In fact – everything on this card is die cut other than the “Happy Birthday” sentiment!
The background is actually from a background die, called the Stitched Greenery die. The borders on the Basic White rectangle come from the Elegant Border dies. I also die cut out the Pansy flower and leaves using the Pansy dies!
HOW TO DIE CUT & WHAT TOOLS YOU NEED:
BASICS OF DIE CUTTING: Many of Stampin’ Up!’s stamp sets come with matching die sets. These coordinating items will often be bundled together as a “Bundle” including a discounted price when you order them together (rather than separately). The dies are little metal “things” (for lack of a better word) and they may cut out stamped images, or be able to be used on their own (like the flower in my card above).
WHAT TOOLS ARE NEEDED TO DIE CUT? In order to die cut, you have to have a Die Cutting Machine. These basically have a roller in them that presses your metal die into the cardstock to cut it out. Stampin’ Up! has two die cutting machines – the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss Machine and the Mini Stampin’ Cut and Emboss Machine.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MINI & FULL SIZE MACHINE? They both can do the same thing – emboss and die cut. But, the Mini Machine is portable and light (making it great to take on trips – road trips, or even just to a friend’s house!). The Mini Machine cannot fit every embossing folder and die Stampin’ Up! offers; but the Full Size Machine can. There are Mini Embossing Folders that can fit in the Mini Machine, and smaller dies can fit too. View the measurements of what fits in the description of the Mini Machine from Stampin’ Up! here.
Have a question or tip about Die Cutting? Write it in the comments!
DIE CUTTING VIDEO TUTORIAL:
Click here to watch on YouTube
SUPPLIES & STORAGE LINKS:
Do you have a Die Cutting tip? Let me know in the comments!